GOLF NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 5

GOLF NOTES

[By Slick.]

ST. CLAIR, CLUB. A four-ball bogey handicap was played at Corstorphine Links on Saturday, and resulted in. a win for a pair of long-handicap players, d. Bobbie and L. Nesbit, whose combined efforts proved too good for the colonel to the tune of 10 up. The next best pair were H. L. Bland res and J. Campbell, who combined well to return 7 up. H. H. Hooper and P. T. Wren tied for third pace with J. Sheriff and S. Goldsmid, their cards showing 6 up. W. Wrather and W. Mitson, D. S. M'Leau and W. G. Melton followed with a score of 5 up. A welcome return to form was shown during the week-end by J. E. Matheson, who returned a brilliant 65 while playing a friendly match with the Wight brothers and J. W. M'lntosh. Matheson’s figures for the outward journey read 4,3, 5,4, 3,3, 4,4, 2 32, while he came home in 33, his figures for this half being 4,4, 5,4, 3, 3,4, 2, 4. If Matheson were a little more consistent he would, in the writer’s opinion, gain high honours in provincial golf. Like most hard-hitting golfers he is prone to lapse from form when playing an important match. The official course record for Corstorphino is 68, held jointly by C. B. Wight and' W. Clayton, while the unofficial record is 64, returned by the latter player in February last. BALMACEWEN CLUB. There were no 'matches decided last Saturday at Balmacewen, but during the week a splendid effort was recorded by A. G. Begg, a handicap player, who returned a 61) while playing the final of the ’Varsity Club championship with C. P. Gibbs. The ’Varsity Club has in the past produced some fine players, one of whom reached the last four in tho New Zealand amateur championship last mouth—namely, S. G. Colbeck. Begg is a young player who hits a long, straight ball, and bis great round last week should give him the necessary confidence to retain his high standard in future encounters. The official course record is 70. The day of youth appears to have arrived in hig golf, and it would be pleasing indeed if Dunedin produced a prodigy of tho standard of the two Australian boys, Williams and Ferrier. The record of Begg will be watched with keen interest in the future. Just outside the clubhouse at .Balmacewen is a miniature course consisting of three holes, the longest of which is about 140yds. These tiny links have proved to have been the nursery for some of the best players in New Zealand. About the year 1920, during the school holidays, one could usually any day observe four boys ranging in age from ten to twelve years vainly trying to drive the longest hole of this auxiliary course. They eacli possessed an ancient club long out of fashion, _ and their loose over-swinging caused quite a little entertainment to golfers commencing their rounds. To-day these boys occupy prominent places in the golfing world. One is B. J. Smith, jun., another is W. B. Reilly j and another is the Balmacewen champion, Jack Spence, while the fourth is J. Truan, Avho unfortunately is not playing tho game at present. These four players have all shown how .great an advantage it is to start the game young. It seems a great pity that tho major games, golf and tennis, are not encouraged in the schools, for it is during school days that the foundation must be laid to a great game. After all a man can only play football and cricket while- comparatively young, ami when he is middleaged he decides to take up golf, hut finds it difficult indeed to acquire a free swing so necessary to a good game. MAGANDREW BAY. On the Saturday preceding Labour Day a medal match was played. L. Coates, of Soccer fame, proved to bo the winner with a net 39. B. Deakei* followed with a 43. On Labour Day a bogey match was decided. W. SteVart and B. Hellyer tied for first place with a "score of 1 down. B. Beaker was again runner-up with 3 down. The club professional, W. Heath, is now coaching in Invercargill, and the Invercargill players _ should benefit greatly from his services. The club’s final dance will be held on Saturday, November 28, and if as successful as previous ones should attract a large number of people from the town clubs. BBLLEKNOWES CLUB. The play-off for the president’s (Mr C. Russell Smith) cup over thirty-six holes of stroke play resulted in a win for A. Davie, 71—81—152. , The run-ner-up was the consistent George Kemp, 70 —go—162, while tho youthful lan Orr came next with 82—83—165. Miss M, M'Keeman and D. Mackay were tho winners of the mixed foursomes hold on Saturday afternoon. Their winning score (a gross 86, loss 24, net 62) was a very creditable effort considering the tricky wind and the hard state of the greens. The winning card was closely followed by several others one or two strokes behind. NOTES. There was a surprise in the final of the Manawatu ladies’ championship, when Mrs Collinson defeated tho New Zealand champion, Miss Gaisford, 2 up. Two popular and well-known St. Clanplayers, S. E. Field and O. L. Garden, have lately Joined the ranks of the Benedicts. It is to be hoped they will not forsake the mashie for the spade and confine their future digging to the garden. Anyway, they will certainly have the good wishes of club members in their new venture.