GOLF.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 217, 27 August 1927, Page 3

GOLF.

GOLFING CONTRASTS. ARMOUR AND COOPER, THE BRITISH-BORN AMERICAN FINALISTS. The New York newspapers are filled with eulogies uriucitiiub auu illustrations of the finalists in the American national championship. Here are a few picturesque observations from the New York “Times”:

Considerable lime will elapse before there is another fourth round in a national championship to equal the one played at Oakmont. For kaleidoscopic changes, thrills, spectacular shot-making, superb exhibitions of nerve control, there never has been anything, like that last round which 'ended with Tommy Armour, the former Scottish amateur golfer, doing the impossible on the last hole and tying Harry Cooper, who, like Armour, was born abroad.

There is something highly colourful about Cooper; little that is colourful about Armour. Cooper is a slashing player whose unbounded nerve en ables him to do things that a more mature golfer will not do. He is a player who goes for everything; a player of the Hagen type. Who or none is his motto on a golf links. His is a nervous temperament that cairus him to make his shots with lightning like-speed. He walks fast between shots, he takes very little time over his shots. He’s a showman. A.rmour on the other hand, is a very deliberate player who waggles and waggles and waggles; who does nothing fast, who is cool, calm, and calculating. A gentleman of the first rank, a graduate of Edinburgh Uni versity, u Major in the Tank Corps during the war, 'Tommy is a man ■who, although admired, even loved by his friends and his brother profession als, does not strike the popular fancy. The public worships men like Dump soy, Ruth, Hagen, Sai.zen and Cooper; it only admires Tunney, Eddie Collins and Armour, who have no flashness about them. HASTINGS CLUB. (Notes by “Putter.”) R. C. tiomervili who returned t net score of 72 on Saturday last, playing from a 21 handicap ran out the winner of the President’s Shield by 7 strokes, his best three net rounds agg re gates 232. His win came rather as a surprise to the most of the club for his name was missed on the sheet showing the various players performances, but the secretary states that his scores have been recorded and are quite in order. His win, no doubt, is a very popular one especially in view' of the fact that this is bis first year at golf, but judging from the game be played on Saturday it will not be any while before this player will be amongst the “heads” of the club, as no doubt his cricketing ibil ity, which is known to most of the club, will be of great assistance to him in the Royal and Ancient game. The next best scores in this competition were as follows:—A. F. Redgrave H. A. Fannin and G. Ulaik 239, ri. Roach 240, E. A. Hurley, G. McLeod, P. Ballantyne and R. M. Egan 241, J. W. Barraelough 242, and H. Filo and 11. de Denne 243.

Of the 37 players who completed the required number of rounds there was only a difference of 28 strokes between the best and the highest score which speaks volumes for the system of handicapping in the club. It is (furthermore very gratifying to see players on the low handicaps such as H. A. Fannin 6 and E. A. Hurley 2 amongst the leaders, and taking rhe winners’ sensational score away on Saturday gave both these players a good chance of winning this much coveted trophy. There has been a good deal of discussion as to the ruies governing this trophy, but on asking the secretary and president the posi tion 1 am informed that the rules have been lost, so why worry as long as the present conditions are afford ing the necessary enthusiasm. It »ias been contended by some of the older members, that the shield was presented for competition between the A grade players only, but us me matches are played on handicaps why keep the B grade man out. To my mind it is all the more credit to him to win it.

During the week-end the links were honoured by the presence of Mr J. Shaw (Napier) Club professional), and Mr H. E. Crosse, also of the Na pier Club. In the morning a fourball match was played between Shaw and H. 8. Budd v. H. E. Crosse and H. G. Davies. Those who ventured out; in the rain were fortunate enough to see some very fine golf, especially that played by Shaw. It was really a treat to watch this player especially his short work. H. E. Crosse also played very fine golf snd was keeping Shaw well up to the work. “Brick” Budd produced his wooden-shots to some tune and was out-driving the party by several yards. The only weak spot in his game was his putting which was absolutely terrible from a player of his standard. * # * H. G. Davies was not playing at ali well and did not give Crosse a great deal of assistance. In the afternoon 1 believe Shaw did a gross 70 which must surely constitute a record for the course. Unfortunately in the afternoon 1 was playing in another match, and was unable to follow him round but from those who did see him play, it appears to have been an eye-opener. It was a great pity that this match was not heard of till the Sunday morning, as it would have afforded a splendid oppor tunity for the beginners of seeing golf as it should be played, and no doubt quite a crowd would have turned out to witness the match. The four-ball challenge competition advanced a further stage last weekend when N. V. Greager and J. W. Barraclough, the holders were badly beaten by E. A. Murley and H. de Denne. Murley apparently was right on his game, and with his partner coming to light with his various strokes never gave their opponents a chance. Greager was very much off his game, suffering, 1 understand, from a very bad cold while Barra clough played very steadily through out, but the hurdle was too big for him.

The only championship match that has been played off to date is that between J. L. Paterson and A. Hurley, which resulted in a win for the form-

er by 4 and 3. As the match was played this afternoon 1 am nor. in a position to say whether the golf was of a high class or not.

GENERAL NOTES. The New Zealand championships to be held at Hamilton commence on Wednesday, August 31, large entries have been received from all the Dominion’s best golfers as well as sevral Australian, and given good con ditions some lino contests should be witnessed.

Donald Grant writing in the ‘ ‘ Doni inion” says the strongest challengers for the New Zealand amateur golf title atHamilton will bo T. H. Horton, Kapi Tareha, J. L. Black and Norrie Bell. Horton did himself jus tice in Australia, and wo have all read of what the Australians think about his golf. If he does himself jus tice at Hamilton he will be extremely hard to beat. The, St. Andrew's course will suit the beautiful long game of Kapi Tareha. He is due to win the championship one of these days; but he needs two things—more care and more of the will to win. J. L. Black (Wellington) has been close to the ehampionship on Severn' occasions, and he will get right there presently. Norrie Bell will he nt an advantage on his home course and it is to bo hoped that the occasion will not prove too great for him. Although 1 mention these four players, I am not prophesying.