GOLF NOTES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 305, 19 August 1932, Page 2

GOLF NOTES

Ci . " ^ a *x . - .a a. Lllll L— . . '•« 1 SPLENDID ENTRIES FOR CH AMPION SHIP EVENT. ! PROMINENT PLAYERS COMING. i i (Notes by "Chip-Shot.") I Tuesday will see the opening of the ; biggest golfing event of the year so far as the Rotorua Club is concerned. It is the open championship and tournament, to be followed by the Vcterans' Cup tourney. The drawing power of the Golf Club to Rotorua is not generally appreciated locally, but it is manifest to those in a position to know that the Arikikapakapa course ranks high in the list of the district's tourist attractions. The course brings to Rotorua many hundreds of people who would not otherwise come at all, and in this manner is an asset to the business people and the community generally. One of the most encouraging features is that onee they have tried the course, visitors immediately become enthusiastic and lose no chance of returning to it. Apart from the unique hazards provided by thermal activity, the course is of outstanding beauty and in this respect is not excelled in Australasia. The general equipment is of an exceptionally high order and reflects credit on the enterprise and activity of the controllers of the game in Rotorua. It is not surprising then, that, despite the business dapression, Rotorua has a full hook of entries for the championship, and golfers are coming from all parts of the Island to take part. The tournament is now regarded as oue of the major events of the golfing year. Course Perfect. The course is in perfect order. The x*aiii and rnild spring weather has come in time to repair any ravages of frost, and contestants will find playing conditions excellent. The limit oi entries for players under sixteen handicap was set at ninety, but nlnety-eight have been reeeived. The club is stretching a point in order to let late entrants play, but some of them will have to drive off before S a.m. Local Matehes. There will be 110 local matehes over the week-end, but the course will not be closed to general players until Tuesday. Owing to the iarge number oi' visitors, however, a time-table has been posted at the club-house for players on fc'unday and Monuay. Prominent visitors taking part include J. L. Black and Edmonds (HaEwan (Wellington), J. Goss, I. M. milton), I. B. McEwan and Ian McHus:ey, F. C. Ilutchinson (Wanganui), Dr. Abhott, N. Louisson, J. Tallis, II. B. Lusk, J. B. Lusk (Auckland), C. Ekstedt, A. Seifert, S. Rodden (Palmerston North), E. Troutbeck, F. Fryer, L. B. Campbell (Napier). Rotorua will be represented by 12 players, oi' whom the Carr brothers and R. C. Smith would appear to have the best chance. One of the younger bvigade in R. C. Spedding, Jun., is playing weli latoly and it would not be surprising to see him finish well up. Veterans' Cup Entries. Posl entries are being taken for the Veterans' Cup- tourney, whieh starts on August 30, but already over 40 play -ra have signified their intention of taking part, and by the time the iinal entry is reeeived the field should be a record one for the event. The age limit for competitors is 55 years, and avery year the tournament is inereasing in interest and importance. The committee and the secretary, Mr. C. Gee, have all arrangements foi the tournament well in hand and it now naeds only a continuance of the prevailing fine weather for the club to register another outstanding successful function.

Golf Book's Success. Although scarcely dry from the presses, the golf hook "Fore, How to Play Good Golf," by the well known Rotorua coach, Mr. J. McCormiclc, has reeeived widespread attention. It has been hailed with enthusiasm by golfing writers, who regard it as a valuable contribution to the literature of the game. Ihe Christchurch Sun's golfing expert commented as follows: — "Drawing on his many years' experience as a golf coach, J. McCormiek, the Rotorua professional, has written a booklet, "Fore: How to Play Good Golf." Published by the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Publishing Company, it contains 66 pages, and has many excellent illustrations. Every phase of the game, from the first tee back to the club-house, is covsred, and hints on the rules, on etiquette, and on clubs and gear are thrown in for good measure. . . . Students of the game, beginners particularly, will find this hook helpful." Auckland Review. The N.Z. iierald had the following. "Golfers in all parts of the Dominion will welcome the publication of a hook on the game of golf, written by J. McCormiek, professional to the Rotorua Club. Mr. McCormiek is well and favourably known to hundreds of New Zealand players and visitors from overseas. At Rotorua his services as coach are always in great demand. His hook, entitled 'How to Play Good Golf,' . deals very soundly with all departments of the game. It should appeal very strongly to beginners in particular, as the information it contains tells very simply and comprehensively everyihing that pertains to the game. For the oHer player, too, there is much good advice, and even the lowest handicap men (and women) will appreeiate some of the helpful 'tips' that come from a man \vho has devoted his life to studying goif . * "For instance, here is a 'tip' that will help those who are not 'hitting

through the ball' properly with the driver. "Keep your right heel on the ground as long as possible, and the club-head travelling low as though you were hitting down hill." :H * The scores in the rnen's Canadian foursomes which were played on Wednesday, August 10, were as follows. — C. Redhead and R. Jones,- 84 — 20 — 64; E. Fenton and Carruthers, 86 — 20 — 66; S. Brooker and A. French 86 — •19 — 67; A. Walden and Col. Mellor, 89—21—68.

MOTUTARA CLUB. Such progress has been made in the formation of the new Motutara Club that the gentlemen who coneeived the idea must feel justly proud of the success which has attended their efforfcs, the support accorded the committee at the general meeting last week far exceeding all expectations. Naturally, owing to the fact that the links are not completely formed, the commencement of championship matehes will have to be delayed for a while, but, with a view to enabling the committee to judge the capabilities of members, the first of a series of stroke competitions will be commenced next Wednesday afternoen. The principle to be adopt/ed of, where possible, matching experienced golfers with new players is a wise one, in that it will enable the latter to receive coaching in the etiquette and finer points of the game, which will be of value to them when club matehes are started at a later date. Through the generosity of its patron, Dr. J. D. C. Duncan, who has presented a cup, the club has already a trophy for its first competition. Considering the support already reeeived by the club, there is a probability that at an early date the committee will find it necessary to close the membership until such time as the course is increased to eightesn holes. In the meantime, however, membership will he considered on the termination of two existing members.