CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 13, 7 September 1931, Page 3

CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

3QUTH AUCKLAND TITLE WON BY BLA-CK FOR THIRB TIME COMFORTABLE MARGIN HAMILTON, Saturday. Play in the South Auckland golf tournament was resumed at St. Andrews Links this morning under very unplearant weather conditioais, a cold .r:outh-easterly wind, accompanied by -rain, prtvailing. The preceding day's play had reduced the field in the South Auckland ehampionship to J. L. Black (Hamilton), H. B. Lusk (Auckland). C.0 H. Laver (Te Aroha), and W. S. Ralph (Auckland). In the semi-final matches this morning, Black met Lusk, de''eating him after a close garne 1 up. Laver oppo~ed Ralph, winning 3 up. In the final match between J. L. Black (Hamilton) and C. H. Laver (Te Aroha) the latter's tea shot at the first found the bunker. He got out on to the green. but Black, who was on laid his putt two feet from the pin. Laver's approach putt was r-,trong, and Black also missed his putt, but took the hole in 4 to 5. Black's second at the next found a bunker, but he got out nearly on to ihe green. Laver's third was on, but well short. Both were strong with their approach putts, but Black gofc ;iis down and took the hole 5 — 6, Laver's putt lipping the hole. The third was halved in fours, but Black's putt at the fourth was in and out again, and Laver took the hole in 5 — 6: Black, 1 up. Black's second at the fifth found a bunker, while Laver's was on, and a half in four resulted, Black having lioled a 20-footer to halve. At the sixth Laver put his seqond into the bunker short. Black, who was nicely on, took the hole in 4 to 5, putting him 2 up again. At the 7th Black after three indiffertnt shots placed His 4th eight 'feet from the pin. Laver was on in 3 but was short with his approach putt, and the hole was halved in sixes. Black 2 up. Laver's second at the 8th was lying awkwardly on the edge of the bunker, Black being nearly on the green, and he was d >wn in 2 more, taking the hole 4 — 5, this putting him 3 up. Laver's second at the 9th went over ihe bank, but Black played a beauty to within four feet of the cup. Laver's third went through to the bunker and Black took the hole in 4 — 6, putting him 4 up at the' turn. He had gone out in 41 to Laver's 46. Black also took the 10th in 3 to 4. Laver's putt for a half hitting the back of the pin remaining out. The 11th also went to Black in 4 — 5, making him 6 up with 7 to go. • Black in 4 to 5 likewise won the 12th and with it the match, 7 up and 6 which carxies with it the South Auckland ehampionship, Black winning it for the -third year in succession.