In 1973, English journalist with the English Guardian, Pat Ward-Thomas, made up a four with the late Don Bradman at Royal Adelaide. "The Don" usually played at Kooyonga, but this was a special match which also included former Australian Amateur Champion (1949), Bill Ackland-Horman.

Ward-Thomas's description of Bradman's style and ability was published in England. I reproduce his comments here as I cannot recall comments by local journalists about observing the way he played.

"Straight-away I was impressed by Bradman's method. If occasionally his batting was criticized for its unorthadoxy, no such charge could be made of his golf. His setup and grip were perfect and might have been modeled on Peter Thompson's, but when I asked who had taught him he replied crisply, "Self taught," and this was entirely credible. Not the least gift of such men is their ability to observe.

In a word, often used in a complimentary sense to describe steadiness, Bradman's golf is 'commercial'. His back swing is contained and short, designed for straightness rather than length, and some-how this seemed in character. Perhaps less often than any other great batsman did he hit the ball in the air, in his merciless fashion, giving the fielders the least possible chance. His golf is as if he regarded hazards in the same light - rarely do they interfere with his progress.

In the whole morning I can recall only one bad shot from Bradman, and possibly two or three indifferent ones. It was easy to see how he had been of scratch and his present handicap of seven seemed to be an understatement, but I did hear whispers that the 'twitch' occasionally beset him, as it has legions of golfers much younger than 64."

Ward- Thomas said that the Australian cricketers, McCabe and Benaud were very good golfers years ago. Of course current batsman and one day captain, Ricky Ponting, is an outstanding golfer.

John Ryan.

Funny, I Thought!

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