GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 206, 28 August 1920, Page 18

GOLF.

(By "NIBLICK.")

FIXTURES. .September 13 to IS.—Xew Zealand Championship Meeting at Hamilton. The semi-finals of the .Auckland Club Championships created quite a lot of interest last Saturday. The match between YV. B. Colbeck and D. MaeCormick was expected to be close, and so it proved. as when the 18 holes had been played the match was all square, and it was not till MaeCormick had holed a 4 at the 10th that he won the right to play off with 11.* B. Lusk iv the final. Although the golf waa not brilliant it was steady., and there was never .much -between the players. 'Colbeck had the lead at th? turn by one up, and was unlucky in being stymied by his opponent on the 10th green, MaeCormick winning with a 3. Colbeck again took the lead at the 12th, but his opponent squared again with another 3 at the short 13th. A good 4 at the 15th gave Colbeck the lead once again, but on the 17th green he reqivred 3 putts, and the match was again all square. The 18th being halved in 4's the players proceeded to the Hhh tee. Colbeck got the better drive, but both found the green with their seconds. Colbeck's putt was short, but MacCorm'ek putted well, and nearly holed out ror 3. C'olbeck .failed to hole his next putt, end MaeCormick won a close match, 1 up on the lftth green.

Of tlie other match the Auckland professional was good enough to pen the following account:—The meeting of H. B. ILusk and E. 'Hiekson created a good deal of interest, as both players had beaten good exponents of the game in Ralph and Raingcr respectively on the previous Saturday. The general opinion was that Lusk would prove too good for his loss experienced opponent. Lusk won but he had to go all out to do so by 2 up and i to play. The first hole was well played by both, being halved in 4, Lusk just missing a 3 from the edge of the green. The second was played correctly by both, and halved in o, but both mi6sed chances to win the third; and it was halved also, Lusk being short w : ith his approach, and also with his first putt at the fourth hole. Hiekson won with a well played 5, #nd thus took the lead. Both found the rough with their drives going to the fifth, and the hole was eventually halved after Hiekson narrowly missing a putt for a win. Lusk sent away a good drive to the 6th, but Hiekson had a better one, but was short with his approach. .Lusk laid his second about nine feet from the pin, and just missed a 3, the hole being halved in 4's. Both played the 7th and Bth well, halvingr.in bogey figures 3 and 4, leaving H'skeon still 1 up. Good drives followed by good seconds found both players within reach of the 9th green. Luslk was short with his third, and thus gave Hick-s-fin a chance for a win, but he pushed his shot out into an impossible lie in tlie rushes, and lost the hole in 6 to 7, and the match was again square. Lusk played a g-ood shot at the short 10th, just, missing a 2, and Hiekson, after running his approach putt up to within three feet of the pin missed it for a half, and Lusk took the lead for the first time. The 11th was halved im 4, Hiekson just missing a 3 laid Lusk a half stymie, which, however, he negotiated. A well played 4 won Hiekson the 12th: Lusk, however, replied with a good 3 at the 13th, and won the hole. Both drives were good at the 14th, but Lusk topped his second, and gave Hiekson another chance, but he failed to take advantage of it. Lusk again failed to reach the green, and laying his opponent a dead stymie was very lucky in halving the hole in 6. The loth was halved in 5, li-idkson's putt going in and out for a wjn. The game now stood Lusk 1 up and 3 to play. Both had good drives at the 16th, and being on in 2. and taking two putts halved in 4, one under bogey. At the 17th Lusk was just on the edge of the rough, whilst Hiekson had a good one down the centre of the fairway. Lusk lying a bit heavy took a spoon, and just missed getting into the bunker in front of the green. Hiekson pushed his second out to the left and into long grass, and on playing out was too strong and taking three more to hole out lost tlie hole in 5 to 6, and the match, 2 up and 1 to play. Hiekson wis playing his wooden club with coniSdenee, and always stra'ght down the centre of the fairway. Lusk generally having to play the odd.

The final between H. B. Lusk and D MaeCormick is down for decision today, o v er 36 holes.

The medal handicap for a prize presented by W. B. Colbeck, president of the Auckland Club, was won by the club's 'secretary. A. *E. (Rhind, who played a good round of 89 —14—75.

At Maungakiekie. R. Joyce succeeded in defeating C. F. Gardner in the semifinal of the championship and meets F. Trice in the final, which I understand will be played on Saturday next.

The final of the junior championship at Maungakiekie between C. Eastgate and W. G. Hopkins proved an interesting contest. The former held a lead on the outward half and was 2 up at the 11th hole. From this on, however, Hopkins played the better golf, and winning the next four holes stood 2 up with 4 to play. The match finished on the amphitheatre green. 3 up and 2 to play in favour of the ex-iPukekoho player.

The bogey match for first-year players was won by E. Bart'ect, with a card of 1 down. This young player has succeeded in bringing his handicap down to 18 and his win was a popular one.

F. S. Ballin scored another win on Saturday, this time finishing 2 up on the colonel, the next best card being- 1 up, by N". E. Hocking. F. Saxton finishing all square.

The final of the match piny tourney between Joyce and Hiekson will be played at Maungakiekie, on Saturday next.

Good entries are being received by the local club secretaries for the 'New Zealand championslup meeting to be held nt Hamilton next month. Intending competitors are again reminded that entries must 'be made through their club secretaries and close on September 1. Although nothing definite has been heard, it is fully anticipated that Kirkwood the Australian champion will be present at the meeting.

It was only to bo expected that there would be many diffe-ent opinions regirrling the lav of the now course at Titirangi and the committee of the Maungakipkie club, realising that it would be advisflib'p - to obtain expert advice before definitely fixing the green and tees, secured tho services of two ex-nrofes-sionsls in Messrs. Hood and Martin. On the report now furnished, the committee, T understand, propose to go ahead. The proposed changes are not available as yet, but should be known during the course of a few days.