GOLF NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1937, Page 2

GOLF NOTES

WEATHER AGAIN, UNKIND. The weather was again unkind for the senior and internied.ate Stableford bogey matches played at Kaiata links on Sunday las 1 !. Notwithstanding the xfoubtful 1 , .weather, however, quite a number of players participated in each division and the majority of cards returned were quite satisfactory. ******* Popular Victory: Th e senior match resulted in a win for R. MeSoriley whose card contained some good figures, 'those most noticeable being “Birdies” at holos 2, 5 and 17. He is using his clubs with more confidence this season. Playing Well: B. W, Caulton’s card was close to that of the winner’s in Sunday’s Stableford bogey match and with a little luck at a couple of holes more particularly- ‘the 18th, when a putt for a “birdie” stopped on the lip of the hole, may have brought, in the winning card. Acknowledged as the Club’s hitter, he has lost none of his length it,his season and with a little practice near and on the green, will make his presence felt. The Dalgliesh Shield team should not be beyond him this season. • ««««« A Steady Player: W. D. Taylor a new member of the elub, on his first visit to the links returned an excellent card in Sunday’s Stableford match. Ho plays a steady game and more should be heard of him as he becomes accustomed to local conditions. Veteran’s Form: By his consistently- good card in Sunday’s Stablieford match, veteran iW'. Meldrum displayed some of th e form which wen for him many a hard-fought match in prior years, thereby indicating that he will be a tough proposition as ever in matches to come and his younger opponents will need to look to ■their laurels. *«**««« Championship Contender: Dr. Fitzgerald, the Club’s low marker, scored well in Sunday’s match and i't is apparent that when he comes more conversant with local conditions, will be a strong contender for championship honours. , H e will be well tested by thg present, champion, P. Warn.es, however, who is playing better golf than he did last year. ****** Again to the Fore: Gil Hay, who showed much promise last year, is again to 'the fore with good cards. Although his play on the green is quite sound, he is not as consistent. as he should be off the tee, which can be remedied with practice. H c will again be a bone of contention in Orkney- Cup matches. ■ ******* A Hint: A. C. Thurlow is playing his irons very well this year as is evidenced by some good cards returned. This enthusiastic member only requires practice to bring him on. Hint No. 2: With a little, more consistency off the tees which will come with practice Merv. MeKechnie should prove a hard nut to crack in Orkney Cup matches this year. Ho is putting confidently a't present,, whilst his play through the green is full of merit. Slow Play: Reminders from time to time during a round that the field is being held up is likely- to be more effective coming from the partner or opponent, than from the irate pair or four-ball behind. ******* Showing Promise: Cliff Heaphy scored remarkably well for a junior f.o win the junior Stableford bogey- match on Saturday- last. He shows promise and will develop with practice. * * * * # « Consistent Play; H. Hutchinson won the intermediate

Stableford bogey match on Sunday last with a consistent round containing several bogeys. The. scores of E. Warnes, J. J. Thompson and. A. Lane were close ■to that of the winner. Straight Player: J. J. Thompson the club’s secretary, and one of our most enthusiastic members is hitting the ball very straight, ati present. The secret lies in the fact that he does not sacrifice direction for length, a fault that is only too evident in most players. “Straight down the pretty” is the aim of all golfers but will never be obtained by wild hitting. An -easy swing with a good follow through is' the answer and players would be wise to take a leaf out of our genial secretary ’s book. To-day’s Match: The annual match between teams headed by the Captain and Vice-Cap-fain will take place at Kaiata links today and it is hoped that players will turn out in full force. Favourable conditions will see some interesting and close matches take place. Favouritism at headquarters is evenly distributed, but it is reported 'that the vice-eapt. “went into a huddle” with his team recently and a surpr.se move may. be effected on the day. The captain s ■team, however, is confident of success.

Hint No. 3: If a side-step is any- indication, enthusiastic committee-member St,an Sullivan, must have been a top-notch threequarter in his day-. It does not work in with a golf swing, however. Cut out the side-step, Stan, and that nasty slice will soon disappear. #*#*** Interesting Question: An interesting question was put to the authorities recently regarding casual water “through the green.” The question and answer are as follows: “Last week I played a round after heavy rain which left pools of water in several places on the course. On two occasions my- ball came to rest, on dry ground, but I had to stand in puddles t,o hit it. One shot must have necessitated my standing in a bunker full of water. My opponent, who is also a beginner, was ignorant of 'the propei procedure, and being a week-end morning the course was empty, . so we could not seek advice. Will you kindly enlighten me ” The answer was: “Rule 27 (4) governs' the point. If ‘casual water through the green’ interferes with a player’s chance the player may- lilt and drop without penalty- at the nearest spot, which will give him a stance on dry ground, but not nearer the ho e. The rules of golf define “through the green” as follows: “Through the green” is the whole of the course ex | cept the teeing ground, the putting green and hazards. Another rule, how ever, deals with casual water on putting green and in hazards. Golfing “Boy Wonder”: In winning the open title at the South African golf championships recently- with a record aggregate of *.BB, Bobby Locke completely swept the boards. He was eleven strokes clear of the runner-up, Clarence OlanderThe whole tournament was from the beginning a case of Locke first and the rest nowhere,., and his victory completed an amazing series of triumphs in it. .. .. After a rtound' in the opening handicap, he competed in five events and here is his record in them: Won the Buffalo four-ball foursomes handicap (playing with H- B- Heartland); won the Proudfoot trophy 1 for the best return in the qualifying rounds for the amateur championship; won the amateur championship,, no match going beyond the sixteenth grew; won the inter-club foursomes for Parkview (playing With A- B- Frank); won the open championship by eleven strokes; and 1 won the Freddie Tait Cup foi leading amateur in the open. Locke ifc nineteen and he alieady has the remaukaible record of having won the amateur and open “double’ —twice before reaching the age of twenty. These two occasions, inciden 'tally-,' are the only- times when he has played in the national tournament,.

so he has yet to taste defeat in a South African championshipEnthusiasm about his play is natur. ally at; a high pitch,, and there is much confident speculation about his possibilities in the British championships this vear states rhe “Cape Tinies’.) ‘ * ****** Not Done: The open amateur golf tournament at Eastward Ho! Felixstowe, England, for which a car was offered as first prize, has! been abandoned at the request of the 'English Golf Un on. A golf competition oughtn’t to finish with a drive- * # , Ikamatua Match: In the Stableford bogey match at Ikamatua links on Cmonatioil Day played in conjunction with a medal match, the winner was W. O’Malley junr, with a score of 91 —30—61. c Jl* * * * Outstanding Drive: The worthy President of the Ikaniatua Club. Jack Green, was responsible for an outstanding drive on Coronation Dav. At the No 3, a 274 yard hole, his'ball dropped at the 200 yards ma'ik, hit a stone and bounced easily another 80 yards, #«« * « * A Loss to the iClub: The Ikamatua Club has lost a valuable member, in their club captain Mr. W. J, McCarthy, who has left for Wei. ling'ton to take up a position at 2YA, but all the members will wish him luck Bi his new position. (Prior to his depurture he was presented with a travelling rug, when eulogistic refer, ences were made to his services by Messrs J. Green, W. O’Malley, SBrand, L. O’Malley, Wall, J. Kennedy and A. Dunshea.