ANNUAL INTERCLUB MATCH

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25924, 3 October 1949, Page 8

ANNUAL INTERCLUB MATCH

GOLF

CHRISTCHURCH PLAYS OTAGO CAMPBELL-HOSKINGS AND HANMER SHIELDS The Otago Golf Club retained the Hanmer Shield (foursomes), but was beaten for the Campbell-Hoskings Shield (singles) in its annual inter-club match with the Christchurch Club played at Shirley yesterday. Although the Otago team did not include all the club's best players, the inclusion of two younger members, L. A. Rankin and I. A. McLean, did much to fill the gap caused by the absence of A. Gibbs. J. N. Lemon,’ and T. B. Ferguson. With the Christchurch Club fielding practically its strongest team, it was expected that Christchurch would win both matches comfortably. After suffering a defeat m the morning foursomes match the local players started badly in the afternoon singles by losing both of the first two games. The clubs have competed for the shields for 50 years, and although the Otago Club has won most matches, honours are fairly evenly divided. The match is an annual one, with the clubs travelling in turn. The course was in excellent condition, if anything playing a little fast. The greens were very good, but a strong northwesterly wind which blew up early in the afternoon made conditions tricky. The two leading players in the singles. A. H. Boyd and C. J. Ward, were not at their' best, and with approximate rounds of 80. Boyd eventually won on the last green. Neither's play was perhaps as bad as the score would indicate, because their putting was very poor. Boyd, well known as a long hitter, was driving well, but his inability to judge the greens cost him many shots during the round. Ward was playing his longer shots quite well, and although usually a very reliable putter he also was weak on the greens. Better golf was seen in the later matches. In the second singles. J. A. Scouler. who is now approaching the veteran stage, completed his round in 70 to beat the Christchurch Club champion. L. W. Fleet wood. 5 and 4. Scouler has played first-class golf for many years, and the quality of his play yesterday would indicate that he still has several years of championship*golf ahead of him. Fleetwood made a strong attempt to retrieve the three holes he lost early in the game with birdies at the eighth, ninth, and tenth, but was able to win only the tenth with these excellent figures. Scouler missed a reasonable putt on the last green for a 69. A Canterbury player. H. J. Gosset, who has shown much improvement this season, gave an outstanding performance against A. G. Sime, the veteran Otago player. Gosset. usually just an average hitter from the tee, was yesterday getting exceptional length with his drives, some of which were approaching the 300 yards mark. GosseX. who has been considered just one of the province’s average players, has recently improved his form. He performed well at the Dominion championships at Hastings, and his 70 yesterday against Sime is a fair indication of his present form. He and J. L. Blair did not combine well in their morning foursomes game, but in the afternoon Gosset did not at any stage falter with any of his shots. The length he was getting with his drives helped him considerably. and he invariably finished them off with crisply struck irons to the greens. The foursomes, for the Hanmer Shield, is an interesting competition. All matches are played out to the last hole, and a point is awarded for each hole won. The two youngsters of the Otago team practically put the issue beyond doubt by beating two seasoned players. O. A. Y. Johnston and P. H. N. Freeth, by five holes. In the leading foursomes. Ward and Fleetwood established a good lead on Boya and Scouler only to lose three holes in succession at the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth. They won the seventeenth, however, and the last was halved. The scoring in this game was not particularly high, but was quite steady. both pairs being round in approximately 75. two strokes more than scratch. Results were as follows, with Christchurch names mentioned first:— Hanmer Shield C. J. Ward and L. W. Fleetwood halved with A. H. Boyd and J. A. Scouler; J. L. Blair and H. J. Gosset lost to T. C. Tvrell and A. G. Sime. 1 down; I. B. Cromb and L. A. Watson beat N. H. North and L. C. Brown. 4 up: O. A. Y. Johnston and P. H. N. Freeth lost to L. A. Rankin and I. A. McLean. 5 down. Otago won by six games to four. Campbell-Hoskings Shield Ward lost to Boyd. 1 down; Fleetwood lost to Scouler, 5 and 4: Blair beat Tyrell. 4 and 2: Gosset beat Sime. 5 and 4; Cromb beat North. 6 and 4: Watson beat Brown. 2 and 1; Johnston lost to Rankin, 5 and 4; Freeth beat McLean. 3 and 1. Christchurch won by five games to