ON THE LINKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 271, 15 November 1935, Page 14

ON THE LINKS.

THE WEEK-END EVENTS.

CLOSING OF TUB SEASON. TOURNAMENT AT OTAHUHU. Pupukc, which declared ite official seaeon closed on Saturday, hae experienced a most successful year, and tho fact that beet part of 100 players took part in tho closing fournorae augurs well for the future. Mise D. Williams and H. I'robert, winners of the day's event, had something to spare in their margin of success. Best of the others were Mrs. Beaumont, and an old adherent in F. H. Mingay, whose score was a quite satisfactory one. The day concluded with tho presentation by Mrs. Andrew, wife of the president, of prizes won during the season. That much can happen in the space of 22 years was contained in the numbers present. Pupuke's modest beginning about 1913 with a shack for a clubhouse, and the enthusiasm of a handful of beach dwellers during the summer months as its main adherent 3 or enthusiasts, ie almost a page from the past. Subsequently its life was not uncvenful, but it is a happy feature that the club should now be in so sound a position. Ite greatest asset is ite comparative dryness in winter, but it is marred by a number of holes of poor type and length. The configuration of the land is, of course, the main factor in the difficulty, but in the march of progress the club would be well advised to give consideration to the possibility of iinprovemente to the layout. The Akarana Tees. I. Houston's 2 up to win Akarana'e bogey followed good golf, for though there was a fair amount of run on the ball the course offered a good test in being open to the full force of the eou'westcrly which blew. C. Shcnkin, who has a good record this season, and Pax Smitli. also did well in finishing square. Smith's consistency is a pleasing feature of his game. Now that the off season ie approaching, if one may offer a suggestion to Akarana, it is in thq direction of providing more satisfactory £ee«. It is realised that it has been necessary, to form many of the tecs in the sides of elopes, and that the task has been difficult. Possibly a vigorous policy of returfing next season would meet the position. Kocenfc experience, however, ie that otherwise delightful golf is marred by u. paucity of teeing space. Maungakiekie— And a Hint or Two. First glanco at Maungakiekie results suggests unwonted soberness of scoring in the first of the three rounds for the Wiseman Cup. Knowledge of the individual handicaps, however, reveals that the club has reverted to the system of summer handicaps, whereby players' modal handicaps are reduced to the bogey allowance.

J. Pelham, who led Maungakiekic's event, is something of a golfing will-o'-the-wisp, as ho has had scores ranging from the low seventies to the region of 90. Now on tho 7 mark, ho formerly played from 5, and <ifi he has bettered 80 fairly frequently lately may again earn reduced rating. Pic is apt to weakness on controlled shoU? to the green. The common fault in these fluffed or duffed shots is due largely to the fact that playere stand flat-footed. By this is meant that tho legs are rigid, whereas if success in to be gained the legs must be cased, the right perceptibly so, with the right knee pointing, if anywhere, towards the left, This allows a maximum of pivot with a minimum of body movement. The left arm and hand consequently are able to reach a hittiiiß position well behind the ball, and the blow is delivered with the back of the left hand, as it were, rather than the commonly attempted push through with the right. The push through is correct up to a point, but only as an accessory after tho fart, if ono may so express it. The distressing habit of taking the . earth and Quffing under tho ball with the chlbheod in the case of short approaches, will bn largely cured by a littlo study of the foregoing hint. It will also help to prevent the most annoying shot of all, the shanking of the ball. Still, it is, pcihaps, a pretty large claim to name any particular shot as tho most annoying. One other helpful hint ill approaching the pin, and which is to be read in conjunction with the above, is id ensure that the left biceps— in tho ease of, the right-hand player, of course —is kept firm and close to the siile. To havn a slack left and foul thn ground in figuratively speaking to dig one's own grave—however small. Glendowie Innovation. Gleiidowio, despite the fact that it numbers many leading cricketers amongst ite enthusiasts, had a good muster finite Canadian foursome Stableford hogoy. The event has rightly been described an an innovation, but now that the secret is out probably other clubs will be found adopting the idea. At all events the scoring proved nothing untoward, though V. R. Jolois and K. Katterfeldt won well. Kattcrfcldt has shown up in a number of club events, while Johns, who has tnken some considerable time to gain his sliglit mastery of-the came, lived up to his reputation as junior champion of the club, fr. Palmer and G. Brown-Douglas and P. Edwards and R. Jeffery also combined well. Next came several of the big guns, amongst whom was T. H. Norton, several times Dominion amateur champion, who expressed himself favourably on the state of the course and ite possibilities. The club is pursuing a live policy, and ite progress is a matter for congratulation. Remuera Captain's Prize. The season is carrying along well at Remuera, where chief interest has centred in the captain's prize. C. MeManus, who defeated V. Badeley 5 and 4 in one semifinal, is also one of the stalwarts of Orakei, and a player of no mean ability. He is especially good when within mnehic distance of tho green, and it has been largely due to his short game that he has reached the final. Badeley has done especially well in reaching the semi-final, and will soon merit a much lower handicap. Duncan, the other finalist, learned his golf at Middlemore, and was rather too experienced for Jtobins. The latter, however, has the eye for games, and gives promise of a future on the links. The week-end four-ball fell to tho lot of R. G. Rainger and H. P. Maxwell, but only after a close struggle with MeManus and W. Miller. The course continues to improve, and the future of the club is assured. Open Day at Otahuhu. G. Coltman, Akarana, who won the scratch medal at the Otahuhu club's open day put up a sterling performance, and is a player having distinct possibilities. He lias previously shown up well in championship events, and was a finalist for the Akarana club's open winter tournament last season. Tad Morpeth, runner-up, continues to mix outstanding rounds with mediocre ones. He was, however, definitely unlucky to lose tho medal handicap following his round of 73, which was the best returned during the day. Strangely enough, he lost the gold cup at Titirangi in just such circumstances us he lost the 3G-hole test referred to above. In some countries, however, his C handicap in view of his 75 at Titirangi and 73 at Otahuhu might cany risks, or a risk, equivalent to the producing of five aces. Still, the years have gone since young brother Sloan wrested the Waihi Club title from him in 3911, so that no doubt ho finds an odd stroke or two comforting. However, that there were others of whom handicappere held perhaps insufficient faith is contained in the dual win of P. K. Mather, of Maungatawhiri, and of H. Saundere, a local. Mather did very well, while Saundere managed to clip off the extra stroke which robbed Morpeth of deserved honours. R. B. (Bob) Hardy, too, was included in a tie, and in forsaking the tennis courts ever so littlo is evidencing the virility of the golfing bug. The clay was an unqualified success, and the, club ie to be congratulated on its j initiative. It is to be hoped that the] professionals' day will be equally successfill. The idea of inviting leading amateurs i lo take part is a sound one, aud no j doubt Hip near future will maxk open!

competition between amateurs and professionals on 3 the lines of the Koyal Sydney Cup match. One almost eees the day dawning when Auckland golf will divest itself of ite mantle of disinterestedness. Waitemata Club. The Waitemata Club, which is holding its closing day on Saturday, has experienced a very successful season. Badly hit three years ago by an exodus of senior (members to a club, tho committee has gradually built on the right lines to raise the status of the club to its old level. ]t suffered, as did other clubs, from tho effects of the abnormal winter, but at the present time the links are looking a real picture, and the groundsman, Mr. J. Hawkins, has come in for welldeserved praise from all quarters. Mr. Gainor Jackson, the club's president, is engaged in designing a new layout of the course, consisting in the main of bunkering and lengthening the different holes. One should get very interesting games there next year. P. Roach, the club captain, scored a well-earned win in the senior championship, beating H. Martin in the final by 2 up. The former also put in the best card of the year last Saturday with a round of 70 (bogey 66). A good feature and one that was bound to come about is the large number ot juniors who are reducing their handicaps and coming within range of the senior mark. R. Ross, a consistent junior player, annexed the junior championship cup, with a win over W. Townshend, who has also been playing good golf this year In obtaining the ueo of the members stand of tho Takapuna Jockey Club, a great asset has been received. Ihe top floor, with its terraced verandah, makes an ideal clubhouse, and has introduced a social influence that was lacking before. •\n innovation in Auckland, and one, that should help to keep the members together, is the introduction of a summer golf an<l tennis subscription. Three tennis courts have been laid down behind the old grandstand, and during the hot months players will have the option of either game.

OTAHUirU CLUB. COMBINED TOURNAMENT. Tho committee of the Otahuhu Golf Club has organised a professional and amateur tournament this week-end for the leading golfers in Auckland. In the past tho professionals have been neglected in the way of competition play, and if such a tournament could become a regular thing here Jt would no doubt be a great boon to golt in general. In the past Aucklauders have had to sit back and watch the New Zealand championship regularly fought out by southerners, yet there are more people playing golf in and around Auckland than in any other centre in New Zealand. Some maintain that our weakness in iron play is caused through our having to dig for the ball during tin; winter months, Instead of keeping to the regular grooved swing throughout the year. Others, ut course, maintain that it is the lack of competitive play. In any case, whatever is the cause of weakness a tournament such as the one to be staged at Otahuhu on Sunday is a step in the right direction, and will probably lead to the. other clubs tullowiug Otahuhu's example. TITIRANGI LADIES' CLUB. An Ti.O.U. medal competition wns played yesterday in senior and junior grades by members of the Titirungi Uidies' Golf. Club. Hesults : — Seniors. —Mrs. G. It. Tnylor. 9H —18—77; Mrs. V. <'. Keys OS--IS—SO; Mrs. J. C. I'Hulay, BU—U—SO; Mrs. H. S. Deighton, 84_4_S0; Mrs. (i. b. Allard, !»G—3 0—80; Mrs. N. A. Naisniith, !)ij—l3—S2 ; Mrs. J. A. Kilmer, lUO—IS—SIi; Mrs. C. li. Grcvatt, t>2 —10—82. Juniors.—Mrs. A. Harvey. 112—33 —70 ; Miss K. Webster, 100—27 —70; Mrs. A. 11. (iyllies, 100—20—SO ; Miss K. Pagni, 100— 1U —81. MAUNGAKIEKIE LADIES' CLUB. liest scores in C grade played yesterday by nicmbora of the Maungakiekle Ladies' (iolf Club:—Mrs. A. K. Storey 117; Miss A. Morley, US; Mrs. J. Nicoll, lIS. The season's eclectic competition for a Irophy presented by Miss Kose Mahon waswon by Miss A. Morley with (i score of 01. Next best scores:—Mrs. C. l< , . Kosser DC, Mrs. It, W. .Shepherd 00. GLENDOWIE CLUB. A four-ball best-ball bogey handicap will Iμ' played by members of. the Glendowle (iolf Club to-morrow. Players will choose partners unci opponents. NORTH SHORE LADIES' CLUB. Draw fur ninlch to be played by week-end members (1 f (lie North Shorn I,:i<lies' (iulf I'lull Mis.s Campbell v. Miss AilnniK. Miss McDonald v. Miss Hunt, Miss K. Minns v. Miss Howe, Miss J. Minns v. Miss Cnwkwell. Miss Willis v. Mrs. Kenne Miss O'ltrlcii v. Miss llnrrpy Miss Hest v Miss Ml inir. Miss Prldoaux v. Miss C'opspy Miss Blnlr v. Miss .1. Arcliev. Miss Corner v. Miss I. Ardle.v. Miss Oevereiuix v Miss Ksiblile. Miss I.ewis v. Miss Hlmiliel, Mis.-, McAllnin v. Miss Xorris, .Miss Hull v. Miss Ltnunbley.