GOLF

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 14

GOLF

NOTES ON THE GAME. CADDIES ATTACKED. (By “Bunker.”) At the Hokowhitu links on Sunday ia caddie had a narrow escape from what might have been a nasty injury. The lad, a High School„boy, was wearing the school cap—black with a white circle on the top. As be walked away from the 12th green, Lagoon Hill, a magpie swooped down on him, missing his head by inches. The bird made another attack, not as close as the first, however, as the golfers were leaving the 13th tee. These attacks on caddies are not in--■frequent at this time of the year when the birds are apparently nesting. They seem to resent the black and white caps, perhaps mistaking them for on,e of their own kind. LOST BALLS. All golfers hope when entering the rough on links to be fortunate enough to find a ball. Imagine the surprise of one foursome that walked into the rough on a local course and in an area no larger than 15 square feet found nine, MANAWATU CLUB. A Manawatu junior championship match played over the week-end and not reported on Monday was that in which K. Struthers played K. Innes: The former had a handy win, 4 up and 3 to play. Struthers has been devoting a lot of time to his game this season and has shown a marked improvement in the execution of his shots. W. F. Greenbank had a gross 78 over the week-end, and as a result had his handicap reduced from 8 to 7. Greenbank is a very keen exponent of the game. He hits a long ball and is a most accurate putter. It would not bo a surprise to see him down with the lowest handicapped players if his game continues to improve as it has recently. GOOD ROUNDS.

In view of the fact that the New Zealand golf championships are drawing nearer, it is interesting to note the rounds recorded by some of New Zealand’s leading players. . D. V. Sutherland recently lowered A. J. Shaw's course record at the Ngamotu links, New Plymouth. Shaw’s record of 70, which had 6tood since 1935, was lowered by Sutherland in a brilliant round of 69. He reeled off the first 12 holes in flawless fashion, having par figures at every hole with two putts on each green. He was required to stage a wonderful recoverv to secure his four at the thirteenth, but then helped himself to a nice two at the short fourteenth, A bold effort to secure a birdie three at the nest saw Sutherland miss the return putt. He also dropped a stroke at the seventeenth, but atoned in grand fashion by running dotvn a 15-foot putt for an eagle three at the last. His card with the scratch score figures in parentheses read: Out: 4 (4), 4 (4), 4 (4), 4 (5). 4 (4), 3 (3), 4 (5), 4 (5), 3 (3), 34 (37). In: 5 (5), 4 (4), 3 (3), 4 (4), 2 (3), 5 (4), 4 (4), 5 (4), 3 (5), 35 (36), 69 (73). / TITIRANGI. Prom Auckland 1 comes news' of diminutive J. H. Young, one of the three scratch players of Titirangi, and the outstanding performer in a rerecent golf competition. He was in one of his truly brilliant moods, even though he got a setback by carding a 6 at the first hole at Titirangi. Afterwards his play was faultless and ho finished up with a medal round of 69 to win the Stabloford bogey with 41 points. After the first hole he carded fours at all the remainder of the first half, except at the two short ones, where he notched the standard 3, making 36 out. Coming home he flouted the “Colonel” by obtaining seven 4’s, a 3 at the first short hole, the eleventh, and a 2 at the next short one, the fourteenth —33 for the nine holes. ST. ANDREW’S, HAMILTON.

At a recent open day for professionals and amateurs at St. Andrew’s links, Hamilton, the following scores were noted : Professional events. —Best scores: A. Murray, 77, 78—155; J. Galloway, 80, 78—158; C. C. Clements, 82, 77—159. Best net score: J. Galloway 150. Morning bogey handicap: G. W. Melvin, 3 down. Stableford bogey handicap: C. C. Clements, 33 points. 'Hie best amateur card in the morning round was returned by L. J, Bryant, and was compiled as under:— Out = 45354354 4—37. In: 2 5 4 4 3 6 5 4 4—37—74. BUNKER SHOTS.

Before the days of the “sand wedge” or “blaster niblick,” certain golfers had reputations for being better bunker players than others. To-day

all the crack golfers are good bunker players and most handicap players are capablo of getting out first time from most lies in which they find their ball. I am not altogether implying that the clubs do the trick; they help considerably, I know; hut, thanks to tho American school, led by Walter Hagen, golfers now set themselves a higher standard around the green and no bunker shot is considered successful unless the ball is placed near enough to the pin for a “one” putt.—Henry Cotton. AMAZING GOLF DRIVES. Most Australian golfers were surprised when V. S. Richardson beat N. von Nida in the long-driving competition in Australia recently. Von Nida was not, however. “Sam can. always outdrive me when he lets himself go properly,” ho said. Although Richardson’s winning drive of 259 yards was made against the wind, and into soft ground, and was therefore a mighty hit, it pales into insignificance beside the recent deeds of a young American negro named J. C. Hamilton, of Bradbents, Florida. Hamilton is credited with lobbing his drive on the full five feet past the flag at a 327-yard hole on the Norwich County Club’s course twice out ~ of three times. His longest drive measured 375 yards—34o yards on the full! FAMOUS GOLFER COMING.

“Bobby” Locke, tho young South African professional golfer, who last month won the Irish open champion-

ship in dramatic circumstances, will arrive in Australia on September 13.

He is due in Sydney towards the end of the month, and after a stay of a week, will tour Queensland. He will then leave for New Zealand-

For several years, Locke lias . been regarded as one of the greatest players in the world. Leading British professionals consider lie and Henry Cotton are the two best players at present. At Portmarnock, where the Irish open championship was decided, Locke re vealed the full measure of his skill, and also remarkable determination. His first round of 80 seemed to put him out of the running, as lie had lost five strokes to Cotton. Then he played in superlative style, with rounds of 73, 69, and 70. Starting the final round, Locke was three strokes behind Cotton. He lost ground to the turn, and was then five shots behind Cotton with nine holes to play. Never faltering, he finished in a blaze of glory with 2,4, 4,4, on a long and testing course.

Locke’s 69 in the third round added £2OO to his banking account, for that sum was offered to any competitor breaking 70 during the championship. Locke was the only one to perform the feat. The South African played a series of perfect shots, hitting the ball with effortless ease. In that round of 69—a course record —he hit a drive of 340 yards, and was on .the green with a masliie at the 517-yard 16th. CHALLENGE MATCH. Another, magnificent performance of Locke’s was in a challenge match at Walton Heath, in which he and S. F. Brews met Henry Cotton and R. R. Whitcombe. During the second round of the 72 holes match Locke gave a dazzling display, having a round of 63 on a course of 6940 yards. This was 15" shots better than the standard scratch score, and was three strokes under the best ball of Whitcombe and Cotton. His figures at each hole and their yardage were:—Out: 310yds., 3; 445 yds., 4; 295yd5., 3; 470yds., 4; 265yds, 3; 165yds., 2; 490yds., 3; 440yds., 4; 425yd5., 4. In: 390yds., 4; 210yds., 2; 370yds., 4 ; 530yds., 4; 560yds., 5; 460yds., 4; 485yds., 4; 180yds., 2; 450 yds., 4. Locke was out in 30 and back in 33. AMATEUR STATUS. It has been announced that Mr C. W. Bundle, manager of the Australian , amateur golf team abroad, has sent advice that the restrictions imposed by the Royal and Ancient Club of St. Andrews on the acceptance of golf balls by amateurs were still in operation. Those restrictions provide that: “The acceptance without payment of foil’ balls, clubs, or golfing merchanise will render any player ineligible to compete in amateur championships.” It was stated that the provisions did not affect the status of golfers who accepted samples of balls for testing, but that not more than two should be accepted, and that these should be clearly marked as samples. BRITISH GOLF BALL.

The size of the British golf ball is not likely to he increased, according to Mr John F. Byers, United States representative on the Royal and Ancient Club’s Rules Committee, which has recently been considering suggestions on the matter, but which has so far not reached a decision. Mr Byers, recalling that the American ball is the same weight but slightly larger than the British ball, says: “Wind is a bigger factor in Britain. The present British ball is as good as can be produced, but the

American ball has the advantage of a shorter flight. With the development of the modern ball the problem seems to. be either to lengthen the hole or to reduce the carry by increasing the size of the ball. Both in Britain and America there would be difficulty in increasing the size of the golf courses owing to the fact that additional land would be almost unobtainable.” LOCKE AND BREWS. Although it was hoped that S. F. Brews, the South African golfer, would accompany Bobby Locke on his Australian tour it now appears that they will part company. Brews intends to visit America with his wife, while Locke goes on to Australia. Although it has been said that this pair had fallen out due to their desires to visit different countries, there is a simple explanation for it all. Brews has always wanted to take his wife to America and is apparently talcing this opportunity of doing so.