GOLFERS PRACTISE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 11

GOLFERS PRACTISE

Preparing For Dominion Championships HORNABROOK ROUND IN 72 By Telegraph—Press Association Hamilton, September 27. With a strong wind the only factor troublesome in otherwise perfect conditions, many of the Dominion’s best golfers were at the St. Andrew's finks to-day to prepare for the New Zealand championship tournament, which will begin on Thursday. The best practice round of the morning was that of J. P. Hornabrook, holder of the amateur title, who carded a 72, despite the fact that he was out of bounds at the thirteenth. That was his only lapse and his form to-day was suggestive of further honours for him this. year. The open champion, A. J. Shaw, who stepped off the train from Christchurch, where he won the South Island open title on Saturday, also displayed useful form and, after taking the last nine holes easily, finished in 76. The power of his tee shots and his accuracy to the flag indicated that he is right on his game, though on the greens he was at times short. He went out this morning in 37 and came home in 40. A. D. S. Duncan, the veteran amateur, went a round of 73. A. R. Blank, the Christchurch scratch player, was two under fours at the eighth, but,encountered a bad patch at the ninth, where his score was six. With steady play after that he finished in 74. Blank went round with Shaw, J Mowat, M. T. Houlihan and Norrie Bell. Bell was not impressive. A. H. Dyke was also in form, carding 73 this morning after a-round of 74 yesterday. A. Murray, a former holder of the open title, played a round of 72 yesterday. AUSTRALIANS ARRIVE Hope For Renewal Of Matches With New Zealand

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, September 27. Two prominent Australian golfers, Dr. H. M. Cutler and Mr. H. W. Hattersley, arrived by the Awatea to compete in the New Zealand championships, which will begin trt Hamilton on Thursday. Both players emphasised that they were visiting the Dominion on holiday, though at the same time they hoped to re-establish relationships with New Zealand golfers. After the championship they would visit other centres, including Wellington and Christchurch, and would leave for Australia again on October 15. - . Though unable to speak officially, Dr. Cutler said he would be very surprised if tournaments between Australia ami New Zealand were revived as Kirk-Windeyer Cup matches. Australian golfers, however,, would welcome some sort of competition with Dominion players, and he hoped that at some future date it would be possible to bring a team across the Tasman. He expressed disappointment that the plan to bring a team on the present occasion had fallen through, explaining that they were the only two who remained out of 10 who had promised to make the trip. . Speaking of his own play in the Australian championship, Dr. Cutler, said he had failed to qualify in the amateur play-off owing to a lapse in putting. Hattersley was beaten in the first round by Ferrier, the score being 2 and 1. The latter possessed tremendous hitting ability, though he had now sacrificed considerable length for accuracy. Though not consistently so, the biggest hitter in Australia was Len Nettlefold, Australian champion in 1926 and 1928. MARLBOROUGH FINAL By Telegraph—Press Association _ Blenheim, September 27. From 75 competitors, including several from Wellington and Nelson, the final of the Marlborough provincial golf championship was contested by E. Reid and J. Jeffries, both of the Marlborough club. The match was played over 18 holes, and resulted in a win for Jeffries 1 up. In the semi-finals Reid beat J. D. F. White (Hutt) 1 up, and Jeffries beat F. W. Huggins (Nelson) 3 and 1.