PROFESSIONAL GOLF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 139, 7 March 1936, Page 11

PROFESSIONAL GOLF

N. H. Fuller Leading For 1 Championship CLEMENTS BROS. CLOSE UP The serious business of the New Zealand Professional Golf Association’s tournament on the Hutt links was commenced yesterday, when the first two rounds of the Wellington provincial professional championship were played. Despite the fact that the weather was perfect and only a light southerly wind had to be contended with, the form displayed was not up to what is expected from such a gathering of experienced players. As a result of "the day’s play, N. H. Fuller, the unattached professional, who was formerly at the Hutt, led the field with rounds of 75 and 74, which gave him an aggregate of 149, which was three strokes better than C. C. Clements (Rueslcy) and J. A. Clements (Harewood). Following are the results of the . two rounds of the provincial championship: —

The Best Round. The best round was recorded by C. C. Clements, who covered the course in the afternoon in 73, 36 out and 37 home. His card read :—■ Out: 443444445—36 In: 434446444 —3 < J. A. Clements, who was open champion of the Dominion in 1909 and again in 1912. showed a return to something like his best form in recording 74 in the morning, his figures being:— Out: 453444445—37 In: 334448344 —37 He was going well until he got to the fifteenth (505 yards), where he topped his drive, played au indifferent second, found a bunker near the green, and finally three putted, to take a horrible 8. " One of the most promising of the younger players engaged was W. Allbon, the IJ-year-ol’d Masterton professional. He took 80 in the first round, but handled his clubs like a veteran to turn on 74 in the afternoon, his card reading:— Out: 443354445—36 In: 3345454u0“3S A. J. Shaw, who turned on a sensational 68 on Thursday, could not gauge the pace of the greens, and had to be content with 78 and 77. J. D. Mclntosh did a steady 7u in the morning, but fell away with an 82 in the afternoon. < Most of th a players showed that they had the shots, but lack of competitive play was necessary to give them consistency. Handicap Events. The Spalding Medal Handicap was won by R. Fox, with a net score of 71. Then followed J- A. Clements 71, J. R. Galloway 72, J. D. Mclntosh 73, and H. .. Blair 73. The Hutt Stableford Handicap was won by R. Stratniore, with 40. Next came W. Allbon 39, C. C. Clements 38, R. C. Butters 36, and N. H. Fuller 30. To-day the third and fourth round for the provincial championship will be played. The morning round will commence at 9.30, and the afternoon round at 1 o’cock. , Concurrently with the championship, the Bromford Stableford Handicap will be plaved this morning, and the North British Medal Handicap in the afternoon. Mrs. J. L. Barnard is proving a competent hon. secretary for the tournament, and Colonel .1. G. Hughes a capable starter. SHANDON CLUB EVENTS

A bogey competition will be played on the Shandon links this afternoon. The club will open the winter season on March 21, and the annual tournament will bo held at Easter.

N. H. Fuller (unattached) .. 75-74-149 C. C. Clements (Ruseley) .. 79-73-152 ,T. A. Clemente (Harewood) . 74-78-152 W. Allbon (Masterton) .... 80-74-154 A. J. Shaw (unattached) .... J. R. Galloway (Palmerston 78-77-155 North) 76-81-157 J. D. McIntosh (unattached) 75-82-157 .1. G. Watt (Wanganui) .... 77-81-158 II. R. Blair (Christchurch) .. 77-81-158 R. C. Butters (Miramar) .... 82-78-160 It. Stratmore (unattached) .. 89-77-116 .1. Watt (Wellington) 78-88-166 B. Stratmore (Manor Park) . 84-83-167 J. W. Ross (Hanmer) S5-87-172 G. W. Melvin (Hamilton) .. S7-S7-174 B. Ross (Nelson) Si II. M. Burridge (Shandon) .. 8 i -88-15