GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 276, 18 May 1912, Page 7

GOLF.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. To-day, the second qualifying round for the Ngamotu trophy will he played, the first four to qualify. On last Saturday's play, the following qualified: Messrs. D. Hutchen, Maekay, C. 11. Burgess, and J. Scott. Xext Saturday the final will be played by stroke play. As throe Saturdays are taken up by this competition, many would like to see the conditions altered so that the trophy would be won by the player with the best net aggregate on the three days' play, instead of making practically separate competitions for each day. Such an alteration ought to produce a much more interesting match. As many local golfers are anxious to see McCormick play, a match is being arranged for next Thursday afternoon, when he will probably play Messrs. W. C. Weston and A. Bewley's best ball. As both the local players are on the scratch mark, the match should' prove a hardfought one. Any who wish to see the game are cordially invited to do so. Arrangements have now been made by the committee to have the work of putting the club's new links in order proceeded with at once.' The question of building a caretaker's residence and a pavilion is being considered, and it is hoped- that both these buildings will soon be commenced. From the site selected for the pavilion a most extensive and picturesque view is obtainable.

TARAHUA CLUB. The greens on the Tarahua Club's links are a little on the soft side, but they keep on improving, and the club is getting plenty of members up on the course on every opportunity. The medal match, which was played on Thursday afternoon, was won by Mt. G. Chong, with 99 gross. His handicap was 18 and his net score thus 81. This afternoon the men's bogey match is eet down for decision. The following are some of the interesting decisions which have just been given by the Rules of Golf Committee:— CARD WRONGLY MARKED. A and B were competitors in a stroke competition, and marked each other's cards. At the last hole A stated that he had taken seven strokes, which statement was not questioned by B, who marked a 7 for the hole, signed the card, and placed it in the box. After A had let the club-house, B came to the conclusion that A had taken eight strokes to the last hole, and 1 reported to the captain of the club, in the absence of the secretary, that he, B. had marked a 7 for an 8 on A's card. The committee disqualified A on the spot, without hearing what he had to say on the matter. A says that he has two witnesses to prove his score correct. Can a marker alter his fellow-companion's card after he has signed and returned it? No; but a marker should certainly report to the committee any error lie is aware of bavins made in marking a card. The committee should then take all available evidence, and decide in accordance with the facts. DROPPING BALL FROM SAND HEAP. A heap of sand was deposited on the rough grass at the edge of the fairway, one side of the sand touching the fairway. The sand was for the upkeep of the green. A player's ball lodged on the edge of the sand nearest to the fairway. Was the player entitled to drop the ball on the fairway, but not nearer to the hole, or should lie have dropped behind the sand on the rough grass? A. : The ball lay on ground covered up for the purpose of the upkeep of the course (see Rule 11), and could be lifted without penalty and dropped as near as possible to the place where it lay, but not nearer to the hole. The player therefore had to drop his ball on the fairway. i,