ON THE GOLF LINKS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1946, Page 6

ON THE GOLF LINKS

bogey match at levsn WIN FOR S. F. ATKINS Another large number of golfers attended the Levin links on Saturday afternoon last to compete in a stapleford match, which resulted in a well-merited win for S. F. .Atkins, who recorded-a total of 37 points during the course of his round. He was two elear points ahead of L. S. Carmichael, A. E. Hastedt and E. W. Clark, who all scored 35. The following are the scores in detail of competitors .who handed in cards: — S. F. Atkins 37, L. S. Carmichael, A. E. Hastedt and E. W. Clark 35, D. C. Hill 34, M. C. Wilson 33, A. E. Bennett 32, H. W. S. Walker 31, W. C. Childs 30, T. J. Coutie and C. Melville 29, D. P. Todd, F. E. Langelan and W. S. Ogier 28, J. Todd and C. Wallace 27, J. S. Tomlinson 26, W. H. Walker, H. D. Richards, D. E. Clark and R. W. Atkinson 25, W. Bull, J. A. C. King, B. J. Eager, H. Foley and J. S. Dickinson 24. - Next Saturday's Match

A very popular annual itxture is scheduled for Saturday afternoon next, when a president v. vice-presidents teams match will be played. Matches such as these Dend to ease the burden of handicap matches, and friendly rivalry as the ultimate result has in the past always been a highlight of the season's play. Teams selected from the members present on the day will be niatched as evenly as possible from their handicaps The draw will take place at 1.5 p.m. from the clubhouse. Championship Play A large number of competitors who qualified for both senior and junior championships have already played their first round matches, and are to be commended for their promptitude in doing so. There are still a number, however, who for various reasons have left their games to be played until next vveek-end, and these players are reminded that the first round is definitely to be played by Sunday next. Any player in both gradcs who is unable to play his match by Ihat date will advise his drawn partner to this effect, who will therefore take the match by dofault.

Professional Coach The club committee has been successful in securing the services oi Mr. J. Watt, a professional golfer, for a series of coaching lessons over next week-end, July 20 and 21. Already a large number of both men and lady players have significd theii intention of taking , advantage of this course, and many more' members will no doubt' take the opportunity to improve their game. Full particulars for coaching may be obtained from the club secretary, Mr. H. W. S. "Walker, and all intending pupils are asked to inquire at an early date, so that lessons can be arranged. "Top Dog" Trophy As H. Black, holder of the "Top Dog" trophy with H. D. Richards, was unable to play over the weekend, C. M. Wallace teamed up with the latter player to resist a challenge from two former holders, L. 3. Carmichael and H. W. S. Walker, "who went away with an early lead of two up and succeeded in holding it throughout the game, winning by a margin of two and one. Although confident that they can hold the title for the rest of thc season, they will have to play good golf next week-end, when they will play T. J. Coutie and S. F..Frankin for the trophy. Both Coutie and Franklin can turn on a good di.splay of golf when the occasion demands.

Topical Notes Many rounds have been played ua the Levin links since the bcginning of the season, but despiie thc number of times the average player has played around the "Busn," as it is popularly known, the ambifcion to hole in one remains a burdle to even the lowest liandicap players. Several instances have occurred when those members who have not joined the "hole-in-one club" came near to doing so, and Immediately became members, after having a near-miss or misses during a round. The fund has grown to healthy proportions from a financial angle, and it will be a red-letter day when either a man or woman player plays the perfect shot in an official competiticn. It is to be hoped that a member will soon earn this eoveted distinction. as many years have passed since the feat has hit the head-lines. Mention has been made at various times of the enthusiasm a'nd club spirit that has been shown by all players over many seasons. Another fact that has been shown by a perusal of weekly scores is that several of the higher handicap members are in their first and

second seasons of play. Providing that a player has a reasonable run oi luck during his golfing career, golf is a game that generally oecomes a life-long obsession. The main object of the average player is to reach scratch or single-figure haiulicap, but while many have ihe physical and mbntal ability to do so, they seem to fail during pardcularly arduous play. However, the playing of any sport in 'the right spirit is a factor which always meets with general approval, and the efforts of long aandicap piayers to improve uheir game every week-end will always do of interest to club members. Several players who have started this season's play on' the limit

handicap have improved considerably. and nothing is more pleasing to any average player than to score to his known ability. The road to success is a long one in the golfing world, and even ecratch players have their off days, as statistics will prove. The policy adopted by the match committee Llns season to give all members the opportunity of playing both at home and away, irrespective of handicap, is one that will very likely produce good results in the next few years. Many useful points are collected during inter-club play. The experience gained, particularly by younger members, may have life-long results. One may consider oneself an "above-aver-age" player on one's home links, but 011 strange links a different aspect rnay be seen, at times a humiliating one.