ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 15

ON THE LINKS.

IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.

TOURNAMENT PLAY REVIEWED.

SURPRISING SCORES RECORDED,

(By AULD REEKIE.)

The Labour Day Week-end gave rise to quite a crop of tournaments among country clubs, and at Taumarunui a championship was held. The main feature was perhaps ihe defeat of Wiggins in the semifinal by Craig, who in turn lost the final to the consistent Sandel at the nineteenth hole. Wiggins has not appeared as a regular player this season, and possibly this fact has milch 16 do with ,his defeat. When stationed in the middle North last Season he carried all before him, and also defeated Leo Quiil, Dale and others in the South Taranaki championship. He is not altogether new to the game, and one remembers running up against him in old Cambridge open championship days somewhere round about 1921.

Taumarunui held quite a bevy of events, thoße to show up prominently being Spencer, Holford, Poutawera; a'former club champion, and Gilpin. Spencer will be remembered as one of tho foremost members of Papakura two seasons ago. TAur lnarunui has developed into quite a centre as.regards the game, tile course being one Possessing distinct possibilities. As Was to be expected, G. H. Laver was the star performer in the Thames v alley tourney, his 74 in the second round of the stroke championship representing sound golf. Laver gets results, and may yet improve on his excellent showing ill the recent South Auckland championship, where he defeated all Save J. L. Black, w. McGlashan also is to bo commended. o>n having been runner-up to Laver, and m annexing the bogey with 4 lip. Te Aroha was much too strong in the teams' event, the fact of play being held en the local course favouring tile home side. A new junior champion "tfas hailed at Morrinsville, C. S. Wood comfortably defeating A. Carter. The _ latter made amends, however, in the Diehai'ds Cup, which, he won with the excellent net score of 137.

H. ,T. Levy added to his country- record in winning the scratch event at _ , Ht* kolie's open day, returning a 79 bptn morning and afternoon. Levy would seem to have a flair for success ill that type Ot event. C. G. Johnson, one of Pukekohes Mainstays, and who scored So well at Eotorua, filled the vole of runner-up. incidentally annexed the 30 holes medal handicap. W. B. Eustace, ot Otanuhu, and Sevmour Colbeck, of Waiuku, had .tbe best totals of the rest. It is interesting to note that Colbeck's partner WaS also busy representing the Auckland club at Cambridge, where, partnered by a, Maeky, he met with varying degrees ot Success. It is satisfactory, to note that several of those visitors to J'nkekohe spoke highly 6f the condition of the greens attd the future possibilities of the course, Summer Conditions Reflected.

That we have emerged from winter to Summer conditions is amply proven oy Scores of the week-end, and which to komo extent are flattering. Four-ban scores in particular sOared to heights undreamed of, the chief offenders having been f6UM at One Tree Hill and Akarana, where fast and ideal conditions, minus adequate bunkering, caused havoc to be played with hitherto accepted standards. T. Was chiefly concerned in the One Tree Jilli debacle, and as the C grade champion ot

three weeks ago is now on a handicap just j beyond the limits of a senior status. In [being possessed of a long drive and an allowance of some 14 strokes, the course was literally at his mercy, and even though two sevens and a six appeared on his card he was round in 80. His case is one providing thought for the handicappers. He was abbhelped by R. S. Milne another long hitter and promoted senioi 1 , the pair not having lost a single hole to bogey. Milne recently annexed a medal event with a net score low in the sixties, and that under anything but favourable conditions. It was a freak of fortune of the draw that these youths should have been paired. The card of 10 up by V. C. Keys and A. Y. Schischka pales by comparison, a lid Keys in particular is deserving of success, as he has consistently reduced his handicap, only to run against" some, freakish Card. Schischka also has had several good Scores. though not good enough. Eight up and thereabout was comparatively common. the best in this category having been W. Clarke and D, E. Coufcts, and H. Walker apd the youthful J. H. EarlCi A pair of budding Tar eh as in Paewai and Hetet contributed to the state of affairs at Akarana, where their, score of 13 up left the -opposition somewhat amazed. Ordinarily Trayes and Thompson afti£ht have felt. the prize within their grasp, but they had the misfortune to have met an ancient line (Mi the war' path. . . New Zealand Championship Contenders. Partnered, by C-ullen, whose recent scores have been good, B. J. Smith evidenced that his trip to the New Zealand championships has been to his benefit. Jt don't kitfxW, however, that we have quite forgiven this voting (man for the shot no attempted which brought . about his elimination in the Amateur championship. Perhaps he has not quite forgiven himself. It certainly appeared a. case where gfl'fetv would have proved the better part of valour. We take the Opportunity, however, at this stage of paying tribute to the very fine .performance of both him and Stuart Colbeck in the amateur event, whereby the .prestige of Auckland golf was worthily upheld. So far as Smith is concerned, he failed on a glorious attempt, which sometimes is refreshing even as apposed to the merits, of a safer meshed. It is from such attempts that champions Colbeck, we know, was rather golfed out by the time he met Duncan, and .fought well to reatMi the semi-finals. A contemporary expressed it that this year was one of opportunity for youth, and so far as Rana.Wagg and these young Aucklanders were concerned that excellent exception was amply borne out., pupuke And Glendewie.

. The four-ball scoring at Pupuke was much more sober. the tie between Johnston and L. G. Anselh and o. Hopkins <ind T. Williams having been- represented by cards of respectable proportions. ' If. T. Gould and P. H. Mmgay followed the leaders, and it is a matter ff)t* 6&tisfftctk>ii that tn6 should still retain his touch. ~ . ~ A .new departure by way of a four-bail aggregate medal was the fare provided at Giendowie, where J. Kail and W. Lj-ixon combined With Access. Their card o 144 was in the circumstances gq&d, though only just good enough to creep in Ahead ot 0 Wolfram and J. Sheen. Glenclovie is' in nice order, the fairways being a delight to play from.

The Country Round, The Hogftli Cup at' Whangar'ei found a strong gi I OUp of senU'finahsts, and after defeating McLean. Lamb continued successfully to win the final from Ramsay, X had beaten Buckley. After Lamb s exasperating experience ot agim beuu runner-up in the club championship, nis cup win will afford him -particular satisfaction.

Twelve previous wins eincc 1912 suggests that J. Evans, who defeated J. P. Mortland in the Taihape championship, is a player of no mean ability. He is reputed to be a fine stylist, and his win over a semi-finalist ot' the recent amateur chantpionship afc Ohristcliurch &cts the seal on hi«s record. Mortland played quite good golf in the championship when held at Palmers ton last year, and was one ol the finds of this year's event. J. Kenny, who is a. rave fighter, had to bow to superior golf when opposed to Laver for the Te Aroha club title. He has been a leading figure in his district for a good number of years, and held the championship till deprived of it by Laver.

Middlemore Chariipion. It would be' difficult to imagine a more popular win than that of W. S, Ralph at Middlemore—not in any sense so far as his opponent, E. L, Bartlcct, is concerned —but that the win followed a long period of association with the event. Ralph is one of the foremast amateurs in the Dominion; but championships seem to have been life bete noir. He is capable of the most glorious golf, and as a shot producer has few equals. We congratulate him on joining the select band of Middlemore title holders. Bartleet's rise, though scarcely meteoric, has been rapid, and as one who took up the game in anything but serious vein, he has a splendid record. He has an ideal temperament, and in previous champion'ships and match play events at Middlemore has always shown to advantage. He might have given Ralph a great game even though several holes down but fortho latter's recovery at the sixth. I think that, hole will live in memory as the crux of the match. The new intermediate champion D> Robertson is generally .more steady than brilliant, and as his opponent. 11. 8. Abel, is more of a matell player than otherwise, tile result was scarcely as expected. Robertson has. however, put in some' really fine cards.. alid is at home under fast conditions, For that matter Abel is notoi-iously ill at ease in the wet, so the pair met oil an even footing. Abel has played golf in good Company, and still engages the Australian representative player, W. R. Dobsoll, when the latter visits Auckland. He is a very useful man 011 his handicap, particularly with the colours up. One feels inclined to retell the story of the fat Caddy boy, only its so old it has whiskers, the boy being probably by this time a happy father. P. H. Upton's win over C. I. Nathan followed a close match, which was to be expected, as Nathan has had several recent rounds that drew attention to- his prospects. Upton, however, is a keen match player, having the natural capacity for appraising the Value of a shot. To see him in action is to recognise that he has a gOod temperament and concentration. His junior championship honours were very warmly received by club members. 0 grade honours rested ill Dr. Kirker. who won from J. B. Macfarlane. The latter has long been associated with the Auckland Club, and as one of the "oldest members'' a win Would have been a fitting climax. It was, however, a splendid achievement to have reached the final, from Which point only one could win. AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB,

Draw for the third round of tbe prGsi* dent's eclectic match to be played next Tuesday by members of the Auckland Ladles' Golf Club Miss Buddie v. Miss h. ROberton, Mrs. ftaingvr v. Mrs. Wilson. Sirs. Rutherford v. Miss Upton. Miss Culling v. Mrs. Henderson. Miss E. Maln'mey v. Miss Xonkes, Mrs. Abbott v. Miss Rathhone. Miss Moginie v. Miss Ballantyne. Miss Wilson v. MiSS H. Cut field, Mrs. Henr.v v. Miss MacCormick. Mrs. Green v. Mrs. Croff. Miss M. Maefarlane V. MisS L. Cutlield, Mrs. tVrsnison v. Mrs. Hughes, MiSs Hninlin r. Mrs. Wright, Ml?s France t. Mrs. Murphy, Miss

Draper v. Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Frater v. Mrs. Kevell, Mi's. Morris v. Miss Henderson, Miss Waller v. Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Nevill.'v. Miss Wells, Miss Ruddock v. Mrs. Richmond, Mrs. Sellar v. Mrs. Grant, Mrs. DevOre v. Miss Coutts. Miss R. RobCrton v. Miss White, Mrs. Trice v. Mrs. Ralph, Mrs. Donald v. Miss Asser, Ml6s Ridings v. Mrs. Hellab.V, Miss Porter v. Miss N'evill, Miss RCid v. Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Carr v. Miss S. •MahOney. Mrs. Foster v. Miss Kelly, Mrs. T aWreiice v. Miss Chat field, Mrs. LudbroOk . Mrs. Watson, Miss E. F. Upton V. Mrs. Hutchison, Mrs. Robertson a'. Mrs. Commons. Mrs. Kelly v. Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Johns v. Miss Johnson. Mrs. Martin v. Mrs. Moody, Miss Gregory v. Miss Bayly. Mrs. Klrker v. Miss Rainger, Mrs. Buttle V. another. Tliu Culling Cup, for the four best grrtss scores during the season, was wou by Miss E. M. Upton, and the Victory Cup, for the four best net scores, was won by Miss ft. Asser. The L.G.U. silver medal was won by Mrs. C. M. Croft, and the bronze medal by Miss ft. Asser.

Members of the Auckland and Auckland Ladies' Golf Clubs played a teams match nt Mlddlemore yesterday, the former winning by 9 games to 2. one being all square. The men allowed six strokes handicap and the ladies played off their own teCs. Results (men .first).—W. S. Ralph beat MiSs F. Rathboue. 3 and 2; E. L. Bartleet beat Miss K. Culling, 2 and 1: H. Plumley lost to Miss ID. M. Upton. 3 and 2; ft. B. Lusk lost to Miss N. MacCormick, 4 and 3; R. D. Wright and Mrs. Ferguson, all square: W. A. Donald beat Mrs. K. Rutherford, 1 up: W. N. Abbott beat Mrs. Wilson, 2 and 1: L. W. Delpli beat Mifcst Hamlin, 3 and 2; R. G. Rainger beat Miss Wilson, 5 and 4 ; V. W. Wilson heat Mrs. Hughes, 3 up; G. H. Abel beat Miss Moginie, 1 up ; C. M. Gordon beat Mrs. Abbott, 7 and <5: GLENDOWIE LADIES' CLUB. An inter-club match played yesterday between members Of (he Maungakiekie and Glendowie Ladies' Golf. Clubs resulted In a win for Glendowie by six- matches to three, Oiie being all square. Following "are the results, Maungaltiekie players being mentioned first:—Miss Hasiett lost to Mrs. Hill. 3 and 1 : Mrs. Norton beat Mrs. Hilitz. 1 up: Miss Abbott lost to Mrs. Stanley, 4 and 3: Miss Churton lost to Mrs. Butler, 4 and 3: Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Warren, all square: Mrs. Rudge lost to Mrs. Markwiek, 4 and.3: Miss ft. Hardley lost to Mrs. NAismith. 1 up; -Mrs. Burton lost to Mrs. Kennie, 2 and 1; Mrs. Balgarnie beat Miss Johnson, 4 and 3; Mrs. Sawers beat Mrs. Dintott, 2 tip. The members of the Glendowie Ladies' Golf Club will take part in a medal competition on Saturday, instead of Canadian foursomes, players to choose tlu-ir partners. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. HAMILTON WANTS 1932 TOURNEY. The monthly meeting of the council of the New Zealand Golf Association was held at Wellington, when there were present: Sir Alenndcr Roberts (chairman), Messrs. M. J. Crombie, W. A. Kiely, K. Page, Col. R. O. Chesncy. and G. O. Sutton (secretary).

The question of method of playing the open and amateur championships was fully discussed, and is to be given consideration by members of the council and brought up at a later meeting. 1

An application was received from the Hamilton Golf Club for the championship meeting in'lo32. It was resolved that the application be recorded, and that consideration of the location of the tournameut be deferred in the meantime. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews sent a notification regarding an amendment to rule 2S._ which will be of considerable interest to' golfers. The old rule stated that only certain loose impediments might be brushed aside by the club, and that all others had to be picked up oft" the green, but tile amendment Imw makes it permissible to brush aside with the- club any loose impediments on the green, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided that the club is not laid with more than its own weight upon the ground.

HAMILTON LADIES' CLUB. At the closing of the Hamilton Ladies' Golf Club for the season on Wednesday, the medal round played 'foe Mrs. -J. F. Strang's trOphy was won by Mrs. F. Mandor, go—*-7—73. The nest beet cards were: — Miss Templer, SD-'-10—74; Mrs. McCrackon, 05—21—74. Other results were Driving competition, Mr 6. F. C. BrCvris; approaching and putting, Mrs. L. Day; putting, Mrs. ,T. J, Standrln; C gride medal, Mrs. Rutherfurd. The prizes won during the season were presented by the president, Mrs. Douglas Hay.

TAIHAPE CLUB. The knock-out competition at Taihape has b£6h won by R. McClure, who defeated J. T. Coutts in the tiiial by 4 and 3. The Raukura Cup competition is practically completed, the best score registered so far beittg 62 by Mrs. T. C. Ivincfrld. Eclectics.—A grade, R. McClure, 20; B grade, 13, 1). Chisholm and J. Bradley, equal, 34. ' The season closes 6ft November 11,