On The Links At Otaki

Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1948, Page 2

On The Links At Otaki

With the Otaki races as a counter attraction, only a few were present at the Otaki Golf Club's links on Saturday, when a flag medal was played. This was won by A. Wilson, who carried the flag' to the 'nole on the 19th green. The finals of the 1948 championships were played on Sunday, the winners of the titles being: — Senior, E. H. Gray; intermediate, N. Gray; junior, A. Wilson. The senior final between E. H. Gray and J. Winterburn over 36 jholes commenced at 9.30 a.m. and proved an interesting match. The ifirst two holes were halved in jthree's, nice "birdies" being scored by both players at the second. Winterburn missed? a chance of 'taking the lead at the third when ;he accidentally moved his ball on 'the green, incurring a penalty 'stroke and allowing" Gray to halve the hole. The fourth and fifth jwere halved in bogeys, and Winterburn took • the lead" when he stymied Gray at the short sixth. The seventh an-d eighth Were halved and Winterburn increased his lead at the ninth with a. bogey :three to four. G.ray struck ttouble at the 10th |when he mis-hit his second, and iwas badly off the line with "his third and took seven to Winterburn's fiye. The 11th Was halved and Gray succeeded m reducmg Winterburnss lead by winning the 12th with a "birdie" and the 13th i with a bogey. The 14th was halved, iand Gray won the 15th to bring I ihe match to all square.: The 16th |and 17th were halved and Winter'burn holed out a long putt for an !"eagle" at the 18th, to go to lundh one up. In the afternoon, Winterburn | increased his lead to two up by I winning the 20th with a "birdie" jthree, the next three holes being | halved. Gray won the 24th, being nicely on the green with his drive, 'while Winterburn ran through the Iback and took two strokes to get 'back. Winterburn was one up. He j took his lead back to two up by j winning the 25th with a bogey four. Gray then had a great run, I winning the next four holes to reverSe the position. He won the 26th with a bogey, the 27th with a "bhdie" two, the 28th with an |"eagle" three, and the 29th with a bogey four. At the 28th his drive jlanded on the hill behind the cabibage tree an'd he played his sec- ! ond brilliantly to within six 'inches of the pin. The 30th and !31st were halved and Winterburn {reduced Gray's lead to one up at ! the 32nd. The 33rd was halved* j and Gray made the match i"dormy" by winning the 34th. {Gray struck trouble at the 35th, {taking six to Winterburn's four, ' and then "duffed" his drive at the last, but recovered to halve the hole and win the match one up. Gray had previously won the sen- ! ior championship in 1946. ! The intermediate championship was won by N. Gray after a. very interesting -tussle wiUh W. Rzoska, the game being taken to the 20th green. After having taken part in four previous finals, Alex. Wilson" sucjceeded in winning the junror J championship by playing good •golf to defeat R. Buxton seven up and six to go. Next Saturday the annua,! Captain v. Secretary match will be played, the teams to be selected at 1.15 p.m. On Sunday, mixed foursomes will be played for the trophy presentfed by Mr. I. Bertram, the draw to take place at 1.15 p.tti. also. This will be a general tea day.