GOLF NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23834, 14 March 1941, Page 4

GOLF NOTES

pßy Slice.] Otago Club. The match on the programme last Saturday was a four-ball bogey, and with the ideal weather conditions some excellent scoring was recorded, no fewer than 15 pairs administering a thrashing to the “colonel.” This was-annexed by W. C. Romeril and A. R. Woods, who combined well and used their strokes to advantage to overcome bogey’s sitting score to the extent of 7 up. No less deserving cards •were those of J. N. Lemon and L. A. Kaye, and J. H. M'Dougall and A. Gill, who were only one point behind with 6 up, followed closely by H. W. Bundle and D. Ramsay with 5 up. After a prolonged struggle, finality was reached at last in the Bruntsfield competition when, in the play-off between T. B. Ferguson and J. A. Scouler, the former gained the honours in returning a splendid 72 to his opponent’s 77. Both played sound golf, and it was only over the last five holes that the winner gained the ascendancy. Both covered the outward half in 38’s, which included 6’s at the Glen, where, due to unplayable lies, it was necessary to play their thirds from the tee. At the thirteenth. Manuka, they were on level' terms with 55’s. Ferguson then turned on the fireworks, and with a 3,4, 3,3, 4, which included three birdies, finished with a 34 to Scouler’s 39. This makes Ferguson’s fourth win in the virtual stroke championship of the club, which proves his ability as a card and pencil player, and hearty congratulations are extended to him. St. Clair. On Saturday last the players of this club started on the long road, at the end of which is the cup lor the winners of the annual four-ball knock-out., In the first round the runners-up of last year’s competition, M'Kenzie and Tyson, had a runaway victory from Hill and Luff by 7 and 5. Vallis and Brown defeated a strong pair in Sams and Mosley, 2 up at the twenty-third. The latter pair, although two under bogey for the first four holes, were at that stage 3 down. From then they struggled hard and managed to square the match at the eighteenth, only to see their opponents forge ahead for a win. It is early yet to pick the favourites, but if Vallis and Brown continue to produce the same class of golf they will be hard to beat. In the second round, four of the games went to the last green, and each contest was most interesting. Last year’s winners, Wight and Ross, had to lower their colours to Grimsdale'.and Griffiths, 1 down, mainly as the result of the efforts of Griffiths who, although playing from the 14 mark, matched shots with his more experienced opponents like a veteran. In this round Burgess, who plays off 24, did the outward half in 38, and as a consequence his opponents, Deaker and Crimp, found themselves 8 down, a hopeless position from which they could not recover. Ted Bolwell is playing so well just now that he and his partner, W. Clayton, who is also playing well, should go a long way. The course is playing short just now, and in consequence the short-handicap players are finding it difficult,to concede strokes. Next Saturday the annual mixed foursomes will be played, and the ladies of the club are practising assiduously to enable them to render a good account of themselves in the interests of their exacting male partner*. Belleknowes. On Saturday a single Stableford bogey was played, when many good cards were handed in, with close placings c-n the trophy list. Jack Somerville, who has been playing well this season, filled the winning role with 27 plus 10 —37, equivalent to one up on bogey. Bob Penman, after a long spell, returned to golf in good form, and filled second place with .29—7—36, which was very pleasing. His gcod play is indicated by his gross medal round of 69. Two players tied for third place, namely, A. I. Murray with 29—5 34 and H. V. Huntley 24 —10—34. Next in order was Jim Paul with 33. The gross honours were shared by A. I. Murray and R. A. Penman, with 29 points. On Saturday next the monthly stroke handicap will be played, for which post entries will be accepted. Port Chalmers. The opening day of the club was held last Saturday afternoon, when the president, Mr L. R. Ellis, welcomed a large gathering of members and friends. Representatives from St. Clair, Belleknowes, Eangimarie, and Featherston Clubs were present, and extended their best wishes for the success of the coming season. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and a friendly match took place. The first match of the season will be held next Saturday with monthly medal handicap, and the ladies will commence their matches the following Saturday.

St. Clair Ladies’ Club. The club held an all-day tournament on Tuesday, when members from the Otago, Belleknowes, Chisholm Park, and Onslow Clubs' were also invited to take part. A medal match was played in the morning, and Mrs Burnett, of the St. Clair Club, was the winner in the senior event and Mrs Burrowes, also of St. Clair, the junior. A four-ball Stableford bogey played in the afternoon resulted in a win fer Mrs M'Carthy and Miss W. Johnstone. Golf With Thrills. A golf club near London has brought Its rules up to date by legislating for “ enemy interference,” and has gone into such detail that nothing is “ left ” in the air. The rules deal with gunfire, falling bombs, explosions while a man is playing a stroke, delayed action bombs, etc. Apparently golf may become something particularly thrilling in time of war. Here are some of the rules;— In competitions, during gunfire or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.” Another rule, however, says: “ A player whose stroke _is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb or shell or by machine-gun fire may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke.” Here are two rules which apply to those whose nerves are evidently equal to anything: —“The positions of known delayed action bombs are marked by red flags placed at a reasonably, but not guaranteed, safe distance.” The other is: “A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced as near as possible where it lay or if lost or destroyed a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.”

Of course we cannot, publish the name of the club, because Hitler, whe is no golfer, might pay special attention to those who seemingly have not been “ stymied ” by his “ blitz ” nor “ bunkered n by his bombs.

The story of Drake and the Armada may or may not be true, but apparently some of the famous sea captain’s descendants now play golf.