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S n s a O iS a * y it of to lflNH "MF M Bfk llii I -■ m t.jjite HP *■ • I I IglfpilB ||xPland. Jwr** SEP«w» " ma - Jsl k * , I Rain Chills U. S. Walker Cup Team Turnesa Impressive In Practice Rounds British Chances Increased Due to Inclement Weather; First Round Begins Friday By ROBERT DOWSON United Press Sports Writer BIRKDALE, England, May 9.— Britains S hopes in the thirteenth Walker Cup amateur golf matches soared today as cold, wet weather continued to make the American n team long for the warm protected fairways s of their native land. There was half a gale blowing across the first tee part of the day and Frank Stran-ahan, huddled in a heavy sweater and a knitted woolen headpice called a Balaclava helmet here, shuddered as he drove off in a four-ball practice match. Stranahans new grip, taught him by Alex Morrison, intrigued the British who O were getting accustomed to his endless iS practicing. The powerful Ohioan spent a long time hitting balls with a handkerchief * under his left armpit to prevent rigidity y of the elbow. Britain is rated a 50-50 chance if the weather continues to deteriorate for the matches Friday apd Saturday. But if it improves, the Americans figure to win handily. Singles to Be Played Saturday American captain Willie Turnesa, of Elmsford, N. Y., notched this tough course in subpar figures yesterday and Dick Chapman, of Pinehurst, N. C, also busted the figures with a 68. Sam Urzetta, U. S. Amateur Champion from Rochester, N. Y., said the cold bothered him but he expected to be used to it by the time the foursomes start Friday. The 36-hole singles will be ! played Saturday. Turnesas accurate driving impressed observers today and he blasted from a bunker f to four feet from the pin in a beautiful display at the 18th. Big Bill Campbell, wearing a Tartan tam-o-shanter, also played ; around today, but Charley Coe and Jimmy i McHale belted practice balls. Most of the British team concentrated on practice. Former amateur champ Max Macready has a cold but is improving ! r under treatment by teammate Dr. Frank Deighton. Britains Captain Raymond Op-penheimer beamed when the veteran Joe Carr turned in a 69. Carry likes the course — and the weather. Order of play for the 36-hole foursomes . will probably not be issued until late tomorrow afternoon. %