GOLF NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23525, 14 March 1940, Page 7

GOLF NOTES

[By Sliob.]

Otago Club. ■ Following his .good play of, the.previous week, it was not surprising that Pat Gill should come out on top in the Bruntsfield-medal, the second round of which was,played last. Saturday under ideal conditions. In this he returned a very creditable 74. The ' outward, half, ■ wjiich was covered in ;37,: included 1 a 4 at,the short.fourth. He had a lapse at the tenth, where he took 5 (bogey 3); but made amends at the, eleventh (Tipperary) by holing'a long putt for a 4. Assisted ,by three birdies, he finished the: inward ’half in' 37./ His cellent aggregate of 146 , was - a very, praiseworthy- effort for a junior- member, and, he is to he congratulated on winning the club’s stroke, championship from■ a. strong field. ■ As-an extra: reward his handicap , has been reduced to 3.

Always a dangerous opponent, Jim Sconler, by returning an excellent' 72 (1 under the S.S.), was only . one stroke behind the winner. His respective halves were 35 and 37, which, inculded, two disastrous 6’s. He improved on his, first round by 3 strokes, and finished with; an aggregate of 147. Jack Davies, TVho occupied second place in the first round with 74, slumped with a 77. His putting .was-at-fault,, and on six greens dm three-putted. finishdo third, equal with T. 8., Ferguson and J. N. Lemon, with 151. Balfour Ferguson, after an indifferent 78, played scratch golf in the second round for his 73, which was very pi easing. Wight finished in sixth place with 153.

In the handicap event, played concurrently, no.fewer than 12 competitors returned scores under" the standard scratch, and doubtless a number of these will claim the attention of-the handicapper. The Winner, P. Caley," set a very torrid pace, and left the field standing with ■ a sensational 63, which was very sound for a player on the limit mark. G. P. Latimer and, J. P. Cartwright also produced sound golf for 66 and 67 respectively.. R. O. Pye, with a net 66 off 12, won the replay of the first round handicap event. The honour of returning the best, gross score was credited to Tom Wight, who covered the course in a brilliant 69 (33 and 36), 4 under the S".S., which marks him as a class golfer. It is reported that J. R. Bartholomew, playing in a friendly match last Saturday, had an, 81—22—59. . This was exceptional scoring for a 22 handicap player, and is nearer a 10 rating. I St. Clair Club.

The opening day was held last Saturday, when the annual mixed foursomes bogey for the Sidey Cup, which (has been competed for since 1918, was won on this occasion by Miss D. Muir and .W. .Clayton .(■handicap 9), with a score of 3 up, which is the best result to date. This pair'are to be congratulated on their performance. They were out in 37 to be 3 up, and in the second half managed to hold their advantage. C. B. and Mrs Wight (5) were run-ners-up. These well-known golfers had an exceptional game. They were .4 down over the first half, but came home in 35 . (under bogey figures) to finish 1 up, their medal round being. 77 —a remarkably good performance in a mixed foursome. Miss Tipping and W. I* 1 . Sligo also put,.up a good performance by finishing all square. The president (Mr A. C, Hanlon, K. 0.) remarked that the course: was in first-class order, and ' hoped that the members would contrive to maintain their interest in the club and take full advantage of its amenities. The club captain (Mr J. E. Macassey) also stressed the fact that the club requires the continued support of its members and referred to his remarks of the previous year regarding the plant. He was glad to inform the members that all the necessary machinery to keep the course in first-class order had since been purchased—namely, a . new tractor, pp-wer mower, and a motor mower for the greens. The St. Clair Club is indeed appreciative of Lady Sidey’s continued interest and also for her most • generous hospitality. After presenting the trophies, Lady Sidey. on behalf of the St.. Clair Ladies’ Golf, Club, " extended its best wishes for the coming season. We would like to remind members of the appeal for old clubs (wooden and steel shafts), also old golf balls, for the use of trainees at the Taieri aerodrome. A‘ suitable receptacle has been placed in the club house for members to place any gear they, feel inclined to donate towards this worthy appeal. On Saturday a four-ball Stahleford bogey will be played. Belleknowes Club.

The medal handicap played on the Belleknowes links on Saturday under ideal conditions, produced some very good scores. Bob Penman was the winner with a very sound round for a net 57 (5 under bogey); .which included three birdies. This player struck a lean patch last season, and. it is pleasing to see him find form with a vengeance. His gross 67 reminded one of old times. He has.' shots in his hag. For , second place there was a triple tie between Archie' Darling; Allan Mac Gibbon, and. Bill Devlin, with net 58’s, and on the-count back the latter got the judge’s decision; Devlin, who is displaying great.enthusiasm, is a much improved player this season , and has already clipped two strokes from his handicap. Mac Gibbon, too, is playing good golf, and is the stead-

iest performer, so. far, as evidenced by his three, strokes handicap reduction within a month.

The honour of the best gross score of the day went to A. J. Darling, whose fine 64 (two over bogey) included four birdies. It was perhaps unfortunate that his net 58 had to be relegated to the discard, as this score wps deserving of a better fate.

It was very pleasing to all members to see Eden Simpson taking part in the match last Saturday after his enforced absence through illness. His performance showed that _ he has not lost touch altogether, and it should not bes long before this enthusiast is mentioned in ,the despatches describing the trophy winners. The annual general meeting of the club is to be held on. Monday, April 1, and the official opening will be held on the following Saturday, when the usual mixed foursomes for the Huntley Shield will be played. Port Chalmers Club.

Last Saturday marked the opening day of this chib, when a large number of members and visitors were 1 present. The afternoon was beautifully fine, and with' the■ course in good order, everything. was’ conducive to a successful function. The president (Mr R. E. Hayward) welcomed the gathering, and expressed ' the wish that the season would be a, successful 1 one, and' urged members to take a ! keen interest in the

club’s activities. The Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr T. Scollay) also spoke. Good wishes were received from sister clubs. A mixed foursome stroke handicap over nine holes was played, the winners being Miss R. Osborn and Mr Callender. Afternoon tea was served by the Ladies’ Committee, Bone of Contention. For several years the stymie has been a bone of contention among golfers throughout the world, the majority of whom have been in favour of its abolition. However, because the stymie has been in the rules of golf for years, the United States Golf Association was unwilling to abolish it, and brought about a compromise rule which provides that no stymie is in effect unless the balls arc ivithin 6in of one another, or one ball is within Gin of the hole. Other bodies have given'the rule other interpretations, but the New York State Association has taken the. bull by the. horns and thrown out the stymie altogether.