ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 15

ON THE LINKS.

HEAVY WEEK-END COURSES.

PBOGBESS OF COMPETITIONS,

SURPRISE AT MAUNGAKIEKIE.

To remark that courses in the main were sloppy on Saturday, states the obvious. In one case at least, it was deemed advisable to abandon play, and iu those instances where teeing up was re sorted to such action had much to commend it. Being a dry course, Maungakiekie was unaffected by the downpour, so that; Elliffe Cup matches were carried' on under normal conditions. Of the more important matches, an unexpected defeat was that of D. F. MacCormick by R S Newcomb. The match was keenly fought ar.d the way to victory was paved when Xewcomb's second shot to the seventeenth lay a couple of feet from the pin At the eighteenth MacCormick was unable to concede a stroke and win, and so lost by one hole. Frank Wiseman, who last week so splendidly won from McOwau, again played well to easily dispose of C. Sead-Gowing Wiseman reached the turn in 38 and continued to record good figures until the match ended. J. D. SLanly, who by now ought perhaps to have earned a lower handicap, won convincingly from R. G Milligan, as did also A. Y. Sehischka iii recording an 85 against J. S. Rankin. Sehischka hits a long ball, and in view of his experience is able to make good use of his middle handicap. Another good match was that between ZEST. Buist and Benton, '."he latter is a long-marker, and, ifter having been 3 down at the fourth' fought stubbornly to lose only at tie seventeenth green. B. B. Hooper, also on the limit, had W. Calderwood fully engaged until tho tricky seventeenth claimed him as a victim. Another match to be singled out for reference was that between D. D. Holland and H. Morpeth. The latter had perhaps generally the better of things, though the came dragged on to dormy one. The end came at the eighteenth, where Morpeth's second literally split the Hag. Playing from the same handicap, H. Tidmarsh and YV. H. D'Audney staged a good battle to the home green, where the .former won. D'Audncy's long game was quite sound, but his putting let him down badly. He seemed to be apprehensive of almost any putt, which, of course, is fatal. Tidmarsh's wooden play is becoming much more reliable, though he is still apt on occasions to, as it were, feel for the shot. Such, however, may be considered nneonscious humour, lor happy is the one who does not feel deeply as a result of bis exertions in tho game- How well one remembers having seen an otherwise good father and keen business man stajiding in the fairway simply bereft of speech. "It's all right, old chap. I've had it worse than that," offered one of the four, as, arm on shoulder, he trudged off down tho fairway with he of the heavy heart. All know the feeling—but, someone may ask, why bring that up? Middlemore Matches. At Middlemore H. Coverdale was, i£ anything, fortunate that N. Louisscm failed to hitch his star to the maxim "get out of the bunker at all costs," in tho closing stages of their match. Coverdale had earlier held a commanding lead, but in gradually winning back a hole or two. Louisson, had he found the seventeenth green with his third shot, had a grand opportunity of saving the clay. The happening serves to illustrate tho glorious uncertainty of the game, and on how little a match may practically hinge. Louisson has put up a most creditable performance in the tourney, being capable of good golf when in really serious vein.

An event of much, interest at Middlemore, the annual match for the president's foursome,, resulted in a well-merited win for R. H. Browne and J. L. Horrocks, with net 71. The course is heavy at the moment, so that even despite the advantage gained from teeing up for the second 6hot, the test is there. Holes such as the second, fourth and fifth call for big hitting, if the greens are to be reached in two. For this reason the score of Ross Martin and J. K- Lusk was also definitely good. Both Martin and Lusk have scored consistently this season. Over the Harbour. True to his earlier promise, C. Howden duly won Pupuke's president's prize, and now that he would seem to be definitely affected with the golfing fever, can be expected to further family prestfge in the royal and ancient game. D. G-. McCorkindale also scored well in the event, but as was the case with the rest of the field, was unable to bridge the leeway due to Howden's opening round. L. Cashmore's 4 up on bogey at North Shore was outstanding, and it would seem that consideration must be given to the matter of his handicap. F. Layzcll also played well, though had no chance with the winner. Good matches were seen in the captain's prize, and on the play to date the final promises to be hard to win. M. Bush, who has shown good form, could not cope with C. Kingsford, the latter having sealed matters with a wellplayed last hole. H. Stevens was invested of too much experience for H. Bartlett, though the latter succeeded in carrying the match to the seventeenth. W. Oliver had yet another close call, having safely negotiated the eighteenth to win 1 up. Oliver has had a series of such matches, and though possibly not a etylist, is possessed of a rare match temperament. The latter is likely to stand him in better stead than the former in his career on the links. It is, of course, to be recognised that a player may be reasonably orthodox in his methods without having claim to being a stylist. Something unusual is contained in the card of 97—24—73 by A. E. Moore at Waitemata, for it represents the winning score in a one-club match. The event is in the manner of a skeleton of the past when the lies on our course caused the use of the long-since relegated midiron to have been more mandatory than optional. Not of course that it really matters what type of event is played, so long as the afternoon is profitably spent. Or, again, there may be much in the view that to play one club well is better than to play the kit-full indifferently. Was it not-at a dinner given by a famous club to its caddies that the facility with which one used his knife to the imminent risk of damage to his tonsorial region, caused a brother diner to inquire whether he was playing the whole round on his iron. The Bloomfield Cup. Names long connected with golf figure in Waiuku's Bloomfield Cup, wnerein the older hands still hold their place. Dr. Howden and Trevor Bloomfield were particularly severe on their respective opponents, while Jack Forbes was scarcely less effective in his defeat of Koscoe. Forbes has golfed for many years, and in the good old days at Timaru was a.contemporary of Harold Wright, relative of the present New Zealand champion, and a good golfer indeed. H. A. Randrup, now of Titirangi, and E. P. V. Sealy, who left these parts some 10 years ago, also vied with Forbes and Co. in endeavour to hit the gutty ball the full quarter of a mile with the old spliced drivers. One smiles to look back.on the days of the "Silvertown" and "Obertown, _ and live again in the atmosphere of their metallic ring on the irons. No. The feather ball was before my time. Akarana Competition. At Akarana there was a virtual rout of the low-markers in the Roskill Cup. *. Booth, 84-9-75, had a. fair card, as did also L. Rose. The latter's game is vastly improved, and he is driving a fine ball from the tee. In view of the fact that Akarana was stated to have been in good order, B. Rudman, though having scored well, was fortunate to have led the field W NeU McLean was the hero of the'day at Titirangi, and when one perceived his win in the?bogey with 2 up, the eye naturally strayed to see who was his victim in the Baffin Cup match. The nerhans be best left at that. J ; . Goudic again wo,v his round, but experienced an odd moment of uneasiness.when Goydei hune on till the nineteenth. In his lirst ye£%t Titirangi, Goyder-awept all. before

him, and appeared certain to justify a ( really snort Handicap. His tuning, however, later quite'deserted him, and his path has since been anything but one of roses. Young carried on successfully against Otto Wolfgrani, and is still lighting his way out ot the doldrums of a Dad season. His rise was identical with that of many others in the game. lie quickly reached his peak game only to burst. His trouble was probably due to the race against length. it is never worth it. Given that tne player who can hit prodigious distances and control his shots will, other things being equal, necessarily hold the call over his rivals, such an advantage rests with the chosen few. In general, exceptionally long-hitters are endowed so by nature. Balance" flexibility of wrists, weight and- timing are co-ordi-nated but in the few. Let the majority then recognise that average length plus consistency in direction is the. mainstay on which to build their hopes—nay, even the fountain head, from which championship success springs. Straining for length destroys in the end nut only the swing, but also the mental balance. Need one point the moral more than to observe just how many golfers have sacrificed their game at the elusive altar of length. GLENDOWIE CLUB. Team to represent the Glendowie Gol£ Club against Mauuiau, ut Glendowie, during tlie week-end,: — \V. A. Laxon, J. Stedman, N. A. Naismith, A. C. Johns, I. G. O'Neill, J. Caiman, S. C. Hay, I<\ Kronfeld, D. McGregor, J. G. Speedy, 13. C. Evans, I'. KWhiteiaw, P. J. Hintz, It. Jeffery, K. G. Bridgens, A. C. .Tabic, C. Heald, A. G. Brown-Douglas. The first round of the captain's prize competition, which was postponed, will bo played next Saturday. AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB. \ Members of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club took part in the annual competition for the Isabelle Bloomheld Memorial Shield at Middlemore yesterday. The winner was Miss M. Savage, who returned a card of 112—30 —70. Other scores were :—Mrs. If. C. Buddie, 101—24— 77 ; Mrs. D. B. Robertson, S!)—ll—7S; Mrs. .1. W. Craven, 91 —12— 79 ; Mrs. C. A. Campbell, 103 —23—SO ; Mrs. S. A. Smith, 108—2S—SO. TITIRANGI LADIES' CLUB. The qualifying round of the match play foursomes will be played by members of the Tltlrangi Ladies' Golf Club to-morrow for the captain's trophy, commencing from the lirst and eighth tees at 10.30 o'clock. Sixteen pairs will qualify lor match play. Draw:— First Tee.—Mrs. C. E. Grevatt and Mrs. Lovett v. Mrs. Jackson and Miss Eouhy, Mrs. Dunne and Mrs. Kilmer v. Mrs. Bartleet and Mrs. Mclndoe, Mrs. McEniery and Mrs. O'Leary v. Mrs. Deign ton and Mrs. R. L. Wilton, Misses Bray and McGlashan v. Mrs. Chappell and Miss I. Walker, Mrs. Alison and Mrs. McMillan v. Mrs. Cahill and Mrs. Prodgor, Mrs. Brinsden and Mrs. Gyllies v. Miss Pngnl and Mrs. Hollinrake, Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Court v. Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Henrys, Mrs. Pezaro and Mrs. Tuck v. Mrs. Caughey and Miss Jougbin, Mrs. Joplin and Miss Nesta Self v. Mrs. Horton and Miss Murphy, Miss M. Grevatt and Mrs. Lossing v. Mrs. Marrett and Mrs. Boorne, Miss Hill and Miss B. Cooke v. Mrs. Spinley and Mrs. Smeeton, Mrs. 'Western and Mrs. G. M. White v. Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. R. F. Ward, Misses Johnston and Easton v. Mrs, F. Alpo and Mrs. Brook-Taylor, Miss Moody and Mrs. Naismith v. Misses Hall and Thompson, Mrs. G. P. Finlay nnd Miss Dudcr v. Mrs. Stewart and Miss Horton, MM. A. S. Bailey and Mrs. A. Bartley v. Mrs. Smallfield and another. Miss Webster and Mrs. Tong v. Mrs. Grierson and Mrs. Kelly. Eighth Tee.—Mrs. G. L. Taylor and Miss A. Hacket v. Miss Noel Self and Mrs. W. H. Cooke, Mrs. Goldwater and Mrs. Tysoe v. Mrs. Coakley and Mrs. S. Bennett, Misses C. and M. Wright v. Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Bier. Results of medal round played yesterday:— Seniors.—Mrs. Spinlev, 02—15—77 ; Mrs. O'Leary, 91—11—SO; Mrs. Deighton, S7—s—B2. Juniors.—Miss Nesta Self, 103—23—50; Miss B. Cooke, 105—25—80; Miss Murphy, 111—28—S3: Mrs. R. F. Ward, 105—21— 84. Miss Self won over the last nine holes. NORTH SHORE CLUB. Members of the North Shore Golf Club will play a four-ball best-ball bogey match next Saturday, players to choose partners and opponents.