GOLF

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 15

GOLF

The Game’s Progress In New

Zealand

1937 IN RETROSPECT

(By

Niblick.)

Now that the year is drawing to its close, one can calmly review the golfing activities in the Dominion during 1937, and assess whether the game is making progress, standing still, or going backward in this young land. Taking everything by and large, there is little wrong with the game in New- Zealand to-day. Signs of progress arc visible everywhere, and particularly in the improvements which are being effected to courses. Clubs are springing up like mushrooms, and every month sees new recruits. To give some idea of the amazing strides the game has made within recent years, it is only necessary to state that there are 302 clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Golf Association, which have a playing strength of 27,000.

Standard of Play. It is pleasing to notice that the standard of play is high. In recent years, visiting teams from overseas have been fullytested by New Zealand players. In 1934, when .the British amateur team f toured the Dominion, Jack McLean, then ' regarded as the foremost amateur in the world, had to give of his best to finish all square with Bryan Silk in the exhibition match between Britain and New Zealand at Heretaunga. This year, Harry Hattersley, of Sydney, who is acknowledged to be one of the very best amateur players in Australia, had to strike his colours in the New Zealand amateur championship tournament at Hamilton, and again it was that able player, Silk, who blocked the Australian's progress. It was not until the semi-final, however, that Hattersley met his match, and* that great tussle between him and Silk will be talked about for years to come, as the New Zealander only won by 1 up over the hard-fought 36 holes match. This, however, goes to show that New Zealand possesses amateur players fit to measure up with the best from other lands. Hattersley, who has been selected as a member of the Australian team which is to visit Britain next year as the guests of the Royal and Anciept Club of St. Andrews, is an outstanding player. In the Australian amateur championship tournament at Melbourne in 1934, he outplayed the Hon. Michael Scott, captain of the British team, by 7 and 6 in the second round.

New Zealand’s Outstanding Player. But New Zealand's outstanding player to-day is unquestionably J. P. Hornabrook. He took the blue riband of golf at Hamilton in October last by winning the open championship, and since then has maintained his supremacy by carrying off thr Wellington area champion of champions contest at Palmerston North.

What a fine thing for the game in this country it would be if New Zealand could send a team to Great Britain, comprising young players like Hornabrook and Silk, and, say, A. R. Kitto (.Seafield), W. G. Horne (Hutt), G. P. Roberts (Hutt), or C. J. Ward (Christchurch). Let us hope, at least, that a New Zealand team will cross the Tasman early next year to have a tilt in the New South Wales centennial golf tournament at Sydney. Triumph for Youth.

lurning to the game in the Wellington area during the present year, the most significant feature is the way in which youth has pressed to the front. The club championships this year have nearly all been won by players of the younger school. The various club champions this year are V. E. Sutherland (Miramar), G W. Horne (Hutt), G. P. Roberts (Wellington), E. J. Kretschmar (Shandon), A. Clelland (Waiwetu), J. Ogilvie (Manor Park), and J. L. Black (Titahi). This is a clear indication that the old order is changing, giving place to the new. And most of the local clubs have promising young players knocking at the door, such as S. M. Watson and J. B. Graham (Wellington), E. and D. Butler (Manor Park), and R 1 Chandler (Hutt). What of 1938?

Signs are not wanting that the banner of progress will float still more proudly next year. The decision of the council of the. New Zealand Golf Association to inaugurate North Island and South Island close amateur championships should give young players a chance to prove their worth.

It might not be a bad jdea for New Zealand to follow the American system of holding zone amateur championship competitions. The zone winners could then go forward to compete for the open amateur title, which would obviate the army of players who now come forward, prolonging the tournament unduly. Summer golf is becoming increasingly popular on Wellington courses, and most of the clubs run a summer programme. Modern plant is now available to keep the prolific growth of grass down, with the result that players can now keep hand and eye in right round the year. Golf in the Dominion is in good hands, and tho game is making sure and steady progress. J

Mornington Club

A stableford competition in conjunction with the Summer Cup competition was played on the Mornington links on " un 4* a - v - • O’Brien scored pointe, E. J. I. Andrews 33, W. Charles 33, C. n-, anio ,nt T Clements 32, T. O'Kelly - The points scored in the Summer Cup were: A. V. O’Brien 3, E, J. F Andrews 2, W. Charles .1.

The bogey competition was won bv S. Ward, all square, the next best cardo being A. E. Clarke and P. Kennedy 3 down. ■”

The next competition will be played on January 9.

Karori Club

The Christmas hamper donated by Mr T. Youme was decided on the Karori links at the week-end and was won by T Rogers, who returned the best three net 2OB. The runnera-up were <r. luirt and A. W. Hunger, both with 215.

Dip bogey competition on Sunday morning was won by G. R. Traves, with 1 down, and the fourbnll stableford in ™ e , a . fte £? 00 " was "'on by G. Simmiss and A. W. Huteon, with 40 pointe-.

Waiwetu Club

Conditions were excellent for the weekend competitions at Whakatiki, the fairways and greens being in their best condition. A stableford on Saturday afternoon was won by J. Crawford with 35 pointe, closely followed by J. Rogers, 34

Th ®. Sunday morning bogey round for r.’.’L Christmas trophy was won by W Gill, who finished 2 up. B. Barker, pj Wai ace, D. Johnston and B. Abrim finished all square. A fourball best-ball in the afternoon was won by B. Barker and P. Wallace with 5 up. Johnston and Garbutt were 4 up and W. Gregory and J. L. Black 3 up. Playing with J. L. Black in the morning, R. G. Holland did an excellent 73 off the stick, equalling the course record. The course will be open during Christmas and New Year, but no official competitions will take place. Competitions will recommence on January 8, when a big muster of members is expected.