ON THE LINKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 3

ON THE LINKS

THE AUSTRALIAN “OPEN.”

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN FINAL. (By “Silver King.”) Fergus McMahon, finishing with 72 for an aggregate 293, won the national open golf championship of Australia at Seaton, South Australia, on August 24' He lowered the Seaton record by three strokes. * Jim. Ferrier, who led at the end ot the third round had a seven at the 17th in the final round for an aggregate 294. The galleries were whipped into extreme excitement in the final round when, with one couple separating them Fergus McMahon on ahead and Feiiier fought a sensational duel. Out in 36 to 3, McMahon had to that stage got on level terihs and neck and neck they fought until the 14th, where McMahon took three putts and was a stroke behind. As he stood on the last tee needing a four for a 72, Ferrier met with the greatest possible reverse, and running up a seven needed a three at the last to tie, but took four. Ferrier had to sink a 20-footer on the last green to beat McMahon. He missed. When McMahon’s great score was on the board, Stewart and Geoige Naismith needed 70’s, Charlie Gray 69, Richardson, Harvey and Ryan 63’s. _ Stewart’s lapse continued and his chances went with a 43 out.

Youngster’s Surprising Wins. Golf is fast becoming an exact science in the case of the world’s best, and recent 'scores cause amazement amongst those who are about as good at it. as the average dinner party is at billiards. Young ones are coming to light to disconcert the proved experts of the year before with scores that make one wonder where the miracles will end. Miss darrie Tiernan, a young Irish girl, heats Miss Diana Fishwick in the British women’s golf championship at Newcastle, County Down, hy reaching the eighteenth green (026 yards) with two magnificent wooden shots, and turns sup on Miss McCulloch, having gone out in 37, • wonderful figures lor a woman. This brilliant girl is put out by Miss Mevvyn Barton, nineteen years old, who is put out by her sister Pam, Britain’s youngest international golfer. Miss Pamela Barton could not putt, or Miss Morgan might not now hold the title. There is a chain of the successes of youth surely hitherto unrecorded. The course record of 67 at Leeds was thrice equalled and twice beaten in the professional tournament. The qualifying list is headed with 68 and 67 by Cox (Addington). Jarman and Padgham do 67’s, R. Burton (Hooton) does a 65, 34 out and 31 back, and Robertson does a 66. Ten players beat 70. In the match play in tin's tourney Cotton docs six holes in 17. The American open is won hy Sam. Parks, jnr., a professional of only three years’ standing with 299, while seasoned players such as Shute, Sarazen, Dutra, Johnny Goodman and Revolta were all well over the 300. Some of these scores indicate unusual conditions, but the victory is to youth nevertheless. __ New Hazards Encountered. A number of plovers which have made their nests near the ninth green on the golf course at Gulargambone, New South Wales, have made conditions uncomfortable and disconcerting for players. When players approach the ninth green the birds set up a loud dm and fly straight at them. When about four ov five feet from the heads of the players the birds ascend sharply and fly past squawking loudly. lhe tactics of the birds have caused many duffed shots, and have spoiled many otherwise good cards.