GOLF N.Z. AND- AUSTRALIA TO MEET AT NEW PLYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1947, Page 9

GOLF N.Z. AND- AUSTRALIA TO MEET AT NEW PLYMOUTH

In about three weeks the cream of the country’s players will be assembled at the Ngamotu Links, New Plymouth, prepared to stave off a challenge from a crack Australian amateur team.

The Australians will have, the hardest part to do, not so much because of any possible strangeness in playing conditions, but primarily because the general standard of amateur play in New Zealand is high, and because the loading players are, even ‘ bv world amateur standards, very good.’ -

This, since New Zealanders are essentially “week-end” golfers, is all the more remarkable. The fact remains. however, that such qualified observers as Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen rated the amateur game here tops, and the Auckland professional, Alfix. Murray, one-time open champion, when he returned from the Ampol tournament in Australia last year, expressed the opinion that the New Zealand standard was higher than the Australian.

'The elimination of the 36-hole playoff in the early rounds.of the amateur championship in favour of the 18-hole match has met with widespread approval, especially among the older competitors, thoroughly competent golfers who lack the physical equipment to produce their best after more than 18 holes of championship play with the pressure on all the way. Golf primarily is not a test of stamina; rather it is a test of skill.

Auckland, on the surface, has the best chance of collecting the Open. R. H. Glading, the holder of the title, is the obvious favourite for the event. Then Auckland has Murray up its sleeve, and his form is pretty well as sound as ever.

Wellington’s best prospect is A. J. Shaw, professional at Miramar, with an unofficial course record-breaking round of 64 to his credit recently.. W. G. Horne,, the provincial No. 1, with a victory over Bryan Silk on the latter’s home course as, perhaps, his best effort of the season, makes greater appeal in the amateur than he does in the Open. The same applies to W. B. Reilly and G. P. Roberts.

Professional Norman Fuller (Christchurch), D. L. Woon, C. J. Ward, G. Ussher (Timaru), J. S. Hamilton Gibbs (Nelson), and A. H. Boyd Otago) may provide the strongest opposition from the South Island, although J. Secular (Otago)—he recently defeated the three Otago nominees for the New Zealand team—is a comparative unknown who, assuming he makes the trip north, may upset calculations.

WOMEN’S CHAMPION MADE RAPID RISE

Two seasons ago Miss E. Wilkinson, went to Auckland from Kaitaia and joined the Grange Club as a weekend member on a 19 handicap. On the St Andrew’s links last week she won the New Zealand womens golf championship, defeating Miss Z. Hudson (Christchurch), 3 and 1 over 36 holes.

Only a natural, golfer could have made such meteoric progress and Miss Wilkinson'(now on five) has the attributes of a natural golfer. Compact in style, she hds an easy grooved swing and hits the ball .without striving for distance. Sound through the fairways, she was deadly in the final on the greens over the first 18 holes, establishing a lead of seven up

at the 14th, and finishing the round six up.

Her figures were as good as her superiority over Miss Hudson would suggest—an approximate round of 75.

When Miss Wilkinson increased her lead to seven up at the first hole in the second round it appeared that the one-sided match was to continue, but a dramatic change occurred in the remainder of the half. Miss Hudson made a brilliant recovery and still had a chance at the 33rd hole. From then on, however, Miss Wilkinson was her superior. Miss Hudson, for the most part, had the advantage with her drives, sometimes by 30 yards, but she was often short with her seconds, particularly at shorter two-shotters. Miss Wilkinson, after a half in four at the first hole (a short one) was deadly on the green in the morning and did not miss one until the 17th.

Matches Arranged For Week-end Play

Mrs G. Wilkins, 93-15-78, returned the best net score in the senior division of the October mid-monthly medal match, played last Saturday, the next best score being returned by Mrs Hooper, 93-10-83. In the junior division, Mrs F. Jones. 103-26-77, was the winner, followed by Mrs Bluett, 115-36-79. The final of the Omoto Cup, between Mrs Hooper and Mrs Chivers, was won by Mrs Chivers, 6 and 4. The one-club match for Mrs W. Meldrum’s trophy was won by Mrs Lambert with a net 84, followed by Mrs Jones and Mrs Patton, both 85. The ringer competition resulted in a win for Mrs G. Wilkins with a net 75, in the senior division, whilst Mrs Jones and Miss Robertson with net 84 tied in the junior division. The final round for the Caulton trophy (C division) will be played on Saturday. A medal match for the captain’s trophy will also be played. The Robertson eclectic competition will close on Sunday.

S. E. Cox Secures Easy

Win In Trophy Match

The stableford bogey match played at Kaiata links on Saturday for the captain’s trophy was the last official match of the season. The winner, S. E. Cox, returned a card of 35 points for an easy win. Considering the excellent conditions the scoring was not good. The club is sending a strong .team to play for the Dalgleish Shield at Reefton during the week-end. The team is H. C. Hill, B. W. Caulton, L. Rhodes and S. E. Cox. The match will be played in conjunction with the Reefton annual tournament at which the Greymouth club will be well represented in the senior, junior and intermediate championships.