ON THE LINKS!

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 8, 31 March 1927, Page 7

ON THE LINKS!

Pavilion Gossip

(By

E. C. ROBIESON.)

fixtures April 2.—Annual meeting, Auckland Golf Club. \nril —First round, E. R. Bloomfield Bowl, Middle more. April 2.— 'Bogey handicap (season opening), at Titirangi (post entries). Kpril 2.—Bogey at Maungakiekie post entries). April 2. —Canadian foursomes, medal, at Glendowie. April s.—Ladies’ medal at Middlemore. April 7. —Ladies’ opening at Titirangi. May IS* —'British ladies’ championship. May 23-2 S amateur at Hoylake. June 14-16. —American open. July 11-15. —British open St. Andrew’s. NO SUPER-CADDIES L.G.U. MAKES NEW RULING MUST BE A DRAW This week’s notes will be devoted to clippings from news all over the world, the local affairs being quite in the melting-pot until we see what happens when the playing season commences. There is something of especial interest to women golfers in tie news by post, and that is the latest from the L.G.U., an organisation that takes the game more seriously than any body or individual I know. The latest ultimatum, in effect, bars the ‘’super-caddie" from the links, at least; in future, competition events will either see your favourite caddie torn from you willy-nilly, or acting the role of spectator. Only from the caddie, according to the rules of golf, may the golfer seek advice in the course of a round. This has led to many players adopting a practice of engaging a regular caddie. Often, indeed, has a professional been engaged to caddy in big events. Relatives and close friends appear to be unpopular, in the carrying role, among many players, though why I could never understand. However, as far as women are concerned, the edict has gone forth that in future they may not employ a professional as a caddie, neither may they make use of a relative, nor yet of even their usual club caddie. Caddies must

be engaged on the course where the f'vent is played, and the quality of the caddie will depend on the luck of the draw. Presumably this applies only to championship events, but my information does not cover this aspect. Men are, of course, not affected by this decree. I can imagine the outcry if any such action respecting them was taken. In the world championships i i particular leading players have gone to great trouble and expense to get the caddies they wanted. Walter Hagan usually takes his own caddie to England with him, and Harry Vardon and J. H. Taylor have frequently engaged brother professionals.

A drive of 640 yards has been recorded by the captain of the Wimbledon Park Club, England. He unintentionally hit a drive on to the frozen lake. Aided by a following wind the ball ran the whole distance of the lake’s surface.

GOLF AT MONTE CARLO

A FEAT OF CONSTRUCTION SETTING OF MAJESTIC BEAUTY m^f- new en , l in golf, resulting in tlie most remarkable feat of golf-course construction, occurred In 1907, when At-naud Massy won the British open nlave~ h ,P ~ the first overseas Player to beat the Britons on their »n r *th 0 f Ur tT S ' Great Britain had, up till that tune, regarded the game as exclusively its own possession, but after 1907 France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium came into the field, and, tiiough their courses were not regarded by the Britons as any supreme test of golf, the Continental course rapidly improved. Among the other courses there sprang up one at Monte Carlo, a course which in itself is remarkable. ’Tis barely correct to say it sprang up. it was carried up at very considerable cost. The work undertaken was of superhuman character, and was not dissociated altogether from tragical happenings. The engineers were called upon to construct 18 holes on the heights of Mont Angel, 3,000 feet above sea-level. The work commenced in 1908, when hundreds of men worked day and night among the rocks. Tons of soil were carried up the heights, and in two years’ time the course began to take on an attractive appearance. Then, in one night, the Labours of two years were obliterated, a veritable deluge washing away practically every trace of the previous operations. The work was started all over again, and a course was constructed that is now a sheer delight to every visitor. The cost was 2,500,000 francs, at the actual rate of exchange. Although the most renowned expert advice was obtained, the construction of the course was almost miraculous, for, where there were hitherto arid, rugged rocks, there are now many fine holes, and several artistically constructed plateau greens that afford a thorough test of accuracy. The course is about 5,000 yards in length, the scratch score being 74. This is not at all easy of accomplishment, for Jean Gassiat, a former French champion, with 72, lias as yet returned the lowest score. In the British Isles, Gleneagles is regarded as the most majestic of courses, but the famous Scottish centre is almost uninteresting compared with Monte Carlo. To the north are the Maritime Alps, 10,000 feet high; to the south is the Mediterranean and the fine coast from Toulon to Bordighera. Very frequently the island of Corsica can be observed in e far distance. To the west are the seven spurs of the Alps, with dark-shaded valleys to the distant mountains of the Maures; and above stands the rock and fort of Mont Angel, the French sentinel to Italy. A first-class car service serves the links, and at the beautiful clubhouse one can entertain his visitors at luncheon or tea, served in a spacious and sunny room overlooking glorious scenery. Tennis courts are an added attraction. Golf at Monte Carlo must be very, very pleasant. OF AMERICAN IMPORTANCE Several matters of considerable importance are scheduled to come up for review at the next meeting of the United States Golf Association Executive Committee, which will probably be held in April. One is a ruling on the status of Miss Mary K. Browne, the prominent tennis player, runner-up for the women’s golf championship in 1924. Another is action on a request from the Canadian Golf Association for a team match to be played this year. Speaking on behalf of the association, H. H. Ramsay, its secretary, said that Miss Browne had asked for a ruling on her casfi, but had been told that the committee would have to meet and pass upon it. The question is whether Miss Brown is an amateur in golf and hence eligible for the ladies’ championship or whether her decision to turn a professional in tennis renders her a professional in golf. The request for a resumption of team matches with Canadian golfers will also be held in abeyance pending the meeting of the committee. “The matter of the team match hinges entirely on the question of defraying the expenses of players,” Mr. Ramsay said. "The U.S.G.A. has laid down the general principle that the expenses of amateurs should not be paid by the association or by any other association except in the case of the Walker Cup matches.”

PUPUKE CLUB

The past season of the Pupuke Golf Club was most successful in every way, the opening of the full course being largely responsible. There is now no congestion, and the club is in a position to accommodate more members. The season commenced with a membership of 67 ladies and 56 men, exclusive of non-playing and honorary members. At the end of February, 1927, the membership had increased by 16 ladies and 17 men. The alterations to the clubhouse were greatly appreciated, and the facilities offered were taken full advantage of.

Nine inter-club matches were played during the season, and half of J.he contests were won. The principal club events resulted as follow:—Championship, A. M. Howden; rLinner-up, I. G. Mackenzie; president’s prize, A. Reeve; club captain’s prize, I. G. Mackenzie; monthly medal, A. M. Howden. The season commenced with an overdraft of £ 57, the total revenue being £590, an increase of £llß on the previous year. Considerable improvements were effected by the committee, the new course had been put in order, alterations made to the clubhouse, an extra horse purchased, an implement shed erected, and tools and plant purchased, the total being £235. This amount was found out of revenue, proving the club to be progressing and to be in a sound financial position. The committee secured the services of Mr. S. Pass as professional groundsman and coach to the club. This placed Pupuke on a level with other clubs in this respect, and it is hoped members will take advantage of the opportunity to utilise the services of the professional. Electric power will shortly be available, and up-to-date appliances for boiling water will be installed. _____ UNIVERSITY GOLF There is a suggestion that Geoff Grirmvade, a Melbourne player now at Cambridge, will this year take an Ox-ford-Cambridge team of golfprs to America to play Harvard and Yale. A rather fanciful biography of Grimwade appears in the “Granta,” a paper devoted to Cambridge University news. His photograph appears over the words “Those in Authority.” It begins:—“Geoffrey Holt Grimwade, unique though he is in most respects, resembles in one all the natives of Melbourne —he was born in that city. The exact date of his birth is September 19, 1902. Other notable men born in this month include Ben Hur and Jehu, who also drove furiously. Curiously, little is known of his boyhood, but doubtless he played marbles, kept rabbits, and sucked toffee, in common with most boys in Melbourne and elsewhere- He took seriously to golf on his arrival here, and almost immediately obtained a place in the ’Varsity