ON THE GREEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 932, 27 March 1930, Page 7

ON THE GREEN

Bowls and Bowlers

- (By

JACK HIGH

On Green Keeping The most forward movement yet made in that very important phase of howling', the making and the upkeep of keen plujing surfaces on bowling greens, was commenced last week when Messrs. \V. Horton and Xorrie Bell, of the Hamilton Club, addressed a meeting in the Carlton Club's pavilion, at which over 70 green superintendents, green-keepers, and members of various green committees attended. Mr. Horton, in his address showed conclusively to his audience by exhaustive evidence culled from experts and sources of information in many countries and in the Dominion that by a certain chemical treatment soil could be brought into a condition which would grow fine grasses to the exclusion of the coarser pasture grasses and weeds, Air. Bell, in turn, gave notch valuable information embodying the practical side of the work, and the meeting unanimously resolved that the centre executive be asked to set up a permanent committee of experts who would advise the various clubs from time to time in the application of the treatment, * * * Getting Ready For the Big Event Mr. S. Coldicutt, in thanking the speakers for the most important work they had been instrumental in commencing. pointed out that next year the Dominion tournament was to be l eld in Auckland. At that tournament there would be a large attendance of visitors from overseas, and it was confidently expected that a record entry would be received. His executive was specially anxious that the tournament would be accommodated on greens which were in perfect condition If the committees of the clubs got to work on their greens with the information now at their disposal this would be possible. * * * A Chance for the Clubs The establishment of good greens irneeds no plea. From a club’s point •of view the greatest asset that it can possibly possess is a high standard .playing surface. Clubs have always prospered when they have been formed. Members have become fully satisfied. The standard of play has become high and general prosperity has been reflected as the outcome. Few clubs have been successful in their establishment. Others have only been partially successful, while unfortunately many are still immersed in a maze of difficulties surrounding the laying of greens and keeping of a perfect playing sward. It must be admitted that the best could bo improved, and that those clubs which are still in the throes have now the chance of a lifetime. The first essential for the green keepers, green superintendents and members of green committees of the many clubs in the Auckland Centre is to approach the subject as handled by the new committee of experts with a purely open mind on the matter. All greens have individual difficulties which require special attention, and the committee can help considerably with these with the information now at its disposal, as well as the establishment of fine grasses on bowling greens.

The members of the now famous Helensville Club who proudly took home to their club on Saturday that emblem of» bowling supremacy, the blue and white pennant, are great workers and probably a shining example in this respect to many bowlers of other clubs who step on to their own well-cultivated greens at two o'clock of any afternoon. .Before the Helensville bowlers commence their games, they, themselves, cut and roll their own green. And a mighty good job they make of it, too —keen and fast, ono of the very best in the centre. Indeed, the Auckland members who played on it on Saturday, when the big event was contested, found extreme difficulty in judging width and length, despite the good conditions they are familiar with at their own club. Appropos of this phase of bowling there, last season the members there decided to give the Carlton team in the pennant tussle play on a brilliant playing surface. Therefore, before the game they positively shaved the grass almost to the roots and double rolled the green to almost billiards table fastness. The result was that neither side could accommodate their play to the unusual conditions. It was much too fast for any player to pick. As the game progressed this was particularly noticeable. Half way through the game the members of their team burst out into roars of laughter at their obvious error to the detriment of their own game, and let their Carlton friends into the joke.

Interest in the recent open pairs tournament certainly centred on the winners of the Dominion pairs championship, George Gladding and Sam Jenkin, to see if they could pull oft the double event. Such glowing accounts of their play had come forward that bowlers here were agog to see if that standard could be maintained. In this respect they were well rewarded. Both were at the top of their form, and gave jl wonderful exposition of the pairs game. George Cladding’s consistent support to his skip was a positive eye-opener, while Sam Jenkin showed ti\at he could exercise the coolest judgment with his last bowl when the position was against him on the head. Both are to be congratulated on their great win in the two events, which, required the winning of 19 successive games. * * * Tom Wetherilt and Max Elliott also put up a great performance in this event, although not pulling off the final honours. Wetherilt’s return to form was noticeable in this event, after his recent indisposition. Certainly the Carlton Club has many fine bowlers in its ranks. * * The twelfth annual Public Service tournament was played under ideal weather conditions, and on perfectgreens. at the Remuera Club, and can be said to be the most brilliant function yet staged by that tournament committee. The fighting out of the games for the final honours are left to rinks under Newton (Lands and Survey), Smith (Railway), amd Has* zard (.Postal). The winners of last season will have the opportunity of repeating their success. Their chances good, as they have only been beaten in one game, and in that by a ; team under G. H. Plummer, who is the president of the association. * * * The fine showing made by young Players this season in the champion of champion tournament, by Thomson (Rawhiti) and Bennett (Takapuna), comes somewhat of a surprise to bowlers here. Thomson is the son of Mr i’. R. Thomson, well known in connection with the progress of the club. The boy took to the game three seasons a So, and won the championship in his second year. LIST OF TEAMS The following teams have been chosen for inter-club bowling matches °n Saturday: Te Pa pa pa.—Against Avondale, at Avondale: Williams, Thursby, Davenport* Johnson: Burridge, Thorpe, Budd, Bond, B Marks. First-year players, at Avon* dale: Siebert, Burton, Wilson. E. Pilkingt°n. At Te Pa papa: R. Speight, W. Keep away mosquitoes and sleep in comfort. Spray bedroom with Fly tox before retiring. Non-poisonous. —12.

Marks, McGoram, Watson; leaking-, R. G. Speight, Crichton, Dawson; Paterson, Moon, Sissons, Angus. Avondale.—Against Te Papapa, at Avondale: Simpson, Eeatt, Xewall, Jones; Brothers, Willard, Sutherland, Drake; Blakey, Coward, Harrison, Darrick. At Te Papapa: T. Myers, Craig, Tait. Munns; Cairns, Beaton, Johnston, ; Crawford, Wilson, Harris, Darrow. Hallyburton Johnstone.—Against Mental Hospital, at Mental Hospital: Taylor, Fra.ncis, H. Solomon, Renton; Barton, Breckon, Phillips, Xeilson; Park, Swinburn, Boag, Gibson; Holdsworth, Weniger, Storey, Dyson; Clark, Solomon, Allen, Bromley. Papakura.—Against Patumahoe, at Patumahoe: G.Y. Smith, Meikle, Palmer, Bush; Cornford, Hunt, Dickey, Rice; Keeton, A. Smith, McCall, Goddard. GROCERY TRADE’S MATCH WHOLESALERS BEAT RETAILERS The wholesalers were too good for the retailers in the grocery trade bowling match at the Devonport green yester- ? ay . the former winning by 66 points to . 4—. Results are as follow (wholesalers names being mentioned first); J. Mars, J. Schischka, D. Gratton, E. Andrew 27, v. F. Gregson, A. Mason, J. Murray, T. E. Price 17; J. W. Bayley, T. ( • Schnackenberg, J. Clarke 20, v. G. B. Scotland, J. Preston, P. Floyd 10;- w Miller, J. Newbegin, A. IT. Roylance 19, v. A. W. Page, C. W. Blackwell, J. McGregor 15. On behalf of the association, the president (Mr. A. W. Page) thanked the Devonport Club for the use of its green and Messrs. A. Allan and E. S. Andrew for entertaining the players to afternoon tea. The concluding match of the season will be played on May 7.