ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 59, 10 March 1932, Page 17

ON THE LINKS.

THE NEW SEASON

A START ON SATURDAY.

IMPROVEMENTS TO COURSES,

(By AULD KEEKIE.)

■ We are about to embark on a new golfing season, and may pause to wonder what it holds in store. In some degree there will bo a measure of disappointment in that the long-hoped-for holding of the New Zealand championships in Auckland has again vanished to the mists. It is to be regretted, as Auckland has many players who would benefit greatly, both as regards experience gained and the privilege of observing the best players in the Dominion in action. We are at least promised consideration in 1933, biit one doubts whether the palliative is very seriously accepted. The council's action seems arbitrary, especially as Titirangi offers a test, and that.in the accepted playing season, much in advance of that provided at Heretaunga* With the latter course it is almost a matter of necessity of postponing the championships .to almost summer conditions, but the council has anticipated this, and allotted the championships to the first week in November. It is to be hoped that the' question of transport to Heretaunga will not prove disconcerting and unduly expensive to players, but the distance from Wellington, some 26 miles, or approximately threequarters of an-hour's travelling night and morning, is not a strong point in the arrangement. Still, if the council feels that, basing an opinion on the experience at Shirley last year and the times through which we are passing, a centralised championship isnn the best interests, then any parochial attitude, even though sound reason for such exists, is better forgotten. Apart from-cther, cond&ex&tbca^hawewXr.

the fact that the championships are necessarily being delayed, and that better courses are available in the North, leads one to feel that had some basis of negotiation, or understanding been reached, a happier feeling would have prevailed. A fair view of the position is that the SS ortn has not received its fair quota for some considerable time, so far as the distribution of the championships is concerned.

Course Improvements. Turning attention to local courses and activities, it is most satisfactory to note the amount of summer play that has tauen place a.nd the improvements and construction work carried out. Water schemes to ensure the protection of the greens have been installed in several cases, and vastly improved greens for early season play will result. Akarana faced the position toward the end of last year, and the conditions tor play which have existed there during the past four or five months bring home the wisdom of the move. Glendowie also took a like step, with beneficial results, w £jle a vigorous counter-offensive to the growth of rough has been also carried out. Glendowie should be in better order this season than ever before, and since its fairways compare more than favourably with most local courses, a successful season appears assured. I am not aware of Pupukes major activities, but it is significant that play has been actively kept up, and that an early opening will be held. The other course on the northern side of the harbour—the North Shore Club—has been the scene of considerable activity, and no stone is being left unturned, which is not only figuratively speaking, to keep its place in the sun. The hand of .progress has also been in evidence at Maungakiekie, where at least half a dozen greens have been bunkered or remodelled and three new greens formed toward the completion of the new lay-out, as designed by Mr. C. H. Redhead. The watering scheme installed over twelve months ago has saved the situation during the past three months, but, as is the case at North Shore, gentle rains will be welcomed to give the recently sown mounds and greens a start. Making a Start. As is the case with Titirangi, Maungakiekie will open its season next Saturday, [when courses in good order can be con[£dently looked to. At Titirangi rather; an

anxious period was experienced at the height of the summer in regard to the greens, but it can be accepted little cause for anxiety now exists. New grass is evident in practically all the greens, which promise to reach their usual excellent standard in time for the opening of the provincial championship to be held there at Easter. As a matter of fact, a few days' rain appears aU that is necessary to bring conditions to the ideal. A refreshing sight is the recovery made by the fairways, which are definitely better than for some time. They should, however, be given help by manuring as the autumn advances. Little has been necessary as regards construction work, though Mr. H. W. Cooke has been busy putting the finishing touches on the fourth and tenth greens, and causing . various bunkers to become more apparent—and real. There is no doubt that Titirangi is a magnificent course. Middlemore Retains Condition. Middlemorc has been in delightful order practically throughout the summer, yet, peculiarly enough, members have not availed themselves of play so much as might have been expected. There has, however, been a "regular army" that has, by its activities, served to keep up the average. The rank and file of members are now beginning to get into the traces more earnestly, possibly with a view to making their presence felt at Titirangi at Easter. The official opening will not take place for a couple of weeks. Keviewing it all it is satisfactory that all clubs have taken steps to deal with that abomination —long grass. A certain degree of rough has its value, but with the close bunkering of greens the wayward shot must always be possible of recovery, at least so far as the lie of the ball is concerned. Despite difficult times clubs have made determined effort to adequately bunker greens, wherever possible, and with the clearing of the rough the recovery shot is almost invariably, possible if the player possesses the necessary dexterity. Such courses as Gendowie and Maungakiekie have presented peculiar difficulties but the former has gone to the limit of its resources this year, while Maungakiekie has burned and mown its prolific patches and provided such equipment as to/oause the amount of rough to become negligible, jind but a memory-of th» bad-old day*.

KIRK-WINDEYER TEAM. At the monthly meeting of the New Zealand Golf Council on Tuesday the new club at Papakura, to be known as the Manukau Club, was accepted to association membership. It was resolved that Inquiry be made from eight to ten representative players as to their ability to get away to Australia for the Klrk-Windeyer Cup contest, and, provided five men who are considered suitable are available, a team consisting of that number be selected and sent to Australia. A sub-committee was appointed for final selection, and it was resolved to write to the following to ascertain whether they would be available: Messrs. Rana Wagg, H. A. Black, T. H. Ilorton, J. L. Black, B. M. Silk, Dr. K. Ross, B. V. Wright, J. P. Mortland, A. D. S. Duncan, and B. J. Smith, jun. The proposed conditions for playing future Kirk-Windeyer Cup matches as drafted by the chairman and Mr. Crombie were adopted and ordered to be sent to Australia for confirmation. No decision was arrived at as to the method of playlngn the 1932 open and amateur championship, and the matter Was lett over until the April meeting. TAIHAPE WOMEN'S CLUB. There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Taihape Women s Club on Tuesday evening, Mrs. A. F. McKenzie in the chair. A letter was received from Kev. 11. Harris (Church of Fnglaud), asking that the club fix on any date except March 20 (the first Sunday in Iloly Week) as the opening day. The request was acceded to. -Oilicers elected: —Club captain, Mrs. It. C. Ongiey; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. S. E. Addis;- executive, Mesdames W. IT. Xieholls, A. .Tames, E; M. Forsyth, and I>. Neagle; match committee, Mesdames li. C. Ongiey; S. E. Addis, and D. N eagle; handicap steward, Miss M. C. Sexton. u WAIUKU CLUB. Opening day on the Waiuku Club's course is fixed for March 10, when mixed foursomes are to be played. Officers elected for the new season :—President, Dr. C. E. Howden ; captain, Mr. J. Forbes: vice-captain, Mr. T. R. Bloom field : secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. W. M. Ohlson; committee, Messrs. W. S. Colbeck, C. O. Roscoe, Peterson and W. E. Jerram.