19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

NORTH OF THE BORDER
Sirs:
I would like to thank you very much for printing the letter of A. J. Mcintyre (19TH HOLE, March 22). He brilliantly explained that hockey is a resounding success in Toronto only because there are no other activities of interest here. How fortunate I am to have at last been enlightened. I have lived in Toronto all my life under the impression that I inhabit a sports town that I could be proud of.

I should have realized that they were pulling my leg when they told me that E. P. Taylor's Northern Dancer was voted the outstanding 3-year-old of 1964. What a fool I was to believe the rumors that our own George Chuvalo is a top-ranking heavyweight contender. How ridiculous I was one day last summer when I went to the Canadian National Exhibition (the largest annual exposition in the world, they say) to see a track meet supposedly featuring one of the best half milers in history. Imagine my disappointment when I had to settle for Bill Crothers. And, of course, I should have known all along that any city with only two pro football teams must be strictly bush.

How I envy Mr. Mcintyre! It must be wonderful to live in a real sports town, where you can see first-class teams like the Giants, the Mets, the Knicks and, oh yes, those marvelous Rangers.
MICHAEL WAYNE
Toronto, Ont.

Sirs:
I am sorry that New Yorker A. J. Mcintyre has found that there is little of interest in Toronto but hockey, but we think that is quite a lot. For instance, on Saturday night my blood brother and I fought off the Indians, reached our canoes and went to see "our guys" beat the Rangers from the big, big city 4-1. Then on Sunday "our guys" went to New York (by stage coach, I think) and beat the bad guys again, by the score of 10-1. Unfortunately Mr. Mcintyre probably wasn't there; he was at a Broadway show or some other form of entertainment that big city guys go to. But being a hick-town boy I will just be satisfied to see our guys win the Stanley Cup again.
P. J. J. CAVALLUZZO
Toronto, Ont.

Sirs:
Reader Bob Hallenbeck claims Roger Maris and Whitey Ford would not be recognized in Montreal, Canada's largest city. On the contrary these fine gentlemen would be recognized right here in Regina, Saskatchewan—if only they (and Mr. Hallenbeck) knew where it was.
G. R. RACINE
Regina, Sask.

Sirs:
Just to set the record straight the New York Rangers' "expanded farm system" did not produce Rod Seiling as Mr. Hallenbeck states. Seiling is a product of the Toronto Maple Leafs' farm system. The truth is the Rangers' farm system is sadly inadequate and might produce players of Seiling's ability if it could be brought up to the standard set by Toronto.
KEN BURCHESKY
Durham, N.C.

STICKS AND STONES
Sirs:
Barbara La Fontaine is to be highly congratulated for her report of the curling playoff games leading to a championship for the U.S. (A Stone's Throw to a Play down, March 15). Hers was one of the best and, more particularly, most factual articles on the sport ever to come to my attention. As far as curling is concerned, other writers on both sides of the border could read it to good advantage.

It is hoped that the U.S. victory will bring about a strong revival of this splendid team sport in the U.S. and lead to the kind of popularity it enjoys in Canada and (in an increasing measure) in Scotland where it was born, as well as Sweden, Norway and Switzerland.
L. W. C. STURGEON, M.D.
Vice-President
Ontario Curling Association
Welland, Ont.

Sirs:
As an avid young Canadian curler, I read with much amusement your article on curling. I say "with amusement" because anyone who knows the least bit about curling couldn't help but be amused by the ridiculous manner in which the article was written. While curling is as yet an infant sport below the 49th parallel, I'm sure that the vast majority of those who read your magazine know enough about it to comprehend and to expect a much more mature article. A similarly written article about any other sport, as baseball or football, certainly wouldn't help the image of your magazine.

As for curling being a gentle sport, would you consider throwing 4� tons of granite and running 14.2 miles while sweeping for all you're worth, in the matter of a few days, a gentle matter?