GOLF

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 14

GOLF

HAVELOCK TOURNEY Excellent Cards Handed In ESTAUGH’S PERFORMANCE (By “Putter.”) The Havelock North Golf Club held its first Easter tournament over the week-end, competitions being held on Saturday and Monday. Conditions were ideal for golf, and some excellent cards were handed in. About 30 entries were received, and judging by the comments of the players much satisfaction was felt at the state of the course. The greens, which have been watered throughout the summer, are in first-class condition, and true putting was much to the fore. Many otherwise good cards came to grief at the 6th., the “Dogsleg” hole with its bottle-neck approach. and the short 2nd. also took its toll of 6’s and 7’s.

P. Peacock, of Hastings, and R. Duthie, of Maraenui, gathered in the palms. The former won the D. H. Newbigin Championship Cup for the best gross aggregate over four rounds medal play with a 322 oft the stick, while the'latter was runner-up with one stroke behind. Peacock played good, sound golf throughout and deserved his win, while Duthie kept the winner fully extended with his consistent form.

P, Clifton carried off the net aggregate from a handicap of 18/15 with a wood finish of a net 61 for the fourth round. H. H. Norwell and H. Fulford tied for second place, and in the playoff Norwell carried the day. Clifton was successful in winning the second day’s bogey competition with a creditable 5 up, and also the best single medal round of the day with a net 61. The first day’s best medal round went to Norwell with net 59, gross 75, the best net round of the tournament. Both Clifton and Norwell are young players and will bear close watching when the club championship becomes vacant.

Probably the most meritorious performance of the tournament was G. W. Estaugh’s 10 up on the first day’s bogey match, with a 61 net. J. Vesty returned consistently steady cards and was unlucky not to figure in the trophy list. The thanks of the tournament committee are due to the following donors, who so kindly came forward with trophies:—Messrs. D. H. Newhigin, de Pelichet McLeod and Co., F. L. Bone, Moss Wylie, F. H. Walker, A. Christie, and John Hill. Great credit is due to Mr. K. H. Bayliss, the secretary, for his efficient running of the tournament, and also in no small measure to the club custodian, Mr. Peck, for the fine condition of the course. The Havelock North Club opens its competition season to-morrow afternoon, when a mixed Canadian foursome will be played. All members of other clubs will be welcomed. Official Openings. General activity is noticeable on all links in this district and additional attention is being given to greens and fairways in anticipation of the official openings of the various clubs. Two local clubs—Parkvale and Havelock North—officially open to-morrow, the former with a mixed foursome competition. The Hastings Club officially opens tomorrow week. Shaw To Visit Melbourne.

A. J. Shaw, professional golf champion of New Zealand, intends to visit Melbourne to take part in the big goll tournament which is to form one of the attractions during the centenary celebrations, says a Wellington writer. Shaw may be classed as New Zealand’s foremast player at the present time. He won the open championship of the Dominion in 1926, 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932, and the professional championship in 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932 and 1933. In addition to this, he has won the professional foursome championship in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931. Had Shaw elected to take up his residence in the United States he would probably have been among tho world's greatest players to-day. It is not 100 much to say that he set a new standard in golf in this country, as he was the first num to break 70 in the open championship. Ho recorded a 68 at Palmerston North in 1929. and a. 67 nt Christchurch in 1931. These are the only instances in which 70 has been broken in the open championship in New Zealand. Training of Golfers. “There is no hard-and-last method of training goiters,” said BrigadierGeneral A. C. Critchley in London, when discussing Britain's preparations for the Walker Cup match at St. Andrew’s on May 11 and 12, when British amateurs will make another attempt to win a trophy they have never held. “Golf is different from boxing and lootball, m which a man must be fighting fit on the day. I have tried all the accepted meth ds of physical training for golt. and I have come to the conclusion that a too fit man cannot give of his best on the golf course When our Walker Cup team is chosen I hope St. Andrew's will also indicate tho foursomes partnerships, so that the men can play together. All our best lonrsoims pairs have succeeded because they practised in partnership. It is no use choosing the foursomes couples on the night before the match,”