ON THE LINKS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 205, 28 July 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

ON THE LINKS

SHORT AND LONG PUTTS. PLAYERS IN PROMINENCE. Middlerrvore Bogey. Middleinore bogey has been reduced from 77 to 75, a step which, at this time of the year, makes the course quite difficult enough to score on (says the Auckland Sun). The reduction has been gained by reducing both the 16tli and 18tli from 5 to 4. Every Golfer’s Dream. The dream of every golfer—holing oout in one (fortunately for economy) is very raro (says a Sydney paper). It never rains but it pours. Like many other things, “ones” appear to come in cycles. Earing a recent weekend, there were actually five. At Mosman, Dr It. Rail holed out in one at the ninth. Keith Harrison, playing against Pennefather at Killara, secured a welcome one at the fourth; at Roseville “Andy” Lawrie played the lltli (bogey 3), in one; at Pymble, Ossie Paton netted one, and on the following day to that on which Hr Ball performed his act, Gregory 7, of Pennant Hills, got olio at the fourth. The Cat and the Ball.

There was an amusing incident at Sydney links, when .Mrs Dimond and Miss Phyllis Jones were playing. As Miss Jones played her tim'd shot at the eighteenth, a cat, which had been crouching in the rough, sprang out, chased the ball, a<nd. evidently believing it to be a bird, took it in its mouth. The cat ran with the ball a few yards, and then played with it, as it would with a mouse. On the approach of the players, the cat fled. Beginners Take Note.

It is important for beginners to remember that the rules and etiquette'of golf are of nearly as great importance as the actual science of the game. Even of many golfers who have been playing for some time, it may be said that they have not studied the written laws relating to golf with sufficient care. AVlien it is remembered that theso laws have been compiled by thoughtful men, and that they embody the provisions which their experience extending over many years has suggested, it wil be reaised that there must be some sound basis of reason for each one. As a player’s acquaintance with the game extends, the reasons for most of the rules become more or less apparent to him. A knowledge of .all the rules gives a player a sense of confidence in matches in that he will know the procedure in every contingency and will thereby, in all probability, save himself from losing strokes by way of penalty for breaches which otherwise lie might inadvertently commit. Moreover, a full compliance with the rules as to priority of rights, will ensure that other players will not bo interfered with, and will prevent many misunderstandings from arising, and so add to the enjoyment of the game for everyone on the links.

GROWTH IN SOUTH AUCKLAND

MANY NEW CLUBS. The remarkable growth of the game of golf in South Auckland was the subject of recent comment by Norrie Bell, the professional.

There are now no fewer than 39 clubs within a two-hours motor run of Hamilton, he said. In some places, where the game was practically neglected until a few years ago, clubs have been started and the members have been too many for nine-hole links. This has meant a branching off, and now places like matamata, Putaruru and Raglan have two clubs.

As an instance of the growth Bell quoted the Morrinsville-Putaruru length of railway line. In eight years eight clubs have been started and seven of these are running quite successfully. The new club at Waitoa means that there are four clubs in a 26-mile journey from Morrinsville to l’aeroa, two of which, Morrinsville and To Aroha, have their own links.

“In a few years,” said the coach, “tlie game of golf will claim more adherents than any other game. That the players are taking it seriously is proved by the fact that two coaches are kept going at top in this territory.”

GOLF LINKS ADDITION

THE MIDDLEMO.RE COURSE.

PURCHASE OF FORT# ACRES. AUCKLAND, July 24. Negotiations for an addition to the Auckland Golf Club’s course at Middlemore have been completed. The property is a 40-acre section, Mr E. Harding, of Dargaville, being the vendor. The area is bounded by the existing links, the railway line and the head of the Tamaki River. From its junction with the course it slopes away to the water.

The club committee will meet shortly to consider how the addition can be used to the best advantage, one proposal being to use it as a nine-holes practice course.

MATCH IN U.S.A,

CHALLENGE FOURSOME. When Compston challenged the world immediately after his defeat of Walter Hagen, his challenge was at once taken up by Macdonald Smith. The arrangement made at tlio time was that Qompston and Smith should play half of their 72 holes match at Lakeville, Long Island, and the other half somewhere else.

The Lakeville Club was interested in arranging the match. While they were discussing the arrangements the same club issued a challenge in the name of Macdonald Smith and Gene Sarazen to play any other two golfers in the work! for £2OOO. Lakeville, once more, was to have the first 36 holes of this match. This challenge was accepted by Archie Compson and Audrey Boomer who sailed for U.S.A. early in June. Both these challenge matches, the Compston v. ' Macdonald Smith the the Boomer and Compston v. Smith and Sarazen have probably been played by this time, but we must wait for the arrival of newspapers before we can learn- the results (says an exchange).