NOTES ON THE PLAY

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 5

NOTES ON THE PLAY

[By„.J. D. A. Scorr.] The members of the New Zealand Kirk-Winde”er Cup team made an heroic effort to retrieve the situation caused by a deficit of two matches lost in the four ernes on Monday. Though defeated by 3|- matches to 21, Dr Ross and his men fought every inch of the -way and are to be very heartily congratulated on the spirited attack they made on the New South Welshmen’s commanding lead. The most pleasing feature, perhaps, was J. L. Black’s' welcome return to form A grea‘ battling temperament, rather than outstanding golfing ability, has brought Black m ich of his success, and though not very convincing to watch; fie ha a habit of returning some very mw cards. > ■ S A. Keane, the youth from Sydney, who surprised the golfing world last yeai by soundly beating Ivo Whitton in Brisbane or the amateur title of Queensland, was intioduced into the side to take the place of T. Harrison for-tne singles but lie found Black in a conquering mood. Very deadly on the green the New Zealander gave little aivay throughout the day, and after finishing the morning round with a feao ol two holes, further increased liis advantage during the afternoon to win by the convincing margin of five and four

Horton set abtiit his man from the gong, shooting a two at the first hole, of nearly 400yds, and thereafter never being down to Fawcett, who, playing with his usual confidence through the green, vu unable to get the ‘‘tap” with his putter. Dr Ross had a real “ dog fight ” with Hector Morrison. After lunching, with no advantage on either side, they battled- a further eighteen holes to finish a great match “ all square.” Ross w r as a hole to the good at the thirty-fifth, but getting into trouble with his second at the last hole, a distance of some 450yds, ho was unable to retain his grip of the match. Sloan Morpeth was unlucky to strike Eric Apperley on one of the latter’s “inspired” days, and although he returned the by no mean bad card of 79, found himself no less ,than seven holes to the bad at the end of the morning’s play.' So rich a vein of golf did Apperley reveal that he returned a score of 72 over a course which is considered up to cnompionsliip class, and incidentally established a new competition record for the course; though I have recollections of Reg. Jnpp, the local professional, playing a remarkable round of 66 there some two year® ago Morpeth could make no impression on this huge advantage and eventually ivas beaten by 7 up and 6to pla. • ~ , - Interest now centres on the doings of the “giants” at Adelaide. Since the championship was last played there on - the Setoi efiurso considerable charges have t; ten place, and several of the holes have been completely altered. Th bunkering, which was some what old-ras./. ined, has beey broughi to tc date, but several of the holes have nos benefited by alteration, and

I doubt whether the Soton of 1929 is a better course than + he Seton of 192 G. The chang fro n the ■' rampart ” class of bunkei to thp modern " pot ” typo has greatly cuhai.eeJ the -appearance of tho cours• The greens are always gob-1 ana even tho hottest summers do not afi’ee; thun greatly, as a million and a-half gallons of water are supplied to them weekly during the hot months if the weather holds, scores should be low but an aggregate of 300 should be good enough to win open. The championship is over 72 holes, and the -sixteen amatein s returning the lowest aggregates qualify to take part in the amateur charap.onship, which is decided by match play -The winner of the ‘ ope ” should be found amongst Ivo Whitton and Lon Nettlefold (of tho amateurs; Rufus Stewart < (South Australia; Reg. Hupp (of Victoria), Harry Sin, lair and Fred Poppelwell (ol New South Wales). _ Frank Eyre and W. Bolger might spring a surprise, but I should be inclined to plump for Stewart and Poppehyell, with the for mer having slightly the better of the argument. ,