MT. DENBY GOLF CLUB

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 2

MT. DENBY GOLF CLUB

THE 1936 golf season at Mt. Denby officially closed on November 14, and it is fitting now to review the Whangarei Club s activities during the past season. In so far as the club is concerned, it must be recorded as a very successful and interesting year. This has been due in ho small measure to the condition of the links which have throughout been maintained in excellent order and_ reflect great credit oh both the ground superintendent and the groundsman. . The club some months ago courageously faced the purchase of a new quintette field mower and the present first-class condition of the fairways bears testimony to the wisdom of investing in first-class machinery. The greens have maintained a thick close sward—giving true outting • surfaces and with its own water supply the club is assured ,of good greens during the summer months. Golf is more and more developing into a summer game, and the club is now able to offer summer golf ander ideal conditions.

Form shown during the season has not been startling, and few really good gross cards were handed in. It must be remembered, however, that the course is not an easy one to negotiate, and it only needs a couple of visits to the bush to wreck an otherwise good card. Visitors to the course particularly find rows of trees on both sides of many of the fairways somewhat distracting.

Of the low markers none has shown consistent form. Dr. Buckley,; who won the championship from R. Gray, produced his good golf at the right

time of the year, . Glanville, after winning the North Auckland event, slumped, somewhat and was caught on ah off-day by Gray, who must, however, be given credit for playing his best golf to date. This player has twice figured in the final and we would like to see him clinch the event next year. Thomson showed indifferent form and probably a lift in handicap would assist. Sheen has had an off year—though his final effort with Mrs. Sheen in carding an 84 gross in the closing day mixed full of merit. Partnered with, Gillespie he also won the Mt. Denby Handicap. The most improved player in the club is without doubt H. Cormack, who won the intermediate event and who will be claiming the eye of the handicappers next season. Stan Weston is another who has reduced this year and his consistency is, we feel sure, the reward of many years of hard practice on the football fields. E. W. Thomson maintained his form well and unobtrusively came to light on several occasions. When G. Birnie masters his pitch shot he will find his handicap down to single figures. Of the juniors Ross Nelson, Bill Orr and Mick Lynch are always difficult to separate, but solid practice got Lynch home first this year. S. J. Wood and R. Scott are rapidly improving and carried off several trophies during the year. Reviewing form, as a whole there is no doubt that the general standard is on the improve and. this can be attributed in no small degree to the influence of our genial professional —F. Branch.