MARATHON GOLF

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 9

MARATHON GOLF

SLOAN MORPETH TELLS OF AUSTRALIAN MATCH SUCCESS ACROSS THE TASMAN One of the most exciting golf matches ever played in Australia was that between Sloan Morpeth, the Aucklander, and Ivor Whitton, in the second round of the Australian amateur championship at Adelaide. Mr. Morpeth returned by the Makura this morning He described the match as "marathon golf.” It ended on the 42nd green with the Aucklander a winner. ■ I was lucky to get as far as I did,” he said this morning when discussing the amateur championship

meeting. "In the morning round I was two down and I was not playing at all well. In the atternoon I was five down to Whitton, with 13 holes to play. From then on I played the beet golf of my life.

I had an opportunity ui „iuum e the 36th hole, but missed a short putt and we continued for another six holes. The match was thrilling and full of incident." Mr. Morpeth paid a tribute to M. J. Ryan, who defeated him in the final of the amateur championship. "Jit my opiniou he is one of the best golfers in Australia,” he said. "He has been placing for only four years and this was his biggest victory. l couldn't hare met a better sport or a greater golfer.” Mr. Morpeth considers that the future of golf in Australia is very promising. There are many outstanding young golfers coming on. One of these is A. Hattersley. a youth of 20, who is considered to be one of the longest hitters in the -world. “1 have never seen anything to equal him —even our best would be 36yds behind him,” said Mr. Morpeth. He considers that the general standard of golf in Australia is much higher than that of New- Zealand. The courses are better and there is a bigger population. In addition to these factors the country is more suitable for links and the Australians have more money to spend on them. The Hamilton links would compare favourably with some in Australia if they w-ere bunkered and had more money spent on them. Mr. Morpeth said that the two professionals representing New Zealand. Shaw and Mclntosh, were unfortunate in not stinking true form, but that was a difficult thing to produce when playing in another country. Shaw and Mclntosh were quite in the first flight of professional players compared with those in Australia. The New Zealand team which played New South Wales in the Ivirk-Windeyer Cup match produced the best possible golf. T. H. Horton played brilliantly to beat Fawcett, the will-known Australian. Dr. Ross and Hector Morrison had a gruelling match which finished all square. J. L. Black produced his best golf and won his match. Apperley completely outclassed Morpeth in his singles match. j “A team from New South Wales will come over from Australia next year.” said Mr. Morpeth. "They like coming over to play here.” The two most outstanding impressions left in the Aucklander's mind are the excellence of the i-ournes and the sportsmanship of the Australian golfers. Mr. Morpeth also won the Victorian amateur State championship, but he left the cup with the club.