ON THE LINKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 72, 1 July 1942, Page 8

ON THE LINKS

WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB LITTLE JOHN A G AIN Affable old lady: "Let me congratulate you, Captain. I hear you have won one of those Bogus conii petitions!'" Some people have the flair of popping up often like some jack in the box: and our popular member, Leslie, has once again repeated that performance and played himself into first money in an Open Bogey Handicap, played on the links at Paroa last Saturday. It must be remembered, that last time he came into the news he played to 1 below his handicap—nctt 71. On that casion it was a long distance canter and he failed to staj>- the course. As an alternative, he enters for the "sprints" now, and brings home the bacon. His score 85—15.—67 nctt made him 2 up on the "Colonel," the biggest trouncing that worthy officer lias ever received at our course for many a long* day. Littlejtohn, as n. result, caught the handicapper's eye, who, without a blink, pronounces him guilty of being 2 strokes over-weight and reduced him to 16. Well played Leslie. Results of Bogey Following are the results of the day's Bogey Handicap:— Littlejolin 85—18—67 2 up. Butler 84—15—69 1 down. Morpeth 88—10—78 4 down. Luxton 86—9—77 6 down. Sectional Match: Greagor lost to Dr. Dawson. This makes three ties in this section. After the Fortune Cup draw has been played off Moore, Sloane and Dr. Dawson will play a medal round on handicap to decide the ultimate winner of the section. This winner will meet Henderson in the inter-sectional play-off. The rest of the field fizzled out, giving the Colonel best. Attacked singly—the Colonel always has golfers bamboozled, but in pairs, players make a better sowing. Our failure to play better against Bogey is purely a mental one. If one remembers to aim at equalling or bettering the standard scratch score for each hole, one would have no difficulty in doing well in am r competition. Look at above results—first and second cards were excellent medal rounds—which fact gave each a good score against Bogey. Reductions

Littlejohn and his runner-up in this competition, Butler both earned a reduction of 2 strokes each. These two players with Bill Syme, j have been under close supervision, not only of the liandicapper, but of the club members as a whole. Butler, with his matched set of '"DeadAcs'" hits a long ball and has had many good performances to his credit. Eleven should be his mark. Symc on 19, is' a good match player and performs well in pairs. He's a second year player and .should be around 1G handicap by- the end of the season. Apart from playing to his handicap in a medal handicap, and winning an eclectic and a twc-i ball best-ball Bogey, lie lias performed just within his limits, enough to keep him out of the handicappers grip. But as the season progresses 'Slice* hopes to see Bill on the 16 mark. Next Saturday's Draw The following is the draw lor the Fortune Cup, to be played on Saturday, July 4:— Suckling v Spence; Hyland v But-' ler; Billiard v Henderson; Dawson v Rangi; Anderson v Greagor; Britlger v "Boon; Morpeth v Sloane; Powdrell v Luxton.

Founders Cup: Mollgaard v Stone; Corbet t v Armstrong; Bushett v Winstone>Littlejohn v Moore; Campi)ell v Syme; Gockercll v Barry. Conditions are match play or handicap. Matches must be played on date specified. Replace Divots Some careless player failed to replace his or her divot in the eighth fairway. Our worthy president found his ball on this particular one and he passed the usual unkind remarks one refers to such forcgctful members. However, he played the shot that suited the divotty lie, and played a peach, to notch him a 'birdy/ The moral is that you should not leave bare holes to help j T our neighbour to notch birdies, but to replace the divots and keep that flat, green continuity of the course unblemished. Replace the divots. Pologolf

Seeing one of our members galloping to the course on his foaming steed brought to mind the "braA-e days of old, Avhen Knights Averc bold." Tilting in the ring for some faire ladies faA T our Avas the prize in those ancient days—but now it has descended to slashing a little pill round a course ol' 18 holes for a more trilling trophy. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm Avas just as great in those days in their form of sport, as it is now in our present day form. Not for the reward as it is for the sport.» Therefore seeing our valiant Knight on his charger bold, made Slice think that perhaps some AvaA r would buy and bring into A r ogue a new form of golf calling it "Pologolf'.'" This Avorld is full of surprises. Who'd ever dreamt of seeing a man pushing a peanut along the highAvay Avith his nose? If such and many other undreamt-ol' funny actions come to pass, Avhy not Pologoll"? We Avoukl at least haA T e the distinction of being the "Father" of the neAv branch of sport. New Players We have some budding young golfers of the fairer sex, Avho Saturday after Saturday, plod theiv Avear3 T Avay round nine holes trying to pilot the elusive pill into the tin in the least number of strokes. Slice admires the grit these members slioav in sticking to the game in spite of all the difficulties they're up against. Their styles are very good, and Avith coaching by some more experienced players, should shape into good golfers, and therefore derive much more pleasure from the game than they are getting now. I Avould like to borrow from "Bowling notes," Avith auologies, a r feAv remarks by a new member with reference to their boAvling coach. "On behalf of new players, coaches should make a point of fostering beginners. Continuing, lie thought that some of the new members had been rather thoughtlessly and brusquely handled!" Again, Slice Avould like to apologise for borroAving but the trespass Avould be outAveighed by the tremendous advantage our neAv golf members Avould derive if the moral of the above paragraph is performed to the letter, encourage and foster cur young players. Sound coaching and good advice iioav moulds their game on to a sound basis which would cling' to them in years to come, and giA'e them greater pleasure in the game. Aft Little John accompanied his father in a round of golf Avalking around the' course jauntily Avith the free abandon of youth. How one cm~ies youth now Avith their minds free from the perplexities of this everchanging world, and the struggle and slaughter amongst nations. After father played a AA'eak shot Avliich had found a sand hazard he was (Continued in next column)