HAWERA GOLF CLUB

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 September 1935, Page 3

HAWERA GOLF CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRESS SURPRISE IN THE INTERMEDIATE NOTES BY “DORMIE.” With a week of windy weather and little rain, the course has dried up considerably and there is a general improvement in the fairways and the greens, particularly the latter, which are probably Better now'than they have been for months. ' The spring growth is now in evidence and with the top dressing that has recently been carried out, given reasonable weather, we may look forward to much better playing conditions in the near future.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Very good progress was made during the week-end with the above. The conditions were not very pleasant, a very cold southerly accompanied by occasional showers made players keep moving. As is usual, there were some sui-prises—golf is full of surprises for most of us. In the -senior division all the first round matches have been played, except those between Walkley ancT Ward and O’Callaghan and Ryan; the former in each pair are holding the matches up owing to absence from Hawera. They have until next Sunday to complete their games. Armitage, who was playing fine golf, proved too good for his younger and less experienced opponent Sagar. The latter need not be discouraged; experience tells in all things, particulax--ly in golf, and the game was much more close than the score indicates.

Fry accounted for Pease by a 4 and three margin. The game was a very even one for most of the way, but tlje latter then seemed to lose touch at a critical stage and eventually lost. Jiiu lias not had much golf this year ; lie has liad other worries and was not at his best, particularly with his putter, with which he is usually very deadly. Tarrant defeated Baigent 3 and 2. The latter led most of the way, when Tarrant drew away to clinch the match. We understand the golf was not of the best and Jack was having trouble with his putter in the early stages, whilst “R 011” was not in the best of health. Tarrant should now have no difficulty in reaching the semifinal, but his game will have to steady down a little. He appears to be having trouble with liis woods. Simpson defeated Veale 2 and 1 .after a game of varying fortunes. We understand that “Simmie” holed some very long putts {it . critical stageis one at the 6th for a three and another long one at Smoko when he appeared tq.be scrambling -for'a half. However, it is on the greens that most matches are won.”. Otherwise the pair wefb cvoiiiy matched and had . a close and enjoyable game; \ Sturrock always had ' the-. xxßper harfd over Adams, who does not get as much practice as he would like and consequently is somewhat erratic. He is capable of playing good golf, however, but the experience of the former was a .telling factor. No doubt lie will be doing some practice now that lie lias recovered from his indisposition. MacDonald created a surprise by defeating Whitehead in a very closo match. “Mac” was playing really well and went out in 38 and completed the round in under 80. Both struck a. bad patch at the 10th and lltli holes, but otherwise the golf was good. “Whitie,” playing better from this stage' onwards, 'managed to square the match at the 14tli. but “Mac” won the 15th after the loser liad had bad luck with 'liis chip. Mac made a. magnificent recovery after lie “duffed” a drive at the 16tli and was unlucky not to get a perfect “birdie.” The 17th was halved in par figures and Whitehead won the IStli with a comfortable five to square the game. “Mac,” however, won the 19tli and the match. If he can continue in tho same form lie displayed in this game he should be playing iii the semi-final. In tlie intermediate division Billington created, a surprise by defeating Vinnieombe at the 19th after a very good and close game'. Wo understand the winner was not putting at all well in the earlier stages, nevertheless his win was a meritorious one.

Giblin made no race of it with McAncrin. The former has benefited very much from a series of lessons he lias had from our professional and he is going- to be hal’d to heat in this event. He is capable of playing good golf, and latterly seems to have revived interest in the game. Webster again showed liis ability bv defeating Dingle 1 up after a really good tussle. Dingle lias had considerable match experience, whilst the winner has not, and- as predicted in this column previously more should be heard of him.

The result of the Bright versus Stewart match was also somewhat of a surprise. “Walter,” however, way taking one putt on nearly every green, and despite the fact that lie was having trouble with his tee shots, his putter settled the argument. Stewart was much steadier in the fairways, but to have your opponent holing them from all directions is, to say the least of it, somewhat demoralising. « Blair was too good for Gibson, whom lie defeated 6 and 4. Jhe latter was not playing at all well and seemed to Jhe- completely out• of touch with. Ins clubs. The former, however, is a good match player and will have to go some to beat Black, whom he meets'ill the next round. Black justified all tlia.t lias been said of him bv defeating liis more experienced Douglas by a 4 and 2 margin. If this player can manage to defeat Blair and lie is able to keep Up his practice m New Plymouth, we would not be surprised to find him contesting the final of this event, lhe Lawn v. Ritchie match is now the only one to be completed in this round. ... ; In the junior division -Bull just got home from Galloway on the 19tli. “John” does not play as well as lie ought to in tile fairways, but lie is l very consistent round the gieens, j which ultimately stood him in good jstead. I Zinsli defeated Harrop 3 and 2. It is a pity that the winner does not get

more practice. If lie did we are certain lx i would find a decided improvemexxt in his game. :• ' • Dask, defeated Cullen by .the!: liariw. margin of 1 up after a good, ganie. The for.mei’Kits a,-.really good .tee. 'shot,- but loses many sti’okes around the greens. His opponent formei’ly played a good game of golf, but docs not seem as interested as previously. Hulbert put up a fine performance by defeating Gordon, who was, the more experienced player of the two. The only match to be played now to complete the fii’st round is the 31c-Cartliv-Strange one. In the limit championship Elder was too "ood for Beauchamp, the result being: 4 and 3. The latter is playing for the first' season and put up quite a good performance. Vernon won from Williajns by . default whilst Walker heat Goodchap 2 and-1. . . It is time some of the m this division were got off ; it is not desirable t.o have too many “won by defaults” 011 tliq board.-