GOLF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 June 1927, Page 6

GOLF

NELSON CLUB

notes r-wm various somic.es

The Vr&k's-fixtures. Fridav: Ladies' bogey match Saturday: Ladies v. Men.

The Weather. This year so far Nelson golfers li.ivt had nothing to complain about so far as weather conditions are concerned, u is fairly safe to say that in no other town iri the Dominion—or anywhere els;; for that matter—is the game played under better climatic conditions than on the Tahunanui links. This season there lias been an almost entire absence ot south-westers, for which all golfers are truly thankful.

Almost a Record. A new course record was narrowly missed by N. Rout (club champion) during a" four-ball match on the King s birthday. Rout has been playing indifferently so far this season, but on Friday got right back to his old form. He finished up with 75-34 out against bogev 38, and 39 in against bogey 38. At tile 18th tee he needed a, three to beat the course record of 72 put up. by Richmond and Huggins; but bad the bad luck to slice into the rough, costing him two to get up, and finishing up with a five. Six threes were included in his round, including three m succession at the 7th, Bth and 9th. Another three was just missed at the 12th. After a pull into the 11th fairway Rout laid his brassie shot within 18ft of the pin. His putt went into the bole, but jumped out again and lay on the very lip. During the, round Rout sent down three of four putts from a distance of 15ft to 20ft. He and his partner finished 11 up on bogey. Rout's card is worth recording:— Out: 454345333—34. In: 454535355-^59—76.

Ladies' Knack=out Competition. The ladies' knockout competition has resulted in some interesting and close games, and at the same time has given the longer handicap players an opportunity of matching their skill against the senior members. The third round is being played this week.

Return Match. A return match ladies v. men will be played on Saturday afternoon. Men concede their opponents nine strokes, the ladies driving off from their own tees. The men won the majority of games in the first match; but the ladies will have a chance of reversing the decision on Saturday.

Provincial Championships. The Wairarapa golf championship was won by J. Black (Hutt) who'defeated E. W. Perry (Masterton) in the final 2 up and 1. The South Canterbury championship was won by B. V. Wright, with a score of 151, his rounds being 78 and 73. E. a. Scott was second with 154.

"GpU Illustrated" Competition. The important British competition for the "Golf Illustrated" Gold Vase was played at B.eaconsfield on 9th April, and was won by Boger Wethered with a score Of 151, who beat Cyril Tolley by a stroke.- Wethered's rounds were 78 and ,73 and Tolley's 73 and 79. Tolley's downfall occurred in the afternoon at the 9th, 10th, and, 11th holes through bad putting. At the 9th he missed a putt of less than 9ins., he failed again at the 10th, and at the 11th missed another of two feet. Many internationals competed but m~. of them performed badly. Harris took 84, including an 8, for the first round and Storey 88, including a 9, the latter tearing up bis card in the second round. Both are British Walker Cup representatives.

Scotland Again, After a period of .thirteen years, Scotland has prevailed in the British amateur championship, just finished at Hoylake, by furnishing the winner in the Aberdeen player, Tweddell. Last year another Scot, in Simpson of Edinburgh, •was runner-up to Jesse Sweetser, the American player. .Tweddell must undoubtedly be a fine player. He had some solid opponents and from cable reports the further he went the greater his margin of win seemed to be. Par and Pick.

An interesting new golf match lias developed, which has great possibilities for the duffer. It is called "Par and Pick." When the par of a hole is reached the player picks up his ball, and the one nearest the pin wins. For example—if the par is four, and two players are playing "Par and Pick," when each has. taken four strokes the balls are picked up and the one nearer the hole wins that hole. Here's where the great possibility mentioned lies: A careless duffer is hardly off the tee, when he reaches the par of a bole. Nothing could more emphatically poini out the absurdity of i«.s careless game than to see his friend almost on the green, while he is wallowing in the rough one hundred yards from the tee. Two rounds of this game will do more to make one realise what bunkers and rough mean than a whole book on the subject. A lot of players will understand what par means 'through tin's game. ,

Struck by Lifjitning. Miss Cecil Leitch, who won the women's golf championship o*f England last year, but who did not defend her title this year, was struck by lightning while watching the. play tliat decided her successor. Her left arm was numbed. After receiving medical aid she was removed to her hotel. Her injuries are not believed to be serious.

Ryder Cup Trial. A London, cable under date 20t?i May £ ays:—lt if; understood that Abe Mitchell is suffering from kidney trouble, and that was the reason he dirt not compete in, the Ryder Cup trial, at St. Albans. Mitchell visited a specialist, and unless an X-ray reveals the, necessity for an immediate operation, ,h« will certainly accompany the Eyder Cup team to America. Meanwhile hn is resting. The illness may be no 'mure than dyspepsia. IJie golfing writer of the "Time's" states hat in the event of Mitchell not going to America, he will be replaced by Ernest Whitcombe. Duncan will probably be captain. Compston had an extract'dinary round of 70, including seven birdies and two Si's. The (rial consisted of 36 holes Kt.bson and Wallis deputised for Mitchell and Poomer. Whitcombe had rounds, of 71 and 72, Havers 7G and 72 Compsion 70 and 78, Pobson 74 and a-'J^'L 715 and 77 > Gac,d 75 <™<J 80, Yvallw 80 and 75, and Duncan 77 and A New Star. new star, unheralded and now ap-

proaching maximum brilliancy, has appeared on the American horizon. — George Voigt. of Washington, who, in Hie North and .South Amateur Championship, was within one. stroke of Bobbie Jones's amateur record of 134 for two rouuds.

Voigt went on to win the champion-, fillip, the final being against an 1.8-yew-oild opponent, Eugene Homers; Voigt demonstrated Um<, lie was equally at homo on dry hard courses or in mud. 'The final was on a wet course, anil he was out in one over par. and played the remaining holes in one under. The course is 6,558 yards long, and par is 36 both ways.

Million Dollar Course. The world's most expensive golf course has been pronounced to be among the worst, from a playing standpoint. It cost eight million dollars ! It is the East Emergency Dam at Gatuii, Panama Canal. It was originally a huge swamp that carried the breath of death and had to be filled in to keep the canal banks from caving in. The cost of this was eight million dollars. The brilliant idea of converting the waste land into a golf course was conceived by some golfers stationed in the vicinity, and gradually a playable course is shaping itself, but it is rough going at the present time.