ON THE LINKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 19, 29 October 1943, Page 8

ON THE LINKS

WHAKATANE GOLF CLUB LABOUR WEEK-END TOURNAMENT Tin 1 eighth annual open and handicap tournament of the Wliakatane Golf Club was hold last week-end on the links at Paroa. Play commenced on Saturday afternoon with a medal cfualifying round, and subsequent match play in the various events during the next two days. The weather was .showery and changeable during the. qualifying round. In spite of this however, playing conditions were excellent. After heavy rain during the night, the weather became fine and sunny for the. remainder of the tournament; this helped immeasurably towards the success of the tournament and to the enjoyment of all players who took part in it. The course was in excellent playing order. This was greatly du!e to the splendid efforts of. the course supervisor.. Mr Stubbs, and his greenskceper,, and those members of his select committee who look after the links. All the visiting players commented very favourably on the fine condition of the course, especially at these times Avhen labour, and fertilisers are so hard to obtain. Another feature ■commented on by the visitors was the absence of divots and many .complimentary remarks were expressed as to the line playing ability of all club members so as to leave the course divotiess. This bubble, however, burst when, it was made known that placing had only just been abolished. In any case, the. placing rule was very beneficial in making the course what it Avas during the tournament. Visitors The Poverty Bay Golf Club invaded. Wliakatane for the tournament —17 players in all from Gisbc.rnc taking part. From Rotorua, Chris Bailey again came to defend hi:, title, together with four other low mark players from the Arikikapatapa Golf Club. The Gisborne contingent contained some good low mark golfers. N. Bull on 4, BarnsGraham on 5, and many others worthy of mention, but lack of space forbids. Amongst them being M. Brownli'o of All Black fame. He now thrashes, a little rubber ball instead of a leather one, and makes a good job of it too, as he figures in the prize list. Tauranga Club was also represented by four good golfers Woolhouse on 4, Stevens 10, Bell 13 and Flying Officer Evans JB. Our sister clubs in the Bay were also represented Burke, AVaimana champion, Wardlaw and Cameron of Otamara'kau. The calibre of these visiting golfers taking part in the tournament added full to the. com-, petitive spirit which prevailed and to the excellent performance, of the local club in withstanding such strong golfing talent. Main Events There were. 61 entries for the tournament. Poor scores resulted in the qualifying rounds. Bailey,, Rotorua, 81! being the best with Howe, Gisborne, 83 next. It took a score of 90 to qualify. The best, nett medal , went to L. Grey 73 nett. A rank outsider in C. Hyland, Wliakatane, finished, strongly to annex the open championship from a very strong field. He met BarnsGraham, Gisborne, in the final,, defeating him 3 and 2. Hyland has played very little, golf in club events this season and deserves, great credit for his good, performances throughout the tournament. By this Avin, lie lias added another major title to many others he has held in the. course of his golfing career. The next event, the Rangitaiki Plains Handicap, went to M. Brawnier. (9) Gisborne, avlio defeated R. Morpeth (11) 1912 holder, 3 and 2. The field in this event A\as an extra strong one many low handicapped players missing entry into the main event, being placed, in this group. BroAvnlee played a polished game and deserved his win as he -was just getting on to his game, toAvards the end of the tournament. R. Morpeth was no mean opponent as he eliminated N. Bull (1) in the semifinals. The third event, the Ngati Awa Handicap, was Avon by W. Symc (14) Wliakatane from R. Jones (9) Rotorua at the 21st. This avus a closely contested match Jones conceding 4 strokes to the Avinner. He speaks highly of their play Avhen each contestant Avcnt. around in 81 gross, being ali square at. the turn and at the. 18th and going to the ■ilit jjeiore Symc won. Symc is the club inteimediate champion winner of the Founders Cup and several competitions.

These, who did not quality in the above events played in Flight J the winner being S. R. Burstall, AVhakatane, who beat W. Luxton, a youth who was. playing in his first tournament. Lux ton had, also drawn the winner of the open champion in a lottery conducted by the club and his participation in his first tournament will ever be green in his memory RESULTS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Ist Round: Bailey beat Bell (Tauranga): A. Morpeth beat Hansen (Gisbornc): Barns-,Graham (Gisbornc) beat Powdrell: Wool house (Tauranga) beat Spenee; Morete (Rotorua) beat C. Bull (Gisbornc); Henderson beat darken (Rotorua); Hyland beat Rangi; Oradwic'k beat Howe (Gisbome). 2nd. Round: Morpeth beat Bailey; Barns-Graham beat Wool house; Henderson beat Morete; Hyland beat Cradwiek. 3rd Round: Barns-Graham beat Morpeth; Hyland beat Henderson. Final: Hyland. beat Brans-Graham. Rangilaiki Handicap Ist Round: McLauchlin (Gisbome) beat Edwards (Gisbome);. Brownlce (Gisbome) beat Combes; Butler beat Clirisp (Gisbome); Suckling beat Anderson (Rotorua); Milne, beat Srushall (Gisbome): R. Morpeth beat Stevens (Tauranga); 801 l (Gisborne) beat Brosnahan (Gisbome); A. C. Anderson beat L. Luxton. 2nd Round: Brownlce beat McLauchlin; Suckling beat Butler; Morpeth, beat Milne;. Bull beat Anderson. 3rd. Round: Brownlce beat Suckling; Morpeth beat Bull. Final: Brownlce beat Morpeth. Ngati Awa Handicap Ist Round: Syme beat Barry; Smith (Gisbornc) beat Grey; Little;john beat Russell (Gisbornc); Burke, beat Greager (default): Jenkins (Gisbornc) beat Musgrave (Gisbornc); Jones (Rotorua) beat Sloane; Slone beat Corbcft; Harrison (Gisbornc) beat Evans (Tauranga). 2nd Round: Syme beat Smith; Burke beat Littlejohn; Jones beat Jenkins; Stone beat Harrison. 3rd Round: Syme beat Burke (Wainiana); Jones beat Stone. Final: Syme beat Jones at the 21st. Flight I Ist. Round: Burstall beat Bushett; Dcnham beat Mollgaard; Cockerell beat McFarlanc (Gisbornc); W. Luxton beat P. Campbell. 2nd Round: Burstall beat Denham; Luxton beat Cockerell. Final: Burstall beat Luxton. In addition to the above, conjunctive bogey events and consolation flights were played, detailed results of winners being given as the prize list. Prize Giving At the conclusion of the tournament, the prizes were distributed to the various winners. The president oi' the club, Air L. Luxton, in opening this part of the programme extended a warm welcome to all visiting players and thanked them for coming from such long distances'-to take part in the tournament and make it the success, it really was. He hoped that all visitors had enjoyed their golf, and return to their various destinations with, pleasant memories of the Whakatane Golf Club and Whakatane hospitality. He expressed the appreciation of all the men for the. splendid effort of the ladies committee in catering for lunch and afternoon tea during the tournament. This was heartily endorsed by all with musical honours. The course supervisor also came in fur some kudos, as it was due to the good work of himself and his greenkeeper and. sub-committee, that the course was in such good playing condition. If. their job had not been done properly, much of the enjoyment of the. game would have been lost. After a Jew more remarks on sundry ma Iters, the. prize giving proceeded, Aliss Lois Luxton officiated, in the -absence of Airs Luxton. Following are the prize winners: — Best Gross Score: Bailey (Rotorua) 82 Best Nett Score: L. Grey (Ta'-ie-atua) "73. Sunday morning Bogey Handicap: R. Morpeth (all square). Sunday afternoon Bogey Handicap: \Y. Syme (all -.square). Monday morn dig 4-Ball, Best-Ball Bogey: CiarKcn (Rotorua) and Crudwick, Smith and HarrLvon (Gisbome) Alono.ay attcrhoon Sian.eiord Bogey: Snusnaif (Gisbornc) J: BursraU 2 # Open Consolation Flignt: Powdrell KangilaiKi Conso.auon Fugue: ►"Mnisiiaii (Uisborne).

Ngati Awa Consolation Flight; Greager. Flight I Consolation: Bushett. Flight I winner: Burstall. Runnerup: W. Luxton. Ngati Awa Handicap Avinncr: \\\ Syme. Runner-up:' R. Jones (Gisbornc)! Rangitaiki Handicap: AT. Brownlce (Gisbornc). Runner-up: R. Alorpeth Open Champion: C. Hyland. Run-ner-up: Barns-Graham (Gisbome). At the conclusion of the prizegiving' appropriate replies were made on behalf of visiting players by Air X. Mull and Air O. Hansen, course supervisor of the Poverty Bay Golf Club. Another pleasant ceremony consisted of a presentation to Air Ryde, in appreciation of his services as Clerk of Records. He has held this post even since the innovation of the tournament and has given freely of his time to help our club in the capacity. After more musical honours for visitors and vice-versa, this pleasant ceremony concluded, & one and all adjourned for a "Woe Dcoch an Doris" and "Aukl Lang Syne" before parting for their various destinations. This coiicUulcml successfully .the Bth Open and Handicap Tournament of the Whakatane Golf Club for 1913.