GOLF NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23818, 24 February 1941, Page 12

GOLF NOTES

[l\y Slick.] Otago Club. 'Hie first round of Ihe annual scratch, stroke competition for the Brunu-licld Modal* over 36 holes, attracted a good entry. One notable absentee was last \ear’> winner, Pat. Gill, who has left for England to join ihe Fleet Air Arm. Many phued good golf, ami Ihe fact that nine competitors went round in figures which ranged from 73 to 80 speaks for itself. T. B. Ferguson once ; again proved his worth by returning an excellent 73 to lead the held by one stroke. Ho is probably playing more con>isteni ly than any member of the club, and his chances of again winning Hie medal appear likely. A stroke away was J, A. Secular, who, all hough not having had a game for iwo months, showed good form in returning 74, which included birdies at the fourteenth,. fifteenth, and sixteenth. Next in order were J. N. Lemon and J. H. M’Dougall wiih 75’s. A. G. Sime 76, W. G. Wight 78, J. G. Dick and F, W. Dixon with 79*s, and all are capable of improving on t)iese >cores this week. Among those who should have done better were J. O*. MTntosb, W. C. Romeril, and A. H. Boyd, lit will be interesting to note Ihe results of the concluding round, and doubtless the final scores will be very close. The handicap event played concurrently resulted in a tic between J. H. M‘Dougall and J. A. M’Gausland, with net 71‘s from tlie 4 and 9 mark respectively. St. Clair Club. A fairly representative number of the club's active members turned out for a Stableford bogey competition. Con- ■ ditions were ideal, and a number of creditable cards were returned. It is pleasing to see so many players thus early in the season showing good form. It promises close and interesting competition in the events set down in this year’s programme. First place in the A grade wont to W. D. M‘Kcnzie, who showed more than a glimpse of that form which for many years kept him near the head of the list. He lias not been playing much of late, but perhaps his success last Saturday may prompt him to become a much more frequent attender. The consistent C. B. Wight shared second place with H. J. Rackley and T. J. Butler, * A reduction in handicap is no deterrent to Tom Butler, and he bids fair to continue his progress towards a low handicap. The juniors returned some good cards. There are some very promising performers in this division who should shortly graduate to swell the senior ranks. E. A. Calton’s 37 points was a good performance, earning him first place with F. R. Wigney, whose tally was aHo 37. The latter is a newcomer to the club, and his progress will be watched with interest. Intending competitors arc reminded of tlie four-ball knock-out competition, the first round of which is scheduled for March 8, and the .Sidoy Cup mixed foursomes, set down for March 15. This latter event marks the official opening of the season. Fists; for both events have been posted in Hie club house, and those'wishing to take part arc requested to make their entries at least a week before the dates mentioned, otherwise they may be excluded from (he draw. Belleknowes Club. In the weekly competition a single bogey handicap was played under excellent conditions, when five players administered a thrashing to the “ Colonel,” and incidentally gave the handicappers a chance to do a little “ pruning.” For first place there was a dual tie between J. M. Somerville (12) and L. Griffiths (18), with cards of 3 up, their scores on a medal basis being 72 and 77 respectively, and on the count back the former was successful. It was pleasing to see Lance Griffiths up amongst the loader s :, and his play gives promise of better tilings to come. A. L \ Murray was in good form in returning a gross 65, and despite a paucity of strokes, finished 1 up. as also did D. Mackay (11) and F. B. Clarke (12). Playing in a weekly four-hall match. \Y. S. Roberts provided ’ a little excitement when lie holed In’s (ee -hot a! the first hole and thus won his >purs after many years of trying.