GOLF NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1938, Page 27

GOLF NOTES

HUTT-WELLINGTON MATCH

"BOBBY" LOCKE'S TOUR

W^fT CUP POSITIONS

If Wellington, as is generally supposed, may claim to possess a major proportion of the prominent golfers of the*icountry, its future position as leader can: be lsit to the up-and-coming brigade with a. good deal of confidence. The rrieeting. between the major clubs of the Hutt Valley, Wellington and Hutt, last Saturday, demonstrated the number, of talented young men of bright promise.

Any two clubs which can place in the field for an ii far-club engagement players of the youth and ability of W. G. Home, G. P. Roberts, I. A. Ewen, S. M. "Watson, J. H. Sclanders, and several others are uncommonly fortunate. For each player has either sh.oWiv or will show, a pronounced ability at the game, and the promise of. higher achievement. Not so many years ago, players on such low hf-ndi-* caps? were men in their late thirties and older who had won their ranking by years of endeavour. Today, apparently, the youngster goes from school to the golf course, betrays no interest in the secrets of a sound swing, and steps up to the ball with the lively intention of hitting it out of sight.. Because of a notable smoothness of swing, he frequently succeeds in that desirable golfing objective.

Home, as an instance, had his revenge on A. D. S. Duncan by winning 1 up in a finely-fought match notable for Home's score of 74, equalling S.S.S., and for Duncan's determined recovery from a difficult position. Roberts, taking his club back at a speed likely to draw tears of reproach from an oldtimer, hit the ball remarkable distances remarkably straight. Ewen and Watson battled: at each other mightily, and two stymies dominated the match in Watson's favour. Sclanders, freshfaced, slimly-built, proceeded to score a: 76 off a four handicap in a wind virhich steadily increased and which placed a notable premium on, accuracy.

So it goes on. If there is one lesson from the inter-club matches of the year which has yet to be learnt by gifted youth, it is the virtue of steadiness in trying situations. J. H. Drake's recent -notable score of six holes to Win a match 1 up after being 5 down was a triumph for experience. The cultivation of a determination to play ai round; of golf ruthlessly has yet to bfe made complete by several of the younger brigade. When that has been leaiint, the chief bar to their greatness Will be removed.

The Hutt course at present reflects great credit on the management. Its condition' is finer than for a long time.;... ■ The grass on the fairways is suitable* to wooden shots and much work on the greens has made most of them splendidly-conditioned. With its tournament next week, the club can offer: to competitors golf under firstclass conditions. Though to the longhandicappprdt w*ilj remain a mystery why such yawning bunkers should be placed at such devastatingly strategic points. I