GOLF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 April 1934, Page 4

GOLF

MIXING UP (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Bth March. Ono of the most- exclusive golf clubs near London has adopted as an experiment an astute method of trying to get its members better known to one another. It was felt that the social bunkers were too stiff, and needed some easement; so they run a tournament on the American system, not by a knock-out competition, but by an arrangement whereby each player had to play all others. On the whole, the tournament has been a. great- success. As one member put it, the chief point about a competition on American lines is that it makes one play an unknown member instead of merely scowling at him. It is hoped now, after this methxl of formal introduction all round, that the club in question will develop a more fraternal club spirit, and bear less resemblance to the icy formality of an exclusive St. James’s institution. SOUTH AFiUCAN-PLAYERS Th« hope that the visit of English woman golfers to South Africa would give an impetus to the game at the Cape has been speedily realised. Miss Chambers, it appears, came back to England witli the names of several players who wish to enter for the women’s open championship this summer. She has already booked rooms for them at one of the hotels at Porthcawl, where the championship meeting takes place this year. Porthcawl, by the way, is making great preparations for the visit. It has always had the reputation of being the finest links in South Wales, but three new greens have been laid down, and in the opinion of experts an immense improvement has been effected. Portncawl even hopes that, following on the ladies’ championship, it may shortly be. accepted by the Royal and Ancient as one of the greens listed for the men s open championship. THE NELSON CLUB NEW LOCAL RULE Among the important new rules recently issued is one to the effect that unless varied by local rule, “grass in a hazard is not to be deemed part of the hazard.” The Nelson Club has now made a local rule which reads that “grass in a hazard is to be deemed part of the hazard.” The main effect of this local rule on the Nelson course is that under it a club may not be grounded in tho various water hazards which are in most cases defined by lines cut in the turf, or. of course in any hazard or bunker, although the ball may bo lying on grass therein. The new rules issued contain several important amendments and should be closelv studied . . . The number of new members joining the local club this year is very gratifying, and is an indication of the growing popularity of the game. The Moore-Reid Cup matches with the Marlborough Club have been set down for 3rd June week-end at Blenheim and Ist August Alondav week-end at Nelson. . The final of the Club championship, played over 36 holes, will be played this year on 28th July, considerably earlier than in previous years. The first ladies v. men match of the season set down for Saturday has been postponed until the following week. A four-ball bogey handicap will be played on Saturday. ‘ . The Committee ha-vc authorised the sinking of a well near the putting green with a s view to providing water for that green. If the experiment is successful similar works will no doubt be undertaken, as opportunity occurs, at other greens. " The new crocus at the lllli and 131 h |,live now been re-sown and given reasonable weather conditions should come away well. In October last the ground committee planted out a few sods of a_ South African grass, kikuya, obtained from New Plymouth, where outstanding resuits had been obtained with it on rough sand country.' The grass has made remarkable growth here, and.provided it will stand tli 0 severe local winter conditions, gives piombe of valuable use for several purposes.