ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 18

ON THE LINKS.

THE WEEK-END PLAY. IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 4 (By "RUBBERCORE.") Though Saturday proved somewhat dismal, the day had the saving grace of postponing its worst till the majority of players had disposed of the more serious side of the afternoon's proceedings. Further, there was the cheeriness of the clubroom which, after all, provided §omc- solace. One Tree Hill matches were characterised by excellent scoring, net seventies having been necessary for success in the respective grades. J. M. EllitTe, from a handicap of 12 ; who won the senior medal, played the first eight holes in 32, a splendid two at the short fourth heing a useful contribution. Though in trouble at the ninth and short eleventh, he finished well for a gross score of 82. J. H. Goyder and A. K. Hawley were next with 74, disaster which overtook each at the "Cave" and last holes spoiling good cards. 'Goyder was runner-up for last year's junior championship, and displayed considerable promise. L. H. Norton, perhaps better known on the hockey fields, also handedN in a useful card, which just failed to compete with the scratch score. Junior honours were divided between S. Caro, from 25, and A. F. Ellis. The latter played evenly throughout, his score being well merited. A. K. Turner and D. D. Holland were joint runners-up and but for an untimely eight at the sixteenth, Holland would probably have won. The quartet will require to pay penalty for having dealt lightly with the scratch score. Across the Water. Tt was a busy day across the harbour, ahd though Pupuke's main strength was afield, considerable activity prevailed at Waitemata, and the newly-formed North Shore Club. Here, openings were in progress, and the latter, in particular, could be said to have experienced a most auspicious christening. A considerable amount of work lias already been done at the new club, the way matters have progressed being somewhat of an eyeopener. In lighter vein one admires the tone of moderation in reporting the opening. Some congestion oo'iH certainly be expected with 200 phi vera <oinpeting over nine holes. "How tinny nairs is that to a hole?" asked Mrs. nubbercore, but in my preoccupation, hearing some further veiled reference to mushrooms, I declined to pursue the subject. However, it is all a happy aujiury for the future. The initial ball at Waitemata was driven by Mr. G. Jackson, club captain, and in the resultant four-ball Miss M, Neville and Miller proved the invincible pair. This club reports a flourishing condition, and having regard to numbers in and around Devonport such is not to be wondered at. In Country Centres. Openings were also held at Paeroa, Papakura, Pukekohe, and Rodney. Paeroa has long been established as a coiitre of the game, and visitors attended in large numbers from Thames, Te Aroha, Waihi, and even Auckland. We always remember, Waihi as the birthplace of Sloan Morpeth, who has done so much for New Zealand golf. At Pukekohe the honours went to visitors from tne newly-formed Onewhero Club, Mrs. and Mr. McDermott, and Miss Cameron and Cameron taking the prizes. A hardened campaigner in J. E. Elliott, ably hplped by his partner, accounted for' things at Papakura, where play is continuing on the McLennan property. The club is fortunate in again securing the right to play over this, course, which contains many splendid natural features. It was a red letter day at Rodney, where Mr. L. J. Verry welcomed the visitors. A new links has been established here, and under the guiding influence of its president the cluo should have its future assured. Visitors to Wanganui for the 1923 New Zealand championships will remember Mr. Verry in his capacity as secretary, a post he filled with credit to himself and his club. His residing in Warkworth will do much for the future of the game in the Rodney district. One would have liked to have heard Mr. Civil's remarks on the pioneering of golf within the county. His experiences are lto doubt a little more odd than those of us, who can lay* claim to a certain degree of pioneering the game in these parts. Pupuke A-visiting. Though Pupuke's seniors were routed at Akarana, the juniors, on their home course, made some amends. Mackenzie s stand against Smith was h, good one, and he gave the latter one of his most strenuous games on his own links. Mackenzie's style is sound, and with play over a longer course and with stiffer opposition he would develop into a class player. I am not aware of the capabilities of H. C. Stevens, who filled second place and lost to G. M. Brown. .He evidently justifies his ranking, however, otherwise he would not occupy a place in advance of L. J. Minogue, who is a sound match player. The New Middlemore. It is noticeable that since the new holes were brought into play at Middlemore four-ball scores, at least, have ceased to soar to the dizzy heights of the past. ' There can be no doubt that the tightening up of the bunkering has put a premium on correct golf. To-day in the majority of instance? routing plays an all-important part, but it is only following the drive that the fun begins. I *was very charmed with the new holes' at Middlemore at Eaeter, and am sure my expression only echoes the sentiments of all who took part. A liberal sprinkling of the players on Saturday were buffeted by the elements, and one assumes the successful pair returned their score before conditions became really bad. C. Nathan and A. M. Smith were best, and in playing many fine holes thoroughly deserved their win. They were, however, closely followed by J. F. Brown andj C. H. Archer with 6 up, while the best of the others were J. Farrell and T. Brett, and R. G. Rainger and T. E. Clark. Clark seems to have gained consistency, and has become a power in the game. Of the others, Brett has done welL It will be remembered that a sprained wnst P re " vented him from playing off the final of a junior grade championship last year. He was unfortunate, as his prospect of success' appeared bright. Evidently the storm burst early at Glendowie," as the cards returned there were anything but inspiring. Two pairs in N. A. Ching and O. Wolfgram and T. Martin and J. Sheen tied for first place, and will probably play off at a convenient opportunity. Glendowie is being quickly brought into shape, the heavy growth of the epring having been practically all cleared away.

Out at Titirangi. Results at Titirangi indicate that tlie "Illustrated" claims more than a literary interest in the game. Partnered by C. G. Fisher. G. R. Hart had his baptism of success in competitive plav, and we congratulate him on his win. Having regard to the fact that the pair played the last six holes in the downpour, the score was meritorious. It has long been accepted that Fislier displays genius in his selection of four-ball partners, and even where a draw is concerned the fates apparently decree in his favour. Though Fisher failed to qualify in the provincial test at Middlemore, he was, to borrow a sporting term, in the money in each of the scrambles held during the tournament. Possibly this latest exploit will cause the handicapper to indulge in a further unfriendly gesture. L. H. Rogers and E. E. Beehan also handed in a fine card, but their effort, though gallant, was not good enough. Beehan's game is very sound, and he is as consistent a player as any member of his club. AUCKLAND LADIES* CLUB. Handicap match • play foursomes, for prizes presented by the captain. Miss E. M. Upton, will be played on Tuesday nest by members of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club. Following is the draw: Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Kelly v. Mrs. Rainger and Miss C. Rainger, Mrs. Ralph and Miss E. Wilson v. Mrs. Friedlander and Miss K. Souter, Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Trice v. Mrs. Miller and Miss Wells, Mrs. Robertson and Miss Cooper v. Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Rutherford, Mrs. Sellar and Mrs. Jetferson v. Miss Graham and Miss Porter, Misses R. and L. ltoberton v. Miss McGovern and Miss Moginie, Miss Gulling and Miss Rathbone v. Misses 11. and L. Cutfield, Miss Ridings and Miss Russell v. Miss Martin and Miss White, Miss Henderson and Miss Buddie v. .Mrs. Campbell and Miss Asser, Mrs. Lawrence and Miss J. Reid v. Mrs. Wright and Miss >oakes, Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Towlc v. Mrs. Buddie and Mrs. Croft, Mrs. Watson and Miss E. F. Upton v. Miss Coutts and Mrs. Frater,' Mrs. Abbott and Miss MacCormick v. Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Green, Mrs. Grant and Miss E. Mahoney v. Misses farlane. Bves: Mrs. Richmond and Miss Johnson, Mrs. Nevill and Miss M. Nevill. TITIRANGI CLUB. Following is tlie draw for the Taylor Bowl match play competition among members of the Titirangi Golf Club:— First Round. —G. T. Marriner y. T. E. Clark, V. N. Hubble v. W. West, G. K Alpe v. C. Robinson, H. W. Cooke v. C. 'H. Wvatt. R. J. Graham v. R. A. McLean, F. S. Ball in v. J. Yock, H. Broadbent v. E. T. Harold, A.. 11. 0 Leary \. H. C. McCoy, J. Dawson v. W E. Anderson, 11. S. Malcolm v. L. P. Hardie, A. E. Saunders v. W. E. D Audney, H. L. J{obson v. E. C. Duncan, E. Olilson v. F Brooke Taylor, P. Ba garnie v. \V. JA. Thomson, R. R. McCrystal v. R. L. Wilson H. M. Rogerson v. S. Hunter. F (} Tallis v. N. C. Laud. P. Harrison v' IL' Grav, G. L. Taylor v. J. H. Goydfer The foliowing receive byes in the first round and play in tlie second: F. V i oiric v P. E. Cleary, P. Bojie v. 1,. Knight, A. Le Sieur v L J. wmiamson, h. H. Rogers v. G. M. hite, C. G. 11 isn. v B VV. Beaumont, J. Murray v. G. H. Birch, R. J. Hamilton v. E. W. a F Whitten v. J. W. Tucker. W. H. Kurness v. W. R. Vercoe, H. A. Kandrup V R S beighton, F. A. Brown v. A C. jicArthur, A. J. Parr ~ I: H" "a m. Goulding, B'i""!''"..'- R a E ' CeroUy ": A-' H. B. ». cilii v- M. H Yock. 3. Gllmour. a bjeWAITEMATA LADIES' CLUB. The official opening of JVaitemata L>"'ies' Golf Club was held > e sterday after uoon under good weather eond^tt^ions. The first ballof the season was driven off by Miss G. McGlashan. There was *n attendance of over 50 members, and a most sue cessful afternoon's play was G " Canadian foursomes were won by Mi.s G. Williams and Miss G. McGlashan. SOFT GOODS TRADE MATCH. . __ a ink hrtween the wholesale and 't ,a Cnrthe°«u?.s?' f.«." * ,hoiM,ie " c ' ""wholesale won ten matches, retail six, and one was sQtiared. MORRINSVILLE CLUB. The Morrinsville Golf Club's season -as ss JMSa ler and Johnston extended bright. taihape club. -• TAIHAPE, Wednesday. Thc first medal round been concluded, the be Bradley, B 'i H 'lhe aeaaon' commencctl last Thundaj.