GOLF NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1940, Page 3

GOLF NOTES

MAHUNGA CLUB ACTIVITIES STABLEFORD COMPETITION. POPULAR WITH PLAYERS. (Notos by "Cicek.”) Members of the Mahunga Golf Chib engaged in a Stableford competition on Saturday and it provided a welcome change from the usual medal and bogey rounds. This type of competition has only come into favour of recent years, but its popularity with players is evidenced by its frequent inclusion in the programmes of most clubs. To the unitiated probably it;; biggest drawback is the method of scoring. Though quite simple, this is at first sight somewhat formidable and liable to give the impression that a mechanical calculator is as necessary a piece of equipment as a set of golf clubs. Despite this, the Stableford Has a wide appeal and probably provokes more discussion after lhe game than the better established competitions.

For the second time in three weeks, K. McFarlane headed lhe field. He scored 38 points, which is good golf in any language. His gross medal score of 73 was only two strokes over the par of the course and is ample evidence of this player’s ability. A six on the ninth hole marred an otherwise perfectround.

W. Boyce, despite a reduction in handicap last week, fully justified the handicappers’ opinion of his play by scoring 36 points. He is a "quick" hitter, and this style seems to suit him, although the golf professors all recommend a more measured attack. A. H. Ward returned his best card this season with a gross 79. his Stableford points totalling 36. He originally started, golf as a "south paw," but wisely changed over to the orthodox school of righthanders a few seasons bad: and has made continued progress since then, although the period of transition had its difficulties and would have discouraged any but a real enthusiast of the game. He has now acquired a free style and lower scores should be well within his compass.

W. L. Free, a popular vice-president of the club, came into his own with a Stableford score of 35 points and a net medal round of 67. His shots are played very correctly and with an evident regard for the precepts of orderly stroke production. Although among'the “also rang" on Saturday. F. C. Brockett, the club's other vice-president, was a trier all trie way and it was not due to lack of effort on. his part, that he did not score better. The enthusiasm which he has for the welfare of the club is part and parcel of his game and his intensive practice will inevitably yield good results as the season gets under way. His tenacity of purpose puts “Cicek" in mind of that doughty fighter James J. Corbett, who, when asked what was the most important thing a man must do to become a champion, replied “Fight one more round." With our vice-president, it is evidently •’Play one more hole.” R. B. McPherson played soundly for a net 70 oil' a ten handicap, his Stableford points being 35. He has a nice compact swing and his effective putting is a feature of his game. The cultivation of a more aggressive temperament would make him a match for any player in the club. RIVERSIDE SEALED NET SCORE ROUND. LAST SATURDAY'S PLAY. By “Longdrive.” The members of I lie Riverside Golf Club played in another sealed net score round during the weekend. On this occasion the competition was won by W. E. Braggins. Now that the players have put in cards for medal rounds during the past fortnight the handicapper has a good idea as to just how the new members are playing, and several handicaps have been reduced accordingly. One competitor who has been playing exceptionally well for so early in the season is W. Palamontain who handed in a card of (18 net and has now had his handicap reduced to 10. Brian Jones <a junior) is another who is playing consistent golf, and it will not be long before he rvill.be giving his brother Greg a few strokes. They both scored 89 gross on Saturday, this being Brian’s first round on Riverside. Another player to have.his handicap reduced to 10 is N. Hoar. He has been playing exceptionally good golf. His card contained four 3's, eight 4's, five s's, and one 6. M. Thornton handed in another good card of 62 net, going out in 37 and returning with a 43. Another member playing his first competition round on Saturday was .1. Coleman, although on the limit he returned a card of 64 net G. Lambourne found the first nine rather difficult, but improved the second nine with a score of 38. He h'tis now had his handicap reduced to 16. The older players will have to put in a lot more practise if they wish to take any of the championships this year, as the young players are coming along nicely. It must be 'die expert tuition those players receive at the college that makes them play such good golf now. . F. Tlallan played to his handicap again on Saturday. He was a bit at sea with his short shots, but can drive well and pull as well as anyone on the links. D. Wellington started off on the., wrong foot, taking a G for the first : two holes and then scored a birdie 2 . on the “poplars." p By playing masterly golf J. Thorn- 1; ton proved that his handicap is not too ; low when he played to it again. Another player who handed in a I score of 68 net is .1. Connell. Up to the present lie has found it rather difficult to keep his shots straight. It was with regret that we said farewell to’E. W. Perry during last week. He has now gone to Fort Dorset on | home defence service, and the mom- i bers of Riverside and golfers through- j out the Wairarapa will join with j “Longdrive" in wishing him the best of 1 luck.' > The following players have had their J handicaps reduced: —IVf. Manson from 2-1-18 to 22-17; D. Wellington from 14-11 [I to 11-9;G. Lambourne. from 18-14 to j 16-12: I. Coleman [Tom 28-29 to 2-1-18; i M. Thornton from 18-14 to 12-9; B. I Jones from 28-22 Io 22-17; N. Hoar, from 18-1-1 to 10-3; J. Wake.lin, from j ifi-12 to 14-11; W. Palamontain. from | 14-11 to 10-8; A. Bell, from 20-16 Io 18- [ 14: N. Everett from 28-22 to 20-16: W. J Gilliland from 26-20 lo 20-16; G. Long-' worth, from 26-20 lo 24-18. i