ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 18

ON THE LINKS.

CLUB EVENTS. A BUSY WEEK-END. PROGRESS OF TROPHY PLAY. (By RUBBERCORE.) Beyond an isolated shower, conditions at the week-end were a vast improvement 011 immediate predecessors, and practically all local courses were In good order. That Titiraugi complied with this description was amply borne out by the scoring, G. IT- Birch having set the main with his 86—'1 —00. We are not often treated to 11lis liberty in the case of a course so abounding in pitfalls for the handicap player, and Birch's effort was an exceptionally good one.

T. R. Impey also had a good card, and his game is showing improvement. A. J. Good's 78 —0—72 also presaged a return to better tilings, and it is rather a travesty that last week, following his defeat at Akarana, one should have taken the liberty to remark that Good was the weak link in Titirangi's chain in the pennant games. My experience of golf is that form is generally more difficult to sum up than in the case of the racecourse. Having regard to Good's record this season, his case did, however, appear one where an opinion nnght safely be ventured. Taylor Bowl Competition. Fourth round results in the Taylor Bowl saw H. M. Kogerson quite overwhelm E. J. Richardson. Indeed, the general run of matches showed greater margins of success than was to have been expected at this stage of tlie tournament. Though E. G. Tallis had escaped but barely in his recent matches, 110 sueli fortune attended his efforts on Saturday, P. Harrison's long hitting and handicap having proved too much on the day. C. G. Fisher, though having won his match, had little to spare against A. C. Jacob, who has returned to Titiraugi after quite a long absence from the game. F. W. Lucas carried altogether too many guns for W. S. Pnton, and the form of the ex-All Black is really good. Never having lacked length, he has now got his tec shot under greater control, and length plus control is the ideal for' every player to aspire to. Lucas is now on a handicap of seven, and merits it. He has progressed wonderfully in the game.

Coltman Cup Matches. By contrast with Titirangi, matches fov the Coltman Cup at Akarana were most evenly contested, which would seem to convey a delicate compliment to the handicappera—always assuming, of course, that the scratch score system is rigidly adhered to. While on this point—and may I hasten to add having no special reference to Akarana—handicapping committees should see that reductions or advances in handicap are strictly in accordance with the scale laid down. The remark is frequently heard, "How often does he play to his mark?" That is the point. The onus is on handicappers to observe the principle laid down, and not to be influenced by a player's temporary lapse from form, or the opinions of onlookers.

And now to return to Akarana. The giantkiller turned out to be R. L. Ormsby, who won a great match to defeat B. J. Smith. Strokes were, however, ever hard to concede, and Smith's poultice of behind scratch is difficult indeed. V. Baker and Wynness, as a pair who are playing well, had spirited fights to defeat Alexander and Leys respectively, an! either match might easily have resulted differently. G. Biss, who lias had much rccent success, found J. Budge too steady, having had to bite the dust at the seventeenth. Wells, in view of his limited experience, did well to press If. R. Tybr so closely. Tyler has good powers of concentration and is always" difficult to defeat. •> .. . . Good golf characterised the flag match, and though A. Finn succeeded in planting the flag on the nineteenth green he experienced some uneasy moments, as Minogue and Cashmore were hot on his trail, to narrowly miss the haven which the green offered. Mincgne's 75 was especially commendable. Cullen and Booth had yet another tie in the play-off for the bogey. Rumour has it that each is in strict training for the third attempt at a decision.

Out at Glendowie. Glendowie's eclectic went to L. J-'aram. and though the net CO was good, it was not outstanding when his 20 handicap and type of event are coupled. Still, that it had its merit is demonstrated by the fact that the next best score was two strokes in arrear. F. Trice and Stedman were most conspicuous of the low-markers, and the gross 7o by the former reads well. Trice retains his form wonderfully; in fact, last season and the season previous he played some of the best golf of his long career. Haycock Bowl Contenders. At Waitemata. 11. Webb's 3 up was a splendid card and affords him a grand opportunity to win the Haycock Bowl. J. Hogan was again consistently near the top, being the only other player to beat bogey. The pair have matters much to themselves, and anything approaching a good score by either on Saturday should see the location of the bowl settled. Kingswell Shield Surprise. As. the result of the previous rounds, the position regarding the Kingswell Shield at One Tree Hill was obscure, but a card of 2 down by H. Morpeth, following a previous ■■ best card of all square, appeared likely to settle the issue. Calculations were, however, upset when W. H. D'Audney handed in his 3 up—an excellent effort for the day, especially as ho- was 2 down with five holes to plav. It served an excellent example of what can happen, particularly as Morpeth was square with three boles to play aiid two strokes to come. There it was: Morpeth all square as a result of the previous rounds and square with three to play in the final round; D'Audney 4 down in his initial essays and 2 down with five to play in the final round, yet he wins by one hole. D'Audney also won the concurrent bogey, having had quite a field day. A newcomer in H. P. Whyman also had a creditable 1 up in the latter event, and though the effort has probably earned only a reduction of handicap, he may look on the score with satisfaction.

Players of Other Years. A glance at the shield furnishes quite some interesting history. The following are previous winners:—l9l3. R. M. George; 1914, N. P. Green; 1915, B. R. George; 1919, li. A. Joyce; 1920. J. W. Russell; 1921,' E. L. Bartleet; 1922. J. M. Hockin; 1923, S. Dunbar; 1024, H. B. Anderson; 1925, I. G. Mackenzie; 1926. J. M. Elliffe; 1927, R. M. George; 1928, C. F. Western; 1929, .Tack Murray; 1930, .T. S. Rankin; 1931, H. Morpeth; 1932, D. V. MacCoxmick. Anil how have many of the old hands I scattered! "Tiny" Green —he was and is I about 6ft 4in —is now. I think, in the Taranaki district and still hitting tremendous tee shots. "Herb." Casey, captain of the Eltham Club, and brother of Owen Casey—mine host at Greytown in the war days—and who I had not seen for 20 years, spoke to me of "Tiny" only a fortnight ago. H. A. Joyce and E. L. Bartleet are, of course, now well known as members of Middlemore. S. Dunbar still golfs, I believe, in the Cambridge Club. H. B. Anderson is a scratch player in Melbourne and will be remembered for a brilliant round of 70 at Middlemore during I the currency of the 1926 provincial championship. W. >S. Ralph will probably remember something of the round. Western and J. M. Hockin have temporarily abandoned the game, while "Wee Mac" has turned his- attention to curing the ills | which beset ahiatenrs. Jim Russell, who ; also has the honour of having won the : first match played at Titirangi. has un- 1 fortunately suffered a severe illness, but I am sure it is but to echo the sentiment of all players to hope for his early recovery. As for those remaining winners, most of them are still carrying on hoping i no doubt that the future will see their names again inscribed. 1

| North Shore Activities. [ At North Shore the low handicap men generally held their own, tne exception haying perhaps been B. Goldwater, who failed to survive only when W. Badeley lan down an 8-yard putt at the eighteenth. Badeley played a fairly useful round, while he also laid his opponent several stymies, j Oliver and Seagar can be singled out as j another pair to have fought out a close I match, and the former was just able to hold the lead, which his good 4 at the long hole coming home afforded him. B. Rae had for the most part the best of things against C. Black, though considering the latter was 2 down with five to play, lie did well to force the ex-club champion to the nineteenth hole.

I After having been 5 down at the tenth to Whyte, Burgess put in a meteroic run to square matters at the seventeenth, but it all went for nothing, as at the twentyfourth hole his iron shot found the ditch. His opponent made no such error, but confessed to having had a fright following his early lead, which had appeared rather more than secure. Not the least encouraging aspcct of golf across the water 011 Saturday was that at North Shore and J'u'puke Clubs alone some 150 players took part in the match play tourneys. Auckland Captain's Prize. Quito a different complexion is put on matters as the result of the second round of the captain's prize at Middlemore. Alan Donald, as the result of the general excellence of his recent scores and the fact that he had an allowance of a couple of strokes, was considered likely to beat W. S. Ralph, but it was not to be, and the honours were all oh the side of the scratch man. A. M. Howden and J. ilacEwan engaged in an exhaustive test, but strokes are strokes, and the Cambridge-open championship winner of 1911, simply refused to be denied. H. Plumley also rail up against a tartar in Peter Nathan, who clung on desperately and won the eighteenth, to definitely settle matters. "Plum" is yet another of the previous winners who is not to repeat his performance this year. Dr. Abbott also fell foul of J. F. Brown in fighting mood, to constitute another low-marker offering to the gods. C. Archer and 11. B. Wilson can be singled out as a pair who contested it inch by inch, and it is good that the latter should be again well enough to golf regularly. At a general glance there is a chain of successes 011 the part of middle handicap men and 1 am afraid the rest of the field may view it that the chief danger lurks here. Prominent in this category is A. J. Friedlander, who some seasons ago won the final from R. O. Gardner. Peculiarly enough he again defeated Gardner on Saturday. He is, however, badly handicapped during the wet months on the score of length.

And now for R. D. Wright. One can sense the critics seizing on Wright's splendid six threes as a positive inspiration for their column. I shall be late in the field, and having some anticipatory sense, do not propose to dwell on this hackneyed aspect. Still, is there not a principle attached to clinging to these six threes. My knowledge of the classics, never exceptional, is now distinctly blurred, but was it not written that it was the icleal to perpetuate the memory of the great by making prominent their good deeds?

ROTORUA LADIES' TOURNEY,

CHAMPION DEFEATED. The second round of the Rotorua Ladies' Golf Club's open championship yesterday resulted :—Miss Culling beat Mrs. Preston, 1 up; Mrs. ,T. Wilson beat Miss Moon. 3 and 2; Miss Snodgruss beat Miss Wilkinson. 3 and 1; Mrs. Day (Hamilton) beat Mrs. Ferguson (1932 champion), 3 and 2. Best curds returned in the medal handicap and bogey handicap played to-day— Bogey Handicap.—A grade: Miss Moon, all square; Mrs. Ferguson, 3 down; Miss Wilkinson, 5 down ; Miss R.vde. 5 down. I{ grade: Miss Routley, 2 up; Mrs. R. C. Smith, 2 down ; Mrs. Clay, 3 down. Medal Handicap.—A grade: Mrs. Day, S3—-7 —7G ; Miss Snodgrass, 85 —9—7<i: Miss McPherson. 93—10—77. Miss Snodgrass was the winner of the tie. decided over the last nine holes. B grade: Mrs. Hitchcock. 90—20—70; Miss Wain. 10,S— 32—70; Miss Glass. 101—22—79: Mrs. Kelly, 102—23—79 : Miss Wain was the winner of the tie decided over the last nine holes.

AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB. Draw for Coronation medal and Aotca Roa Cup competitions to bo played on Tuesday by members of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club:—jMlss E. Mnhoney v. Miss L. Koberton, Miss N. Xoakes v. Mrs. Ferguson, ■Mrs. Grant v. Mrs. Barstow, Mrs. Hay v. Miss M. G. Mncfarlanc, Miss M. J. Muefarlano v. Mrs. Buttle, Mrs. Donald v. Mrs. Xoakes, Miss Culling v. Mrs. Endean, Miss Crooke v. Miss E. Wilson, Mrs. Kissling v. Miss MacCormlck, Miss H. Cutlleld v. Mrs. Henderson. Miss R. Robertson v. Mrs. 10. B. Brown. Mrs. .1. Wilson" v. Mrs. Abbott, Miss G. Buddie v. Miss Ballantyno, Mrs. Cologrove v. Miss White, Mrs. Rutherford v. Miss Hamlin, Mrs. Henry v. Mrs. Green, Miss L. Cutfield v. M ls s Cooper, Mrs. Ralph v. Mrs. Craven, Miss Graham v. Mrs. Rninger, Miss S. Malioney v. Miss Ridings, Mrs. Curr v. Miss Boddlngton. Miss George v. Mrs. King: Mrs. H. W. Wilson v. Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Foster v. Miss P. Buddie, Miss Waller v. Miss Kingston. Miss Mappin v. Mrs. Gorrle, Mrs. Frater v. Miss Upton, Mrs. J. F. Brown v. Miss Wells, Mrs. Kirker v. Mrs. 13. Frledlander, Mrs. Trousdale v. Miss Russell, Mrs. Ludbrook v. Mrs. Murpliy, Miss Henderson v. Mrs. Macky, Miss McGovern v. Miss Rainger, Miss M. Fouliy v. Mrs. Barrowcloufth, Mrs. Buddie v. Miss K. Fouliy, Mrs. .Tolins v. Mrs. Jefferson. Mrs. Moody v. Miss Gregory, Mrs. Knight v. Miss Pierce, Mrs. Horrocks v. Mrs. Martin Mrs. Miller v. Miss Chatfleld, Mrs. Bartle v. Mrs. R. B. Wilson, Miss Reid v. Mrs. A. Frledlander, Mrs. A. M. Smith v. Miss Souter, Mrs. Devore v. Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Ring v. Mrs. Hutchison, Mrs. Kingston v. Mrs. W. N. Abbott, Mrs. Champion v. Miss Ruddock, Mrs. Watson v. another.

MAUNGAKIEKIE LADIES' CLUB. The following members of the Maungaklekie Ladles' GolC Club qualified and will play off in the match play for the president's' trophy :—Miss A. Palmer. Miss A. Grove, Mrs. A. Cuminlng, Miss G. Swears, .Airs. X. Burton, Miss R. Hill Miss G. Harrison, Mrs. C. E. Grovatt, Mrs. J. Mason. Miss S. Lorrenco, Miss R. Malion, Miss G. Parr. Mrs. A. Swain. Mrs. G. Baillie, Mrs. A. Horton, Mrs. F. Saxton, Mrs. V. Dunne, Miss K. Horton, Mrs. E. Brown, Miss Iv. Churton, Mrs. .J. W. MeIlraith, Miss C. Wright, Mrs. O'Neill, Mrs. J. Jprrat, Mrs. C. W. Schnauer. Mrs. C. J. Owen, Miss B. Smith, Mrs. S. H. Brown, Mrs. R. Buttle, Mrs. J. Patcrson, Mrs. E. Mcllraith, Mrs. E. Gilmore, Mrs. H. Williams. Miss M. Miller. Mrs. V. C. Keys, Mrs. M. Wilson, Mrs. H. V. Johnston, Mrs. Michael. Mrs. Lloyd. Mrs. Banister, Mrs. E. Xeale. Miss E. Schnauer, Mrs. H. V. ■Coe, Miss V. * Cooper, Miss H. Hardl°y, Mrs. R. Hamilton. Mrs. S. H. Morley, Miss C. Stubbs, Miss D. Lamb Miss M. Harvey, Mrs. B. Goldwater, Mrs. J. Stevenson, Miss M. R_obson, Mrs. G. Pocoek. Miss J. Johnson. Mrs. .T. Stewart. Mrs. H. Walker, Mrs. S. Reid, Miss E. Millington, Miss M. Haslett, Mrs. F. Malcolm, Mrs.-J. Rudge,,Mrs. .T. A. Ivilner, Mrs. ,T. -Dawson.

OTAHUHU CLUB. Tennis to represent tli<y Otahubu Golf Club in the B grade pennant, match to be played against Titirangi on Saturday:— H. .T. I>ev.v \V. B. Eustace, At P. Eustace, K. CJ. Jfollltt. K. Clark. A. M. Todd, A.. .T. Rliind. C. 1!. Header, G.-E. Currlo. Reserve: A. D. Mncgregor. WAITEMATA CLUB. Draw for second round for the Haycock and McCroskie bowl, 36 holes bogey, to be played on Saturday, by members .of the Waitemata Golf Club:—J. Hogan v. C. R. Nettleton, G. .Tackson v. H. T. Webb, P. H. Mason v. R. Bruce-Smith, G. 11. Lord v. R." S. Johnston, R. W. Pacey v. H. Nicholas, H. S. Burd v. P. Roaehe, P. Thompson v. ,T. Aubin. F. Lord v. R. A. Rudge, .T. Rice | v. L. B. Stone, W. .T. Tliorne v. A. Halve.v, A. Griffiths v. O. Armitage, C. Prime y. V. [ Mundy, 10. R. Rudge. v. F. Leach. ONEWHERO CLUB. A medal round is to be played by members oT the Onewhero Golf Club on Saturday. The draw is :—D. 'Cameron v. Walter, Rutherford v.- Lawson. Rau 'v. E". Cameran. I Hira v. Bfown. Cauldwell v. Taylor. Cronln v. Glasgow. Tawlia v. Davie. Walter v. Martin. Mulr*v. Wilson. Draw for a flag match to be played by members of the Onewhero Ladies' Club on Saturday :—Miss McGregor v. Mrs. Rikys, Miss Lindberg v. Mrs. Muir, Mrs. Martin v. Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Wilson v. Mrs. Gower, Miss F. Cameron, v. Miss Bartlcet.

PUPUKE CLUB. Draw for second rouml of the A. .T. Show competition to be played in conjunction ".villi a bogey mntch on Saturday by members of the Pupukc Golf Club: —J. rainier v. K. Hume, G,. Waterman v. S. Heldt, G. Walker v. W. Jupp, K. Jaggs v. K. Johnston, F. I'earcey v. J. K. Close. C. Howden v. S. Hurdle.r, T. McCorkindale v. Dr. de Clive Lowe. G. Malcolm v. J. Armstrong, I. Howden v. W. Stenson, J. C. Rennle v. S. Bond, S. Stevens v. H. D. Hoe, F. Franklin v. F. Fox. E. O'Kellly v. A. K. Stevenson. H. Gould. J. Grant and A. B. Williamson, byes.