GOLF

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 9

GOLF

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAY AT MIDDLEMORE The Auckland Easter tournament and provincial golf championship commenced at Middlemore this morning with a record entry. The course was in perfect condition. Lies on the fairway were invariably good and the green, though somewhat faster than most of the players were used to, were in remarkably good order; in fact the course left nothing to be desired. The features of this morning’s round were the very poor scoring by scratch and low-handicap players, most of whom ranged between 82 and 91, and the fairly good scoring by those on about the 9 mark. Rex George, who has previously won the championship on two occasions, returned the best score for this morning’s first qualifying round. With two or three exceptions he was playing first-class golf, and his putting was a feature. His card read: Out—s, 4,4, 4,5, 4,3, 4, 5 . . 38 In—3, 4,5, 4,4, 5,4, 4, 4 ... . 37 H. B. Lusk, another player who has on several occasions held the championship, put in the next best card with a 76. He was also playing very veil, but mising a putt occasionally and geting wide with one or two second shots. His card read: Out—4, 5,4, 5,5, 4,4, 4, 5 .. 40 In —3,4, 4,3, 4,4 f/ 4,4, 5.. . . 36 * 76 Neil Louisson, on the line mark, did a brilliant round at 79. J. M. Hunter, six handicap, after taking three putts on each of the five greens, returned a splendid card, 77. R. D. Wright, the present holder of the championship, has not been playing up to form lately, and his card this morning was an 84. T. A. Goulding, Maungakiekie champion, started out well and reached the turn in 38, but it took him 42 to come home. It is expected that two 85’s will just about qualify.

The best cards this morning were: R. George, 75; H. B. Lusk, 76; I. M. Hunter, 7; N. Louisson, 79; F. Price, 80; L. W. Delth, 80; T. A. Goulding, 80; H. Plumley, 81; R. Fairburn, 81; G. F. Colbeck, 82; W. S. Ralph, 82; R. B. Wright, 84.