GOLF.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 July 1924, Page 11

GOLF.

COMING EVENTS. July 30—Teams’ match. Captain versus „ secretary (ladies), at Shirley. .'September I.—American Ladies’ Championship, at Rhode Island. •September ;} —Manciwatu Ladies’ Open Championship, at Palmers con North. September 3 —New Zealand Amateur and Open Championships, at 'Middlomore, Auckland. September lf( —Rotorua championship. .September 17 —Wanganui Open Tournament (ladies) at Belmont. September 19 to 25—New Zealand Ladies’ Gdlf Championship meeting, at- St. Andrew's Links, Hamilton. September 20. —— American Amateur Championship at Marin. September 29 to October 2.—Auckland Radios’ Open Provincial Championship and Handicap Tournament at Middlomore. October (j.—'Seventh English (ladies’) Close Championship. at Cooden Beach. October 6 and 7.—Miramar Ladies' Open Tournament at Miramar. October 9. 10 and 11, —Wellington Ladies’ Provincial Golf Championship. at H©retailnga. August 29. 30 September 1 and 2. South Auckland" Annual Golf Tournament, at St. Andrew’s, Hamilton. September 5 to 13 (inclusive).—New Zealand Open Championshin, al M.id d! ern ore, Auckland.

The recent spell of glorious weather has been much enjoyed hy all, and the course has been in fine order, with the exception of the holes in the wet, lowlving country. The competitions have continued to attract considerable interest, hut many postponements have been somewhat confusing, and players have at times been in doubt as to what competition was on in a special week. The matches with outside clubs are always popular, and last week’s were much enjoyed. These matches are very valuable agencies for spreading interest in the great old game. On Saturday next a Wanganui men’s team will come to Hawera to olav the annual match. They will arrive about 10 a.m., and it is hoped that as many as possible of the local olavers will arrange to play all day. ' All thoss who can do so are asked to notify the secretary as early as possible. Dr. Ross contemplates, an early visit to Australia, and it is his intention to avail himself of the opportunity of competing for the Australian aniateur championship, which is to lie decided at Melbourne next month. H. D. Stronaeh. one of the senior members of the Otago Golf Club, incurred last Saturday a penalty ’prescribed by royal and ancient- custom by holing out with his tee shot at- one of the short- holes at Ralmacewen. “Ragy.” of the Evening Post, suggests that Mclntosh, who arrived a few months ago from Home and is now permanently attached as professional to the Hutt Club, will probably occupy a leading position in the New Zealand open championship. Mclntosh is hitting a tremendous toe shot, and his pitch and run approach shots are described as delightful. James Love played no fewer than six rounds of golf on Juno 25 for a wager nt Milltown. near Dublin. He started at 4.30 a.m.. and finished at 5.30 p.m. His total score was. 557. Roger Wetherod. the holder, had to play for all he was worth in the third round of the amateur ohnmpionshin jo shake off Martin Schunck. a young Manchester merchant, whose only previous performance of note on the linjb

v,jis to reach the tinal of last year’s Cheshire championship. Wethered won in the end by 3 and 2. AUCKLAND COURSES. The Auckland Star writer has recent- | iy wandered quietly over several of the local links and has noticed with pleasure that the quick X'ecovery of greens and fairways resultant upon the spell of sunshine that has lately favoured the courses, and incidentally the devotees of. the royal and ancient game. Middlemore will in a short time be ready to withstand the attack of the galaxy of golfing talent that will assemble there in September. The new tees are destined to add considerable character to a number of the holes, and the writer anticipates that competitors will meet with considerable difficulty with their wooden shots, more parteidarly should the weather be in any degree boisterous. The new fifth green is somewhat awe inspiring, and lie would definitely advise budding champions to be satisfied to endeavour to reach the green in three—as to the more courageous ones who sit in the middle of the green in two, I simply extend my appreciation of their prowess, he proceeds. It is to be hoped that fine weather prevails prior to the championship meeting, as the one recognised weakness of the course is the failure of its fairways to withstand heavy, or perhaps I should say continued, rains. Titirangi is as yet . a young course, its fairways being really good, but I saw by far too much evidence of scarred turf. The committee of this clubfhas made strenuous efforts to impress upon its niembers it he importance of the replacing of the divot, but unfortunately the rule seems honoured more in the breach than, in the observance. It is a never-ending source of wonder to me just why some players (they can hardly be termej golfers) fail in their duty to their club in so vital a matter, and 1 consider members who have the interest of their club at heart would be well advised to co-operate with a view to rigid enforcement as regards divots, otherwise these fairways that promise so well will deteriorate and eventually he ruined. I notice also a tendency to cut fainvays too wide, and I am sure that in a number of cases a narrowing up policy at several holes would be highly desirable and would give just that touch of character that they at present lack.

A glimpse at Glendowie reports show that this club is quite early in playing its championships, the qualifying rounds having already been decided, resulting in TriccMeading the field in the senior event and Scholium in the junior. My readers will remember Trice as being the winner last year, and present indications are that he bids well to repeat his performance. As a final observance it appears that this course has developed a decided attraction for cricketers of fame, as I see no less than three Auckland representatives have weathered the qualifying tests in the events chronicled above.

TO TAKE UP GOLF AT 100. On his ninetieth birthday, on April 23, Mr. Chauncey Depew, the wellknown American financier and wit, remarked that he expected to take up golf when he was 100. HIS HANDICAP. The golfer (a very ordinary-looking rm-P)' "They’re all afraid to nlay me. VVhat do you think my handicap is?” The girl: “Oli, I don’t know. It might be your face, or, perhaps, it’s just your general appearance.” Ferocious Golfer (after terrific impact) : Did you see, anything of that ball ? Opponent: No; I think it must have burst.—Punch A GOLFING YARN They were telling tall golfing stories in the clubhuse one afternoon when it has too wet to play. When this anecdote had been related, the party broke up and quietly dispersed, "it was felt that further attempts would be sacrilege. “I remember one case when an extra, ordinarily good player had an unaccountable lapse while driving from the first tee,” said one grizzled member reminiscently. “He hit a tremendous drive, which developed an appaling slice. It went straight through the window of a, cottage, smashed "an oil lamp, and s et the house on fire.” Ihe listeners leaned forward interestedly. ‘‘And what happened then ?” asked one of the crowd. “IVell,” proceeded the narrator, “unfriend did not hesitate one moment. He teed another ball, drove it straight into the town, and hit the fire alarm in the High Street.” HE MEANT WELL. A golfer was accompanied round the links by about the most shabbily-dressed caddie lie had ever seen. Touched by the hoy s he generously gnve him sufficient money to buy a new outfit. The recipient tried hard to express Ins gratitude, but could not find suitable words in which to clothe his feelings. “Oh, that’s all right, my boy,” said the benefactor cheerfully “Say nothing a hoot it. Be a good lad." that’s all.” But the caddie could not restrain himself. “Please, sir,” he burst out, “p-plense sir. I’m awfully sorrv von are such a bad player.”