ON THE LINKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 76, 10 July 1942, Page 8

ON THE LINKS

LADIES' GOLF

DRAW FOR SATURDAY

FIRST ECLECTIC HANDICAP

The following is the draw for the first eclectic round to be played by the Whakatane Ladies Golf Club members to-morrow: — - Mrs Steele and Mrs Hay ward; Mrs Billiard and Mrs Bullen; Mrs Sloane and Mrs Dawson: Mrs Berg and Mrs Lux ton; Mrs Mussett and Mrs Suckling; Mrs Buddie and Mrs Winstone: Mrs Otley and Miss Tait; Miss V. Carter and Mrs Eggers; Mrs Eraser and Mrs Timbs; Mrs Butler and Miss Billiard: Mrs Spenee and Miss Lenz: Mrs Gwvnne and Miss Graham; Mrs Ivor and Mrs Stone; Mrs Bishop and Miss'O'tle}" Miss Williams and Miss J. Bullard; Miss Shapley and Miss King; Miss Appleby and Miss Lm» ton. The July medal results were as follows: A, Mrs Bullard 809—77: B, Mrs Otley 123—77; C, Miss Lenz 117. BREVITIES "Come back slowly,. follow through, Woods and rough won't bother you. Come back fast and bend your arm. Your ball is sure to come to harm." Clem Suckling lias borne out Slice's remarks about our club champ Stuart Spenee. He is besides a most determined opponent, who digs his toes in when he has the tough end. We now tiuJ) him the "Auchinleeh" of the links. Butler has now turned Battler. He returned an 83 gross from 13 mark 70 nctt. Slice has pleasure in reducing him to 12, thereby he enters senior rank. "Battler" Butler has reduced 3 in a few weeks and his star still shines, So here's happy hunting as a senior, Roy. William Henderson has straightened his banana shot. Against John Bullard he has again prevailed. It was most unfortunate that they were drawn together again, but John's a great trainer? If Bill plays Avith him many more times, aac will have a lissome and AA-insome William. Slice played with our popular medico member. Without exaggeration, the Doctor lias the most rhythmic swing in the club. He is a SAvinger handles his clubs with finger grip, the secret of all swingers. The linger grip produces firm and strong fingers, fingers needed in the theatre or at the organ. Aspiring golfers should pattern their SAving after his. Anderson, Avas once guilty of referring" to our greens as "corrugated iron." But he has been Avith us for so long and has walked over the course so often, that he has ironed I the bumps in the corrugations. Grcagor palyed a fighting game, to reduce a deficit of 5 down to face the 18th all square. Andy prevailed at the 18th by the odd stroke. It is like old times to see Allan Bridger back on the links. We saw so little of him last year, that Ave thought it Avould be likewise again this season. It is very pleasing' to have these "heavenlj- beings" descend from Hillcrest to earth beneath to pay us a visit. In his heyday, lie was a tough golfer, because IVc sufjfered often at his hands. But he, like our Mayor, lives on Hillcrest. Busy men more work. Avider vision, greater horizon. We are thankful for small mercies. We are seeing more of them both this season. Sloane and Morpeth had a great game. The issue being in doubt till the last putt A\-hen Morpeth prevailed. Morpeth is one of our best match players, but Walter can be depended upon to produce a fighting finish in anj' match. lie moves along so quietly that his pace is quite deceiving Avhcn counting the strokes for a hole. Beware of his Baffy. It has an ace. We are awaiting the next time. Last, but not least. Arthur Powdrell, present holder of the Fortune Cup. is out to beat off fill challengers. Our jolly president succumbed to his wiles—eA'en though Slice, Avho folloAved behind—saw "Father" dig himself out of a number of bunkers, several times. Father Powdrell has carved his name on all the major trophies of the club, a truly magnificent performance. I seen Arthur out in the weltering sun, or in heavy doAvnpour, contesting many a tough final, especially at Mokorua, where some fine and tough tussles had been played. We had Tvapiers, Innis, Brebners, Cradwieks and Powdrells consorting with top dogs from other sister clubs in those dV-ys. j Where are- they all now? Names of j the past, but we still have "old j

Arthur" Avith us. His skill is ever green. Truly a great sportsman. I compare him with the Brock — "For men may come, and men may go But I go on for ever." Now, l'roin the Fortune to the Founders Cup section, I "was going to describe it as coming down from the sublime to the ridiculous. Some doughty golfers arc in this section, golfers of whom great things are expectcd to whit, Littlejohn, Syme and others. So take care Slice, you may land yourself in the mire of your own making. Some good games eventuated in this section. Syme del'eated Campbell at the 21st. Peter had to avenge a loss at a previous meeting, and was determined to do or die to bring this about. Both are battlers of the first order, and the re-echoing booms of' fireworks had no ell'eet on their nerves. It was a good game to fin-i ish all square at the 18th. To decide the issue, further three holes had to be played and with this prospect in view, the first signs of the strain began to appear. After a quick one, the game proceeded and Syme got a clear lead at the 22nd so ended an epic struggle. Wins tone turned t lie tables on Bushett this trip. They ended the round all square and playing the further • holes to decide the issue. Winstone prevailed at the 20th. Winstone is improving, and with more Control with his irons round and on the greens, should be able to reduce to If). Armstrong and Stone had wins by default. Coekrcll played Barry over the week-end, and came home a winner. Our worthy Mayor, should lie like Hitler--iiavc several counterparts. Designate Ills many 'duties Lo his "doubles" and play golf himself. What about a Dictatorial Edict, Mr Mayor? Again, last but not least. Moore played Littlejohn. Xuff ?;ed! Air Shots Tiie sooner some of our maiden triers are taken over by some of the older players for tuition the better. Unless the club would like to see

its golf outlook become soured and warped. Slice happened to see one fair player smite the empty air. What was wrong? A word of atlvise and some tuition, would start this player oft' full of enthusiasm instead of what she felt when she missed the ball. Advice 1. To send the ball away, you hit through the ball into the turf in front of it. The face of the club sends it up into the air. Do not try to lift it by butting upwards. Hit downwards. 2. Do not lift your head. Keep it doAvn. You lift it when you try to lift the ball. If you follow out advice 1 and hit downwards, you naturally keep your head down at impact. 3. Relax. From knees downwards, you stand firmly. But from knees upwards, you should be quite relaxed. Watch Littlejohn. He has this advice to a T. Listen to this: Relaxation is most precious of golfing gifts. Oddly enough, you can best secure relaxation by concentrating on hitting with the hands. This mental focus will relax the hitting muscles. If your mind wanders to hips, legs, body or outside subjects, the odds are against a good shot. Hence step up to j-our ball with the intention of hitting it to Jericho. Don't worry about how you are going to look like doing it but focus on hitting it. You will hit it. Try it. Don't worry about direction either. Direction comes after gained confidence in hitting it. If you beginners can hit the ball as directed above, achieved the foundation stone to better golf.