GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 224, 20 September 1924, Page 21

GOLF.

JOTTINGS FROM THE LINKS Another amateur championship is now history. Few, indeed, were prepared to hazard the opinion that J. Goss would be dethroned, the victory of L. Quin ranking as perhaps one of the most unexpected and sensational in the history of the event. That Quin has a rare dash of courage was exemplified by his performances throughout the tournament. In the first round he hung to Ekstedt in a surprising manner, and won the match with a good hole at the 37th. He began somewhat shakily against E. SI. George, but in the afternoon turned on a brilliant run, and ended the match at the 33rd hole. G. F. Gunson was playing anything but well, and yet held a commanding lead from Quin at the termination of the morning round, and, like his predecessors, commenced the afternoon session without in any way suspecting the trouble that lurked "in the bag o£ his opponent. To the 10th hole There was little to disturb his serenity, hut from this point on-ward Quin ii<!io.ded an amazing run, simply overwhelming the youthful player. Even these sterling performances failed to impress critics, the reason possibly being that his style of play conceals his natural capability. Contrary to expectations, he early got into his stride in the final, and from the first tee to the conclusion of the 16th. hole, with, the exception of a weak shot at the Bth, gave a brilliant exhibition of the game. He completely topped his tee shot at the 17th, but recovered well, holing , a five. He was again faulty from the tee at the 18th, but holed a sensational putt for a five, completing the roifcid in 73, and finishing 3 up on the morning's play. Gos3 was having a desperate time holding on, but did not waver, the definite manner in which he punished Quin's few weak shots being worthy of a title holder. Seldom has it been my privilege to witness golf of a higher standard, andj the magnificent seconds played by both ' contestants at the sth, and the perfect .pitch holed by Quin at the 12th, will live in memory. In analysing > the morning round, one felt that Quin would scarcely continue in such 'brilliant fashion, and with only a 3 down ! deficiency Goss would almost surely retrieve the position. The afternoon round had not progressed far, however, before this outlook was dispelled, Quin compiling the figures with unvarying regularity. The end came at the 29tn hole, Quin wresting the title 8 up and j 7 to play. Goss had just one glimmer of hope at the-20th hole; when he missed a shortish putt for a win, and had he holed it, it is just possible subsequent proceedings may have been altered. However, he failed, and there ended the prospect of the successful defence of his title. Quin is reputed not to have had a lesson in his career, and it must be confessed that, upon seeing him in action, one has considerable difficulty in associating his style with Xew Zealand championship honours. His swing is not in accord with generally accepted principles, he having a distinct and dangerous away on to ■the ball, and his hands appear altogether too high at the top of the backward swing. However, he appears to have developed the habit, or, I should say, naturally has the ability to coincide the sway with his hands in coming to the ball, and times his shots beautifully. The salient feature in his method is that his hands seldom get in front of the clubhead, and invariably the clubhead does the work. Hβ has! been represented as a somewhat weak : putter, but after viewing his exhibition when the pressure was on one finds difficulty in subscribing to this view. Reverting to Gos3, he can console himself with the knowledge that the margin in favour of his opponent does not represent the difference in the game, nor in their respective merits, and further, the golf unfolded would have prevailed over almost any opponent. Goss has a short back swing, the followthrough being aleo restricted. He plays from a short base, and, being well over his ball, is able to get good control of

his shots. His irons are a feature of j his game, and he gains good length from the tee. He is a resolute "putter, and there is scarcely a weak element in his : game. Eltham was no doubt en fete when the conquering hero returned. Evidence of his popularity was forth-1 coming in a solid bundle containing no j less than 140 congratulatory telegrams.! Representatives from this little club ! very nearly annexed the O'Rorke Vase, I an inter-club trophy for teams of four : players, the team comprising the threo ] brothers Quin and Dale, a juvenile, also , self-taught, and who has a good deal of j natural ability. The record of the four j was a good one, their efforts to gain j the vase being the subject of much., favourable comment. The vase even- i tually went to the Christchurch Golf Club, the team comprising H. W. and E. Macfarlane, C. A. Seymour and A. L. Cropp, the last-named quite excelling himself on the day. The other three were indeed worthy representatives, but were singularly unfortunate in the amateur championship, as each early met an opponent playing somewhat above himself. : The semi-finals between G. F. Gunson and Leo Quin, and J. Goss jnd H. B. Lusk, were full of incident, the large crowds following being rewarded with golf of a spectacular nature. In the former match Gunson was 4 up with. nine holes to go, and at this stage the gam* afanoet «vokred el » Xewgose «»- j

j elusion. Gunson essayed a firm putt for (a 2 at the 28th and overran the hole, and missing the return took four. Quin, |who previously -was sitting for a some|What dubious, half, promptly holed his jputt for a 3 and annexed a win. An error of Gunson's at the nest allowed Quin to gain one more hole, and, jumping into brilliant golf, he got his oppon- I ent on the run, taking seven consecutive j holes, thus winning the match 3 up and I 2 to play. Gunson is entitled to a good I deal of sympathy, and only those who ! ihave had a like experience recognise fully what an unenviable position his .was. Quin got fours from all angles, and only an experienced and able campaigner could perhaps have warded him I f off. In the Lusk-Goss match the players jwere never separated by anything akin to a substantial margin. It could be said both missed opportunities, but each j recognised the little difference that sep-1 arated them, and this tended to overkeenness. Moreover, neither had quite assesesd. Moreover, neither had quite felt that victory was almost a certain forerunner to ultimate championship honours. At all events this was the impression gained watching in action. The game went on with fluctuating fortunes to the 33rd hole, where Lusk appeared if anything to hold a slight advantage. Goss, however, made a grand approach which appeared very close to the hole, and Lusk, making an error with his approach putt, became 1 down. This was the turning poinj in a great battle, and Goss followed up his advantage with a fine putt at the 35th, taking the hole and the match 2 up and 1 to' , ple.y, and thus he and Quin were left to""do combat with result already described. And now, in lighter vein, one must express appreciation of the efforts of a Knight in shining armour, who made bold efforts to control the onlookers. The depredations of the crowd of followers, combined with the frivolities of the fairer sex, -were such

as to ruffle his usual complacent temperament, he being decidedly definite in his remarks on several occasions. Lest it be considered I have discoursed with undue levity, let it be said that his efforts were worthy of the highest commendation, and it is regrettable that others were not imbued with the same spirit of consideration towards the con- ■ testante. And in ringing down the curtain it remains for mc to add my mite to the spontaneous expressions of the admirable arrangements in vogue throughout the tournament. The committee of the club attacked the problem of getting the course into order in a manner befitting the occasion, and the effort was crowned with success. Club members went to endless trouble in seeing that visitors were properly cared for, and in a great many cases arranged for their transport to and fro, their actions being highly appreciated. The one person to whom all honour i» due is A. E. M. Khind, the ever-popular and untiring secretary, who controlled the arrangements. So admirable was the organisation that one might have associated the important fixture with a country tourney, so little was outward sign of preparation in evidence. It was a pleasure to be present at Middlemore, and the happy vein in which all departed was a tribute to the capability and genial disposition of the club's secretary. — J