ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 194, 18 August 1933, Page 11

ON THE LINKS.

WEEK-END PLAY. FEATURES OF THE GAME. ' WILLIAMSON'S CONTINUED SUCCES (By RUBBERCORE.) L. J. Williamson's 3 and 2 win over E. G ■ Tallis in the Ballin Cup final was the mail topic at Titirangi, and, considering th ! comfortable lend of three holes whicl Tnllis established at the opening, one wouL not have thought it likely that Williamsoi would have overtaken him. Williamsoi however, put in a splendid run of hole from the fourth to the turn, and Talli only saved the tenth in splendidly holing ; fifteen yards putt for four.' He then woi the eleventh, which made him one up Tallis found trouble at the long twelftl and thirteenth holes, but as Williamsoi had fives in each case, it is doubtfu whether lie could have saved the position As regards the thirteenth, Tallis wa: ■ perhaps injudicious in having tried fo: extreme length from the tee, only to fin< : trouble. At a hole of the type a four mor< often follows two carefully played woodei shots, placing the onus more on tin approach and putt. Apart from the fac; that pressing his shots is for him mosl unusual, the odds were that any error or his part would certainly hearten hii opponent, especially as the latter was it receipt of a stroke. Williamson's Fine Record. It is, of course, easy to be wise after the event, but, having regard'to Tallis' stand ing in the game and the amount of practice ho gets, it would seem that he pursued i course in conflict with his great strcngtl in the game—that of steadiness. He was of course, consistently—and considerablyoutdriven, which makes the conceding oi strokes a most difficult procedure. II would now seem likely that Williamson'* run of success has expended itself. At least, one does not expect him to win hit club's senior championship. A good match player and a powerful hitter, he is, however, likely to go some distance in the event. Williamson has a good record iu the field of sport, having had, some ten years ago or more, success in track and broad jumping events. He also had his moments in tennis, the flair for which he has not lost, for he is still to be seen referecing important matches at Stanley Street courts. What with this season's Summer Cup, Taylor Bowl, and now Ballin Cup, he should soon require a further sideboard—or is the catch that one is not allowed to remove the trophies from the clubhouse? Strictly, why? Still, the game is above the prize, and Williamson's record is an enviable one. Other Titirangi Events. " Bob" Wilson also engaged in a little fireworks at Titirangi, and, after dragging some unfortunate friends out for a few extra holes, proceeded to play the first seven—after which he had an appointment —in 24 strokes. The figures were: 4, 4, 4, 2, 4; 3, 3. Splendid indeed, at split sixes. Golfers have lost lifelong friends for less. The Self Cup showed "YouDgie" again rampant, and in the difficult conditions of Saturday the gross 77 by this wisp of a lad was indeed excellent. He is playing most steadily and fails only when ho tries to do the impossible. He must recognise that certain of the holes are normally out of reach in two and place his shots and play golf accordingly. The match is often won by the use of other things than one's clubs. Not that Young is deficient in tactics—decidedly the contrary—but straining for some of the longer two shotters may throw him out of gear. My only other advice to him is not to always expect that eight to tenfoot putts should find the cup. To breed that state of mind is likely to screw up the nerves, and in the end react against confidence. Putts have at times a way of being contrary, and once having faithfully tried to hole the putt accept the position more or less philosophically. The touch must at times bo slightly out of gear. To screw oneself up to everlastingly expect putts to hole out is to endanger the very gift which nature, more than anything else, has bestowed. Mixed Foursomes. The more serious side of things was abandoned at Akarnna, and Maungakiekic, where mixed foursomes were held. At the former the performances of the leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Bayley, and Mrs. Phillips and A. Shorter, were q.uitc meritorious, net 78 having not been easy of accomplishment in the wind. # A tie was also recorded at Maungakiekic, and the decision will probably rest in the last nine holes. Miss Nixon and T. H. Nixon and Mrs. A. Swain and I. McOwan were the couples to effect the tie. A good card was that of Mr. and Mrs. H. Morpeth, whose gross 87 left them a point away from the winners. At Middlemore. With all square, R. D. Horton and D. A. Burt deservedly led Middlemore's competition, and the form of the former, in view of the near approach of the New Zealand championships at Titirangi, is especially pleasing. Horton has an excellent match record, and his progress in the big event will be watched with interest. Burt is nothing if not consistent, and, following his recent scores, was perhaps unfortunate that the decision should have gone against him over the first nine holes. In the B grade W. T. Bell left nothing to chance, his all square having given iiim a clear cut win from the run-ners-up, E. Harper and C. M. Croft. Over the Water. Early on the scene with its championships, Pupuke was in ideal order for the test. Beyond the 77 by C. B. Thomas, a*-d which score is not as good as he is capable of, there was little of outstanding I merit, R. Johnston having been the only other player to have bettered 80. Though the rank and file are scarcely capable of causing an upset as regards the club's four strongest players, there is at least the element that many good matches should follow. In the first 18 holes of the 36 holes medal test for Waitemata's Laing Memorial, H. E. Nicholas attained a good lead with net 66, G. H. Lord, who also added the final of the senior handicap tournament to his belt, being next best with net 69. Strangely enough identical net figures were returned by the leaders in the junior tournament when A. Halvey and W. Macindbe occupied the leading positions. Country Clubs. Keith Caldwell has not yet forgotten how to swing a club, and on Saturday led the qualified list in Onewhero's championship. Lawson, who is next on the list, plays also for Titirangi, on which course he generally scores well. Along with E. Cameron and' Cronin, Caldwell and Lawson form probably the strongest quartet at Onewhero. S. E. Carr, winner of this year's Rotorua Club championship, is not unknown to championship honours, and on his scores this season should keep his opponents from committing lapses at the forthcoming open championship meeting. M. D. Carr and R. C. Smith do not quite appear as effective as last- year, though the former has had glimpses of encouraging form. Auckland players promise to be as well represented as ever at Rotorua, and one envies those able to visit this local Mecca. Gus Brinsden is rapidly getting into form, and, though his golf is not so convincing as it was at this time last year, he promised to shape well. The entry list promises to disclose a. field having considerable talent.

PUPTTKE GOLF CLUB.

A medal round will be played nt Pupnke links in conjunction with the second qualifying round of the club championship on Saturday. Partners will be drawn at the clubhouse for those not playing In the qualifying round.