GOLF

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 18 September 1926, Page 12

GOLF

SEAFIELD CUP

The third challenge for possession of the Seafield Cup has come 'from New ■Plymouth. They have sent down ,a strong team,-unci wi'l give the holders a great run- for the trophy. These contests are very popular, and' have helped to nut Haweru in a prominent position among the clubs outside the centres-. - • •

THE NEW HOLES

The wet weather of the past- -week has been exceptionally favourable towards bringing anto form the new country which, being sandy in subsoil, demands a copious rainfall’.. The new greens are . beginning to look really well, and members are looking forward l to l them. All visiting players recently on the course have l>een struck With, the possibilities in the hack or coastline oountry. It will take a fair- amount ot bringing in, but when this is done, the course will be capital from ,a golfing point of view. Experience from other seaside courses proves that the turf wants to be disturbed- as little as possible. Paten, have one hole where, on similar country, the sand lias taken charge of the’ fairway and the hole has had- to bo altered. < '

“REPLACE THE TURF.”

One would have thought it would not be necessary to stress more the absolute need of carefully replacing turf after a shot where turf has been, de--1 i bera tciv taken or a shot where inadvertently the same has been done. Members, however, have drawn- attention to the fact that they often find a Mt of turf missing,, and close, alongS/ide ft piece which looks suspiciously like that which has been, taken, and they also complain of finding their balls in i’a hole right, in the. middlei of the fairway at the end of a long drive. This makes a most unfair handicap, and, bad enough in an, ordinary round, is most annoying in a match. All play-. cr« are strictly enjoyed to observe tho rtij’ta, which is penalised on ,somo courses. It reads —and how often lifts it been read probably unthinkingly—- ■ ‘Giolfcrs ' will—.players must —replace the turf.” - It is only fair to one’s toll’d w-inenibers.

* THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

It will probably be of interest to, record that this is J.. Quin’s third win since 1921, and to give the list of winners since the championships were played. It is ft great, probably unique record for O’C. to secure the championship ten rears, especially -as for two years he was away from the Dominion. Elliott is the only member to isecnre the junior and to follow it up with the senior a year or two Iftter.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Seniors. 1900 —AV. o’Callaghan. 1.906—tW. O’Cadaghan. 1907 — E., M. Chetitle. 1908— D. Banks. . 1909 E. M. Chet tie. 1910— AA 7 . O’Callaghan. 1911 — AV. O’Callaghan. 1912 — H. S. Elliott. 1913 — AV. O’Cal’iaghan. • 1914—G J. Bay ley. 1915 AY. O'Callaghan. 1916 — AV. u’Callaghan. 1917 C. H. Walker. 1918 — Not played. 1919 AV. O’Callaghan. 1920 — C. H. AValker. ' : 1921 — J. Quin. 1922 — AV-. O’Callaghan. 1923 J. Quin. 1924 — AV. o’Callaghan. 1925 — E. M. Beechey. 1926 — J. Quin. The trophy is a very handisome and artistic cup, and was given to the club by Mr G. H. Rvan when he was president a few years ago. J unior. 1909—H. S. Elliott. 191 G—H. R.. H. Chftlmers. 1911 — D. AA 7 . Mason. 1912 — R. P. Page. 1913 J. I>. Hunter. 1914 — P. M. Pratt. 1915 — G. M. Dailey. 1916 — AV. AV. Awdry. 1917 E. P. Cox. 1918 — N. Beeves. 1919 — T. Kururangi. 1920 H. G. Brodie. 1921 L. AA 7 allier. 1922 B. L. Joll. 1923 — E. J. Judd. 1924 — C. C. Moss. 1925 — H. P. Vinnicombe. 1926 — AV. J. Bright. N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS. It is probable that Howard, the crack Australian, ftnd several other leading Commonwealth players, 'will be over for the championship meeting. Their presence would add. much to the importance of the occa<3iion and serve to bring out the very highest, standard of golf. There iis a 'wealth of fine amateur talent, including several [former championships, all of whom are showing by their play of late that they are doing as well as ever. Arthur Duncan retains his form wonderfully, and will 7 , be a Strong factor in th*? result. The. play generally is certain to be of the highest in the Dominion.

From almost ever** cpiub of standing in both islands comes news of plus or scratch players who are going .to do well at Miramar in October. The hopes of many are high, it is true, ami there wilt be" a finer gathering of golfers than* any hitherto seen in New Zealand. Just who is coming to the tournament cannot yet be told, but with the visit of the Australians, and with New Zealand golfers on their game, “it may well he that Miramar records will be broken. The course has never before been so' thoroughly bunkered , however, and there ris always the wind to be reckoned with there, which would not mean so much were it not for the niarroW' fairways at some of the long holes, while the rough is by no means a spinter’s. moustache. It is certain that thiere_ will be heartburnings 'as to who mill get into the. restricted 72, and a national' handicap

olf four seems at present the only safeguard to entry, though even that may prove illusory. To stress the necessity of ascertainting .nationft.! handicaps in time, the secretary of the New Zealand! Gouf Council (Mr G. O. Sutton) has issued the following advice: “It may ,not be generally understood that those who intend to enter for the open or amateur championships at Miramar next October must apply to the Council of the Golf Association, through their club secretary, for a national handicap before 15th September. This has to he complied with, even though the competitor may have had a national handicap certificate last • year, because, of course, players 7 handicaps' are always being altered by their clubs.” Miramar has always been lucky in securing A capital coach, and' those who have' been, there have included several of the best. Bytters._ from Wanganui, in following the late F. G. Hood, will have a hard place to fill, but those who know him best are confident he will prove a worthy successor to one who was recognised as) a leading professional of the Dominion. It will be good to have so capable ;a man at the championship course this year.