GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 21

GOLF.

JOTTINGS FROM THE LINKS "Members of Middlemore were in good scoring mood on Saturday last, no less than sixteen players returning a nett I result of under SO. In considering this ! result it is recognised that the tee-up | rule is a great advantage and I have j no doubt was exercised to the fullest, j yet it is pleasing to see such uniformly i good figures returned. The second round j of the Bloomfield Bowl and the qualifying rounds for the semi-final of the I Captain's prize tourney were the events I claiming the attention of members. In j the former fixture Dr. Abbott and P. B. Morris led the field, tieing for pride of place with the fine nett score of 75 each. This event is in a most interesting stage, however, as such a large percentage of those taking part are within i a stroke or two of the leaders. The low | scores returned naturally made the lot I of back markers an unenviable one, and under the circumstances it was hardly to be expected of them to show up prominently; and beyond the fact that J. L. Clarke from the four mark, played an attractive round of 80, good scores from players of calibre were, generally speaking, conspicious by their aibsenee. The search for semi-final.sts in the match play tourney resulted in some spirited battles, all being very even, and keenly contested. C. V. Gardner, who was the lowest handicap man left in the competition, was forced | to strike his colours to W. Geddes on the home green, a missed putt being his final undoing. J. E. Russell, who has been enjoying quite a run of success of late and has been responsible .inconsistently good golf, was relieved of further interest in the proceedings when Dr. F. Macky took the match 2 up. The doctor has a fine command of length, and is sure to prove a thorn in the competition before he will admit defeat. A. E. M. Rhind is still continuing in winning vein, and in defeating Poison at the 17th hole earned his right to contest the semi-final. The match between P. T. Upton and A. McCosh Clark savours of a battle royal, and congratulation can rightly be extended to the latter player for the handsome manner in which he extricated himself from so unenviable a position. To pull a match, out of the fire when one's opponent enjoys a dormie three lead evidences ability and'courage of the true order, and I am sure his opponent of the day viewed recovery in a manner befit- " ting the traditions of the game. Having had one try and failed miserably. 1 shall leave the selection of the ultimate winner of the tourney to saner counsel and prophecy more ripe than mine. The writer has recently wandered quietly over several of the local links and has noticed with pleasure the quick recovery of greens and fairways resultant upon the spell of sunshine that ■has lately favoured the courses and incidentally the devotees of the royal and ancient game. Middlemore will in a short time be ready to withstand the attack of the galaxy of golfing talent that will assemble there in September. The new tees are destined to add considerable character to a number of holes, and I anticipate competitors will meet with considerable difficulty with their wooden sliots, more particularly should the weather be in any degree boisterous. The new fifth green is some- , what awe inspiring and I would definitely i advise budding champions to be satisfied to endeavour to reach the green in three—as to the more courageous ones , who sit in the middle of the green in two, I simply extend my appreciation . of their prowess. It is to be hoped that fine weather prevails prior to the • championship meeting, as the one recog- . nised weakness of the course is the i failure of its fairways to withstand 1 heavy, or perhaps I shouM say con* tinned, ramp. Titirangi is _w yet a young course, Its J fairways being really good, but I saw by far too much evidence of scarred! J turf. The committee of this club has j > made strenuous efforts to impress upon \ J its members the importance of the i replacing of the divot, but unfortunately j the rule seems honoured more In tho ■ breach than in the observance. It is i a never-ending source of wonder to mc i just why some players (they can hardly t -be termed golfers) fail in their duty , to their club in so vital a matter, and . I consider members who have the intcrl est of their club at heart would be well i advised to co-operate with a view to rigid enforcement as regards divots, otherwise these fairways that promise s so well will deteriorate and eventually be ruined. I notice also a tendency to cut fairways too wide, and I am sure that in a number of cases a narrowing up policy at several holes would be hi-"lily desirable and would give just that touch of character that they at present lack. A glimpse at Glendowie reports show that this club is quite early iv playing its championships, tho qualifying rounds having already been decided, resulting in Trice leading the field in the senior event and Scholium in the junior. My readers will remember Trice as being the winner last year, and present indications are that he bids well to repeat his performance. As a final observance it appears that this course has developed a decided attraction for cricketers of fame, as I see no less than three Auckland representatives have weathered the qualifying tests in the events chronicled _ above. That local courses were in good order last week-end was evidenced by the s uniformly good scores returned by the members of the various clubs. At Titi- _ rangi the Taylor Bowl competition was advanced a further stake, and keen I contests were a feature of the day's I play. Among the victors I was pleased ' to notice the name of the donor of the ," Bowl, who retained his place by defeati ing O. L. Martelli, 1 up. M. Shroff, the ! Gardner Cup winner, evidently was not - I quite himself, and was decisively defeated | by J. C. Wilson, 7 up and 6 to play. - Shroff, who is a left bander, carries , amongst other shots a beautifully timed a iron, and I am prepared to see him !, advance considerably in his game. Wil- , son, I understand, has not been playing > well for a considerable period, DUt 3 invariably puts up a good fight in match 3 \ P la "f> and in gaining a substantial lead . I early in the contest, quickly settled.any i chances his youthful opponent may have - ; held. E. L. Bartleet, who annexed the 1: Rendell Vase, appears to be gaining con- . I sistency, and in heating G. Fairburn 6 up r and 5 to play, accomplished a comfortl able victory. W. 31. George was somet what fortunate in defeating Dunbar on > j the 19th green after completing the J round, I am informed, in 78, Dunbar is

playing very sound golf just now, a feature being his improved approaching, and he is fully justifying the 7 handicap he is credited with. G. 11. Gunson did not have too much to spare in his match with H. Haszard, only gaining the verdict on the 17th green. Gunson is not getting the practise he previously enjoyed, and this is reflected in his failure to score quite so consistently as formerly; but as he is one to make gooct use of what little opportunity he may have, I am of the opinion he will be one to be reckoned with in this competition. E. P. Sealey appears to be having a very interesting time in defending his right of place in the competition. A perusal of this and last week's result gives the impression that he has developed an affinity for the 19th hole to claim his victims. At all events, the popularity of this hole would appear to have been appreciably enhanced by the results so far, and lest it should develop into a habit I would suggest a clear-cut victory next round. A Bogie competition was run in conjunction with the major fixture, and was annkxed by A. M. Golding (handicap 12), who was 2 up on the Colonel. I remember this player as being somewhat prominent in handicap events at the Auckland Club's Easter tournament, and his win would appear to point to his handicap still being liberal, and it is rumoured in a certain sense lucrative. Second honours were divided between R. Fairburn and George, who were both one down on Bogie. W. J. Ilockin, who was successful in the final of the last Maungakiekie Cup competition, proved too good for the opposition for a Bogie match at the Maungakiekie links. Members of this club were certainly provided for in the matter of fixtures nt the week-end.