Games - Walter Lindrum

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	Games - Walter Lindrum

Walter Albert Lindrum (29th August 1898 – 30 July, 1960) was an Australian world champion professional billiards player. He is often referred to as the greatest player so far seen in this sport, with some 57 world records to his credit, many still standing. Lindrum is also often referred to as one of the Australian all-time great sporting heroes along with Donald Bradman and Hubert Opperman. At his death in 1960 newspapers called him the 'Bradman of Billiards'.

Early life

Walter Lindrum was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on the 29th August 1898. His father, Frederick William Lindrum, was an Australian billiards champion at the age of 20. Walter's older brother, Frederick Lindrum III, became professional Champion of Australia in 1909.

Walter's grandfather, Friedrich Wilhelm Von Lindrum, was Australia's first Professional Billiards Champion having defeated the English Master, John Roberts Snr., in 1869. His father closely tutored his sons, Frederick Lindrum III, and Walter, and Walter's nephew Horace Lindrum. The family must be considered one of the greatest billiard families.

Walter lost the top of his index finger on his right hand in an accident in 1901, and his father taught him to play billiards left-handed. Much of his childhood was spent practising billiards for up to 12 hours per day, under his father's tutelage. The family were itinerant, and moved from town to town often. His first professional game was played at the age of 13 years.

By the age of 16, Walter was regularly making breaks of over 1000 during practice at the London Tavern, Elizabeth street, Melbourne, where Fred Lindrum II was running three billiard tables. By 1921 Walter Lindrum was defeating his older brother, Fred (III), the Australian Champion. Walter always refused to play his brother for the title of Champion of Australia.

Billiards champion

During the mid 1920s Walter Lindrum's standard of play was without competition in Australia, with many players refusing to play Lindrum. As a result, exhibition matches were often organised, often with New Zealand champion Clark McConachy.

It was not till 1929 that Willie Smith, considered by many to be one of the best English billiards players of the time, visited Australia and played three fairly even matches against Lindrum. With both players being one match up, Lindrum was forced to abandon the third game midway through, upon the imminent death of his girlfriend. While technically the match was a forfeit, Smith refused to accept the trophy and insisted it be awarded to Lindrum.

Smith, McConarchy and Lindrum departed Australia in September 1929 for a tour of England.

Between 1929 and 1933 Lindrum dominated the English billiards scene. Often he would start conceding up to 7000 points to his opponents. Lindrum and his main rivals, McConarchy, Smith, Joe Davis (Champion 1928–1932) and Tom Newman, were called in the press the big five. Lindrum won the world championship in 1933 and held it until his retirement in 1950.

On Lindrum's second tour in late 1930, Donald Bradman and other cricketers from the Australian team, would sometimes attend Lindrum's matches at Thurston's Hall.

On 19th February 1931 Lindrum gave a billiards exhibition for the King and other members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace. The King presented Lindrum with a pair of gold and enamel cuff-links bearing the royal monogram. These formed part of Lindrum's essential attire for the remainder of his playing career.

His record break of 4137 was made in a match he lost against Joe Davis at Thurston Hall, London on 19 January 1932. However, this precipitated a change in the rules of the game.

A 1932 tour of the USA and Canada by several players, including Lindrum, proved a disaster, with disappointing attendances and financial losses by the players.

Lindrum won the 1933 championship and argued that he should be allowed to defend his title in Australia. The 1934 match was organised to coincide with the Melbourne centenary celebrations in September 1934. His challengers in 1934 were the New Zealand Champion, Clark McConachy, and United Kingdom Champion, Joe Davis. Lindrum won this title, but in subsequent years the title became dormant for lack of challengers, until Lindrum relinquished it in 1950.

The title of World billiards champion was passed to New Zealand Champion Clark McConarchy in 1951 who held it until 1968, when he was defeated by Rex Williams.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Walter Lindrum ]

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