GOLF NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 9

GOLF NOTES.

(By “Niblick.”) Unfavourable weather In the past three weeks has considerably hampered the gelling programme. Flayers, generally, during (he past week-end, found trouble with their approach shots ami putting, due to lack ol practice, and the heavy approaches and trickyl greens. A Splendid Card: F. J. Goodbehcro spread-eagled the held in the medal match on Saturday witli a splendid card of 85--16 —69. It is pleasing to note the return to form of this player, who was so prominent last season. Kaiata Cup Final: One of the most popular wins recorded this season was that iu the Kaiata Cup final by B. Foster. Ini deleating R. T. Smith one up, Poster had to play two strokes better than his handicap. Foster has been knocking at the door this season, and his win is well merited. Though beaten, Smith was. not disgraced, and was unfortunate in meeting Foster at the top of his form.

Jeffery Buttons: Owing to their being absent Jeffery and Rhodes, the holders of the Jeffery Challenge Buttons, had to forfeit them and tho holders are now P. lizard and It. T. Smith, who defeated J. Quill and J. Mathews 2 up in the first challenge. Attention, Players!

The attention of players is drawn to Rule 10: Regularities of surface which could in any way affect the player’s stroke, shall not be removed or pressed down by the player, his partner, or either of their caddies. A player is, however, always entitled to place his feet firmly on the ground when taking his stance, but he is not allowed to build a stance. The penalty in match play is loss of the hole and in stroke play two strokes. For the benefit of players it has been decided that the rules of golf be more strictly adhered to in future. These rules were not made to be broken, and all players should make themselves thoroughly conversant with them. If a marker or opponent points out that a breach of a rule of golf has been made ho does so, not for his own benefit but for tho benefit of the player in question and for tho game generally.

It is noticablo that huge divots taken out of the tees on the short holes are not being replaced, and consequently those surfaces are becoming uneven and broken up. Whether it is carelessness or oversight on tho part of the players cannot be said, but this practice must be stopped, and divots replaced in all cases. Valedictory:

The club is unfortunate in that it is losing two of its members of long standing, R. A. McSoriley and A. C. Thurlow. Both players have been members of the club for some time past, and the best wishes of the club go with them.

MOUNTAINEERING

NOTES ON SNOW WORK

No party should climb on ice or snow unless it is properly equipped and is led by a man experienced in such climbing. Never travel on snow in shorts. If there is the slightest danger of a snow avalanching, and the slope cannot be avoided, proceed straight up or down,. never across. Glissading is almost always unwise unless it is down a slope, the condition and boundaries of which are well known to the leader. Glissading should never be attempted in fog or thick weather. It is usually safei’ to unrope before glissading. The jumping of ere-, vasses should be avoided where pos-’ sible. There is usually a way round or a bridge across, while the distance is often deceiving, and' may be feet or even yards more than the apparent width, and the far edge may be overhanging or insecure. An experienced guide lost his life recently in consequence of a failure to observe this precaution, and this fatality illustrates the deceptive nature of these traps. Whenever a crevasse is crossed, whether by a bridge or, in most exceptional cases, by jumping, the party must rope up and cross singly, the other members carefully belaying the rope on axes driven -well into the snow.

Giving Warning: Although every care should be taken not to slip or to displace stones when climbing loose rocks, remember it is no crime to do so provided that instant warning be given to the other members of the party. Many people seem to feel ashamed of dislodging a stone, and merely “hold their breath,” hoping it will not hit the other fellow. Such silence is criminal. Not a moment should be lost in shouting a warning. A warning should also be given instantly whenever a stone, ice fragment, serac, or avalanche, great or small, is seen by one member to fall, or to be about to fall, in the vicinity, of the party. For such possibilities every climber must always be on the lookout. Even though he feels sure the cause of the danger has been, or will be seen, by his companions, an immediate warning should be uttered. Finally, the warning rule is of the utmost importance in the case of a slip. A climber should take every precaution to avoid a slip, but, from one cause and another —usually lack of concentration—slips do occur. Their consequences can be minimised if the person slipping gives instant warning. Ninety per cent, of the disasters arising out of a slip, or a trip, dr a breaking hold or step, are due to the extraordinary reluctance shown by so many climbers to shouting a warning. Attempt to recover by all means, do all in your power to avert the slip developing into a fall, but never for a fraction of a second fail to call out. The experienced leader can usually hold a falling member of his party on the rope if, but only if, he has been prepared, by a shouted warning, for the jerk. With a totally unexpected pull, he can seldom cope.