GOLFS GREATEST PRIZE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21812, 18 June 1936, Page 9

GOLFS GREATEST PRIZE

THE BRITISH OPEN HOME PLATERS’ SUPREMACY Gene Sarazen, the great American player, has admitted that winning the British open championship gave him the greatest satisfaction of any achievement in his golfing life. It is not difficult Jto understand why this historic championship should be the lodestar of golfers the world,over. No other championship roll of honour bears such an imposing list of honoured names. The battle for the coveted title this year will be fought out next week on the Hoylake course—one of the most searching tests of golf in the world. Britain has re-established her supremacy in her own championship in the last two years after an unbroken American domination since 1924. At Sandwich in 1934 Henry Cotton recaptured the championship for Britain with «ome record scoring, and last year Alfred Perry and other British players effectively repulsed the American challenge.

This year home players are again favourites for the title, although there has been little indication in the cables regarding the strength of the overseas contingent. As the tournament does not clash this year with the corresponding American event, it may be assumed that there will be a strong invasion of players from the United States. A. H. Padgham has been Britain’s outstanding golfer this year, and he has an impressive record in the event —in the first five in five successive years. Cotton, too, has a good chance of winning it again if. he can overcome his recent putting troubles. Perry will be at the champion’s psychological disadvantage, but he is a fine player who does not seem to know the meaning of “nerves.” The three Whitcombe brothers and Percy Alliss are other British players who are expected to do well. There will be many brilliant amateurs in the event, including Hector Thomson, British amateur champion, and Jim Ferrier, the Australian run-ner-up in that magnificent battle with Thomson. Jack McLean, Eric Fiddian, E. A. Mcßuvie. and John de Forest should also finish fairly high among the list of amateurs. BASKETBALL TECHNICAL UNBEATEN IN FIRST ROUND Technical A has not suffered defeat throughout the first half of the senior basketball competition, and leads with 12 points. Digby’s is next in order with 10 points, followed by St. Mary’s and Training College, *each with six points. University with four points, and A.B.C, and Technical B each with two points. , The position of the teams in the senior A grade for the first round is as follows; —Beckenham 11, Selwyn 9, Ngalo 8. Kaiapoi 6, Mairehau 6, St. Mary’s 2, Training College 0. The college teams had a strenuous day on Saturday, when each team played two matches, thus enabling them to finish the first round at the same time as the other teams in the senior grade. Each team had a win and a loss, and perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was University’s defeat of St. Mary’s. The match was keenly fought, and at the final whistle University was only one up, the score being 11-10. Training College suffered a heavy defeat from Technical A, having a deficit of 17 goals. R. Stephenson defended and attacked tirelessly, but got little support from her centres and defence. The Technical forwards played brilliantly, passing with lightning speed, and working the ball up to the pin for easy shots. Digby’s players did not take their game seriously enough, and consequently were only 4 up on A.B.C. at half-time. The second half produced an imnrovement. however, and Digby’s won by 18 to 8. J. Keighley was Digby’s most consistent shooter, and anticipated keenly in field play. V. Bellworthy, in defence, was A.B.C.’s mainstay, A.B.C. makes a grave error in continually batting the ball out. Besides losing the ball for its side, it makes the game slow and uninteresting. This team should concentrate on interception. Representative Fixtures The final selection of all representative teams will be announced on July 6. The senior B representative team will play against Wellington, at Wellington, on August 8. The New Zealand tournament will be held at Christchurch from August 26 to August 29 inclusive. The matches will take place at the Phillipstown school, where three courts are available. The Canterbury players will welcome the change in uniform this year. The black representative frocks are to be replaced by black monogrammed tunics with red belts and white short-sleeved blouses. Beau Ideal Cup The order of the first 10 teams is as follows;—Northcote 122, Te Kura 120, Technical A 112, Orama 110, Beckenham 99, Hinemoa A 91, Digby’s A 87, Pacific 84, International Models 82, McKenzies 82. Tournament Entries With 92 entries, the basketball tournament on June 23 promises to be of exceptional interest this year. The proceeds will go to the queen carnival fund, which closes on June 27. The highlights of all sports past and present. Fearless criticism and constructive comment. New Zealand’s general sporting authority. Magazine pages, racy reading. “N.Z. Sporting Life,” the week-end paper. 3d all booksellers.” —3