GOLF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 33, 18 November 1939, Page 2

GOLF.

THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP. HOENABROOK SCORES A DOUBLE WELLINGTON, November 17. J. P. Herniabrook, of Masterton, concluded a remarkable series of successes at the New Zealand golf championships at Miramar. when he won the final of the amateur championship to-day. He beat a. promising Wanganui player, A. R. Kitto, of the Seafield Country Club, by 3 up to 2 to play. Hornabrook had already won the open championship. Tlie. double has only twice before been won—both times by A. ID. S. Duncan (who also competed in this tournament), in 1907 and 1911. To-day’s winner was open champion in 1937 and amateur champion in 1935 and 1936.

Kitto, a young player, whose brother also performed creditably in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals in the amateur championship:, learnt to> play on a nine-hole coursei on his father’s farm.

After eight days’ strenuous play, Hornabrook retained remarkable consistency in his rounds to-day. The morning round of 69 was a brilliant performance, and Kitto, with 71, tlid well to hold him to a two-hole lead after the first 18 holes. There ware expectable' lapses by both players in the afternoon round, but the standard was still high. Kitto fought boldly, but would have needed good fortune indeed to concede a. start'to the open champion over the last round. As it was, Hornabrook was able to clinch his hold on the match.