GOLF NOTES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 6

GOLF NOTES

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD MIXED PROSPECTS THIS TEAR [llr THE RABBIT.] More conjectures are likely to go astray in anticipating winners at the New Zealand Championships at Hamilton this year than for many years. Tin; burning question is how H. W. Hattersley, one of Australia's leading amateurs, will shape in the open and amateur events, meeting A. J. Shaw,- C. C. Clements, and A. Murray (professionals), and J. P. Hornabrook and B. M. Silk among the amateurs. Not since the New Zealand championships were started has any player except A D. S. Duncan succeeded m taking the amatosr title for three years. Without descending to superstition, it may be said that Hornabrook, who has won the title twice, will have the odds against Dim. The difference between New Zealand and Australian conditions, however. has been emphasised vividly by the fate of C. J. Ward and I. M. Godby i.\ their play in Australia, and similarly Hattersley may meet his Waterloo at Hamilton. H. A. and J. L. Black, from Wellington, must be reckoned with, and H. D. Brinsden, of Auckland, who succeeded in a number of tournaments in the North Island, may yet bo a finalist, though Auckland critics are not disposed to be hopeful of an Auckland victory. Prospects for the open and professional events are further complicated by Alex Murray’s brilliant return to form in the open day at Hamilton for amateurs and professionals. Murray played brilliantly two seasons ago at Shirley to become open and professional champion; but his failure to reproduce that form dashed the hopes of his supporters. At Hamilton last week, in conditions which were far from the best, his two rounds of 72 and 73 left other Auckland professionals strokes behind. Norrie Bell's 80 and 78 were the next best professional totals. The South Island will not have a very large representation at Hamilton. Four Christchurch amateurs will be competing, A. R. Blank, and P. R. Godby (Shirley), G. L. Wynyard -(Richmond Hill), and J. W. Jackson (Avondale), and C. C. Clements (professional title holder) and other Christchurch professionals will attend the meeting, M. T. Houlihan (Timaru), E. O. Heney (Rangiora), and A. A. Holland (Amberley) are ether Canterbury amateurs who have entered. The probabilities are that Hattersley, Hornabrook, H. A. and J. L. Black, Brinsden, A G. Sime, and Silk will lead the amateurs; and Shaw, Murray, Clements, and A. E Guy the professionals. The open will leave Shaw a strong favourite. He is the present holder, and one of the Dominion’s most consistent golfers. It is likely that his rivals will be Clements. Guy, Murray, Hornabrook, Hattersley, and Silk. South Island Championship The South Island Championship at Avondale next week-end is not lacking in a strong field of formidable entries. Many of the players _ competing have minor championships to their credit, and some have provincial and national honours. The organisers of the championship have been notified that the following players will compete:—K. Ross, A. G. Syme, A. R. Blank, J. Galloway, E. O. Heney, E. J. Pumphrey, R. G. Arnould, J Millard, and the professionals A. J. Shaw (New Zealand open champion), C. C. Clements (New Zealand professional champion), H. R. Blair, E. S. Douglas, G. Ross, and J. Forest. Of these, Pumphrey, Millard, and Shaw were once members of the Avondale Club. Stroke handicaps in A and B divisions are included in the match programme, Avondale Championships Two matches in the senior championships at Avondale were played last week-end, and two of the longest hitters in the club were eliminated— J. W. Gibson and E. Etheridge. Delghton, a much older player, led Gibson 2 up after 18 holes; but In the afternoon Gibson squared at the thirtyfourth. The thirty-fifth was halved In bogey, and Deighton took the last hole in a bogey 3 to Gibson’s 4. Gibson’s figures were good—74 and 71; but Deighton capped steady play with deadly approaching. Frizzell beat Etheridge, overwhelming him so convincingly that Etheridge did not bother to contest the afternoon round. Frizzell, the present dub champion, was round in one over par. WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT AT MANAWATU (1-81588 ASSOCIATION TELXOBAU.) PALMERSTON NORTH, September 17. The Manawatu women’s golf tournament concluded In showery weather on the Hokowhitu course. The winner of the championship was Mrs J. F. Field (Manawatu), who beat Miss Cynthia Wilson In a close final. Winners of other competitions were Miss M. Evans, Mrs Earle Wimsett, and Mrs G. Duncan.