GOLF.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19447, 22 October 1928, Page 5

GOLF.

HORTON CHAMPION . AGAIN, THE AMATEUR FINAL. DESPERATE BATTLE ENDS AT 36TH HOLE. (PSESS ASSOCIATION TILEGEAH.) DUNEDIN. October 20. There Was a bitterly cold southerly wind when Horton and Black faced the starter to play the final of the New Zealand amateur championship this morning. This condition obtained throughout the first round, and it was obvious that it was being felt by the players. There was an improvement as the day wore on, and the players improved with the weather, and played better golf. The game was a very fitting finish to a championship which had been full of interest right up to the final effort. Even at the 36th it was still either player's game, but this hole saw a finish of a desperate struggle in Horton's favour. The Play. With a following wind, both go* good drives at the first, within a mashie of the green, but they were both short with their seconds. BlacK made the better approach, and lost a chance of a win by missing a 4ft putt. The hole was halved in five. Black.reached the edge of the second green with a good brassie. Horton played a No. 1 iron, and the wind took his ball over the bank. He recovered well, but lost the hole, as Black holed a long putt for a tour. Horton's drive to the third found the bunker on the right. The ball was m water, and'he took two to get out, while Blacv chipped past the pin. Horton's fourth just graeed the hole, and Black won in four. To the 4th hole Black had the advantage with his tee shot, but threw the hole aWav by badly judged putts, Horton winning m three. Horton found the fifth green with an excellent brassie shot, while Blaok was Rhort. Both took three putts, but Horton took the hole in five to Black's six. Horton overran his approach putt to the sixth hole, and missed the return, enabling Black to win in four. Horton missed a win at the seventh by bad judgment on the *reen, where be was on in two to Black's three. The hole Was halved m five. Blnck plaved the eighth hole badly. Plaving for a low drive he fanned. His subsequent shots were all" weak, and he took five to reach the green, where he picked up. Horton holed in five. The ninth was halved in sound fours, and the match was square. ■. Homeward. The tenth hole was made easy for Horton through Black taking three putts. Both reached the eleventh green in three, and the hole Was halved in five, Horton narrowly missing a four. At the 12th, Black topped his drive, and this put him out of the hole, which Horton won in four by sound play. The 18th was Horton's worst .hole. They were equal on the Jireen, arid Horton took three putts to Black's two. At the 14th Blaek played n perfect tee shot on to the green. Horton pushed" his tee shot out. but chipped w*ll to the pin, and halved in three—a good recovery. Black just missed a two at the 16th. ' Horton pitched a beauty to the pin for a four, and a win at the 16th. Black's second gave him a chance for. a three, being 12ft from the pin, but a four, which he got, was' all that was required to win. To the 17th hole Horton's tieo shot was a beauty, dead straight and well on. Black's Was short, and he overran'the pin with two chips. Horton's second was dead for a three, which he got. to Black's four. At the 18th Black pitched a beauty to the green, four feet from the pin. Horton was also on, but not so gocfd as Black, and played theodd v In attempting a four, Blaek nearly stymied himself, and conW only naive in five, leaving the match - two up in Horton's favour at half-way. The Afternoon Bound. In the afternoon Blaek reduced the lead. At the 19th Blaok made an indifferent drive, but recovered with a good second, and, approaching dead, holed a four. Horton overran with, his approach putt, and also the return, and took five. Horton was through the 20th with his second. He fluffed his third, and took three shots on the green. Blaek won the hole in five, and squared the match. At the 21st Black's tee shot was a beauty, 10ft from the pin. Horton was off the green to the left, and he approached too far, but just missed a three, and the hole was Brack's in two. The 82nd was halved in three. Horton threw-away a chance of a win at the 23rd by bad green work. He should have made a four, but halved in five. • The 24th and 25th were halved. 'Horton squared the game at the 2fth. Both took three to reach the green, but Horton-'s approach was only three feet from the hole, and he ran down his putt. .Both got birdie threes at the 27th by excellent putts. Square *t 27th. The run home was now approached all' square, and the interest'and excitement were increasing, as on the play of both men the game was anybody's. Black's tee shot at the 28th was dose to the pin. Horton was in a bunker, and played qut too strongly, taking four to Black's three. Horton squared the match again at the 29th, Black duffing his second. The hole cost him six to Horton's five. There was no change at the 30th and 31st, but at the 32nd Black got a three to Horton's four, which made him one up. .Horton squared at the 33rd by a good approach to win the hole in four to Black's five. At the 34th two beautiful seconds found the green. Black saved himself at this hole by laying Horton a stymie. It would have been a wonderful shot to have negotiated the stymie, as Black's ball was close to the hole. However, Horton made a groat effort. He jumped Black's ball safely, but his falling ball landed on the edge .of the hole instead of landing in. They were still square, and two to go. The 35th'saw no change. At the final hole Black, in attempting a pull, landed his drive in a bunker to the right. His ball bounced out, to land on the rough slope of the hunker. In the meantime Horton's drive was long and straight, and his second was close ■- to the green, and, making no mistake with his run up to the pin, he was dead for a four. Black was on the edge of the green in three, but made a weak approach putt, and, .failing in his effort for a five, he picked tip and surrendered the 1928 championship to Horton. ; A Good Contest. Their respective approximate cards w 6 ere ' H °rton, morning 80, afternoon Z' *Z*' k >- M "* r8 - These figures wow that there was not much between the two pUyew. The game was just as i «ose as yesterday's semi-final between Horton and Boss, and the play little'

inferior. Both the winner and runnerup are to be congratulated on their achievement in emerging from an eight days' tournament so successfully. This is Horton's second championship, and his performance stamps,him as one of New Zealand's foremost golfers. His game is hard to fault at any time. Today his only weakness was that he was a "trifle fidgety in his green work. Black has, stamped himself as a championship player, and this is his best showing in an amateur championship. Like his conqueror,, he was fidgety on the green in the early part of the match, but he improved in the final round. He made a few slips with his drives, however. The standard of play throughout the tournament has been high, as the scores have shown, and indicates the strides that golf is making in the Dominion. The arrangements made by the Otago Golf Club have been perfect, and the visitors will all leave with happy recollections, and look forward to the next championship meeting in Dunedin. A FIGHTING FINISH.

COMMENT ON THE PLAY. ____ » [THE PRESS Special Service.] DUNEDIN, October 20. After yesterday's great game between Horton and Eoss in the semi-final of the amateur championship, the opinion was freely expressed that that game was the virtual final, but Horton, though anticipating success, was quite .prepared for a struggle with Black, as he had many times encountered him in club matches, and afso he had Black's .figures in the tournament, and Black's meritorious performance against Wight, to consider. Horton's surmise proved correct, for-Nto-day Black made him play all he knew to win.

In the morning, mainly owing to the high and biting wind, the figures were not great, 80-82, the two strokes representing the margin of holes in Horton's favour.

Again anticipations, # proved astray. Starting the final round' with a lead of 2, it was anticipated that the match would not reach the last green. Black squared the match at the 20th and took the lead at the next hole with a 2, the only 2in the match. In the regaining six holes of the first half, each won a hole, and four were halved, both getting spectacular threes at the 27th. Black was but in 36' to Horton's 38. t All square, and 9 to go, in a 39-holo match, with both men playing near pa* golf, was enough to excite the interest of an} crowd, and when _ the news spread that the finish would be close,the gallery grew to large proportions The followers were rewarded by as close a game as it was possible to ima* gine. Both were fighting. In the next 6 holes, each won two holes, and two were halved. This brings us to" the 34th, and at this hole Horton made a spectacular effort to negotiate a difficult stymie, but just missed. Every shot at the next two holeß was watched with breathless interest. They were both halved—all square, and one to go. Unfortunately Black's final drive found trouble, and he was one more to the green than Horton, who made no mistakes, to ensure a safe 4. Black made a gallant? dying effort for a very long putt for a four, but was-short, and missing a five, did not proceed further, and the championship became Horton's. Both players received an ovation for the splendid game which they put up, which was quite in keeping with the exciting matches that preceded it. To play 8 days of solid golf, and produce such a game as Black and Horton did to-day, indicated that there is little amiss with first-class New Zealand golf, and proves the physical fitness of the players, and their undoubted ability to play in any company. CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. In the semi-final of the Deriniston at Shirley on Saturday, K. J? Walker beat G. W. Haverfield 4 and 2, and J. D. Marks test ff. S. Grant 4 and 3. The final will b» played ne*t. Saturday. CHEVIOT CLUB. There was a large attendance of »ombofS at the offloial closing of the Cheviot Golf OluVi season, and a very pleasant time was sp«nt During the afternoon a mixed foursome was played for trophies presented by Mrs Rutherford, the winners 5 Mr and Mrs P. D. Childs. During ?he afternoon the various trophies won daring- the season were presented by thei prei dent Mr B. G-i G. Westenra, who congratu--6 the winners and .1.0 the eh* on the very successful season just concluded, and also made reference to the general mw* ment in play which was in evidence during St season. The pris,e list was as follows: M? t!Torbes's trophY Mrs J-toi«ta« B. Baeee and Co.'s cup, Mr 0. Mowat; Mt TCJrldee's trophy, Mrs A. GlllanderiS- GilMrs A. Gillanders; Oonnemara Oup, Mr T. Henehaw. The president also madei a prestation' on behalf ofl member to the secretaries, Mr and Mrs F. D. untias, u of the work they had done in the interests of the club.

RUSSLEY CLUB. The <ul round «l the RuMley Cup wm pl.yed on Saturday, the cup bemg won by frise D. (Denahire and 0. H. White with an jSnrregftte mom »galn»t bogey for the two "onnds of 7 up. The .cores were as fol-

/ ' AVONDALE CLUB. A medal match was ployed on Avondall golf link! on Saturday, »;/ f ,»| , «"«« winning the senior division and G. I. Tait the junior. The following were the best Mores:— D iviSlO». Gross. . Hep. i«et. P. W. Deighton •• 84' 12 72 G. G. Jackson •' 1% t i-~ M. S. Nottingham ..8- 6 .< J. M. Preston ~85 8 i 7 H. Wilson -.86 8 78 J. Martin • • 9 .\ -\\ >." H. do B. Flesher .. M 14 .0 J. B. MoOlymont ..86 6 & W Clark • ■ 9S U S4 W< U " JUNIOR DIVISION. f T Toit ..93 16 77 R. Atkinson , •■ J"* t" '£ UN. Scholfleld / • • 103 24 79 St. G. Atkinson . ..96 *«•< »0 y. T. A. Williams ■ • 10 \ . 2 ° " p V,' Deiehtou has been reduced to 10.8, and' G 'I. Tait enters the seniors with a handicap of 14.11, having won tho junior championship. A VETERANS* CUP. The first annual contest for the New Zealand Golf Veterans' «t^C lne » wl ttf. "S SwSSt. TUi S»tjh i« op.n to New Ze». land «olfMi of fifty-five yjart and over. Eatrieswill be received by tho secretary of «Se Botoru Golf Club prior to eommencs«Ut of the m»tch. which will be played over 36 holes on handicap.

HAREWOOD CLUB. In oxcellent weather and with the links looking and playing their best, the Harewood Club closed a euccesßful season with •an onjoyable day over the week-end. Too following competitions wore played: ,Six teams entered for the Closing Day Cfoip competition, which was won by the Christchurch Club team, the holders of the cup. Results as follows: Ohrißtchurch Club 1 (B. T. Tosswill, L. A. Dougall, B. A. Wilson, 0. S. Ponlington). Avondalo Club No. 1 team 2 (E. Prince, W. Word, J. Millard, G. Millar). Horewood No. 1 team 3 (A. R. Blank, M. H. Godby, J. S. Wilson, L. Pegler). Russley team 4 (R. B. Doggar, G. A. G. Oonnal, W. L. Travers, W. A. Mathoson). Avondalo No. 2 team 5 (J. B. McClymont, M. S. Nottingham, H. Wilson, H. Lightband). Harewood No. 2 team 6 (B. G. Malcolmson, A. T. Bell, W. h. Lawry, E. P. Oakes). A large number of entries were recoived in the morning bogey handicap match, Which was won by G. W. Ward with a afloro%i nil square. The best cards handed in were:— G. W. Ward (8) .. .. all square M. H. Godby (3) .... 1 down L. S. Ayers (3) .. ..1 down A. G. Jnmieson (11) .. 1 down Wi, L. Travers (8) ..2 down F, S. Grant (4) .. ..2 down B. W. Shipley (11) ..2 down R. T. Tons will (2) .- ..' 3 down J. S. Wilson (6) .. .. 3 down 0. W. Webber (7) .. .. 3 down M. A. Johnston (7) .. -.3 down B. Camm (8) .. -.3 down A. R. Blank (scr) .. ..4 <iOwn R. B. Daggar (5) .. ..4 down R. A. Wilson (scr) ~ .. 4 down W. L. Lawry (12) ~ -. 4 down G. Millar (2) .. -.4 down W. A. W. Gudgeon (9) .. 5 down N. B. Tingey (12) .. ..5 down J. Millard (Bcr) .. .. 5 down C. S. Penlington (3) ..5 down M. S. Nottingham (4) ..5 down Wi, A. Matheson (12) .. 5 down T. M. li. Sheppard (15> .. 5 down A. E. Kincaid (9) .'. ..5 down -J. L. Flndlayv (H) .. .. 5 down ». Orozier (17) .. . ■ 5 down Tho ladies' bogey handicap match was won by Mrs G. W. Ward. The beßt cards handed in were :-*■ Mlrs G. W. Ward (23) .. 3 down Mies J. Johnston (11) ..4 down Mrs A. B. Blank (14) .. 4 down Mirs Lynskey (22) .. * .. 4 down In the afternoon nine-hole Canadian foursome bogey handicap match a largo e ntr / wns made, the match being won by E. T. Oakes and B. G. Malcolmson with a score of 0 up. The best cardß handed in were:— 13. T. Oakes and R. G. Malcolmson 6 up G. P. Steel and W. M. Beaveu 2up M, ,H. Godby and Mrs N. B. Tingey .. .. 1»P M. Armstrong and G. I. Tait .. all square D. Taylor and W. Gudgeon .. nil squarH «. J. Ross and L.yS. Ayers,,.. a" square B. T. Tosswill and h. A. Dougall all square F. 8. Grant and M, A. Johnston 1 down Mi;s Lynskey and J. J Pi.tisgeraid • • * " own R. Camm and V. Mufphy .. 2 down G. Millar and J. Millard .. 2 down A. ft. Blank aad Mrs Blnk .. Driving Competition—Ladies; Mr* H. B. Wilkinson, 200 yards. Men: G. Miliar, 282 yards. „ ~ , ( i,, , Approaching Competitions-Ladies. Mm Doreen Kiver, Meni ffi. F. Oakes. Putting Competitlon—R. T. ToißWillThe club captain, Mr Hugh Lawry .then addressed the players, stating that tne Benson had been successful and P I6BBB " 1 - and referred especially to the progress made by the Ladies' Club. He then formally closed the season, and requested Mrs A., it. Blank, wife of the president, to T/« se "* ths trophies won during theseason to> tne successful members, to whom he extended ms oomtratulations. n w The final of the Ward Cop between G. w. Ward and A. G. Jamieion was pl«y« } ™ Saturday afternoon,. G. W. Ward being tne W AHhOugh the season has been formally closed, the links will be kept order nni open for play during the summer montns. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. (DNITJSD PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTBIO TBLEQBAFH—COPtBIOHT.) (Received October 21st, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 20. The amateur champion of New South wal", 0. Pawcett, won the champion of mutch with a total Of 152 from rounds of 77 and 75.—Australian Press Association.

lows: —. 1st. 2nd. Tl. Miss Denshire and White all sq. 7 up 7 up Mrs Curtis and 0. (J. Curtis all sq. Sup . Sup Miss Cotton and Vf. lup A. Mathieson ., all sq. 1 up Mrs A. Q McClatchle and G. McOlatchle • * 3 Up 4 down ldowfi Mrs W. Nloholls and W. M. Tyers .. 1 down all sq. 1 down Mrs Lawry and H. i». lift wry 3 down 1 up 2 down Miss N. Partridge , and W. L. Partridge ' •• 6 down 2 up 4 down Mrs Scott and W. Gudgeon 4 down 1 down 5 down MIib Macfarlsne and T. V. Harman . • 2 down 5 down 7 down Miss B. Atkinson and V. J. Tipping 4 down 3 down 7 down Mrs Hobbs and F. W. Hobbs 6 down ldown 7 down