On the Links

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 368, 31 May 1928, Page 10

On the Links

(By

Earl Robieson)

FETISH OF FIGURES QUEER RESULTS SHOWN UNEXPECTED DISHONESTY ' The fetish of figures may easily have a mischievous as well as a misleading side. It is quite a common occurrence, for instance, that a man given over to perpetual card and pencil games, may have played a really excellent round, for him, and yet go home quite depressed because he happened to have been a victim of a 10 or some such objectionable figure, and although had he been playing a real game of golf he would have won his match comfortably. On medal day, of course, this experience is to be deplored, but when the desire to return a score is his first wish, when playing a match his attitude is at once a discourtesy to his opponent and a damper on his own legitimate pleasure should he succeed in defeating* or even halving with a skilful or a liberally handicapped adversary.

Medal days and scores are excellent in their own place, but when they or club trophy events, which are the same thing, or are marked by a tweedle-dum-tweedledee difference, are the rule rather than the exception, it is bad for the best interests of golf. In any case, they open up avenues for the chicanery of the unscrupulous player, of whom, unfortunately, a considerable number exist to the definite knowledge of those in authority.

To instance a case: At one course a player is known to indulge in the illegal practice of teeing up his ball in the rough, in contravention of the strictest rules, and he still persists. The fortune is that so far he has not won anything to which some other player was entitled. MATCHES ARRANGED Maungakiekie. —Third round, Kingswell Shield bogey, starting 11.30 on Saturday: J. Howie v. W. D’Audney, J. W. Rough v. J. C. Finlay, J. Dawson v. B. Hooper, R. E. Craig v. H. Walker, C. Nicol v. J. K. Johnston, S. Gyllies v. G. C. St. George, L. H. Norton v. J. Murray, A. H. Blackburn v. S. C. Western, C. R. Jones v. S. Hunter, J. B. Stewart v. F. W. Wilson, 11. E. Webster v. H. Worsley, S. W. Hunter v. J. Methven, J. W. Clarke v. J. M. Elliffe, F. Wiseman v. J. Rankin, D. Russell v. C. M. King, R. J. Hamilton v. H. C. Spinley, S. Lamb v. W. J. Hockin, E. A. Tuke v. F. C. Western, J. A. Stewart v. G. B. Osmond, T. Stone v. W, La Roche, A. Griffen v. G. Hard ley, R. W. Verry v. W. H. Graham, H. E. Whitten v. W. Calderwood, E. Reidy v. R. H. Melville, R. Cleghorn v. A. K. Hawley, R. M. Tolhurst v. C. Coleman, A. Tindall v. J. Goyder, I. McHarg v. C. Hardley ,• F. Newell v. G. L. Knight, D. Holland v. W. R. Vercoe, R. H. Jones v. E. A. Robb, T. H. Canly v. A. Ely, F. Schischka v. V. Choyce, A. Cole v. H. C. Halliday, IT. Shackleford v. J. Harrison. The club will play a 36-lioles medal competition for the Gardner Cup at the Titirangi links on Monday next. In the afternoon an 18-holes medal competition will be played for the Randall Vase, in conjunction with the major match. Entries will close with the secretary at 5 p.m. to-morrow. Maungakiekie Ladies. —First round, C grade, eclectic, at 10.30 to-morrow: Miss Bailey v. Mrs. Walker, Miss Wyatt V. Mrs. Johnston, Miss Robson v. Mrs. Dawson, Miss Rutherford v. Mrs. Abbott, Miss J. Mulvaney v. Miss Easdown, Mrs. Hardy v. Miss Ronayne, Miss Mulvaney v. Miss Cotter, Miss Wells v. Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. Henry v. Mrs. Campbell, Miss Creamer v. Mrs. C. Hardley, Miss Schnauer v. Mrs. Goudie, Miss Hill v. Miss Thompson, Mrs. Goodwin v. Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Fee v. Mrs. G. Hardley, Miss Maclow v. Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Malcolm v. Miss P. Reid. Miss Coleman v. Mrs. Fletcher.

Glendowie.—Captain’s match, Byes: P. White, L. Keys, N. A. Forgie, A. McGee, P. Niccolls, P. Goldwater, A. Duthie, C. W. Garrard, R. Garrard, F. Faram, K. Brookfield, L. Goodwin, A. C. Johns v. J. Hall, R. Edmonds v. L. Hilton, R. Kissling v. N. C. Snedden, W. Meek v. Captain Robertson, E. Hutchison v. F. Russell, H. Jefferson v. A. Stedman, F. Upton v. L. Harrison, F. Lintath v. Morrison, X. Harrison v. H. Wright, J. Stedman v. A. Horspool, C. Biernaeki v. R. Barstow, F. Hintz v. N. Ching, H. Rawlinson v. C. Allcott, M. Miller v. A. Katterfeldt, H. Goodwin v. E. Colebrook, J. R. Rendall v. O. Wolfgram, C. S. Woods v. J. R. Richardson, R. Sloman v. Dr. Horton, Olsen v. G. Kissling, P. H. Williams v. L. H. Saunders.

Akarana. —On Saturday, the monthly button will be played for. Players will arrange for their own partners. A social will be held in the evening. Otahuhu Ladies. —Canadian foursomes on Saturday: Miss Dreadon and Miss Mellsop v. Mrs. Shaw and Miss Whiteley, Miss Percy and Miss Whyte v. Mrs. Chapman and Mrs. Hipkins, Miss Ellison and Miss Muir v. Mrs. McNeely and Miss Richards, Miss Parton and Miss Sutherland v. Miss Cutforth and Mrs. Valentine, Miss R. O’Loughlen and Miss E. O’Loughlen v. Miss B. Wyllie and Miss Wills, MiSs Roberts and Miss Speedy v. Miss Heard and Miss Simmonds, Miss Paul and Miss Smith v. Miss Clark and A. N. Other.

Medal round on Monday next.—Mrs. Chapman v. Miss Mellsop, Miss Parton v. Miss Whyte, Mrs. Hipkins v. Miss Roberts, Miss E. O’Loughlen v. Mrs. McNeely, Miss Percy v. Miss Cutforth, Mrs. Valentine v. Miss E. Whiteley, Miss Smith v. Miss Muir, Mrs. Shaw v. Miss R. O’Loughlen, Miss Speedy v. Miss McArthur, Miss Sutherland v. Miss Richards, Miss Wills v. Miss Ellison.

Pukekohe. —Qualifying rounds for Brosnahan spoons, Men: Brosnahan v. Short. Johnson v. Lawson,. Maddison v. Kissling, Anderson v. Duncan, Hosking v. O’Loughlen, Lally ’v. Schlaepfer, Lee v. Charlesworth, Payne v. Townsend, Sellar v. Hood, Drake v. Scantlebury, Pike v. Roulston, Roose v. Findlay, Stuart v. Roulston, Senr., . Sommerville v. Bailey, Foster v. McWhirter, Evans v. Ferris. Women: Mrs. McWhirter v. Miss L. Perkins, Mrs. O’Loughlen v. Mrs. Maddison, Miss N. Perkins v. Miss Ingram, Miss A. Johns v. Miss Allan, Miss R. Johns v. Miss Jamieson, Mrs. Motion v. Miss Jefferis, Miss Duncan v. Miss Kensington, Miss Backhurst v. Miss Pirrett, Miss Clark v. Miss Dick, Miss \\i\y v. Miss I. Stuart, Miss Pattle v. Miss B. Stuart, Mrs. Ingram v. Miss 1.. P-P 0 ™ 10 . I '* lss A. Potter v. Miss Clearv, Miss Raines v. Miss L. Potter, Miss Rou’lston v. Miss Sellar, Mrs. Roulston v. Mrs. Johns.

Everslie Ladies.—Medal round, Saturday: Mrs. Lever v. Mrs. Grant. Miss Arbtickle v. Miss B. Agmen Smith, Miss B. Cosgrave v. Mrs. Bilkey, Miss O. Slack v. Miss J. Cosgrave, Miss M. O’Xeill v. Mrs. Lacassie, Miss I. Turner v. Miss M. 1* rancis, Miss J. Derbyshire v. Mrs. Richardson, Miss Cleary v. Miss Little, Miss O. Wright v. Miss M. Smith, Miss A. Derbyshire v. Mrs. O'Connell, Mrs. Goddard v. Miss Wilkins, Mrs. Foote v. Mrs SHJ I®’ 1 ®’ V N r Trs - Bethune v. Mrs. Agmen Smith, Miss Murray v. Mrs. Boles, Miss M. McLennan v Miss Ralph, Mrs. Rhind \* y r lrs - McEn tee, Mrs. Chamberlain '• Mrs- Tarrant, Mrs. F. Parker v. Mrs. Wardell, Mrs. P. Parker v. A. N. Other. rrwfi akU « a f Ladies.-—Medal round and eclectic, Saturday: Mrs. Elliott v White Mrs. Walters v. Miss J Walters! McLennan v. Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs! V „ M » ! , ss Wj lkins ’ Walker v. nwi? d ,'. Y, rS ' Miss Rhind. M ?- F °ht '• Miss M. Walters, Mrs. Connell t. Mrs. Tilston, Miss A. Cole v. Mrs. Carpenter, Miss Gardner v. Mrs. Knig-ht, Mrs. Johnston v. Mrs. Langford, Miss Campbell v. Mrs. Earl, Mrs Brook v T ‘Yj ss fl Ca! lf h 2. n ’ Mrs * Cha Pman v. Miss Andie, Ml's. Mcßae v. Miss Challis, Miss Harr's v. Miss Xoble, Mrs. Rice y. Miss w£r k V Mr 'Y y- Miss K. Brooks, Mrs. Lrquhart v. Miss Comrie. Mi Francis v. A. X. Other.

COST OF GOLF THE FIRST-CLASS CRAZE CATERING FOR THE FEW Strangely, following the figures which appeared in this column a week or two ago, showing the increased cost of golf, the latest golfing magazines from England, since received, are commenting this aspect of the game, and questioning whether it really is so necessary to have first-class courses as the golf club committees seem to think. British clubs are finding that the heavy costs incurred in constructing and maintaining up-to-date and lengthy courses are defeating their ends. In other words, instead of increasing their incomes by reason of providing the very best facilities, they are losing members, and their finances becoming strained. The risks of the present trend are becoming quite obvious in Auckland, with the two leading clubs in active competition. The net result is that, apart from the capital expenditure previously incurred, the two 'clubs, between them, are now engaged in spending at least a further £ 6,500. The results we know. The subscriptions are going up to £lO 10s in each case, and whether Titirangi can remain at that is questionable. The most obvious feature is that it is constructing a magnificent coursf, without provision to water a single green. THE LOCAL QUESTION The question is whether the other Auckland clubs are going to be content to consider that . two first-class courses are an ample supply, and content themselves with the sentiments expressed well in this incident: An ex-open champion of Britain, a year or two ago, visited a club, and. was impressed by the natural advantages. "Do you know,” he said to some of the committee, “it would be the easiest thing in the world to make this course absolutely first-class?” “Yes,” replied one of them, “but we don’t want a first-class course. We want a course we can continue to run on £2 2s a year subscription.” “As a matter of fact,” remarks ‘Golfing,” “gradual and judicious improvements had made that course much more nearly first class than many courses which set out to be first-class, but fell down on upkeep, in spite of a considerably higher subscription.” FALSELY BASED

This comment occurred on a dissertation on the ruinous craze for length. R. H. K. Browning, the writer, comments: — “We are told that the immense lengths to which the modern ball can be driven make it necessary to lengthen our courses. Committees, usually composed almost entirely of single-figure handicap players, readily accept this view. Courses are reconstructed, and the capital expenditure involved «*is serious, but committees do not always remember that the additional cost of upkeep may prove more serious still. “The whole argument is fallacious, because for nine club members out of ten the modern ball does not drive a bit too far. “The trouble nowadays is that every club is trying to be firstclass, so that there is an intensive competition to cater for the comparatively small section of the golfing community that wants first class golf, to the almost complete neglect of the much larger section that would be well content with second class golf, provided it was reasonably convenient and reasonably cheap. “It is a great misfortune that at the present time new clubs are so anxious to begin where the old ones left off.’* Miss Cecil Leitch, commenting in “Golf Illustrated,” remarks: “Instead of an increase in the number of players decreasing the cost, we have arrived at a state when we are experiencing an increase in cost, and a decrease in the pleasure derived from the game—the latter owing to the crowded condition of courses on weekends.” CONSISTENCY! AMERICAN LEADERS KIRKWOOD’S GOOD SHOWING An interesting table shows the positions during the past 'tournament season in America. Hagen’s nam£r is omitted, apparently because lie failed to play more than 20 rounds in the tournaments selected for comparison, and Sarazen, who finished in second position in the British Open, headed the list. I reprint the table, both to show the remarkable consistency of the players and to advance an opinion which I will not elaborate—that American courses in general must be slightly easier than others. The table is as follows: Rounds. Average. Gene Sarazen 24 71 11-12 Macdonald Smith . . 38 72 5-3 S Johnny Farrell .... 28 72 1-4 J. Kirkwood 24 72 19-24 A 1 Espinosa 51 73 1-51 H. Cooper 42 73 1-6 R. Cruickshank .. .. 55 73 12-55 T. Armour 52 73 1-2 Henry Ciuci 30 73 1-2 W. Mehlliorn 47 73 45-47 The most noticeable player is Kirkwood, who attained to fourth position —though it happens that he did not win one event, while Sarazen, Smith and Espinosa won three each, and Farrell one. Here and There From preliminary conversations that have taken place, there is a possibility that a combined Oxford and Cambridge golf team may visit America in June to engage in matches against some of the leading colleges of the United States and take part in

the inter-collegiate competition. The side would probably consist of four Oxonians and four Cantabs, with two reserves. It is likely that Mr. J. S. C. Maughan, the former Cambridge captain, and Mr. G. Illingworth, the present captain, will be in the team, with the former as leader of the side. Among the colleges likely to be met, if the suggestion materialises, are Harvard, Xale, Cornell and IPrlnceton. Has it ever struck golfing readers that the average player quite cheerfully drops a stroke at each of the one-

shot holes on a course,* but, on the other hand, a 6 at a bogey 5 hole disturbs that self-same player very considerably? In other words, we view with comparative equanimity a 4 or even a 5 appearing on a card at a hole which ought to be a safe 3; but when more than a 5 is taken to any hole quite a different complexion is cast on the situation. • • « It'g queer how countless wavs exist In which a pesky little ball Can be half topped, or wholly missed. And every golfer’s tried them all. ‘ The present ball is responsible for

a lot of the most beautifu * golf going into disuse. 1 varseconds with the brassie a ## ished off the map, and so shots requiring slice or P uil - f ball into the wind also is n auired. To long hitters, c 0 6,000 odd yards are played and masliie niblica at a S • e ®" t *r tion ol the holes thatrea strokes to set there. -Exchange of ns still trv to an d tl£ with little avail, of uC b are matl: “hots renuirin. slice or pull.