GOLF

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 16

GOLF

[By Such.] The writer would appreciate it as a Favour if club secretaries would forward their season’s programme to “ Slice,” as soon as it is made up, and also any information regarding their club, which they may wish to make known from time to time, The second qualifying round of the Bolleknowcs Club championship was played on Saturday under'perfect conditions. The best card was (57 gross, returned hy that very consistent player, George Kemp, followed by Don Goilan with a 75. This player would have had a better score bad he been putting in his best form, as he missed several holeable putts. A. Davie, who did a 60 the previous Saturday, could not do better than 81. G. Kemp heads the list of qualifiers with 139. This is the third successive year that he lias filled that position. A. Davie followed with 150, The second qualifying round of the junior championship was also played, the hest card being that of G. Bell, with a "9 gross, N. Wales being next with 81. 0. Brebncr and S, Mackay, with an aggregate of 168, head the qualifying rounds. This first round of match play commences on the 23rd inst. Next Saturday a ladies’ medal match is to be played. Ideal conditions prevailed at St. Clair last Saturday, when the first qualifying round of the senior, intermediate, and junior championships took place. To facilitate play, the competitors played in groups of four, and, while this method could be criticised on the grounds of being too slow, and therefore much more difficult to concentrate, it was not possible to do otherwise on account of the exceptionally large number of entries. Some players have expressed the opinion that it is a pity that the junior championship could not have been held at a later date, and thus have avoided congestion, as the three championship groups are rather too much to have on the programme at the same time. It was not altogether expected, however, that inch large entries would be received, and it is a gratifying illustration of the keenness of the club members.

W. W. Clayton headed the seniors with a fine 71, his figures to the turn being exceptionally good aggregating 33, but the homeward journey cost him 33., C. B. Wight had a characteristic 73, and could quite easily have been several strikes bettor, while tho next two places were lilted by J. E. Mathcsou (74) and D. C. Bennie (76). Tho latter player was having trouble with his woods, usually his strongest point, but can be expected to improve on bis first round As only eight players will qualify in this division, competition for tho last four places will be fairly keen. In the intermediate championship J. Orr looks as if he will have things pretty much his own way, and his 78, off 12, was a very lino performance. J. H. Bobertson (81) and A. G. Forbes (82) filled the next two places. The junior event will be a very open one, and B. O’Driscoll and W. E. Sligo tied for first place with fine 83’s, and also for the medal event held in conjunction with nets of 65 each. A. P. Johnston had a very creditable 84. The second round will be held to-morrow.

“Slice” acknowledges with thanks a report of the opening V the Roxburgh Golf Club for the season, from the secretary, who says; “An enthusiastic working bee put in nice order for the opening _on Saturday, April 2, which, was a distinct success. Our popular president, Dr «.. R. Gilmour, played the first ball —straight and true—-and, amidst loud clapping, declared the links open. A mixed foursomes competition was held during the afternoon. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of tho club, and a mostenjoyablo afternoon was spent by all. The "best score was banded in by Mrs Urcn and J. Broderick, a -lo for thirteen holes.

During Easier holidays the links wore freely patronised hy visitors, some from Christchurch, Invercargill, and Dunedin. All spoke well of the hotel accommodation, the links, and the weather. Since the greens have been made to full size and fenced olf players can now look forward to some good golf. For a year in which considerations of economy should be paramount (quotes a northern exchange) there must have been a widespread feeling of dismay among those interested as they read the conditions decided upon by the council of the New Zealand Golf Association for the holding of the open and amateur championships. As is customary, the open championship will be decided upon the aggregates of four rounds of stroke play, and hero the only feature that is open to objection is that the number of amateurs is unduly limited, and that the professional entrants are correspondingly favoured. No doubt it is on account of the temporary suspension of the professional tournament that all ‘the eligible professionals arc allowed to compete in the opeu, and it very probable also that tins year’s champion will bo found among the comparatively small group of professionals who have been prominent in the event in recent years; but that does not supply any very cogent reason for denying right of entry to the very large and increasing number of amateurs who would be benefited by participation in the 72-hole stroke test. Why should the field be limited to fifty F Eighty players could be accommodated, but if the conditions for the open are likely to evoke unfavourable comment, what is to be said of those proposed for the amateur, which for the leading pair will involve six days of match play over thirty-six holes? The amateur championship will become more than ever a test of physical fitness and stamina rather than golfing skill, and many players will be prevented from competing on account of their inability to obtain the necessary leave. For this year especially would it not have been better to set a lower handicap limit in order to restrict the field for the open and allow only the thirty-two with the lowest aggregates to contest the match play rounds during another three days—four rounds of eighteen holes and a final of thirtysix? The main thing this year is to save as much time as possible, so as not to preclude the entry of players whose leave is limited.