GOLF.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17863, 8 September 1923, Page 14

GOLF.

CROSS-HAZARDS. SHEIR IMPORTANCE AS AN EDUCATION. (specially warms job "the p*eess.'') (By Harry Vardon.) From time to time a voice crying more or less in the wilderness appeals fo/ the restoration —the complete return to glory —of the cross-bunker in golf. J. H. Taylor has lately lent his powerful advocacy to this cause, and to me it is very agreeable to join forces with an old rival on a subject of so much importance to the game. Ever since two or three prominent amateur players who happened" also to be links-architects decided that a hazard stretching across tho course was a a out-of-date institution, and that only wing bunkers could provide perfect equity, 1 have felt—and repeatedly said—that goiters in general lacked an essential or soul-satisfying success on the links. The result of the movement has been to encourage shots of the "get-there-any-how" type. They may produce momentary elation, as a stroke of luck always does, but they cannot provide lasting contentment —because the misses are bound to be as frequent as the hits, and just as (vexing as the fortunate shots are pleasing. I say without the slightest qualification that only the person who masters the art of carrying a distant obstacle can become a complete golfer, and derive from the game all the self-satisfac-tion which it is capable of bestowing. The individual who practises golf on a course where there are plenty of crosshazards will learn to piay it better than ihe one who pursues his education at a place where he can half-top or dribble the ball between hazards on either side of the fairway. As a general principle, I would say that no course should be considered good unless it hjas bunkers or other obstacles to be carried from every tee (except, perhaps, at the holes of 500 yards or more), and well-guarded putting greens with the flag-stick situated, nearer to the bunkers in front of the green than to those behind it. This latter point perhaps calls for cxplana- - tinn. It.is proper to have some form of punishment at the back of the green so that an over-strong shot shall not escape lightly, but I am all for encouraging bold approaching—that is, tho banging of the ball right up to the hole. Consequently, I would make the bunker behind the green about 15 yards from the hole, so that the player should not'be afraid of having ago for tho pin. On courses where the bankera at the rear of the green are within seven or eight yards of the hole, there is a Jot of scrambling and pawdy approaching. A Swing for All Shots. My reason for suggesting that there ought to be a hazard calling for a carry from nearly every tee is that I think thai nobody will ever develop real skill at the game unless he acquires the gift of getting ihe ball well into the air instead ot making it fly low and run. In its fundamental principles, the golfer's swing is the same for all shots, except the run-up and the putt. Its length .varies, from fulness to shortness, according to the distance that has to be covered, and tho disposition of the feet are governed by the same consideration. But while he stands in a much more stable way for the mashie shot than for the'drive (not pivoting on the ball of the left foot as he does in the back swing for a full shot, but rather pivoting from the left knee), his actual"manner of wielding the club should not vary in a degree sufficient to make him conscious of it." If, therefore, he plays the flat, running, toe-shot—as he is encouraged to do on a course where there are few cross-hazards-rit is almost certain that he will produce the same, effect in his iron shots' and mashie shots. And .then he can be sure of trouble. This is the fault which can be eradicated in a large measure by the incen.ef the cross-bunker. It is very helpful sometimes to receive from unexpected quarters a tribute to the quality of the shot that flies bravely into the air instead of stealing low over the ground and scooting along the turf when it pitches in and runs. I remember an interesting conversation after taking part'in a match at Houston, Texas, during a tour in the United States. .. % On the railway station in the evening a workingman came up to me and) said :• "You're Vardon, aren't you?" Tho • glatform was' crowded, and as papers which the people were reading contained columns about our tour, I thought the simple way to avoid a fuss would be to say "No," which I did. "Oh; yes, you are," he declared emphatically. "As a matter of fact, I watched you play, and I know you, though you've changed out of your short trousers." He was referring to tho knickerbockers which I had worn on the course. "Well, all I can say is yon were very unlucky to be beaten by the record for the links," he said. ' "Real hard luck it was;,you hit the ball up in the air every time. I figure that the fellow that beat you had a lot of flukes. One of'my friends tells me that he was knocking the ball along the ground all ths while." As a matter of fact, I had won the match easily—and, in those circumstances perhaps it was not so bad to have failed by one stroke to equal the record for the course. Still, my newfound friend was stimulating. He was determined to be sympathetic and as he seemed to know the right sort of shot when he 6aw it, I could only feel grateful for having met him. Subterfuge. What has become all too obvious is that, in the absence of cross-hazards on the course there is incited a manner of playing which is largely a matter of subterfuge. The golfer is led easily into practising the insidious, long, low, far-running drive. Then, when he has to hit a ball boldly into the air in order to get oyer an obstacle, he is nonplussed. He simply cannot do it. It is by the ability to play this latter shot that the possibilities of the promising golfer are to be estimated. And, unless he has hazards to carry from the .tee, you cannot expect him to develop the methods which are of even importance in shots that are shorter than the drive. GERALDINE CLUB. A Bogey Competition will be played tooay, the draw for which is as follows: j Men—Seniore: McKecbnie v Fish, Kerr t. Keaddie, McLeod v. Sheldon, Macdonald v YoJckman, O'Callaghan v. Withers, Harper v. Sharratt, Feildea v. Paterson. JuniorsGimson v. King, Bell v. 'Stewart, B. R. Macdonald' v. McKenzie, "Webster v. ScottThompson, Crowe v. Piper, Madill v. Thomas, Tait v. M. J. Lewia, Deehan v. Hislop, South v. D. Lewis. Ladies—Seniors: Miss Mcllroy v. Miss Hislop, Miss D. Farnie v. Miss Withers Mrs Pateraon v. Miss E. Sherratt, Miss W Farnie v. Miss Templer, Miss -Hawke v. Scorer Juniors Mrs Scott v Miss K Mcllroy, Miss Macdonald v Mrs Willis Mrsi G. Sherratt v Mrs Stewart, Miss Crowe b j Z - Sherratt . Miss Logan v. Nurse M»s GUhes v Mrs Laurenson! , *£?n? A 5&" T TO"""*. Miss Ste- ' * mW&I S bT att - M " E A. Withers ' - &*w™ Mom ' Wim »™, Mrs Smith v. Qflr,ad *« »n the G«ralUL ftjSjS&Ba *• <*«« up wm

LADIES' TOURNAMENT.

CORONATION MEDAL. (PRESS iSSOdATTOH TSLEGSAV.) NELSON, September 7. The New Zealand Ladie3' Golf Tournament was continued to-day in fine weather, with the first round of the championship and the Coronation Medal. ■ Miss Bell beat Miss Monson in the first round of the championship, 8 and 7. All others had byes. The Coronation Medal resulted in a tie between Miss Watson and Miss Brewster, with S2 net, and they play off on Monday. Miss Payton, 87, returned the best'gross score. Following are the results:—

(special to "thb press.") NELSON, September 7. The New Zealand Ladies' Golf Tournament was continued to-day under favourable weather conditions, when the first round of the championship and the Coronation Medal Match were decided. Miss Bell, of Wellington, the runnerup at last year's tournament, met Miss Monson (Nelson), and had an easy win, the game finishing on the .eleventh green with the 1 Wellingtonian. 8 up and 7. Miss Bell did the first half in 44 (par 37), equalling bogey at "Sudden Jerk," "Devil's Thumb," and "Crusader." In the Coronation Medal Match, the scoring on the whole was not good, the best gross round being done by Miss Payton (Auckland), with 87, going out in 42 and coming in in 45. Tho medal resulted in a tie between Miss Watson (Palmerston North) and Miss Brewster (New Plymouth), with net scores of 82, and these two will play off on Monday in conjunction with the L.G.U. Challenge Bowl Match. Several of the first-flight players failed to play up to form, Mrs Slack's card reading 95 gross, Miss Dixon's 97, Miss Cracroft-Wilson's 97, Miss Bell's 90, and Miss Robieson's 91. The fourth short hole, a bogey three, troubled many of the competitors, the bunker at the foot of the hill receiving some particularly heavy treatment, while tihe strength of the greens has not yet been found. At 1 "Spion Kop" (298 yards), Miss Bell did a particularly good hole (bogey 5) in 3. Her tee shot was a long one, and a beautiful second shot carried the hill and lay within six feet of the hole, from which ihe ball was sunk. At '' Sudden Jerk" Mrs Bussell Grace got a. two, holeing out from about thirty yards from difficult ground. The tournament will be continued tomorrow, when the second round of the championship and the first Handicap Bogey Matfllb. will be played. First Bogey Match. Following is the draw for the first Handicap Bogey Match:— ; Miss Ward v. Miss Robieson. Mrs Balfour v. Miss Gray. Mrs , Goodhue v. Miss Ewen. Mrs Banks v. Miss. Everett. Miss White-Parsons v. Mrs Kitto. Miss Bloomfield v. Mrs Fell. Miss Mackay v. Miss Murray. Mrs Davidson v. Miss Harkness. Miss Acheson v.. Miss Robieson. . .', . Mrs Laurence v. Mrs Acheson. Miss McCarthy v. Miss Payton. Miss Snodgrass v. Mrs Pumphrey. Miss Cooper v. Miss Culling. Mrs Collinson v. Mrs Slee. Mrs Cock v. Mrs Green. Mrs Mowbray v. Mrs Wilson. Mrs Kingscote v. Miss Beadel. Miss Marchbanks v. Miss Dixon. Miss Bell v. Miss Eva Brown. I Mrs Bird v. Miss Seed. Miss Monson v. Miss Turton. Miss Carter v. Miss Watson. Mrs Eussell Grace v. Miss Anderson. Mrs, Slack v. Mrs Spiers. Miss Cracroft-Wilson v. Mrs Donald. Miss Brewster v. Miss Bristed. Second Bound of Championship. Following is the draw for the second round of the championship, to be played to-morrow morning:— Miss Acheson v. Miss Payton. Mrs Kingscote v. Mrs Lawrence. Miss Marchbanks v. Miss Robieson. Miss McCarthy v. Mrs Pumphrey. Mrs Wilson v. Miss Cooper. Miss Watson v. Mrs Collinson. Mrs Cock v. Mrs Slee. Miss Snodgrass v. Miss CracroftWilson. Mrs Donald v. Miss Bell. Mrs Eird v. Mrs Mowbray. Miss Anderson v. Miss Beadel. Miss Dixon v. Miss Carter. Mrs Russell Grace v. Miss Spiers. Mrs Slack v. Miss Bristed. Cfbom a special cohbespondeht.) [ NELSON, September 7. The first round of the New Zealand Ladies' Championship was played today in beautiful weather. Miss Enid Bell and Miss Monson were the only two players, the rest having byes. Tie match resulted in a win for Miss Bell, who beat her opponent 8 and 7. The Coronation Medal was played this afternoon, some good scores being handed in. This is the first of the three medal rounds for the Mellsop Cup. Miss Payton handed in the best gross score, 87. Miss Watson did 89, Miss Bell 90, Miss Robieson 91, and Miss Snodgrass 91. So far Miss Sophie Watson is leading for the Coronation Medal, 89—7—82. Miss Marjorie Dixon is one of the favourites for the championship. She is now playing very steadily, and has been round in 84 and 85. Mrs Slack is also expected to hold iher own with the best, and is playing right up to form. Miss M. Payton, who has a 3 handicap, should be near the final. She is playing well, especially round the greens. Miss Sophie Watson, playing round tho course for the first time, did an 84. She was runner-up in the Wellington championship last year. Miss M. Beadel is improving every day,' and should soon be right on to her game. She is finding the greens

very difficult, as most of the visitors do. Miss Enid Bell, who was runner-up in the open championship last year, should go a long way. She is an excellent match-player. Mrs Kingscote seems to have regained her old form, and is driving a very long ball. In tihe inter-island match yesterday she was only beaten 2 up and 1 by Miss Bell. Miss Eva Brown (Napier) always plays a solid game, but at present she is putting very badly. She was a semifinalist last year. ROTORUA TOURNEY. (PBBSS ASSOCIATION IBLEIB.ViI.) ROTORUA, September 7. At the Rotorua golf tourney, the championship, for which there were forty-six entries, was won by B. MacEwan, "Wellington, who beat Duncan in the final, 2 up nad 1 to play, at the seventeenth hole. The prize, the Davis Cup, was" presented to MacEwan. KAIAPOI v. AMBERLEY. A match was played on'the Amberley links on Thursday between the lady members of the Kaiapoi and Amberley clubs, which resulted in a win for Kaiapoi by 7 games to 4. Scores: FOURSOMES. Kaiapoi. Amberley Miss Stark and Miss Parsons and Miss Purdie .. J Hiss Rhodes .. J Miss Mcintosh and Mrs Fulton and Miss Gillett .. 1 Mrs Frew .. o Mis Keetley and Mis 3 Wornall and Miss Sewell .. 0 Mrs Stratton .. i M-Ss Rinaldi and Miss Courage and Miss Blackwell 1 Miss M. Parsona 0 SINGLES. Miss Stark .. 1 Miss Parsons .. 0 "iss Purdie .. 0 Miss Rhodes .. 1 Miss Mdnto3h .. 1 Mrs Fulton .. 0 Miss Gillett .. OMrs Frew .. 1 Mrs Keetley .. 1 Mise Wornall .. 0 i Miss Sewell .. 1 Mrs Stratton .. 0 Miss Rinaldi .. 0 Mrs Brown .. 1 I Miss Blackwell .. 1 Miss Courage .. 0

Gross. Hdep. Net. Miss Beadel .. 95 7 88 Miss Dixon .. .. 97 6 91 Mrs E. Grace .. 96 9 87 Miss Pavton .. S7 3 84 Mrs Anderson .. ye 9 87 Miss Eva Brown .. 97 0 92 Miss Carter .. .. 94 7 87 Miss Wilson .. 97 4 93 Mrs Kingseote .. 98 9 89 Miss Bobiesoii .. 91 5 86 Miss Snodgrass .. 91 7 "84 Mrs Slack . . .. 95 4 91 Miss Turton .. 97 14 83 Miss Watson ..89 7 82 Mrs Wilson ... ... as 9 87 Mrs Spiers .. .. 98 9 89 Miss Acheson .. 99 8 91 Miss Bell ..90 7 83 Mrs Collinson .. 93 6 87 Mrs Culling ... ... 108 13 93 Mrs Donald .. .. 107 10 97 Mrs Green .. .. 99 14 95 Mrs Mowbraj- .. 100 9 91 Miss Monson .. 102 12 90 Mrs Marchbanks .. 9(5 8 88 Mrs Pumphrey .. 95 9 86 Miss Eobieson .. 91 5 86 Miss Snodgrass .. 91 7 84 Miss Bloorafield .. 100 17 83 Mrs Banks .. .. 105 18 87 Miss Ewen .. ..103 17 86 Mrs White-Parsons .. 106 19 87 Miss Brewster .. 98 16 82