AROUND THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 19

AROUND THE LINKS.

TOWN CLUBS AND COUNTRY.

£HD OF SEASON GAMES.

NOTES 03f THE PLAY.

(Bv RUBBEECOEE.)

That we are approaching the end of the recognised golfing season is reflected in the number of the smaller clubs who have played their final mixed foursome. With such there is generally a cessation covering the months of heavy ,rrowth and succeeding hot weather, folio wins %vhich mixed foursomes usher in activities for the new year. Members of the Waiteraata, Otahuhu, Paeroa, Papakura, Pukekohe and Onewhero Clubs have laid aside 'their clubs till the autumn rains. Onewhero, which is the most recently opened club in the Waikato, has enjoyed a successful season, the championship having been won by Mr. A. Allen, with K. who formerly was interested in the game up North, a3 the runner-up. Pukekohe's closing also provided the visitors with a happy afternoon, the winners being Mr. and Mrs. Pavitt, of the Papakura Club. The honour was not easily wrested, however, as Miss Duncan and K. Pike, of the home club, lost only at the last green after a play-off. C. G. Johnson i≤ this year's champion, having defeated E. Maddison in the final. Johnson is unquestionably the soundest player in the club, and it is pleasing to see him in action following his enforced absence through accident. If one were to look for the most improved player, the honour must rest in Coyie, who has developed a forceful "game. Duncan, winner of the junior title, has also improved his game, bavins fairly earned his - victory over J. SellarT At Qtahuhu, Favona members celebrated the sixth year of their existence as a club in a fitting manner when Miss Cameron and W. B. Eustace were the prize-takers. The long 1 driving • saw Croxon make full use of his opportunities, while Menzies added to his trophy list when the approaching and putting competition came along.; . _

Honours Even. Glendowie was engaged against Mannsakiekie. when the teams were content to depart with honours even. C. F. Allcott-'s run. of success was interrupted by T. A. Goulding claiming a two-holes" advantage, though ■ it says mnch for Allcott that his game has so : developed that he should be equal to extending a player of .Goulding's ability. Matmgaldekie's" advantage "was- shortlived however, as P. A. Chine: sc-undly defeated McCrystaL. The latter is not fulfilling his early .promise, having not had that success "th'at might have been expected. E. Hutchison, ipheld his_ position as a club championshin finalist in defeating H. L. Robaon. the honours Tieing altogether on his side. P*" wfcose "ame is vastly improved, held Edmonds, but E. M.Ohlson experienced ' disaster against Nicholls. Holdsate,-A. B. Joplin 'and C. Robinson added to Mamgakiekie's quota, the latter outplaTins Bawlinson with a fine 79. Feelin<T*that all depended upon him, 0. Wolf-' gramm rose to the occasion to defeat a hard hitter in A. J. Parr, with the result that six games all was declared.

Akarana'a Fine Fairways. V L. Baker, whose scoring- is. consistently good, claimed Akarana's bogey with a "splendid card of 3 up, J. Swanson being runner-up. .Visitors to Akarana have been impressed with the condition of the fairways and greens, and after the interruptions the clnb has suffered it is a matter for eonsratulation. The club is rich in youthful performers and. led by B. J. Smith, has experienced a successful year in interclnh contests. It is perhaps due to add that both in the golfing standard and in the condition of "the course the guidance of its professional, B. .J. Smith, senr., is apparent. At Tauranga well-known performers in Hetherington and Snodarass were foremost in the cup competition, while Patecson's net 66 secured for him the day's medal. E. H. Phelan, who already has met with a sood deal of success, extended 1123 record in winning the Cameron Cup from Gibbs and Snodgrass. A. C. Anderson, who is familiar to Aueklanders as, I think, an old Maungakiekie- member, was conspicuous in the championship. Should my surmise be correct Tauranga has enlisted the aid of one likely to prove helpful in club activities.

Though the players may be unknown to the majority of readers it is worthy of mention that in winning the Okaihau championship C. Thomas established _ a record for the cortrse. It is highly satisfactory to perceive so good a standard being set in the club's main event. Henderson, as runner-up, can be considered to have done Well in carrying the match to the fifteenth hole. At One Tree Hill. At One Tree Hill L. Knirfit and K. E. Craig played well to tie for the bogey. Each has improved his game considerably, and Crai? in particular is looked upon as a coming player. J. S. Rankin, ■who won the junior championship from K McLean, perhaps ought to have won the bogey, as he was 3 up with about the same'Tnimber. of holes to play.. The nearness of victory, however, apparently exercised a demoralising effect. In the junior championship final Rankin amassed a 6 up lead at One Tree Hill, and though McLean reduced the gap to 4 up at 'the turn in the final IS holes at Titiransi he could not combat Ranfcin'3 steadiness. As a matter of fact, Rankin's style is sonnd. and suggests a good future." He has both scope and the shots, and ought to develop into a mainstay for his; club. McLean, though defeated, fought his way past several able opponents, experiencing a more difficult patn to the final than did Rankin. He was beaten, however, by golf of a higher plane. His- recompense came when, partnered by T. Goudie.. he returned the ■ffinnins; card in the four-ball. Dacre and Beehan refousht their medal tie when the Former's 82—13—TO prevailed. Dacre is enjoying license in the matter of handicap. "His wings should be clipped.

Aucklacd Club "Winners. At liiddlemore main interest lay in tte championship when W. S. Ralph, a. Maekv and C- M. Gordon qualified, to nieet fresh opponents. Against <i. rAldred. S. G. Rainier left nothing to chance, the shaking hands taking ple.*»»«the fourteenth. He, however, later leu. foul of Dr.'Mackv in belligerent mood,

when his further interest ceased. Dr. Macky is hitting a splendid ball, -which is proving dieoncerting to his opponents. There was little between R. 0. Gardner and C. M. Gordon, the latter winning after a round of a little better than SO. It will require lower figures for ultimate success. The star match, that between W. S. Ralph and A. W. Donald, resulted in Ralph atoning for past lapses to win an excellent match at the eishteenth. On tho run of play probably'"Donald's golf_ was the more consistent." but when Jalj.h.won the fifteenth and sixteenth— the latter through a fine putt —the pendulum had begun to swing. A sound 4 at the seventeenth gave Ralph the load. and when Donald crashed at th» eighteenth the game was over. It is singular that none of Middlemore , * recent acquisitions should reach the semi-finals. -Nor do many of the diehards remain. lne issue is very open. Saturday will see the return clash with the kiekie Club, when Middlemore no doubt hopes_ to retrieve the temporarv setback sustained when last the team* met The event has bred a splendid rivalrv. bavins assumed the role of the most important match of tne year. It is a dav of "England expects." " °