GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 283, 25 October 1930, Page 6

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEADERS IN THE OPEN SHAW’S SENSATIONAL PLAY . > RECORD TWICE BROKEN • i . Sensational features characterised the first day’s play in the New Zealand golf championships which opened at Hokowhitu yesterday, when A. J. Shaw, holder of the open title, twice broke the course record, doing ehch of his two rounds under seventy to lead by a substantial margin in the open event.

THE LEADING PLAYERS. With a total of 137 for. the two rounds, Shaw easily led a strong field at the conclusion of the day’s play, his aggregate being fifteen strokes ahead of the nearest competitor. This practicully assures him of retaining the open championship honours. Fulfilling his early promise, B. M. Silk, the young Wanganui player, shared with D. C. Collins, of MastertOn, the honour of being next on the list in the aggregate for the two rounds, and perhaps showed the greater steadiness and consistency of the two, though in Collins he has a formidable rival. Both also headed the amateurs’ scores for the first two qualifying rounds. Fourth place in the day’s aggregate was filled by another player of class, B. V. Wright, of Timaru, with T. H. Horton and M. Duncan filling the next positions. . • There was no amelioration in the strong westerly, wind during the afternoon, but the players rapidly adapted themselves to the prevailing conditions. Concurrently wtih the open championship event were played the first two of the four qualifying rounds for the amateur championship (32 to qualify) and professional championship (16 to qualify). RESULTS IN DETAIL. Details of the day’s play are as follow, the names of the professionals being marked with an asterisk :

BRILLIANCY OF SHAW. Brilliancy characterised another phenomenal round by the open champion, A. J. Shaw, during the afternoon, when, having created a record of 69 for the course in the , morning, he handed in a wonderful Card of 68 to make new figures after magnificent play. His partner A. D. S. Duncan, described the Napier professional s game as superb, and almost without parallel. it was an exceedingly remarkable performance. Despite the handicap of the strong westerly wind sweeping across the links, Shaw shattered scratch figures in ruthless manner. There was hardly a weakness in his play 5 his putting was an outstanding feature, and he made some brilliant iron shots during, his sensational round. He drove a clean, straight ball from every tee, his approaches were perfect and his iron shot at the sixteenth was a beauty. There was a large gallery of spectators following the match, in view of his previous fine performances and they were not disappointed. Shaw’s faultless play surprising all expectations.; He played par golf ail the' way with consistent accuracy, and never deviated from the highest standard. Should his shot from, the tee not be quite what he had anticipated, then'he recovered control with deadly approaches. . Going out in 34 agaiisr Shaw s card' for the first nine holes differed somewhat from that for his first round. He took scratch figures of four for the first two holes and then had a three at Shotover (367 yards), where he had taken a bogey five in the rhorniiig. He made bogey figures for the succeeding three holes, and did the seventh (Riverside) which had been a source of considerable trouble to other competitors, in four (scratch five), finishing up“the first nine holes with a pair of scratch threes.

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY. When he turned for home Shaw encountered his first misfortune, a, missed putt costing him an additional stroke at Totaras (bogey four). The next two holes were done in scratch figures. Shaw again did the thirteenth in four and bettered bogey at the fourteenth. Producing his best at the fifteenth, Shaw did tno scratch five hole in three and carried on. for a four at the next (bogey three). Following a three at the seventeenth, for which the scratch figure is four, Shaw made another slight mistake at the final hole, which he did in five strokes. Had it not been for the minor errors made on two occasions, when he exceeded scratch figures, at the tenth and eighteenth, it is conceivable that Shaw might have returned a card for 66, for he was at the height of his form and doing the most brilliant things, to the amazement of the spectators, w r ho we re keenly interested, and complete silence reigned as putting took place on each green. An interesting feature of tshaw’s card was that it revealed five “birdies” in a row. There w'ere also two “eagles.” He came over the homeward journey in 34 to complete a notable feat. Principal interest centred on the last few holes, when it was evident that Shaw was almost certain to break the course record. Playing a good drive at tlxe fifteenth, lie placed a perfect second, to lie within tour feet of the pin, and he made no mistake wit the putt. His drive at the sixteenth was good, but not exceptionally long. He then played an ama:Aig shot with his number one iron to within fifteen feet of the pin and putted for three—but missed. Playing with the wind at the seventeenth, Shaw hit a great tee shot. This he followed with a pitch and run second . very neatly to ' within six inches of the pin, in a direct line, and almost holing out. He sank the putt for three. His second found him to the right of the green at the last hole, and his chip was a little short, the eighteenth being done in five. It was a round of brilliance, undimmed by. the slightest manifestation of weakness. . , , , Shaw’s card for the eighteen holes read as follows: Out.—4 4 3 3 5 5 4 3 3—34. In.—s 4343343 5. The open «champion, if he retains his form, should be unbeatable in the professional event. SILK’S GOOD DAY. Living up to his reputation, the young Wanganui player, B. M. Silk, finished second equal in the aggregate for the day’s play when he returned another 76 in the afternoon, after a somewhat shaky start. From the fourteenth to the seventeenth he took fours. Silk secured his figures more easily than in the morning, but on two occasions required three putts. FINE ROUND BY COLLINS. D. C. Collins, one of the finalists in the Manawatu open championship, returned a card of 74 in the morning which was the best effort for the amateurs in that round. At Cliff View Collins was two over bogey, but he recovered with a four at Riverside and threes at Monro’s and Eden, taking 38 for the trip out. Scoring “birdies' - at Ti Ti’s, Barraud’s and Taipo, the Wiararapa contestant played perfect golf on the return journey. His card read: Out.—s 4 5 4 5 5 4 3 3—38. In.—4 4 3 4 4 4 5 3 5—36. Total.—74. Collins did another very steady round in the afternoon, but failed to reach the standard of the morning and finished worse off by four. However, his two rounds were sufficient to place him on equal terms with Silk second in xhe open, and at the head of the amateurs. Partnering Shaw again in the afternoon, A. D. S. Duncan, the Wellington veteran, did 79, but - was overshadowed by his opponent’s brilliance. Duncan went out in 39, and had a solid round. His figures might easily have been better. From Strang’s until Kraal he played nine perfect holes. At the latter he sliced his drive and found the bunker. Well out with his second, he was short of the green and took five for the hole. His second was in the bunker at Barraud’s,. but he had a dead third and then missed a three foot putt. He was again in a bunker at the sixteenth, but emerged with a four. At the final hole Dupcan’s second went to the right among the spectators. His approach was short and he took two putts to complete. After an 80 in the morning, J. Millard made a splendid round in 76 in the afternoon. He went out in 38 and returned in the same figures. His play was consistent, but he fared badly with a five at the eighth. .Four strokes each was his performance over the final four holes. When Wright, who had a 75 in the morning, turned in a card for 78 in the second round, it was apparent that he was well up in the aggregate for the day’s play. His game was steady and he went out in 39 after an unlucky 5 at the ninth. He kept mainly to scratch figures on the homeward journey. UNEXPECTEDLY LOW CARD. Eleven strokes worse than for his first round, Ekstedt failed to maintain his position in the second round and returned an unexpectedly _ low card for 89. He opened badly with a six at the first and third and then recorded a seven at Cliff .View. There was another six at the eighth (bogey three) and the outward journey cost 45 strokes. A pair of fives marked the furn for home and the last five holes were done in that figure. - . Although-he missed five short putts, at different stages of his game, the Auckland professional, Douglas, went round very nicely in 74. He went out in 38, did the tenth in five and all the remaining holes in four with the exception of a beautiful three at the sixteenth (bogey five). The well-known Wairarapa amateur, Horton, a plus one player, partnered by Moss, did the first round in 79. He made scratch figures on the outward journey, but suffered a lapse at the thirteenth, where he required six strokes. His return journey was not very good and it was apparent that he had not reached his best form. Horton did better in the afternoon to return a 75. H© covered the first nine holes according to bogey and came back in 38. ~ ... . _ .y Dr. K. Ross,-of Dunedin, who turned in a 78 for the morning round, had

a six at the fifth hole, but went out in 39. He had another six at the troublesome thirteenth on the return journey. With an 86 for the second round, J. Goss, who went well on the Manawatu links a few weeks ago to annex the open championship, was several strokes worse off than in the morning. He had a seven at Cliff View. There was a weakness in his putting, which was not up.to his usual accurate style. A BIG IMPROVEMENT. Improving to the extent of ten strokes on his morning round, the Levin champion, W. G. Clark, returned a good card for 79 after making an indifferent start and taking forty on the outward journey. He took six each at Cliff View and River Side. He returned in 39. Kuru, of Waipukurau, had an 80 after a seven at the fifth. He holed out for two at Lagoon Hill. Recording a 77 in the afternoon, J. D. Mclntosh opened with a brace of fours, had a six at Strang’s and completed the first nine holes with a two for 37. Coming back ho did well untilhe had a bad seven at the sixteenth and a six at the last.

id. Buist, who had a 79, began with a three, but took six for the third, and a similar number of strokes for the sixth. Nevertheless, he did the outward journey in 39. Coming back he took five at the tenth, but slipped a little at the twelfth and thirteenth. He made a good recovery to secure three at Barraud’s (bogey 5), and went on to complete a good round. Mortland, the Taihape amateur, failed to improve on his first round score. He had a disastrous eight at the second hole, and went out in 46, returning in 41 for a total of 87. Luck did not follow L. Seifert, junr., winner of the last Nelson championship. He opened with a five, but did good figures to get 38 for the first nine holes. Coming back he did a six at the thirteenth (bogey five). H e took 41 strokes over this journey, having a five at the final hole after playing a very short approach which rolled off the edge of the green. Seifert’s card read : Out.—s, 4,4, 3,5, 5,5, 4, 3.-38. In.—4, 5,3, 6,4, 4,6, 4, 5—41. Following a bad start with three fives, N. Bell went out in 41 in the afternoon and completed the round for 80.

J. L. BLACK’S PERFORMANCE. The Hamilton amateur, J. L. Black, went round in 79, making scratch figures on the outward journfiy. He started the return badly with a pair of fives, but had a good tour at Ti Ti’s. Sixes at the sixteenth and eighteen spoiled his card. The Manawatu professional, J. R. Galloway, did an attractive 75. _He went out in 38 and returned in 37 to complete a consistent round. His card read:

Out.—s 4 5 3 5 4 4 4 4—38. In. —4 5 3 5 4 4 5 3 4 —37. Four strokes better than his morning round, C. C. Cletnents recorded an excellent 76 in the afternoon. He went out in scratch figures. The Westport amateur, A. G. Sime, did a second, round m 80. He went out in 40. His score included a six at the fifteenth. J. A. Clements did an 81. His card showed three sixes. Moss went round the second time in 77 after a five at the first hole. He went out in 38 and returned in 39. Going out in scratch figures, M. Duncan had a neat 75 at the finish. He began well with a three and then had four fours in succession. Returning, the sixteenth cost him six, but he made amends at the penultimate hole, where he bettered bogey. The Otago professional, Murray, who was responsible for a good 78 in the first round, retained Ins form to show a 79 for- the second, after sixes at the second and fifth on the outward journey. Colbeclc was another who found the conditions difficult and went down three strokes on liis morning round. T. Galloway, the yoijng Chateau professional, had a 71 . He made scratch figures for the first nine holes of a solid round. Rutter went out in 38, having a four at Riverside and a five at the short ninth, similar to his partner Wright. He had a six at the thirteenth and took 40 for the last nine holes. The Wanganui professional, F. Branch, after going out in 40, handed in a 79. He had a turn at Eden. Toswill, who did an 88, struck serious trouble at Land’s End, which cost him eight strokes. ' Returning 79 for the second round, Cook went out in 40, having a six at Cliff View. He made a bad start on the return journey with five at the tenth and another six at Land’s End, but did the final four holes under scratch figures.

QUIN’S OFF DAY. Obviously unable to strike true form, the Eltham champion, L. Quin, had another uncomfortable journey, but bettered his previous figures for 81. He went out in 40, after a seven at the fifth. Fuller had a fair card for 82, but took six at the eighth (bogey tliree). Other sixes were recorded at the lour, teenth and sixteenth. Jacobsen, who did the second round in 87, had a nasty eight at the fifDr. Buckley had a pair of eights in a second round card for 95, also a seven at the thirteenth. Another 84 fell to L. Ross, of Nelson, in the second round. He had four sixes, but Ins curd included a two for Lagoon Hill. . . A Stewart went round in 92 in the second, Irad a pair of sevens, Cliff View and Ti Ti’s proving troublesome. Toogood’s play declined a little. He had an unfortunate seven at the sixteenth. The Eltham representative, A. J. Quin, suffered a lapse and, following a low score 111 the first round, could not do better than an 86 for the second. He had a seven at the fifth. Bidwill went round in 78 in the first round, which included a two at the ninth. He secured a three at Lagoon Hill, but had a six at the’ thirteenth He took 39 strokes for each journey. He took, 88 in the afternoon after an indifferent round, winch included six sixes, one' being at the Taking only six of the eighteen holes with bogey, figures, Robertson (Manawatu) had a difficult round. lan Mac Ewan did not produce his best and failed to break evens; while after a good morning round, H. *l. Hutchison suffered a reverse with an 87 in the afternoon. Blyth was a little unfortunate in his play, while Keeling was expected to have done better than he did. Upham also failed to strike his best form. Oram had an 87 in the morning and went one better in the afternoon. GOLFER PRE-EMINENT. SHAW’S RECORD BREAKING. With his double course record on the opening day of this year’s Dominion fixture, Shaw showed tliat he stood pre-eminent among the strong field of competitors contesting the event, and was entitled to rank as New Zealand’s most brilliant golfer. The open champion was in a class by himself yesterday and that does hot decry the scores 'Of other leading players. ■ • It is doubtfiil whether such consistency in returning first-c Lass scores has ever before been shown at the Dominion championships. For the past six years no player has bettered

Shaw’s figures of this year for a single round, and the Napier professional looks certain to annex Earl Jellicoe’s challenge cup, unless some other champion comes to light to eclipse a performance which threatens to stand as an historic''event in New Zealand’s golfing annals. Last year the best single round of 71 was done both bv T. H. Horton and S. Morpeth, the latter of whom is now in Australia. Shaw lias already a 68 and a 69 to his credit, while in unofficial play during the week he returned a 70. He has been the New Zealand professional champion for the past two years.

PALMERSTON NORTH GOLF CLUB. At a well attended meeting of the general committee of the Palmerston North Golf Club held this week, Mr W. S. Fell presiding, appreciative references to the excellent work done by the honorary secretary (Mr C. J. Roberts) was recorded on the minutes, and it was decided to recognise his services in a tangible manner. Mr Arlidge, one of the finalists in the Ekstedt medallion competition, wrote stating that he had had an accident and would not be able to play the final for some weeks. After full consideration it was decided that Mr Swallow be declared the winner, and that Mr Arlidge be written to expressing sympathy with him, and wishing him a speedy recovery. It was decided to engage a gardene’ to cut and roll the greens during the summer months. ' In order to ascertain how many members intended to play golf during the summer, it was decided to put a notice UP in the Club House asking them to put their names down. In this connection it was thought a small sub-committee of such members might be formed to control play during tili season. A hearty vote of thanks tc the president for presiding terminated the meeting.

IstRd 2nd Rd T1 *A. J. Shaw 69 68 137 B. M. Silk 76 76 152 1). C. Collins 74 78 152 B. V. Wright ... .. 75 78 153 T. H. Horton 79 75 154 *E. S. Douglas 80 74 154 M. Duncan 75 79 154 *J. D. McIntosh .. 78' 77 155 J. Millard 80 76 156 *F. Rutter 78 78 166 *C. C. Clements .. 80 76 156 *H. R. Blair 77 79 156 A. Murray .. 78 79 157 *N. Bell • .. 77 80 157 A. D. S. Duncan .. 78 «79 157 *E. J. Moss ... .. 80 77 157 L. Seifert, junr., .. 79 79 158 *T. S. Galloway .. 81 77 158 A. G. Sime ... .. 78 80 158 L. Buist ... • • 79 79 158 *J. Lambic 80 78 158 R. Wagg 77 . 81 158 J. L. Black ... .. 80 79 159 *J. It. Galloway .. 84 75 169 *R. C. Butters 77 83 160 Dr. K. Ross ... .< 78 82 160 L. Cathro 79 81 160 J. L. Petley 83 77 160 E. C. Fryer 79 81 160 H. A. Black 80 81 lt>l \V. K. Cook 81 79 161 *F. Branch 82 79 161 *N. H, Fuller 80 82 162 *G. W. Ritchie . 79 83 162 J. P. Hornabrook .. . 80 82 162 A. E. Conway 81 81 162 B. J. Smith, junr. , 82 80 162 D. R. Pharazyn .. 84 78 162 *J. A. Clements .. 82 81 163 I. MacEwan 81 82 163 W. B. Reilly. 81 82 163 H. E. Troutbeck .. 84 80 164 H. Wiggins 8282 164 G. Richmond 81 83 164 K. Ward ... •• 87 77 164 J. Harold 87 78 165 J. Goss ... 79 86 165 H. G. Davies 86 79 165 J. C. Bidwill 78 88 166 J. D. G. Duncan .. 86 80 166 H. H. Hutchison .. 79 87 166 A. E. Ekstedt 78 89 167 W. Kuru 78 80 167 H. Blyth ... •• 83 85 168 W. Clark 89 . 79 168 L. T. Quin 87 81 • 168 *L. Ross 84 84 168 *J. W T att 79 90 169 F. W. Huggins 84 85 169 C. H. Stephenson .. 85 84 169 W. O’Calfaghan 84 85 169 W. A. Keeling 86 84 170 W. Harman 86 86 172 J. P. Mortland 85 87 172 R. T. Tosswill 84 88 172 E. A. Reed 86 87 173 C. R. Upham 84 89 173 M. H. Oram 87 86 173 G. F. Colbeck 85 88 173 W. A. Robertson .. 89 85 174 J. D. Lawrence .. 85 91 176 E. L. Abbott 91 85 176 E. Toogood 85 91 176 C. Jacobsen 90 87 177 G. P. Roberts 93 85 178 A. Stewart 86 92 178 Dr. Buckley ... •• 84 95 179 J. S. Harrison 91 88 179 R. 0. Gardner 93 87 180 J. M. Hussey . 91 89 H80 A. J. Quin 95 86 181 0. Andereon ... .. . 93 §? 181 F. Quin A. Sandel, . 90 91 91 . . 91 r 181 182 J. G. Dick . 94 91 185 •J. R. L. McKay .. . 94 96 190