GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 78, 3 April 1926, Page 25

GOLF.

JOTTINGS FROM THE LINKS. , i Saturday last saw members of the Auckland Golf Club enter upon the j opening round of the E. R. Bloomfield ' Bowl, and W. Wilson gained a good posi- ' tion with a round of 91, less a handicap of 20. A. J. Friedlander and J. L. R. • Bloomfield were next, .with net scores of 73, and, there are a good number J following comparatively closely, whose cards should prove useful, in view of x the succeeding, rounds. J. L. Clark , made the best individual effort, returning a 79, a score .which will bear inspection in any medal competition. In the provincial test now under way, Clark promises to make his presence felt. He has few faults and is the possessor of- a ( left arm which he allows its due share of influence in the execution of his shots. H. W. Tidmarsh handed in a fine s card of 80, which, frdm the 4 mark, is , indicative of a sound display. He has played fairly consistently during the ' summer and promises to still further ; reduce his handicap this season. Our i consistent provincial champion, H. B. Lusk, was also round in 80, and was , apparently playing, pretty well. A • fortnight ago he handed,in a fine card ; of 2. up on. bogey and tlie merit of . the performance is better appreciated : when the fact is taken into considera- : tion that the next best card' was but , hovering on all square. In respect of Lusk, this much may be added, that the ' one to deprive him of the right of his title will at least be cognisant of the. fact of having had a busy day, and fur- ■ ther; that it affords considerable pleasure to' perceive the chaimpion iii such excellent _form.. - F. G. Binney, a former runner-up for club .championship honours, returned a nice score of 82—6 —76 and is evidently finding time for a round or two when business activities allow. H. L. Rees, who captured the bowl outright by winning it for the second time last season, is again in a position to dispute the honours and his round of 82 was evidently untrammelled by such difficulties as beset him in his match with the " swordie" when enjoying his sojourn in northern waters. He is putting brilliantly and 'there is truly a great deal in the Scottish viewpoint, "that a man that putts is a match for anyone." W. S. Ralph's round is not quite suggestive of his best, but it can be accepted that he will quickly return to form, while the score of «84—4—80 handed in by E. L. Bartleet is good, in view of the fact that he has just emerged from a strenuous season of tennis. Touching tupon the annual general meeting of the club, it is a pleasure to record such scenes of enthusiasm and the meeting of 1926 promises to rank as a red letter day in its existence. Mr. W. B. Colbeck relinquished oflice after a long and honoured presidential career, and the outburst of enthusiasm that followed the unanimous decision of making him a life member was but a fitting termination for the services he has so ably rendered. He has upheld the traditions of his' club in a highly dignified manner, and his name goes forward to such predecessors as Sir Jno. Logan Campbell, Mr. Archibald Clark and Mr. Seymour Thorne-George. With respect to his golfing career it is rich in attainment, he having been many times champion of his club and having represented it with conspicuous success, practically since its inception. In the larger spheres of influence he has ever been a tower of strength, the New Zealand Golf Council as instituted owing its constitution largely to his foresight. Middlemore's loss is indeed great, but there is perhaps recompense in the fact that the club is rich in personality, and that one of such tactful and sterling qualities as Mr. J. B. Lusk is willing to assume such onerous duties. Mr. S. J. Hanna has been elected to succeed Mr. J. B. Lusk as club captain, and his elevation to the captaincy follows a" career as committeeman, occupied throughout in a generous and highly capable manner. The Hamilton Club officially opened its season last week-lend, when a large number of visitors were present. A record field of 72 players took part in the time-honourfed mixed foursome event, and the winners proved to be Mrs. Bartleet and T. Simpson, with a .net score of '49, presumably 'for 12 holes.' The ambitious scheme of watering tlie course has been practically completed, and it reflects considerable credit upon those in authority that with the limited capital ,and membership, .such a splendid work has. been achieved. When it is remembered that, its enthusiasts are comparatively few, and that a modern course has been formed and maintained, the achievement ranks as amongst the best in the Dominion. The club owes its. inception, in fact its very existence, to the ability and foresight of Mr. H. T. Gillies, who pictured the possibilities of the course in a piece of rather forlorn, pumice country. It is but fitting that such a. grand course as St. Andrews should have as its originator one bearing the name so famous in colonial and English golf, and when the greens come to their best the course must rank as the best in the province when Mr. Gillies' ideal will have been realised. The tournaments now being held at Titirangi and Rotorua should provide adequate enjoyment for enthusiasts of large handicaps, and for those who are not taking part in the more strenuous battles for provincial honours at Middlemore. Titirangi has received rather severe treatment from the sun during .. the off season, but the recent rains • should do much to restore it to good playing order. The soil is of tho nature to become fiery and although the fairways are almost without exception beautifully grassed, the length obtained from the tee is decidedly apt to flatter one. About Christmas time the prospect of the Rotorua course early attaining good' playing condition appeared a little doubtful, but the wisdom of the November application of top-dressing very early asserted itself, and already practically all the greens carry a beautiful green sward. The fairways, too, have responded well to cutting, and a round over the course shows it to be in splendid condition/ The proposed new holes were tried, but as they hardly came up to expectations, have been abandoned and, I think, not to the detriment of the course. A good number of competitors are at the tournament and visitors are sure to leave Arikikapakapa and its surrounding of thermal wonders, with, at feeling of a holiday delightfully ! «> ent - " " ' ' *I'