PROMISING YOUNG GOLFER

Chronicle (Levin), 1 November 1947, Page 3

PROMISING YOUNG GOLFER

Among the visitihg players at the Hokowhitu Golf Club's Labour weekend toufnameht was a 13-year-old boy, who despite his ten'der age, displayed a knowledge of the Royal and Ancient game sufficient to do credit to the performance of a much older and more experienced golfer. Johnnie Stern, in his first tournament on a ehampionship course, earded scor.es of 99 and 90 off a 22 handicap in the qualifying rounds. His second round score 90 — 22 — 68 was a great performance for so young a 'player, and it won him the B grade second stroke competition. Qualifying in group No. 4 he went through to the semi-fi'nals to be beaten by an eight handicap player at the 19th hole. As the result of his earlier matches he had been reduced to a 19 handicap and in this particular match he was in receipt of only eight shots from his oppo'nent. Johnnie Stern, who is the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C: Stern, is a member of the Buckley Golf Club, and during this season he has participated in several inter-club flxtures with success. Although he is small in stature for his years, he possesses a polished ' style for so young a

piayer. He handles his clubs with plenty of confldence, and his play on and around the greens would do credit to a seasoned golfer on a singl-e figure handicap. It should not be long before more is heard of this promising young player, and provided he can get the opportunities for sound coaching he should develop into a polished golfer within a very short space of time. His brother, Bill Stern, is also a promising young golfer, and although only 17 years of age he is already down to a ten handicap. Another well-known golfer who learned the game as a youngstCr at Buckley is the present club champion at Hokowhitu, Doug. LengWard.