GOLF

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6917, 24 May 1929, Page 8

GOLF

Horton Smith Takes French Championship

EASY WINNER WITH 273

HAGEN STALE AND CANCELS MATCHES. United Press Association —By Electri* Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 22. At St. Cloud to-day, Horton Smith, the American, won the French golf championship with a score of 273. Other scores were: Boomer 278, Cotton 283, Sarazen 285, Hagen 293. During the third round Boomer was 61—tlio lowest score for the course.

BOOMER’S PHENOMENAL MORNING ROUND OF 6L

UNKNOWN IN GOLF HISTORY.

Received Thursday 7.10 p.m. PARIS, May 23.

Boomer, in a desperate attempt to catch Horton Smith, had a phenomenal round of 61 this morning. St. Cloud is admittedly easier than some classic British championship links but it is 6500 yards long and scientifically bunkered and demands straight driving to avoid tlio woods. Boomer had previously done a 62, but 61 in any championship anywhere is unknown in golf history. His card included three "eagles” and three "birdies.” His amazing score was chiefly due to superb approaching and putting. Ho had only 29 putts altogether. In the homeward journey, his card read 3 4 3 3 3 3 2 4 3, which is wonderful, as it includes five holes of over 420 vards.

Still Boomer, taking ten more strokes during the afternoon, could not overtake Horton

When the latter came in a winner, Hagen presented him with a largo birthday cake with 21 candles alight. Most of the players have been affected bv the sudden midsummer heat. Duncan had to give up and tear up his card. . Hagen caused a sensation by announcing the cancellation of the matches ho had arranged to play against Compston at Moorpark, London, Blackwell and Birmingham. Ho says: "I am not afraid of Compston, but I am at present stale and want a rest awhile from the game before the American championships. I will meet Compston later. I would rather play Duncan, who has beaten me twice recently. ” The organisers of matches were surprised first to learn of Hagen’s cancellation decision through the Press, as they had sold hundreds of tickets for the matches.

The Levin Golf club lias advisbl that owing to a number of its holes being closed at the present time, it will not be able to accommodate on its links the full number advised as coming down. Also it has pointed out that it has no very low handicap players. The Manawatu team has therefore been revised by the captain and now stands as follows: —A. Seifert (club captain) 4, C. G. Moore 7, T. Stubbs 11, W. E. Winks 11 J. J. Stevenson 15, T. Louisson 16, H. W. Petrie 17, E. R. Graham 17, A. M. Ongley 18, J. P. Stubbs 18, W. A. McGillivray 19, K. Glendinning 20, W. A. Swinbourn 24, D. McPherson 24, R. Spencer 24, D. 0. Williams 24, M. Ongley junr., 24. Reserves: E. Wimsctt, A. E. Hansel. Saturday morning’s paper will advise how many reserves are required.