GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 212, 6 September 1924, Page 21

GOLF.

JOTTINGS FROM THE LINKS The event that has claimed most attention from golfers recently was the South Auckland Championship, the innovation of including in the programme events for professionals, meeting with general approval.. In view of the near approach of the New Zealand championships, a review of South Auckland form proves interesting, inasmuch as several leading amateurs took part in the tourney, the qualifying rounds of which failed to reveal scores of anything approaching merit. T. H. Horton, of Masterton, 'headed the list with rounds of 85 and 81, which are not inspiring nor up to standard... Prior to leaving for Hamilton, he was responsible for three rounds each of 76 at Middlemore, and on these scores is entitled to respect. J. Goss, the present holder of the amateur title, was among the entrants, and 'his scores leave a good deal to be desired. It is well recognised, however, that his strength lies in the match game, and lie possibly lias little aspiration to the Open title. Of the Aucklanders present T. A. Goulding, whose handicap is 5, gave the best impression, his scores on the opening day being, under the circumstances, really good. The respective cards' returned by Gardner, George and Ralph were not as pood as might reasonably be expected, and the trio will have to show considerable improvement to get far in the' bi» amateur event. The professionals in their first match failed to come up to expectations, but will surely do better in' the Open Championship at Middlemore. A pleasing feature is, however, that several of them put up fine scores in the latter stages of the tournament. Those returning from Hamilton have represented the greens aa being very difficult, and attribute their downfall almost entirely to inability to hole their putts. Whether or noi this was the actual cause of the indifferent performances, to say the leant, the results hardly enhance the championship prospects of those concerned. I remember St. Andrew's greens as having a wiry surface, and aa most of those competing came fresh