GOLFING GOSSIP

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 133, 8 June 1935, Page 11

GOLFING GOSSIP

.Bryan Silk, the amateur champion of JSew Zealand, who has been the holder of tho VYairurapa title for some two years, had his colours lowered by J. ±’. Hornabrcok at Alasterton on Jiionday, Horuabrook annexing the title by outplaying Silk in a very interesting final. liornabrook and Silk have now iougiit this final on three occasions and in two of them the honours remained with Silk. Last year Silk was master of all his clubs and the issue was never in doubt for Horuabrook was unreliable, particularly near the flag. dhis year it was Silk who failed to show his truo form. His driving was orratiu and to add to his discomfiture lie missed c-ne or two putts which have enabled him to make the game much harder for the Masterton player. Horuabrook, on the other hand, was brilliant throughout aud he never looked like being defeated. His driving was invariably down the middle of the fairway and he was getting plenty of length. He was sound through the green and hi 3 short game, particularly with the patter, was heart-breakingly good.

Hornabrook was out in 3G to 37 and he was 1 up at the turn. The first decisive hole was the sixth which was won by Hornabrook in 4 to 5. Then at the eighth Hornabrook ran down a putt for 2 which gave him another success. Silk, however, retaliated by taking the ninth in 3 to 4. With a succession of 4's on the second half Hornabrook increased his lead to 3 up at the thirteenth. The next holo was halved but Hornabrook then clinched the match 4 and 3. Their cards read: — Out. Hornabrook . 5 5 344452 4 —36 Silk .. ~ ..5 5 344553 3 o 7 In. Hornabrook 4 4 4 4 5 o Silk Hornabrook played a remarkably good uphill game against T. H. Horton in

WAIRARAPA TITLE CHANGES HANDS

tho semi-final and the quality of his finishing effort can be gauged by the fact that he was 3 down at the turn. Horton, who recorded at 67 when playing with Silk again Michael Scott and Jock McLean in a four-ball at Hokcwhitu last December, is a hard man to beat at any time and Hornabroolc had to come home in 34 to save the match which went on to tho nineteenth. There the winning shot was a sensational 30-foot putt by Hornabrook and it was a fitting end to a great battle. Hornabrook's figures for the homeward run were: —4 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 4. O. H. Williams Wins Southern * Hawke’s Bay Title. O. H. Williams, the stylish player from Manawatu, was successful in winning tho Southern Hawke’s Day championship, the main event at the popular Uannevirke tournament. The other finalist was L. A. Beid, of Waipukurau, and the game proved a grim battle much appreciated by the large gallery of spectators. The Danuevirke course, with its many “innocent” hazards, provides an excellent test of golf and bogey figures are not to be sneezed at.

Reid started with a brilliant 3 at the first hole and with four played, he had increased his lead to 3 up. Held is an excellent match player and at this stage Williams' chance of victory seemed remote. The Manawatu- niau, however, never seems to mind very much when the run of a game is against him. He took the long fifth with a bogey 5. the next, where ho had the assistance of a stymie, and the following one with bogey figures. The game had now swung towards Williams and he pressed homo his advantage by taking the next three hcTcs — six in a row —and he was 3 up with S to play. After that he retained command and although Reid tried hard to wipe out the deficit, Williams made it dorrny 3 and the match ended on tko seventeenth, Williams winning 2 and 1.