Golfers Will Begin Play in Eastern Tourney Against Columbia Today

Yale is the team to beat. Although the varsity golf team enters the Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Tourney at the Salem Country Club this afternoon without a loss to a team north of the Mason-Dixon line, the Elis, defending champions, are still favorites.

From Virginia to Dartmouth, Eastern colleges begin eliminations this week in groups of four teams. Princeton, Columbia, Yale, and a "dark horse" Harvard team play over the long, tough Salem course, with the Crimson meeting Columbia this afternoon and Yale and Princeton tomorrow. Columbia should not be too much trouble, but Yale and Princeton have top-flight teams.

Last year, Harvard dropped all three of its first-round matches. Sharper games and a good record (after the disastrous Southern trip) have made the Crimson a team to be watched this year. Yale has also had a successful record; it played only practice matches on its Southern jaunt.

Matson Settled Down

Captain Bob Matson will lead off for the Crimson, as usual. Matson had a little trouble with his putting early in the year, but has gotten it down in his last few matches, keeping his scores in the low 70's. Frequently outdriven, Matson makes it up with accurate wood shots.

Steadiness keeps Doug "Hog" Wilde playing a top position. A transfer student from Holy Cross, Wilde's middle-70 scores have made him a consistent winner this year. Sam Seager, now playing his third year of varsity golf, is less steady, but practically unbeatable when really on his game. Seager has been known to blow four or five holes to an opponent before clipping in with a one-up victory. In the Intercollegiates two years ago, Seager holed a putt in near-darkness to give Harvard a 5 to 4 upset over Princeton.

Denton, Weissman Experienced

Jack Denton and Paul Weissman are also steady, experienced golfers. Denton has played three years of varsity golf; he was also manager for two years. Weissman, who was freshman captain last year, hasn't lost a match this year. Part of his success comes from an off-the-green wedge shot, which Weissman substitutes for the usual five-iron pitch and run.