GOLF NOTES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22109, 3 June 1937, Page 14

GOLF NOTES

COURSES AND PLAYERS MANY UNUSUAL FEATS BY INDIVIDUALS (By THE RABBIT.) Many golfers have been enjoying bettor control of the ball since the rains and fogs in the last few days combined to soften the greens and fairways, giving even the inaccurately hit hall an unexpected “back-spin.” Most of the courses in the city have improved amazingly in latter years, and fairways on links which once resembled continuous sand-bunkers have been developed and nursed to the point where the less experienced are tempted to take out their woods on the least ■’excuse. Signs that money is being spent freely arc not wanting. Last week-end. when the courses were visited. it would have been difficult to remain unimpressed by the greenness of the courses and their well-kept appearance. In too many of the clubs, however, it is noticeable that many of the younger players do not seem to have derived any marked benefit from the visiis of overseas players in recent years, for their rheumatic swings, in which there is little orthodoxy and case, are the paradox of their improving scores. , , „ , , . , Another prominent feature, one which is perhaps not as serious _as sometimes made out. was the declining lack of the traditional etiauette. This should, however, be counter-balanced when the uo-to-date “Rules of Golt” (Canterbury edition) is issued shortly. The publication. apart from rules only, includes information upon ctiouctlc and attention to matters of courtesy. The booklet contains a foreword by Sir Cyril Ward, captain of the Christchurch Club. Individual Performances An unofficial record for the Richmond Hill course was established recently by D. E. Climie. who played a remarkably consistent round returning a card of 31. 31. and making his total 02 for the 18 holes, two strokes below the previous unofficial record round. Climie. who plays on a handicap of 4, was faultless with his nutting, and, with the advantage of his usual longhitting, was able to return a score four strokes below bogey—a very creditable feat for a course which, though not long, is tricky. Playing at Shirley recently, A. L. Cropp made an unusual start to his round, when, after taking 5. 4,4, for the first three holes, he continued to put his third shot at the fourth hole out of bounds as fast as the caddie supplied fresh balls. He finished the hole with a 13, doubling his score to the distance. All the balls were recovered. In spite of his bad start he managed to finish with a card of 89 (51 and 38). Bogey for the first four holes is 4,4, 3. 5. Twice Holed in One The rare feat of holing in one for a second time has been accomplished by on Australian. A, E. Gazzard, who. playing in a match at Victoria Park (Queensland), holed out in one at the tenth. 148 yards. Not only was this the second “minimum” score of his career; but it is among several low score achievements which he has to his credit. He has also taken a two for a difficult par five hole at the Royal Queensland course, and “eagles” at 'difficult par four holes at Victoria Park. Handicappers at Harewood were nonplussed recently in attempting to do justice to one of the younger players. G. D. Simpson. For some time ho had been struggling to play to a 22 handicap. and the committee decided to nut him back on to 24 to give him a bettor chance. Simpson replied last Sunday by returning a card 89, 24—65 nine strokes beneath his ngw handicap. A readjustment will no doubt b' 1 necessary. Numerous players at Harewood have improved their play considerably this season, and some of the younger players especially have earned reductions in their handicaps. Recent handicap reductions include:—R. E. Alexander to 18, 14; H. F. Baird to 18. 16; J. D. Camm to 18, 15; A. E. Boulton t 0.24. 16; C. C. Newton to 24. 22; R. C. Saunders to 13, 12; W. M. Sattcrthwaite to 7,6; B. W. M. Ward to 24, 22; R. A. Witbrock to 10, 8; and J. K. Louisson to 20, 18. A new member from Auckland—S. Bryant (3)— is expected to be in the hunt with L. W. Fleetwood (3). W. M. Satterthwaite (G), and A. R. Blank (scr), when the Harewood championships are held later in the season. Coronation Medals Nothing very definite is known yet of the Tasman Cup match this year, but it is expected that an Australian team will be visiting New Zealand in September, and that members of the team will compete in the New Zealand Ladies’ Golf Championships at Napier. Players will be contesting one of the two Coronation medals presented each year in the Dominion. It has been the lot of a Harewood player, Miss Edna Edmonds, to bring distinction to her club and to the city by winning the Coronation medal open for competition all over New Zealand by players in the Silver grade, L.G.U. (handicaps under 18). The performance is the more meritorious, partly because of the paucity of the occasions on which the medal has been won in Christchurch within a long period, and partly because of the dulicult conditions under which her own match was played. , Players oil over New Zealand compete lor this medal in the first week m May. In spite of a severe nor’wester on the day of the game, Miss Edmonds played very well, finishing lour strokes beneath her handicap of 14. This young player has already made a name tor herseli by winning the Harewood ladies’ championsmp in 1934, and again in 1935. Since the Coronation medal match sbe has been rehandicapped to 13. 10, Unusual “Hazard” A novel “hazard” was created at Waimairi some days ago by two calves wn.ch i,an.bofied up ana down the first lairway and on to me green, ana muae excursions to tne last rairway. oeverai members whose rounds were interrupted imaliy set to witli niblicks and managed to drive the caives away. The New Zeaiand Golf Council’s comprenensive insurance seneme is I'tOiiViug increasing support morn clubs in Christcnurcii. A special meeting or Avonuaie Ciub memoers was edited on Saturday auernoon to consider entering tne council’s seneme, and a resolution to tnat effect was approved. The scheme insures prayers against acciuent not only on their own courses, but upon any course on whicn they may be playing. CHRISTCHURCH LADIES’ CLUB A Ladies’ Golf Union medal was played at Shirley yesterday. Mrs W Toomey won in the silver medal division, and Mrs P. H. N. Freeth in the bronze medal division. The following were the best scores;— Silver Medal Division—Mrs W. Toomey, 85 gross, 12 handicap, 73 net; Mrs A. C. McKillop, 81, 6—75; Miss K. Johnston, 88. 13—75; Mrs A. T. Armstrong. 90, 14—76; Miss Beadel, 83, 6—77; Miss Stevenson, 84, 5—79; Mrs Pumphrey, 92, 13 —79. Bronze Medal Division—Mrs P. H. N Freeth, 94, 25—69; Mrs W. A. C. McDonald, 95, 19—76; Mrs G. H. Wood, 105 29—76; Miss Tonkin, 110, 32—78; Miss Whitcombe, 101, 22—79. KAIAPOI LADIES’ CLUB A field day was held at the Kaiapol links on Tuesday. In the morning a nine-hold stroke match was played for a trophy given by Mrs L. B. Evans, which resulted in a tie between Mrs J. Anderson and Mrs G. Hirst with a net score of 37 each; and in the afternoon a flag match was played for a trophy ’given by Mrs F. E. Twyford, the winner being Mrs E, W. Archbold.

AKAROA CLUB The following were the best cards handed in for a stroke match played among members of the Akaroa Golf Club; Men—A. Davies, 98 gross, 35 handicap, 63 net; O. Eves, 99, 35—64; D. Helps, 92, 28—64; F. C. Newton, 77. 12—65; W. A. Newton, 93, 26—67; A. G. Shuttleworth, 103, 35—68; J. Helps, 95, 26—69. Women—Mrs W. B, Ramsay, 98 gross, 19 handicap, 79 net.