Golf Rivalry With Australia

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 9

Golf Rivalry With Australia

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP T. H. HORTON’S OPINIONS (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. After competing with the best Australian golfers, T. H. Horton, member of the Kirk-Windeyer Cup team, returns from the Commonwealth believing that the New Zealanders were just a bit lucky to strike form as they did. The form of the Dominion representatives, he says, surprised the Australian players, who play the game seriously, but never display the Slightest desire to take advantages or to work points on their opponents. Horton asserted that the style of our golfers was more attractive than those from across the Tasman, excepting Ross, who had a style of his own. Russell, one of the best over there, had credited New Zealanders with gaining on the approach, describing Horton, Quin and his confreres as “murder” when near the greens. “The sportsmanship of the Australian players is wonderful,” Horton said. “The Australians have expressed their intention of sending all their possibles for a team across here and playing off for the final selection in New Zealand, which will leave them with a very strong team indeed, if all come who say they will. Russell has said that he will come, if he can, and Whitton, if his business allows him, will make the trip too. Whitton and Russell are just above the average of best golfers in Australia or New Zealand, after taking out the best half dozen in both countries. I think the handicapping over there is just about two strokes different from ours. Their scratch men should be on the 2 mark.”