OUR GOLFERS

NZ Truth, Issue 1146, 17 November 1927, Page 14

OUR GOLFERS

GREAT SCORES

Kirk-Windeyer Cup

Candidates

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Golf Correa.) In the near future the N.Z. Golf Council will have before them a difficult task — the selection of a team to represent New Zealand, m the second inter-State golfing test for the Kirk-Windeyer Cup. THE team which won the cup m Sydney was composed of A. D. S. Duncan, K. Ross, Leo Quin, T. H. Horton and A. M. MacFarlane. In view of past form, there is every prospect of new blood m the team for January next. Ross and MacFarlane did not play at Hamilton m the recent championships. Ross is always a keen player and is quick to find his form, but MacFarlane has not been to the fore much this past season and it is quite probable that these two players will not compete this year. Leo Quin's wrist has been giving him trouble, and it has been stated that he is considering resting from competitive golf for some time. Arthur Duncan also played brilliant golf m the cup matches. At Hamilton he was not m happy vein; m fact, he never seems to quite "get" the Hamilton "course. On Heretaunga, the probable venue of the coming contest, it will be quite a different matter. He knows the course m every condition, and that alone means at least two' strokes a round m his favor. His experience, leadership and brilliant match -playing abilities on his own course will be considered m the selection of the team. T. H. Horton played his usual finished golf at the last open meeting and proved that he has not gone back. His one weakness — putting — was noticeable there, especially on the final day. At times Horton can putt like Bobbj> Jones — such as at Christchurch two years ago, but when the touch departs it takes the finish off his magnificent play from tee to green. However, his place is assured. Sloan Morpeth again proved that he is one of New Zealand's great golfers by his deeds at Hamilton. It seemed a great pity that Sloan departed from golf to football after the war. Had he stuck to his first love his name would have been inscribed on the amateur cup more than twice.

His victory at Hamilton has proved that he is as good as ever, and he is now m the happy position of being able to devote time to practice and further improve his already powerful game. That great finish at Napier, when he tied m the "open" with B. S. Douglas, was real golf, and Avithou't doubt his finest effort. He is the ideal player for a team; steady as a rock and yet can turn on golf of magnificent brilliance. The efforts of Norrie Bell this last two seasons bring forth his claim to a position m the team. In the Waikato he is the champion supreme. He has won the South Auckland championship five times, the Waikato championship seven times on end, and for the third year m succession has Avon the treble — South Auckland, Waikato and Hamilton championships. Still on the sunny side of 30, he has many years of golf ahead, and he established himself as a medal and match player by his performances at St. Andrews'. Alex. Sime has always proved that he was a great match player, and he has his name on the cup. Last year he went away with two great scores on opening day at Miramar m the open, but broke up towards the end. This year he was not so brilliant m the "open." His object was the "amateur" and he just failed to reach the ; final after a great struggle with Sloan Morpeth. : In his onslaught on the cup he defeated several fine golfers and accounted for A. D. S. Duncan arid J. L. Black. ■ • ; In his match with Morpeth there Avas ' little between them until the final few : holes, and two short putts missed settled the Westport v player's dream of the cup. J. L. Black was one of the few players Avho handed m four cards un- 1 der 80 m the "open." Jack is ex- ' ceedingly hard to beat m a stroke < competition and has always made a < great attempt m the open champion- '< ships. . r .. At Palmerston North, Wanganu! : and St. Andrews' he was always with the leaders. * In the match play stages he has had ( the luck to oppose a, player showing ( the form of his life and has not tra- j veiled so far as his play warranted. , The form of the candidates for the past two years and the condi- ( tions of summer play will be taken ( into consideration, and past form i and performances point to the team 'coming from Sloan Morpeth, 7, T. H. Horton, N. Bell, A. D. S. 1 Duncan and A. Sime. 1