INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25933, 13 October 1949, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCH

GOLF

WELLINGTON TO PLAY CANTERBURY

WAITIKIRI COURSE IN GOOD ORDER

Complete arrangements have been made by the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association for the annual interprovincial match between Canterbury and Wellington to be played at Waitikiri on Saturday. The course is in excellent order, and will provide a stern test for both the visitors and local players. As few. if any, of the Wellington players have played on Waitikiri previously, the local knowledge possessed by the Canterbury team should prove a valuable asset.

In ideal surroundings near Bottle Lake. Burwood, the course is situated on part of the former stud farm of the late Mr W. Dalgety, and was designed and laid out by Mr A. R. Blank, who has been responsible for the construction of other golf courses in and round Christchurch. Apart from interprovincial matches between Canterbury and Westland and South Canterbury, Saturday’s fixture will be the first major one to be played on the course. A. D. Locke, the famous South African professional, and winner of the British open championship this year, played an exhibition match against the New Zealand champion, Alex Murray, in 1938, the year the course was officially opened. Although Murray completed the course in 74, he was beaten 5 up and 4 to play, Locke being round in 69. The course record stands at 67, six strokes

better than the scratch score for the course, established by the South Island amateur champion, D. L. Woon, last season. Juding distances' is usually the main difficulty facing placers on a strange course, but the target greens at Waitikiri provide excellent vision. and the player is able to see the bottom of the flag on each green. From a spectator’s point of view, Waitikiri is an excellent course. There are several central points at which spectators are able to watch a number of games in progress. Members of the Waitikiri Club will act as course stewards and will handle the large gallery which is expected. Wellington Team The Wellington team includes some of the Dominion’s best players. J. P. Hornabrook, former amateur and open champion, will probably lead the team, and with him are W. G. Horne, amateur champion in 1946, G. P. Roberts, winner of the New Zealand Plate at the recent championships, and I. A. Ewen, who finished in seventh place in the open championship. Not a particularly impressive player Ewen nevertheless has invariably scored well at New Zealand championship meetings. He won the Jellicoe Cup for the lowest round in the open championship at Dunedin with a fine 68, Jn 1938. Among the visitors are several young

players who have plenty of promise and ability. C. A. S. Smith, the diminutive but extremelv confident Shandon player, will be a hard match for the opponent he strikes. He eliminated Canterbury’s H. J. Gosset. in the first round of the amateur championship at Hastings. If the pair should meet on Saturday, Gosset will have a good chance of equalling the score, as he has had some good performances at Waitikiri. A. P. W. Church was disappointing at Hastings, as his record in club golf end inter-club matches in Wellington this season has been impressive. Canterbury’s team is easily one of the best that has been fielded for some time. All the leading players were available, and included for the first time J. Mitchell. of Waimate. Mitchell has been playing a comparatively short time, and plays off a present handicap of one. He played in his first national championship at Hastings, and returned a total of 294. only 11 strokes behind the winner’s score. , _ —I i. With Woon. J. W. Jackson, A. R. Blank, and M. R. Blank, all Waitikiri players, will considerably strengthen the side, and with them are experienced match players who have represented Canterbury for several years. The leading singles will probablv be played between Hornabrook. and Woon or Jackson. Jackson, with his match play record against Woon at waitikiri. would be a sound choice. Woon

and Jackson, as Canterbury foursome? champions, will undoubtedly lead the foursomes against Hornabrook and Horne. CHRISTCHURCH LADIES’ CLUB The following are the results of a flag match played by members of the Christchurch Ladies’ Golf Club at Shirley yesterday:—silver division: Mrs L. Sinclair. Bronze division: Mrs K. Cooper. C grade: Mrs R. Calvert. The following are the results of the

knock-out competition for the Wilkin Cup: semi-final: Miss Z. Hudson beat Mrs E. H. Watkins. 3 and 2; Miss H. Buchanan beat Miss M. Vivian. 4 and 2. In the final, Miss H. Buchanan beat Miss Z. Hudson, 1 up. AVONDALE LADIES’ CLUB The following are the results of a stroke match played this week:— A Grade. —Mrs A. B. 8001. 91. 21—70; Mrs C. B. McNatty, 87, 16—71; Mrs E. L. Sapsford, 91. 19—72; Miss I. Robson, 91. 19— 72. B Grade.—Mrs F. W. Thomson. 99. 36 63; Miss S. Britton. 96, 28—68; Mrs D. Melbourne, 106, 36—70; Mrs M. Batchelor, 97,