Providence Ho!

Golfing women of the U. S. consulted their professionals about form; their tailors about costume; their husbands or parents about travelling expenses ; their time tables about trains for Providence, R. L, where the women's national championship will open Sept. 1.

From Atlanta, came word that Alexa Stirling, champion in 1916, 1919, 1920, was still too fragile after her recent appendicitis operation to enter the lists.

The Fairfield (Conn.) Country Club ranged some pre-tournament mixed foursomes, wherein National Cham pion Edith Cummings, one-time Champions Glenna Collett (1922) and Marion Rollins (1921), and Mrs. Quentin Feitner, former Metropolitan champion (1920), reinforced by five bisques apiece, would tackle Champion Max Marston, onetime Champions Jess Sweetser (1922) and Francis Ouimet (1914), and French Champion John G. Anderson (all amateurs). Golden golf balls were dangled as prizes for the winning team.

There is but a single thundercloud darkening Champion Edith's horizon at Providence. The vigorous, accurate game she played in winning the Western title, a fortnight ago, would more than suffice to conquer Marion Hollins, even though the Metropolitan champion has played more keenly this year than since her 1921 championship. Alexa is sidetracked. Mrs. Vanderbeck, of Philadelphia, however steady, cannot withstand Edith in a fighting mood, as was demonstrated in the semifinals of last year's title play, when Edith battled her from dormie two to a win at the 20th. There are Mrs. Hurd and Mrs. Barlow of Philadelphia, Louise Fordyce of Ohio, and Miriam Burns of Kansas, but none of these looms really large. Barring a vagrant, unpredictable typhoon, the only disturbance charted is the dark little terror whose native haunt is Providence--Glenna. She is indeed a thundercloud, always has been, particularly for Edith. The two have met once this year -- in the finals of the Buffalo invitation matches. Glenna won.

Than Alexa Stirling there is no finer mistress of golfing style in this country. Glenna, masculine of wrist, short of swing, comes next. Edith's game, while steady and dependable, is more loosely constructed than theirs, but she makes up the difference in temperament. Like brother Dexter, the intercollegiate champion, she is bursting with boyish energy and spirit. Her interests are not confined to golf alone.

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