On the Links

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 760, 5 September 1929, Page 14

On the Links

Notes For Golfers

By

SLOW BACK

Auckland Golf After a week's brilliant weather we were faced toward the week-end with overcast conditions, followed by heavy rain on Friday evening and Saturday morning. However, contrary to all expectations the weather cleared during the morning and developed into one of the most perfect golfing weekends we have had this season. As a result of the rain during the previous evening the courses on Saturday were just in the pink of condition and many good scores were registered in the various local clubs. The Auckland Club For the third and final round of the Bloomfield Bowl at Middlemore the course was in perfect candition and the greens were excellent. As the new third and fifteenth greens, which are now under the care of r'na new* green-keeper recently secured from England, were undergoing topdressing and treatment for removal of the clover and weeds, play was back on the temporary greens. These are now, however, in such good condition, that one does not undertake his putting with that trepidation experienced earlier in the season. Tne winner of the day’s round and also of the bowl was R. P. Worley, who returned the excellent score of 6S net off a handicap of 18. With his previous score of 75 he won the event by a margin of two strokes from Bruce .Elliot, whose net scores were 73 and 72. R. P. Worley is a player who is improving by leaps and bounds, and after looking at his record in the captain’s prize tourney and the fourball match play competition, one begins to think that the handicapping committee will have to visit him very shortly. J. E. Russell figured in the third place, while next in order was C. X. Jacobsen, who has been playing very consistently this season. Perhaps the most promising player who has appeared at Middlemore lately is J. £J. Caughey. Scarcely a week-end goes by that he does not figure in the tii'st few places and his handicap has already in a few months decreased to 13 with a possibility of further reduction very shortly. He returned two rounds of 73 net in this even t. In reviewing Saturday’s round we cannot overlook J. M. Barnett’s round of 78 off a handicap of IS, which represents good, solid golf, for a man of his mark. The course had been drawn out considerably by taking the 16tli tee back almost to the gorse and this counteracted the tendency to lose length at the short 12th. Thus the good scoring of some of these longer handicap men can not be attributed to the reduced length of the temorpary holes and most of these figures represent sterling golf. At Titirangi The Maungakiekie Club held the first and second rounds of its championship at Titirangi during the past week and the same excellent conditions prevailed as in other parts of Auckland. The course was in excellent condition but this did not prevent several surprises occurring;. Most notable of all games in the first round would seem to be that between It. M. .Dacre and R. M. George, who has just annexed the Rotorua open title. To defeat George by 3 and 2 Dacre must have played very sound golf and after watching his performances over the past two seasons we should not be surprised to see him take a high place in golfing circles. It. O. Gardner, who has been playing fairly consistently this season, defeated K. L. Wilson, 2 and 1 in the first round and later in tho second round accounted for Dacre to the tune of 6 and 5. We are surprised to note J. M. Ilockin’s demise in the first round at the hands of V. Humphries; the victor, however, met Brinsden in the second round and was defeated by 5 and 3. We should liko to remark in passing that after watching Brinsden’s devastating passage through the Rotorua, tournament we are of opinion that it is time the handicappers played a friendlj' round with him. T. A. Goulding was too steady for E. G. Tallis, when ho beat him by 4 and 2. In the final of tho Klliffe Cup at One Tree Hill on Saturday J. Methven (7) had an interesting round with O. H. Worsley (14), tho issue being in doubt until tho last green, where the former won 1 up. In the medal handicap we find D. R. Garrard returning the excellent score of 85—16—69. W. * Calderw’ood was a close second with a score of 70, also off 16 handicap. In the weekend we had the pleasure of playing on tho One Tree Hill course and reviving mentories of the time when it was one of the premier courses in the Dominion. The very creditable condition of the course is doubtless in a large measure responsible for the good scoring returned. The Akarana Club On Saturday a Canadian mixed foursome was held, the best card being that of Miss R. McGee and C. B. Read, with i% handicap of 17, who returned a 73 net. Of the gross scores the best returned was that of Miss M. Young and B. J. Smith, Junior, with SS—9—79. Mrs. C. M. Cox and C. Bailey were also well to the fore with Glendowie v. Otahuhu It is refreshing to see how popular teams matches are beedming in Auckland for it is only by repeated practice on other courses that a player can develop a variety of strokes and tactics. The man who plays on one course all his life becomes a slave to the particular type of game demanded by his home course and unless he can obtain practice in adapting himself to match conditions on a strange course his golf will never be of a very high order. At the head of the list we see the redoubtable Croxson going down on the last green to AUcott. Our personal experience of both of these players is that they are very dangerous at the heads of their respective teams and it is interesting to see how little there is between them when they come to face one another. Menzies is a very sound golfer, particularly in match play and he had no difficulty in disposing of Ching. Woods, who plays third man for Glendowie, had an easy win over Moffitt and he seems to be rapidly climbing upwards in the team. A. C'. Steadman, who has not been long at the game, beat Sturt by a comfortable margin, but we have no doubt that with the advent of summer the ’.atter player will endeavour to avenge his defeat on the tennis-courts.

Favona v. Maungakiekie At Titirangi during the week-end the Favona team successfully attacked and lowered the colours of the Maungakiekie Club by ten games to nine, one game being halved. Favona also won the fourballs by five to three, one match again being halved. At the head of the Otahuhu team we find Croxson playing his usual sterling game to beat T. A. Goulding - . 2 and 1. Menzies, the second string, found W. L. Robinson too strong on liis own course, and Eustace had the same difficulty with Randrup, who just got home on tho last green. In the fourball matches. Croxson and Menzies were too good a combination for Goulding and Robinson and won by 5 and 3. The second pair, Eustace and Levy also had a win. The beautiful weather and splendid condition of the course made the game most enjoyable and the fact that the result was in doubt till the very end made the event the more interesting. It is very evident that the time is fast approaching when the senior clubs will have to field their very best teams to compete with some of their younger rivals. Hamilton Championships Although no details arc as yet to hand we notice that in the championship at St. Andrews, Black registered *, while Wake and Ross are still among a decisive win over Beehan by S and the survivors. Among- those who are still in we also find Wynne, Gerrard and Simpson. On current form Black seems a strong favourite for the event, but in golf it never pays to forecast results and there are still several plavers in the running who are quite capable of extending him. Pupuke Club Championship At Pupuke the championship has now readied the final stage, and we look in vain for the names of A. M Howden and I. G. Mackenzie, who have so often contested the final. M. E. Thompson, the first of the finalists, had a fairly comfortable win from L. G. Whittaker, by 4 and 3. He is always a fairly steady player, and should have quite a good chance in the final. His rival in L. J. Minogue, however, is no mean opponent, as is evidenced by his decisive win in the semi-final over E. W. Mills, by 7 and 6. The final should be an interesting game. The bogey competition on Saturday was- won by L. J. Minogue, with a score of 1 down. Rotorua This most popular tournament of the year was held last Week, and the usual perfect conditions prevailed. Throughout the week the weather was warm and sunny, and on several occasions there Vt'as a light frost. As usual the course was a sheer delight, the light springy turf of the perfect fairways combining with the excellent greens to make up what is the arcauia of most golfers. The scheme of work on the course is now practically completed, out there tire one or two improvements which we should like to see undertaken at once. The eighth green as it exists at present is distinctly weak, being practically blind and sloping away at the back. The green as shown in the new scheme of work is situated to tiio other side of the fairway, and is built up to bring the surface into view from the line of play. The club’s finances aru now in a most satisfactory state and tho green tees are in life neighbourhood of £ 1,000 a year, and are increasing yearly; in view of this it would bo appropriate for the club to carry out this really urgent work us soon as possible. An excellent and comparatively simple scheme for watering the course has been submitted and is under consideration by tho committee. We would urge that this scheme be given effect to at the earliest possible time, in order that the course may be kept in perfect condition throughout the year. It is one of the few courses which claims to be in good order throughout the year, ami without an adequate watering system tho greens cannot be expected to substantiate this claim. "We hear that the cost is in the neighbourhood of £ 600, and that, provided the hoses aro used at specified hours, the water may be obtained free of cost. These terms aro very reasonable, and we should like to see this work proceeded with. The only other work remaining is tile building up of the green at the “SJenlineis” hole, and the renovating of tho clubhouse. Xeither of these undertakings is really urgent. The tournament was, as usual, a great success, and everything went with its customary swing and reflected great credit on the committee and management. An abnormal number of applications for entries was received, and moi e entrants were refused than would fill another complete tournament. Tho time is not far distant when there will be two tournaments hold there; the first limited to the 80 lowest handicaps, and the second an open tourney with preference to those not eligible for the first. The qualifying rounds were productive of several surprises, players of tho calibre of Goss, Bartleet, Rainger. and Westerr . who were all playing scratch golf prior to the commencement of the tournament, failing to qualify. It is very evident that players who are at home on courses like Middlemore, where they can pitch on the green and stop the ball easily, are all at sea when they must stop quickly on a fast green, or run into a bunker. Auckland players, in particular, lose many strokes in the Rotorua bunkers. Seifert, who qualified top. played very good golf, and good cards were returned by Rex George, who ultimately won, Plumley, a winner of two years ago, and Morrice, the runner-up of the last two years. The semi-finals found Rex George finishing with a margin of 3 and 2 against Seifert, junr.. and Morrice staging an easy win by 6 and 4 from O'Callaglian. The final was played before one of the largest galleries seen at Rotorua, and was conspicuous for the brilliant golf played by both men and in particular by George, the winner. When it is recollected that he won by the small margin of 3 and 2. after doing the last nine holes in 31. it will be realised that his opponent played no mean game. At the conclusion the prizes were presented in front of the clubhouse, the president. Mr. 'Wilkie, saying a few* words of welcome. On behalf of the visitors, Mr. J. E. Lusk thanked the management of the tourney for the great hospitality shown to all. and congratulated the club on the excellent manner in which the tournament was conducted.

TITIRANGI LADIES’ CLUB The Qualifying: rounds for the senior and junior championships of the Titirangri Ladies' Golf Club were played yesterday in conjunction with the medal handicap. The first rounds were also played, with the following: results:— Seniors.—Mrs. Deighton beat Mrs. Kndean. 7 and 5; Mrs. Banister beat Miss G. Easton, 3 and 1: Mrs. McMillan heat Mrs. J. C. Finlay, 2 and 3; Miss A. Hill beat Mrs. Shroff, 1 up; Mrs. Rutherford beat. Mrs. O’Leary. 2 up: Mrs. R. L. Wilson beat Miss Bray, 5 and 4; Miss K. Horton beat Mrs. T. B. Stewart, 2 and 1; Mrs. Hosking beat Mrs. Beattie. 7 and 5. Juniors.—Mrs. Paterson beat Miss Robson. 3 and 1: Miss M. Miller beat Miss Duder. 4 and 2: Mrs. Ferguson beat Mrs. Spinley, 5 and 4: Mrs. Johnston beat Miss J. Easton, 4 and 3; Miss Car-

nachan beat Miss D. Stewart, 1 up at the 19th; Mrs. Cain beat Mrs. Henrys, 7 and 6; Miss M. Cook* beat Mrs. Lovett, 7 and 6; Mrs. Grevatt beat Miss F. Johnston, 4 and 3. In the medal handicap the best cards w*re the following;— Seniors.—Mrs. McMillan, 9", 17—76; Miss A. Hill. 94. 17—77; Mrs. D*ighton. S 5, 7—78; Mrs. Hosking, 86, 6 —SO; Miss G. Ea.ston, 100, 19— SI. Juniors.—Mrs. Paterson, 99. 21—78; Mrs. G. A. Hard ley, 113, 33—SO; Mrs. Henrys, 106, 25 SI; Mrs. Spinley, 112, 31— SI. The C grade match was won by Mrs. E. Alison and the tie between Miss Ryan and Miss E. Hardley resulted in a win for the latter. AKARANA V. OTAHUHU The following will represent the Akarana Golf Club in a match with the Otahuhu Club on Saturday:—B. J. Smith, jun., C. Bailey, F. Hazelden, .T. Swanson, A. M. Henderson, R. I-T. Potter, G. Wynyard, C. Hunter, G. Ferguson, C. Cox, G. Wall Ist rom, J. Budge. A bogey competition will be held at Mount Rosk ill. The folloAving Avill represent the Otahuhu Golf Club in *a teams match aga.nst the Akarana Club, to be placed on the Favona links on Saturdav:~L. J. Croxson. B. IT. Menzies, W. B. Eustace. H. .T. Levy, R. G. Moffitt, A. P. Eustace, J. McCrory, C. F. Jones, C. R. Reader. L. C. Kay-, A. F. Burnett, X. G. Sturt. AKARANA LADIES 1 CLUB FolloAving were the best scores in the Canadian foursomes, played by members of Akarana Ladies’ Golf Chib;—Misses T. Jones and M. Young, 102, 30—72: Mrs. Preston and Mrs. Cox. 106, 28—7 S: Mrs. McCarthy and Mrs. Sutton, 105, 2C—7S. The result of the first round of the club championship is as follows:—Miss O. M. Darraeh beat Miss E. FearnleA*. I up on 19th green: Mrs. A. A. Caughey beat Miss J. Connett, 2 up: Miss Longdill lost to Miss Wynyard, 2 and 1; Miss Griffin beat Miss Berry, 4 and 3: Mrs. Gilmore beat Miss B. Tvler-Davtes. 8 and 6; Mrs. McCarthy beat Mrs. Preston, 4 and 2; Miss R. McGee lost to Miss G. Smith. 2 and 1; Mrs. Coppard beat Mrs. Young. 2 up. A bogey match will be played tomorrow’ and on Saturday, the draw being as follows:—Miss D. Hodge a*. Mrs. Cox, Miss Bygate v. Miss E. Hodge, Miss IC. Miller v. Miss M. Feet, Miss T. Cox v. Miss if. Young, Miss P. Peet a\ Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Fearnley a*. Miss T. Jones, Mrs. Young a-. Mrs. McCarthy, Miss Hickman a*. Miss Tyler-Davies. Miss Berry v. Miss Longdill. Miss Connett v. Miss Fearnley. Miss G. Smith a*. Miss McGee, Miss Wynyard v. Miss Jenks. I Following is the draw for the C grade bogey match:—Miss Dalton a*. Mrs. Darrach. Mrs. Halford v. Miss Birch, Miss Le Pine v. Mrs. England. Miss KerrTaylor a*. Mrs. Budge, Mrs. Keene a*. Mrs. Zahara. Mrs. Blakey v. Miss Marshall, Miss Todd a*. Miss Allison, Mrs. Long a. another. Miss Kensington v. Miss Me Math, Miss Floyd v. Miss Tracey, Miss Tyler v. Miss Knott, Miss Deacon a*. Miss Yates, Miss Webber v. Miss Stubbs.

GLENDOWIE CLUB The following teams will represent the Glendowie Golf Club in its inter-club fixtures on Saturday:— Against Everslic, at Glendowie.—P. Ching, Dr. Horton. C. S. Wood*. TT. Rawlinson, L. Harrison, U. A. Forgie, X. C. Snedden. J. Tlall, X. Harrison, A. SToman. L. Keys, R. BarstOAv, F. Faram. C. J. Lovegrove, A. O. Horspool, W. Meek, K. Brookfield, G. Metcalfe. Reserve: R. Hewson. Against Maungakiekie. at Glendowie.— C. Allcott, F. Trice. E. Hutchison, R. Edmonds, P. Nieeolls, G. Kissling, A. C. Johns, W. Laxon. O. Wolfgramm, I-I. Goodwin, G. Biernacki, J. Hall. A Canadian foursomes will he played by members not engaged in the in terclub fixtures, players to choose their own partners and opponents. PAPAKURA CLUB Following is the draw’ for the third round for the Parker trophy and qualifying round for the junior championship, to be played by members of the Papakura Golf Club on Saturday;—lT. Spencer V. Bridgman, Smith v. T. McLennan. Hutchinson a*. Langford, V. Elliott v. B. Spencer. S. Wilson v. Tilston, Olsen a\ Mathoson. Pavitt v. Brocks. I>. McLennan v. Gilmore, Watts a*. G. Henderson. A. Henderson a*. Blair, J. Elliott a*. Beams, Pegler v. Gray.