ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 22

ON THE LINKS.

THE AUCKLAND TITLE. A BRIEF SURVEY. THE VISITORS FROM X.S.W. (By RUBBERCORE.) Though the majority of local clubs have already held their opening function for the new season, the dry spell of the past fortnight has caused a return to what have been virtually summer conditions for play. Consequently the golf has not been of a very serious nature, unless exception be made in those cases where the imposition of a modest shilling a. hole has quickened incentive. Following the wet February, the dry fortnight just experienced lias caused a setback to the courses, and in some instances recourse to the sprinklers is again in evidence. In the case of newgreens also there is noticeable a halt in promising early sowings. On the whole local courses promise, however, to soon, be in excellent condition, and it is a matter for satisfaction that for the important Easter fixtures both Titirangi and Middle-1 more will be in capital order.

Prospective Provincial Champions. Mention of Titirangi brings to mind the list of possibles for the Auckland provincial title, which, so far as local hope is concerned, centres in possibly half a dozen players. On summer play, Muldleniore's main hopes would appear to centre mainly in W. S. Ralph and B. H. Meuzies. Neither is, however, possibly playing so well as was the case at this time last year. Menzies has had a string of 74's, while his clubmate has done equally well. Since the scores have been done with the colours up, their merit is definite.

Titirangi also holds a strong hand, as R. R. McCrystal, J. H. Young, A. B. Barns-Graham and H. D. Brinsden have been playing more or less regularly. Brinsden's form is, of course, a little difficult to forecast, but should he be hitting his shots at all well, his knowledge of the course and putting greens will cause him to be a most difficult man to beat. McCrystal, it will be recalled, played in the North Shore Club's Christmas championship, having lost the final to B. G. Thompson, of Middlemore. I- understand that not very much has been seen of Thompson on the links during the summer, though it is significant that he won at his one entry at Christmas. He hits a ball so far that it would be something of an education to have him open out at some of the twoshotters with the turf fast.

A Youngster's Progress. Young is not playing so well as during last season, though the fact that he quite wisely rested for a month or two may account for his recent decline in steadiness. This lad is, however, seldom seen to better advantage than when the fight is on, and can, I think, be depended on to do his part well when the necessity arises. It is not to be overlooked that, as a veritable youngster, against Menzies at Middlemore last Easter, he bowed down only to a 32 for the last nine holes, and that in a strong and tricky wind. We have heard much that it were better that this lad should not have won any outstanding honours in the game. Has so much been said of Harry Williams or Jim Ferrier? In Young we have a lad greatly handicapped as regards physique, but that should be all. His bearing, in either defeat or victory, is such as to suggest that higher honours would not destroy his splendidly sporting instincts. The subject need not perhaps be pursued further, other Lhan to observe that his case is somewhat on a par with a prophet in his own land. Of other Titirangi players credit for several outstanding rounds must go to E. E. Beehan. Beehan is at his best in summer or allium n conditions, his uniformly straight driving being a great asset on a fast course. He had one bad round in the open last year, which ruined his chance of qualifying for the match play. It will be interesting to see how he gets on this year.

There Are Others. Until the entries close we cannot of coursa judge the strength of the opposition from afield, but present indications are that such opposition will be at least healthy. Silk will almost surely defend his title, and Jno. Hornabrook and Hortoji are likely to welcome the chance for match practice. Just what Eric Apperley and his merry men will do is uncertain, though some of their number ought to be found sampling the late Dr. Mackenzie s creation. Titirangi Performances. So far as club matches are concerned we have had quite good scores to date, foremost amongst these having been the 3 up by Con Robinson in the bogey match at Titirangi. His name again appeared amongst the leaders on Saturday, when a triple tie was recorded in the medal round. As one who plays the game essentially for the joy it holds, his exploits have been popularly received by his clubmates. F. Fraser-Smith, E. E. Beehan and Tad Morpeth, each of whom has kept his eye in during the off season, also scored splendidly for 2 up, and Morpeth, in particular, is playing really well. He holed a nice 74 recently without any semblance of nuky shots or let-offs, though on the whole his putting was so accurate as to slightly overshadow the rest of his game. Still, considering that it is quite 22 years since the afternoon on which he lost the vv ami Club title to his younger brother Sloan, it is remarkable that scores in the low seventies are still quite within his scope. In the B grade match the 91 —23 —G8 by K. Beehan afforded him undisputed possession of the laurels, and it can _be accepted that his liberal rating is a thing of the past. Beqhan has the eye for games and some years ago was one of our best track and hurdles amateurs.

Across the Water—and Elsewhere. There were two club openings across the harbour —Waitemata, one of our oldest clubs, and Pupuke. Each was highly successful and the number of players recruited for this year for Pupuke is highly gratifying. The presence of three quite prosperous clubs across the water is striking evidence of the popularity of the game. There was the usual big attendance at Middlemore, where the uniformly good scoring reflected the excellence of the greens and fairways. At Akarana also, there was a big assemblage of members and friends to see President C. M. Cox approach the hail-raising task ot dispatching the annual screamer. Leastwise, most presidents are fickle enough to hope tor the one grand shot. In haying opened at an earlier date, Maungakiekie's programme was a bogey competition in which J. H. Earle and T. H. Nixon distinguished themselves in the respective grades. Earie is playing very steady golf in the low seventies and promises really well, the club will hold an open tournament during Easter and hopes to have its clubhouse pretty much in order for the event. It is J understood that his Excellency the Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe, lias consented to officially open the new building on Wednesday, April 18.

The N.S.W. Strength. Since writing the above, advice has been received of the entry of the five New South Wales players for the Auckland, provincial championships at Titirangi. In his letter to Mr. Maurice Ward, It. <T. Withycombe, secretary to the N.S.W. Golf Council, states that the handicaps of the entrants on the basis of par are: E. L. Apperley 3, Dobson 3, Hughes 3, C. C. Ruwald 4. Cutler and has suggested that a reduction of possibly six strokes will indicate their rating on the scratch score basis. A reduction of four strokes iu each instance is, however, nearer the mark, especially in view of the recent tightening of the system. The players are, however, concerned only with the championship, so that the matter of handicap does not enter into the question.

Though Dobson is stated to have experienced a lean season last year it is noticed

that recently he had a fine 72 at Concord (par 71). His halves were 39 and 33 respectively. Apperley had a 74 on the remodelled La Perouse links, while Cyril Ruwald registered a 75 in the medal at Killara, the score having included two weaklyplayed holes.

AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB. Draw for monthly medal competition to be played next Tuesday by members of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club Miss Noakes v. Mrs. Endeiin, Mrs. Barstow v. Miss I>. Cutfield, Miss H. Cutfield v. Mrs. Green, Mrs. Buttle v. Miss McGovern, Mrs. Towle v. Mrs. A. R. Abbott, Miss Ballantyne v. Miss Cooper, Mrs. Robertson v. Mrs. Ralph, Mrs. Donald v. Mrs. Grant, Miss Culling v. Miss MacCormick, Miss L'pton v. Mrs. Hughes, Miss Graham v. Mrs. Rutherford, Mrs. Wilson v. Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Hellaby v. Mrs. Joyce, Mrs. Ferguson v. Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Craven v. Mrs. S. A. Smith, Miss Wells v. Miss Ridings, Mrs. Trice v. Miss Waller, Miss George, v. Mrs. Noakes, Mrs. Trousdale v. Miss Lever, Mrs. Busing v. Mrs. Bartle, Miss S. Malioney v. Mrs. W. N. Abbott, Mrs. Barrowclough v. Mrs. Gorric, Mrs. Martin v. Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Mackenzie v. Mrs. R. B. Wilson, Mrs. Tiglic v Miss M. Wilson, Miss M. Kirker v. Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. A. M. Smith v. Mrs. Watson, Miss Hamlin v. Miss White, Mrs. Colcgrove v. Miss E. Malioney, .Mrs. C. Knight v. Mrs. J. F. Brown, Miss B. Pierce v. another. AKARANA LADIES' CLUB. Week-end members of (lie Akarana Ladies' Golf Club will play a flag match. The draw is:—Miss Neville v. Miss Halle.v, Miss Deacon v. Miss M. Wright. Miss Crabtree v. Miss Johnson, Miss Brown v. Miss Menzies, Miss Bass v. Miss Punch, Miss Seay v. Miss E. Wright, Miss Roberts v. Miss Farrow. The draw for the Hag match to be played next Tuesday will be made at the clubhouse, play to commence at 10.30 o'clock. WAIUKU LADIES' CLUB. The Waiuku Ladies' Golf Club is to open its season next Wednesday with an approaching and putting competition. Officers elected :—President, Mrs. W C. Motion • vice-presidents. Mesdanics Howden, Ditcker, Aldred, W. West, Graham, Armitage and Harkness; captain, Mrs. Forbes; vice-captain. Mrs. Barker; secretary. Mrs. Peterson: committee, Mesdames North, Roscoe, Crawford, and Misses Austin, Glynes and West. ONEWHERO CLUB. The Onewliero Golf Club will commence the new season on April 14. Jt is pioposed to conduct the Franklin championships at Onewliero tills year, and a spec-mi meeting is to be held on Sa'urdcy to discuss improvements to the course Officers eleeted :—Presido-ir, Mr. G. L. Martin; vice-presidents, Messrs. K. L. i Caldwell and K. Cameron; captain, M:. A. M. Wilson ; secretary, Mr. I*. G. R. Taylor; committee. Messrs. Martin. Ca'.dwell, Cameron, Wilson, Taylor, S. W. P.rownlie, S. Cronin, D. Cameron, W. G. Lawson, and two members of the ladies' club to be appointed.