GOLF

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 13

GOLF

KIRK-WINDEYER CUP Strong N.S.W. Team Chosen N.Z. SIDE NOT FINALISED ■•■l' — (By “Putter.”) The forthcomfng Kirk-Windeyer Cup test between Now South Wales and New Zealand, which takes place at Middlemore on April 6 and 7, is already evoking much interest. The visiting team of five has been announced, and although the State’s three leading players— Ferrier, Bettington aud Hattersley —are not included, the team contains some brilliant golfers quite capable of retaining the cup. The visiting captain, E. I. Apperly, has been in the front rank for over twenty years, having first won the State title ag far back as 1912 since w hen he has been successful on three further occasions. He should do well at Middlemore as he favours the push shot with his iron clubs, thus achieving great accuracy. W. R. Dobson is a fine stylist, has ample length, and is a master of the stop shot. His recent form indicates that be is playing better than ever. C. C Ruwald, who is considered one of the longest hitters in Sydney, ranks on the same mark as Dobson, both being on three, handicapping oft par. Kuwait! recently returned a wonderful 68 on Killara, which is his home course, the par being 69, His card read: Out. 4, 4. 4,3, 5,3, 3,5, 3—34 In. 5,4, 4, 3. 5,2. 4, 4. 8-34: total, 6«. P. F. Hughes and H. M. Cutler ar* very promising players of the type of Silk and Hornabrook. Form of New Zealanders. Though originally the five play ers to represent New Zealand were chosen, H. A. Black has been obliged to forego selection on account of ill-health. The selector* have decided to postpone final choice until the completion of the Auckland provincial championship, which takes place at Titiraagi during Easter. Of Wright, Hornabrook, Silk mid Horton, it can be said that their best golf is very fine indeed, and that their achievements are no greater than their skill. As national champion, if not by the signal manner in which he earned the title, Wright takes pride of place. He has also won the South Canterbury championship for the past seven years, the Canterbury title twice and the West Coast title once. Hornabrook shaped really well at Titirangi, but the form of Silk and Horton left a lot to be desired. Both played badly in the stroke play and neither survived the first round of match play, Silk losing to George and Horton to Coltman. Silk’s lapse was difficult to understand as, earlier in the season, he annexed the Auckland. Wairarapa and Wanganui provincial championships, besides earning the lowest Dominion ranking by virtue of a 65 at Belmont. Wanganui. Stateness ag a result of over-playing may have b<-en the cause of loss of form. Horton’s case was different and appeared to be of nervous origin, as he seemed quite unable t-> awing his club away from the ball Admittedly th« finest iron player in New Zealand, it >s to be honed that his confidence returns, as Middlemore, above nil else, calls tor iron play such as Horton, at his best, is capable of. Business and Play Combined. There is no doubt that the practice of making gifts of golf balls to those who can influence their sale is conducted on a large scale especially in America, where, says George Von Elm, one of the leading amateurs until he burned hie boats, apropos of the Royal and Ancient Club’s pronouncement on the question of amateur statue. Von Elm, who knows all there is to be known about the ramifications of amateur golf, declares that “the practice of making free gifts of balls to amateurs is so universal us to qpcape notice; indeed, very few of the leading players ever buy a ball. ’ ’ “There is no golfer among those oi first-class rank who does not capitalise his skill, willingly, or otherwise. Whatever he sells in the way of business, he sells more and bigger when bis pun r is ‘hot,’ and when he chips close to the pin in the major championsbipe. It is part of our modern civilisation, and no one can get away from it.” The term “business,’’ as used by Von Elm, means the selling of motor-cars, insurance in which ho himself was engaged; wines and spirits, stocks and bonds. Au interesting clause of the new code of which mention was made in this column lust week is the one which has direct relereuce to several prominent players in the British Isles, Where they are employed by linns interested in the sale of golfing goods, and play in tournaments with the object oi furthering their employers' interests, such players can no longer compete in amateur events. The mention of one case will suffice. It is that of J McLean, a young Glasgow player, who has won the Scottish and the Irish open championships in the past two years. He is connected with a firm manufacturing golf balls, and it is a reasonable assumption that he does everything possible to promote the interests of his employers. Ou his decision depends bis inclusion or otherwise, so it would appear, in the 1981 British Walker Cup team. |Since <he above wag written the British team li'i been announced and McLean is one ol the selections.]