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Many Americans in British Amateur U. S. List Topped ByWard#Stranahan McHale, Campbell, Strafaci Also to Make Bids for Golf Glory; Crosby Among Hopes ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, May 4 UP. — Defending champion Harvie Ward of Atlanta and Frank Stranahan of Toledo, Ohio, topped a list of 45 American entrants today as pairings were drawn for the British Amateur Golf Championship, beginning May 25 at Holyoke, England. Crooner Bing Crosby and several American business men were included in the group, but chief U. S. hopes for capturing the crown for the fourth straight year rested with Ward, ex-champion Stranahan, Jimmy McHale of Philadelphia, "Big Bill" Campbell of Huntington, W. Va., and Frank Strafaci of Garden City, N. Y. Both in Tough Fourth Quarter The luck of the draw precluded any possibility of Ward and Stranahan clashing in the final again this year. Both were dropped into the tough fourth quarter of the draw and if they survive early matches, theyll meet in the fourth round. Since Stranahan was champion in 1948 and 1950, the winner almost automatically will become the title favorite. Ward opens his title defense against John Caldwell of Portmarnock, while Stranahan draws a difficult opening assignment against Ian Patey, the 1946 English champion. McHale s first foe is Peter Heginbotham of New Zealand, while Campbell drew James Peel of England, both in the second quarter of the draw. Strafaci, in the fourth quarter with Ward and Stranahan, meets C. Raymond Peterson, of Glen Cove, N. Y., in his first test. While nine Americans are listed in the first quarter, Crosby is certain to draw the largest galleries as long as he is around. Bing drew Peter Needham of England as his first opponent. A total of 257 entrants was included in the draw, well below the record 324 set at St. Andrews in 1950. Missing were such familiar American players as former champions Dick Chapman and Willie Turnesa, but the U. S. contingent was regarded as strong, nevertheless. Americans have won five of the seven championships contested since the end of World War n. and 11 of 21 tournaments played since the first American Jess Sweetser won in 1926.
