ROUND THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 18

ROUND THE LINKS.

GOLF IN THE PROVINCE.

COMMENT ON WEEK-END PLAY,

(Br RUBBERCORE.) With the object of adding its mite in relief of distress within the city the Maungakiekie Club suspended its programme for Saturday, substituting fourball matches at both One Tree Hill and Titirangi. On the former course a handsome entry was accorded what was in effect a teams match between adherents of the respective courses, the result being i a happy criterion ending in a draw. For a special trophy presented for handicap bogey play Frank Wiseman and F. W. Wilson handed in an excellent card of 8 up, which can be accepted as fine scoring. Both players were on their game, and in alternating splendidly recorded an extremely popular win. Beyond that several of the greens on the opening holes were inclined to be bumpy, the course played excellently, the day's outing being a success from all aspects. Out at Titirangi, the successful pair were W. J. A. Thompson and F. S. Ballin, whose score of 10 up literally left the field standing. It was a grand performance, the way being paved mainly by Thompson's fine individual effort of 75 for the round. Here also a splendid response was met with, the result being that the club will be enabled to hand over quite a tangible sum in aid of so laudable an object. Three further matches in the Taylor Bowl were recently played, F. S. Ballin winning from E. C. Robieson in a game in which neither was seen to advantage, while H. A. Randrup, with a fine round of 7">, won from the veteran. H. R. Cooke, and I. B. Stewart defeated M. Taylor. In the latter case Taylor was responsible for a splendid fight, as at a difference of only a few strokes in handicap, he failed only at the last hole. A comparative beginner, he has effected steady improvement in his play, and when ripened by experience. will prove a most useful adjunct to Maungakiekie's playing strength. It was his splendid putting on Saturday that nearly pulled him through. Morpeth's Coarse Record. Players have been agog at Sloan Morpeth's recent record-breaking feat of 64 at Titirangi, and well they might as beyond a possibility of improvement at the twelfth and thirteenth holes, the round was consistently brilliant. Morpeth evidenced a streak of his real capabilities in the Miramar tourney prior to the Kirk Windeyer Cup matches in January, but beyond one or two rounds and bis opening effort in the provincial test at Easter, has seldom been in full sympathy with his clubs since his amateur championship win in September. On Wednesday last he was playing his new Spalding clubs, a result being that he will now bo confident of them, and consequently a firm addict to the. advantages of the "Swectspot" model. Enough has probably appeared in regard to these clubs, but for the benefit of those not conversant, the principle is that each club balances at exactly the same point in tho shaft. Further, the clubs arc so graded that an identical swing may be employed with every rlub, the principle claimed being in effect that the club regulates the shot. As a set they are, of course, not claimed to be fool-proof, and as I perceive the question already arising, may I add that to the majority of us, who seldom swing twice alike, even their unimpeachable merits may not lead to the high road of immunity from fault. However, it is a matter for congratulation that Morpeth is seriously getting down to work, and his latest exploit will do much for his " jerts at Balmacewan in October, i ting to One Tree Hill, an amusing nt. except for the one tcmpo,lv deprived, was the antic of an old grey-back, who swoope 1 down on a ball at the first hole and lazily flew off in the direction of the third green. As one making a demonstration in effort to recover tho ball the story as already published can be vouched for. Evidently it was not a Scotsman who suffered the temporary loss, as the four-ball lame was noticed to be proceeding, though admission will be made of a certain jubilance on the part of the recipient as we drove the ball back across the links. Glendowie Championships. Having disposed of the qualifying test, members of Glendowie engaged in the first rounds of the club championships. In the seniors no sensational upsets occurred though one or two close games resulted. Chief among these was Dr. Hortom's win from IT. Goodwin, in which '.he former increased his doriny lead to 1 up at. tho eighteenth. L. Goodwin and C. Woods also had an extremely keen match. Goodwin anuexing the nineteenth after a tussle, which might easily have ended favourably to either. As a former champion, Cyril Allcott was hard pressed in weathering th? storm with G. Kissling, and the latter is to be com mended for a fine effort. As first qualified, P. i.'hing adequately defended his position, while title-holders in F. Trice and R. Kissling experienced runaway wins in their encounters.' Of the juniors, C. C. Biernacki and H. Lu--k recorded the largest margins of success, and on the point of experience the former should show up favourably. As a hardened warrior. T. Russell's absence from the fray is to be regretted as the ex-Mau-ngakiekie player is always reliable in tight corners/ X. C. Snedden was yet another to he relegated to the bank, as was L. Keys, whose enthusiasm can alwavs be considered as counteracting any iack of ability. Form at Middlemore. Out at Middlemore the second round of the 72 holes handicap medal did not bring forth any individual effort of note so far as the* short-markers were concerned. The best cards, those of B. C. Jacobs and B. S. Finn of 72, were creditable tinder the conditions of the day, as was also X. Louisson's 79 —6—73. The latter is steadily hammering at solid figures and once he gets down to the early seventies is likely to maintain a new standard. He has scope and his golf displays distinct promise. In the captain's tourney, Rainger's win from Ralph was obtained only after another sustained struggle and he, fully deserves his right to oppose L. B. Campbell in the semi-final. A Potential Champion. The excellent card of 4 up by W. Wynne at St. Andrew's has placed him favourably in the Gilbey Cup competition, the score bringing to mind the golf he played in the final qualifying round of the New Zealand championships last September, when, in repre-

senting the Christchurch Club, he saved the day in the E. D. O'Rorke Vase. Wynne has the shots and with adequate practice would be disputing a place with the select of the province. The fact of no less than four other players finishing up on the colonel speaks volumes for the condition of St. Andrew's and at their impending visit the representatives of Maungakiekie should experience a happy time. Among the Minors. In the second round of the Wallace Cup at Akarana B. J. Smith's gross 78 represented line golf, and he appears to be regaining the form that ensured his success in the last Glendowie Cup tournament. J. McKenzie's round also wag of fair merit, and in reviewing the whole of the score it is seen that an improved standard of play is rapidly being accomplished. In continuation of the Favona championships good matches were the characteristic, results being much as anticipated. Although defeated, J. S. Whyte accorded J. B. Simpson many uneasy moments, being in the middle stages a hole or two up. A couple of lapses, however, spelled lost holes, affording Simpson relief, when he quickly turned defence into attack to attain a dorray 2 position and win at the seventeenth. R. G. Moflitt also held doggedly to the club champion, W. B. Eustace, but after being square at the turn fell away over the concluding stages. Although reaching the turn in 35 L. J. Croxson was unable to indulge in a let-up against A. I*. Eustace, it being only at the seventeenth that the latter cried enough. If only Eustace were a little steadier he would become a most difficult opponent, as he has most of the shots, combined with prodigious length from the tee. The Levy-Menzies match found the former a little below his best, Menzies putting the cap on the inateh with a fine run in the middle stages. The semi-final should provide further good matches, the result of the championship having at the moment a very open appearance. Of the juniors, Brown, Dr. Valintine and A. Murdoch were successful, although the latter was fortunate to save a dormy deficit against P. C. Downey. The latter is to be congratulated, for, as last man to qualify, he nearly brought about the defeat of the leader. As a conclusion Murdoch also is to be commended on his fighting finish, particularly on his five into the teeth of the weather at the nineteenth. MAUNGAKIEKIE V. HAMILTON. The following playors will represent MaunKakirkip against Hnmilton at tlip St. Andrew's links. Hamilton, on SatnrdHv:—S. Morpeth. It. M. OorKo. T. A. Gouldinjr. W. 1.. Robinson, R. MrCrystall, Jk. E. Robinson, .T. M. llockin. 11. A. Rnndrup. 11. Brinsden, X. llockin. R. L. Wilson. 11. 1,. Robson. P. Western, W. J. Thompson, R. .1. Hamilton. V. L. Humphries. Reserves: E. ('. Robinson. E. W. Griffiths, R. .1. Torrens. The following pin, vers will represent Hnmilton : —1». V. Bellingham. W. C. Wynne, H. WipKins. H. Gillies. K. Guv. B. Wake, •T. M. Horton, W. D. Ross. D. Gerrand, G. S. frump, 11. W. Fisher, A. T. Atkins, T. Simpson, W. W. Horton. ('. Sutcliffe, P. Harkness. Reserve: R. Worley. MAUNGAKIEKIE LADIES CLUB. The E.G.I . modal inateh to hare been played at One Tree Hill yesterday will be held on Tuesday. August 14. The Maunirakiekie ladies' championship will be held next Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday. A medal handicap will lie plaved in conjunction with the qualifying round of the championship. There will be n bogey match next Wednesday. nn d Canadian foursomes on the Thursday. Titirangi members may compete in all events exeept the championship. A/' grade mat«h will be held on Friday, entries closing to-day.