GOLF

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 4

GOLF

[By Sue*.]

Otago Club. The first qualifying round of the Otago Club championship was played at Balmacewen in perfect weather conditions. The course was in excellent shape, and the watered greens were playing better than has been the case for some considerable time. The committee is to be congratulated on holding the chief fixture of the club programme when the course is at its best and playing conditions are most pleasant. The scores on Saturday gave a good line on the form of the leading players, with the exception of W. 6. Wight and J. H. M'Dougall. Wight finished with an 80, but his next round is just as iil:ely to be nine or 10 strokes better, as he usually produces his best form in summer conditions. M'Dougall is also expected to score in the low 70’s. A. Gibbs, who is regarded by many competent to judge form accurately as the best player in Otago, with the possible exception of B.- V. Wight, headed the list with a score of 72, one under standard scratch. Gibbs will probably be the most generally fancied winner, as he seldom now plays a poor round. D. A. Ferguson, a younger brother of the better-known T. B. Ferguson, created a mild surprise by finishing with a score of 74. Ferguson is still in his ’teens, is powerfully built, and hits a very long ball. His next round will be watched with interest. This player’s net 66 easily won the handicap event, run in conjunction with the championship. Dr Ross, A. G. Sime, and J. R. Laidlaw also had safe 74’s. Any one of the above trio is a very possible winner. i J. O. Davies, T. B. Ferguson, and J. A. Scoular were next with 75’s, and must easily qualify. T. B. Ferguson has several times been a finalist, and a win for him would be very popular. J. A. Secular is always a very dangerous opponent, and his chances are bright. He has held the title before. The present title holder, T. C. Tyrrell had a 77, and is just playing into his best form. It will be interesting to see if he can again spreadeagle the field as he did last year. On the present standard of play it looks ae though it will require two 80’s to qualify, a very high standard indeed for club golf. St. Clair Club. The above club also played its first qualifying round in perfect weather conditions. This was the_ first real test on the new course, and it is very evident that the new lay-out is much more difficult than the old ope. as not one player could return even 4’s. D. C. Bennie headed the field with a wellplayed 74, one stroke ahead of A. Lawrence. Bennie is an excellent match player, and will start favourite for the title. Lawrence is also a good match player, and his chances cannot be lightly taken. C. Rhodes pieced together a good 77, and if _ he can con-' tiftue to keep them straight he may win his first championship. Ex-champion F. V. Drake also recordedl a 77, and _he appears to be. rapidly regaining his old form. J. E. Matheson, a very likely finalist, hardly did himself - with a 78, hut one would not be surprised to find him leading the field after the next round. W. Clayton played a sound 79, and this player is as brilliant as any in the province when he strikes his best form. C. B. Wight’s 81 seemed strangely out of place, as one usually associates his name with a score of 72 or better. Wight is also a very likely winner of the event. A. G. Aitken had an 82, but he was not quite connecting with his right arm jolt. This'player has a beautiful swing, and at times plays sparkling golf. He is quite capable of causing a few upsets. H. S. Ross had a busy day, for after tieing with F. Sherriff and E. J. Doogue for the best score in the intermediate championship and winning the handicap event with a net 68 he turned out as first man for the Anderson’s Bay senior grade tennis team. In this match he suffered his first defeat of the day at the hands of Otago’s most brilliant colt, B. Boyd. Very seldom does a player reach the high standard that Ross has at both games. In the junior championship H. Greenwood and S. C. Gourley tied for the best gross score with 90. B. W. Bolwell, who returned a 96, is a likely winner of this championship. E. J. Doogue won the intermediate stroke handicap with a score of 82—12—70. Macandrew Bay Club. H. Bevin had a very easy win in the final of the junior championship, overwhelming A. G. Johnstone to the tune of 6 and 4. Brileknowes Club. Glorious sunshine greeted the mixed Canadian foursomes stroke handicap, which was played last Saturday afternoon, ' to mark the opening ceremony of the new clubhouse. In the absence of the president (Mr C. R. Smith) owing to _ indisposition, Mr F. G, Sharpe, vice-president, briefly addressed the large gathering of members, and trusted they would appreciate the committee’s effort to cater for their comfort, and in declaring it open he expressed the wish that they would find pleasure in their new surroundings. Mr F. Haigh (captain) also congratulated the dub on its forward move and also on the excellence of the course. Later the members were entertained at afternoon tea. Under the new lay-out, roominess (the lack of which has been felt for some time) has been the first consideration, and on portion of the top floor a spacious lounge and kitchen have been provided, while the other section has been devoted to the ladies’ locker room. On the ground elevation a large locker room for the men has been constructed, and these alterations now give ample accommodation for the large membership. Coming to the match, a triumph of combination enabled E. Simpson and Miss E. Clarke to return a card showing 79— 25 —54, L. Bennet and Miss Hmdle being runners-up with 79—21 58. The honour of returning the best gross score went to H. Lawless and Mrs Lawless, with a creditable 75. To-morrow the Ladies’ Club will play ite monthly L.G.U. match. During the week-end the second round of the men’s four-hall knock-out for Mr Jas. Fotheringham’s trophies will he played.