Golf.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 14

Golf.

(By "Mashie.")

[All results or notices of matches, com petitions, etc., should be forwarded t< "Ma«hio" before Wednesday for pub licaticm in this column.] One certainly does get tired of penning eulogies on bunker committees, shelter sheds, and ewans —but what to be done] Golf matters, at least of local interest avo at a premium. If occasionally the secretary of either of "the other twe clubs" were to send mo some matter foi this column, no one would be more grateful than I This wail may be getting monotonous, but surely it would not be difficult to write a. few 'ines about improvements to the courses, or about some of the members' play. We will see what the future will bring. The necessity for a close study of th« local rules of a club was exemplified in a match last week at Miramar. On some inland links, whoro^ there are muddy greens, there is a local rule permitting a player to lift and clean a ball on the putting green. The rule seldom or never is made in connection with 6easide links on which the soil is sandy. Such a rule applies at Trentham, but not at Miramar. A lady, who is a member of both clubs, applied the Trentham rule on the Miramar links (where there is no such local rule) and so was penalised. The question of what is the penalty for lifting a ball on the green in a medal round has caused some little discussion. Of course in such a case the "Rules of Golf" must appl7. I have consulted authorities, and find that the penalty is the addition of two strokes. Tho rule about not putting out is the one that applies. Another fraeresting point cropped up in this match. A player drove a ball into the rushes, and as it was thought to bo lost, she drove a second ball. Subsequently the first ball driven waa played as well. The playing of the second ball took an extra stroke, and this, of course, is the one that should have been counted. Thus, the player, in this cabe, should have had three strokes added to her round. The winner of last month's putting competitiin at Heretaunga was Mr. N. Ross, Mr. G. Nathan being second. "Mashie notes_ that these were the only two who sent in the requisite number of cards. Arnaud Massy, of La Boulie, Franco, open English champion of 1907, made hia first appearance of the present season at Romford, on 26th May, when he partnered Braid in a foursome against Taylor aud Vardon. The match was over thirty-six holes, and owing in a great measure to the Frenchman's 6plendid golf ho and Braid won the match by two holes up and one to play. At the opening of *the eighteen-hol« course at Leamington in May, J. Braid beat H. Vardon 73—76. In the afternoon Braid, driving off the 16th toe, drove his ball well over 300 yards. The open and amateur champion, Clyde Pearce, finished up his 6ojourn at Sandringham by holing out in sovontyfive on two occasions. He still plays that steady, consistent game which won him his laurels at Sydney last year. In fact, good judges say that he has improved his game, especially his drive, which he has considerably lengthened (says the Australasian). What with Pearce, Scott. Gallacher, and tho New Zealander (Duncan), together with the professionals (Soutar, Clark, PGpplewell, Donald O'Brien, Banks, _ etc.), competing in the coming Australian championships, it ought to be a red letter meeting of golf in Australasia. The big match botween the professionals D. J. Soutar and J. Donald, lately, played over seventy-two holes at Manly, resulted in a comfortable win for Soutar by 11 up and 9to play. The first thirtysix boleswas played in wretched weather, rain falling almost continuously throughout the day. To an old campaigner like Soutar it made very little difference, as, playing confidently from the 6tart, he was 3 up at the sixth. Here Donald made his most brilliant effort in the match by .vinning tho next four holes in succession in 3, 4, 4, 3, and placing himself in the lead. Soutar won the next hole, _ the' twelfth was halved, Donald winning the thirteenth. Even play followed, and at tho finish of the morning round Soutar was 1 up. During this round Soutar was continuously socketing his irons. He rectified this fault in the afternoon, and played a splendid allround game, which was quite up to hia standard of a few years ago. He stood 6 up at the twelfth, and, despite another fine effort by Donald, he maintained hia lead, nnishing the first half of the match in tho comfortable position of 5 up. Donald, who no doubt felt the strain more than his_ doughty opponent, repeatedly missed his tee shots, which invariably found trouble, whilst his putting was also weak at times. The final half of the match was played on tho Saturday, in delightful weather, when Soutar, playing- steady, consistent golf, won the match, as stated above, at the thirteenth hole. In the afternoon round, Donald again showed glimpses of brilliancy, but Soutar. in form, is a very hard man te conquer. This match was for a purse oi £25, subscribed by golfing enthusiasts in Sydney.