GOLF NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1939, Page 9

GOLF NOTES

MAIWNGA CLUB DOINGS RECENT PLAY. INTEREST IN CAPTAIN’S TROPHY CONTEST. (By “Par.”) Although conditions were ideal during the weekend no sensational cards were returned by Mahunga Club players 'as has been the case since the commencement of the season. Players are beginning to settle down to steady golf. Major interest was taken in the first round of the Captain’s Trophy games and a few comments are of interest?

L. J. Thompson accounted for I. McFarlane to the tune of 2/1. This game was keenly contested and had McFarlane’s putter worked as smoothly on the homeward run as it did going out the result may have been different. Thompson, on the other hand, has had very little match play experience and his win is creditable.

R. Lendrum and B. V. Bodie had an enjoyable game despite the fact that both were off their game. Bodie hits a nice ball off the tees but needs to strengthen up his short game, when he will soon earn a further reduction in his handicap. F. R. Brown easily accounted for A. H. Ward. To jump out at the start and command a lead of 5 up at the turn is always a golfer’s dream and he had no difficulty in taking the match. Ward, for some unaccountable reason, lost touch with his clubs and nothing would go right for him.

R. B. McPherson defeated G. F. Duff in easy fashion. It is pleasing to see the younger players of practically no match experience playing like seasoned golfers. W. N. A. Hosking worked hard to head off M. A. Martin. With 1 up and 3 to go Martin forced him to the 18th before the match was decided. C. Sandbek’s defeat of W. W. Johansen came as a surprise'to many. Sandbek can dig his heels in when he wants to but it was generally thought that Johansen’s match experience would tell. However the former’s win is all the more meritorious in accounting for a more seasoned player. J. W. Dove, in accounting for H. Hill, probably caused the surprise of the day. Turning 1 up it was not until Double Crossing that the game came to a close. The former’ has been showing consistent form this season and he is to be congratulated on his good win. J. W. Sievers won comfortably from V. E. Burridge. Sievers has a nice style for a left-hander and can hit a good ball. His play to date has been constantly on the improve and he should go far before long. W. J. Boyce, in returning a net 69, was out in 43 and home in 50. He is a consistent performer who will not be long before earning his reduction. L. M. Roach, in tying with Boyce by returning a net 69, was out in 44 and home in 43. This is the second occasion on which this competitor has played below his handicap and no doubt a reduction will be his reward. RIVERSIDE PLAY IN QUALIFYING ROUND. MANY GOOD CARDS RETURNED. (By “Long Drive.”) At the Riverside links on Saturday the members played the. second round of two qualifying rounds for a trophy donated by Mr G. F. Candy. Many good cards were handed in and in the play off (match play on handicap) close matches should be seen. Topping the list to qualify was C. W. Walker with 136, followed by R. Wellington and S. Wyatt with 137 each. After playing on his reduced handicap for the last week G. Jones returned a good card on Saturday—Bl- - This player had a birdie 2 on the short fifteenth, which was good shooting. G. Rushton, a player who is improving every week, excelled himself on Saturday and returned a net 63. The “Wattle” was -ihe downfall of this player as he recorded an 8 at this hole.

J. Bell played another good round on Saturday, returning a card of 70. His card read: Out —4,4, 3, 4. 5,4, 4, 4, 4—36; in—4, 4,4, 4, 4. 4,3, 3,4, 4—34; total, 70. Many good cards have been handed in by J. Thornton, and on Saturday his card was 68 net. After taking a 5 at the first and a 6 on the fourth, he was undaunted and scored five “birdies” —very good scoring indeed. G. Murdoch has now returned to golf after a holiday spent in Rotorua. When he was away he must have been having plenty of practice as he returned a good card on Saturday and has had his handicap reduced accordingly. H. Knox, a new member to the Riverside Club, returned a net 69. Considering this player has not played much golf he takes his game very seriously and it will not be long before he earns a reduction in handicap. R. Wellington is proving one of the most steady players in the club. On Saturday he had no fewer than 12 fives on his card. Tomorrow he will be playing on a 16/11 handicap. S. G. Wyatt is improving every week. For the last five weeks this player has reduced his score by one stroke and has now had his handicap reduced to 16/11. J. Connell, after being off his game I for some time, struck form on Saturday and handed in a card of 69 net. This player could not control the ball very well on the second and seventeenth as a 7 was marked on his card for these holes.