VIEWS OF DR. ROSS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 July 1927, Page 9

VIEWS OF DR. ROSS

CONCERNING AUSTRALIA PLAYERS AND COURSES About Australian golf and golfers, and Australian links, Dr. Ross speaks with enthusiastic admiration. He had no doubt that Ivo Whitton was Australia's greatest player, and, comparing him with the best amateurs in Scotland and England, he was equally certain that day in and day’ out the Australian open champion was of the same class as the British topnotchers. “As a finished golfer,” he said, “Whitton is the equal of any golfer I have seen anywhere.” It should be mentioned that Dr. Ross his watched almost every famous golfer ‘at home,” and played with many of them, and that in his student day’s at Aberdeen University he constantly’ play’ed of an evening with Geroge Duncan, perhaps, all things considered, and despite James Braid’s five British open titles and Sandy Herd’s great record, the greatest golfer Scotland has produced. Dr. Ross, too, greatly admires Alec Russell’s beautiful swing, and says, when he is on his game, which seems nearly always, he is practically in the same rank as Whitton. He is inclined to think that the standard of play in Sydney is definitely lower than it is on the Victorian side. The records, of course. fully bear him out in that opinion. Speaking of young Wally’ Smith, of Long Reef, he was much impressed with the lads turn for the game. He saw the last two or three holes of the match in which he defeated Frank Murdoch, and Smith’s styTe and general demeanour during this trying time were altogether admirable, especially for a youngster. He observed that Smith has a short back swing with a crescendo finish that is most effective in securing great distance, combined with good direction, out of the ball. The last hole but one at Rose Bay measures 260 y’ards, yet in the match alluded to. Smith almost drove the green. Dr. Ross expressed the opinion (from which few would be inclined to differ) that his own countryman, the champion of New Zealand, A. D. S. Duncan. was, on his best day, as good as any player in any hemisphere. “Moreover.” he added. “Duncan possesses an absolutely ideal temperament.” Talking of the Dominion women golfers, Dr. Ross thought that Mrs. Howard Dodgshum of his own club, Balmacewan, Otago, fully ranked with our best Australian women players, and that Miss Olive Kay’ gives every promise of achieving championship honours. Although still in her ’teens she has already won a provincial title, that of Auckland. Dr. Ross’s circle of golfing acquaintances includes the British amateur champion, Dr. Tweddell, who was a fellow student at Aberdeen University. They were both entrants for the British Amateur Championship when that was last contested at Hoylake, in 1923. Tweddell, who was then a thirdyear student, made a very good impression in the championship, but got no farther than the third round. Dr. Ross, unfortunately, contracted mumps and could not play. SPLENDID COURSES Speaking about links, Dr. Ross thinks Victoria is peculiarly blessed in respect of championship courses, which are also beautiful to see, and pleasing to contemplate, even to the non-player just strolling round. He was greatly taken with the Metropolitan Club’s links, embellished as that is now by Dr. Mackenzie’s artistic bunkers, and insistd that he has very seldom sampled a better. New Zealand, Dr. Ross said, had a few very fine courses, of which that of the Hamilton Club is the best, but they do not compare favourably with Sandringham, Rose Bay or Metropolitan.