GOLF

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20284, 28 August 1937, Page 23 (Supplement)

GOLF

HAMILTON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Niblick”) The qualifying rounds for the championship match play have now been completed and the first round will be decided to-day. Conditions were favourable on both the qualifying days, with the exception that the dry spell had made the greens very tricky. Only one player succeeded in breaking 80 twice. This was C. B. Thomas who has won the Championship of the Pupuke Club at Milford on several occasions R. J. Love, with a good card of 78, was the only other player to be under 80 on the second day. The draw for the match play has worked out well as Thomas and Harding are in the top half and Bryant and Ferguson in the (bottom. These players should be the semi-finalists although there are others who might easily upset calculations. An absentee this year is C. B. Wake who lost a place on a count back for last place. He has not had very much golf in recent years and his game has suffered. The Intermediates The intermediates were* headed by R. W. Rutherfurd with cards of 85 and 81, his aggregate being eight strokes less than the next man, N. Winger. These two with G. H. Bindon and C. C. Ladner were, the only players to break 90 in both rounds, whioh is not good scoring, as the limit handicap of 17 for the grade represents a total of 90. It would be very unwise to make any predictions about the result in this event. The junior grade was led by P. R. Newland with cards of 93 and 90, A. T. James being next with two more. An aggregate of 206 was good enough to qualify. Handloap Match Play The handicap matches were completed recently. The winner of the captain’s trophy was H. F. 'Blackle who had more than twice the ordinary number of matches. In the third round he finished all square with N. Winger twice and then won toy a good margin In the third attempt. In the final he met L. J. Bryant who had to concede seven strokes, and once again three rounds had to be played—this time for a margin of one hole. The writer remembers Dr. C. Blundell and F. Blundell playing in the Bell Gup and being ail square three times. The former won when they played six moro holes. The vlce-captaln’s trophy was won by R. A. McKinnon who defeated T. N. Pemberton in the final. The winner has been playing better golf this season although he did not do well in the qualifying rounds. Coming Event* The South Auckland Championship tournament will be held next week, o online racing on Thursday with the qualifying rounds. The holder is “Tad” Morpeth of Tltirangi, who will defend his title. It is probable that several low markers will be competing this year in view of the practice which could toe obtained as a preliminary to the big event at the end of September. Next week-end an open day for professionals and amateurs is being held. The competitions are scratch and net medal scores over 36 holes with a medal and a Stableford bogey, each over 18 holes. Course Improvements The major improvements to the course have been completed. Additional length has been gained at the third, eighth and ninth by forming new tees, while the seventh and 16th greens have been carried back. The full length for the championships will be 6420 yards and the council has increased the scratch score to 74. The additional stroke will probably be taken at the 18th. Extensive improvements have been made to the clubhouse. The improved facilities in the new concrete block will be appreciated by both clubs, while the men’s club room will be much more comfortable. The ladies have contributed private donations for a fireplace in the dining-room and the men for new furnishing. Increased Parking Area The improvements to the parking area are very welcome. The club is indebted to Mr. Worley for his assistance in this direction. In addition to the area in front of the clubhouse and towards the first tee, the section at the top with the entrance from the main road will be available for parking. An innovation at New Zealand championships which will he an attraction is the golf traders exhibition. The idea came from the local professional who is making the arrangements and the diisplay will lie staged in a marquee near the first tee.