DOUBLE CROWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 18 November 1939, Page 10

DOUBLE CROWN

MAJOR TITLES HGRNABROOK'S GOLF FIRST FOR 28 YEARS KOTO'S PUTTING FAILS AMATEUR FINAL MATCH (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A performance never equalled since A. D. S. Duncan won both the open and the amateur golf titles of New Zealand in 1907 and 1911, was repeated by J. P. Hornabrook, of Masterton yesterday, when he beat A. Kitto. .3 and 2 in the final of the amateur title, 'laving already won the open title from Murray: Hornabrook, with the major honours of 1939. has .shown not only general ability but golf fitness —a feature that he displayed yesterday when his play, after a strenuous eight days might have been expected to degenerate. Kitto made a gallant fight for it. but lapses in putting at crucial holes put him down. He could not even draw level in the afternoon, being affected apparently by nerves as much as anything else. Kitto learnt his golf on a farm where he had the use of a private nine-hole course. He played there from the early age of four and in his first big game at 14 he did 8(5 off the stick. His play yesterday showed he has distinct possibilities. This year's contest had been robbed of interest of overseas competitors, chief among whom was "Bobby" Locke, who won the open title at Baimacewan, last year, but notwithstanding, New Zealand golfers from both islands have come forward to demonstrate the high standard of golf within the Dominion. "Pax" Smith and Fuller, amateur and professional champions respectively, did not qualify in 'this year's play. Hornabrook was open champion in 19.17 and amateur champion in 1935 and 193 G. He, along with others, appeared jaded when the final stages were reached in the amateur championship. He made few mistakes in the morning, his approach putting being a feature of his play. Kitto was off the line with a number of his tee shots and he seemed to be unlucky with his putting.

Bunker at Nineteenth Hornabrook found the bunker at the nineteenth with his drive and his second finished in the rough stuff on the edge of the green. Kitto needed three for a win, but missed and the hole was halved. Hornabrook's second at the twentieth was a foot from the cup. Kitto was left with a long out for a half in threes. He missed by only two inches and Hornabrook was 3 up. The wind was freshening and more allowance had to be made in longer strokes. After halving the twenty-first in fours, Hornabrook drew ahead to be 4 up at the twenty-second. Kitto drove to the green, his out being 2ft. short, and he even missed this simple shot. Hornabrook's second was only five feet off. Kitto was jabbing at his puts and. at the twenty-third, which was halved in fours, he should have won but for failing with a nine-footer. He won the twenty-fourth after the wind pulled Hornabrook's drive into the left-hand bunker and the masterton player missed from well out.

Both were within a few feet of each other with their drives at the twentyfifth. Kitto hooked to the left of the green with his brassie and hit his third too strongly. He smiled happily when he succeeded in halving in fours. Sizzling Drive Probably exhilarated by this success, Kitto hit a sizzling drive to the front edge of the green only to be Bft. short with his second. Hornabrook fluffed his drive. His second lay pin high, but he was still short with his putt and the hole was halved in fours. Kitto won the next atfer Hornabrook played a splendid brassie second which got him to the left of the green. However, Kitto made sure of his second putt. This reduced Hornabrook's lead to two with the cards reading 35 each. Hornabrook had been keeping better direction and hitting them with more assurance than his opponent. Kitto's fault lay "in stabbing at his putts. He caused several spectators to duck madly at the 28th with a wild hook finishing well over to the left. Theyi were both on in three. Kitto missed an eight-footer for a win and the hole was halved in fives. Second to Edge of Green At the twenty-ninth, Kitto hit a beautiful second to the right edge of the green. His putt failed by a foot and he caused dismay with an atrocious second attempt for a half. The thirtieth was halved in threes and. at the thirty-first, Hornabrook needed a 1?-footer for a win, but he missed. Kitto again jabbed at his putt, but it went, in to give him a win in five to four. Hornabrook hit a magnificent second at the thirty-second and went into a two-holi: lead in three to four, with four to go. With anything like good jutting, Kitto would have won the thirty-third where ':.e cumost stymied Hornabrook. The result was a half. The end came at the thirty-fourth where Hornabrook was on the green and took two putts. Kitto failed when a six footer would have kept the game alive.