AMATEUR GOLF TITLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18814, 15 September 1924, Page 9

AMATEUR GOLF TITLE.

L. QUIN'S BRILLIANT WIN.

EXCELLENT GAME IN FINAL.

EIGHT UP AND SEVEN TO PLAY.

GOSS MAKES GOOD SHOWING.!

The finest play of the New Zealand golf championship tournament, bordering at times on tho sensational, was seen in thojfmal of the amateur contest at Middlemore oil Saturday. Playing wonderful golf L. Quin, Eltham, defeated J. Goss, Wanganui, by tho substantial margin of 8 up and 7, after a most 'interesting match. The result was unexpected, but Quin, displaying brilliant form right from the start and sustaining it throughout, never left the . issue in doubt. His was a phenomenal exhibition. He went round in 73 in tho morning, 37 out and 36 in, while in the afternoon ho again did tho outward journey in 37. When tho match ended on the 11th green his score was one over fours for the 29 holes played. In all departments of the game he was sound and steady, and left practically no loophole for his opponent. He finished 3 up in the morning, and immediately started to increase his lead in the afternoon. The play was 'in every way worthy of a New Zealand championship final, Goss played scratch golf noarly all the way, and he was beaten only by the amazing golf, which Quin played so confidently. Where Quin did make a mistake Goss took advantage of it, but he made only about four mistakes in the whole match. Quin, one of three brothers who competed in the tournament, is 24 years of age, and is one of a family of six golfers who have distinguished themselves in Taranaki during the past couple of years. The Eltham Club's course is situated on the property of their father, Mr. J. T. Quin, a prominent member of various local bodies, and all the family arc life members of the club. Leo Qum started golf four years ago, and has never had a lesson from a professional, nor have his brothers. Thev are natural golfers, jind have learnt all they know by watching any outstanding player they could see, and assiduously practising. The fact that their farming operations have, during the past few years, prevented any period of practice shows just what goctl'natural golfers these players are. The feature of their play is their iron work, although they very seldom make a mistake with their wooden clubs. Leo Quin qualified for the amateur championship nearly at the bottom of the list, and it was not until his successive victories in match play over such good go'lfers as A. E. Ekstedt, J. Harold. B. M., George and G. F. Gnnson that his chances of securing championship honours wore given much serious thought. The reputation of that good sportsman, Jack Goss, loses nothing by his defeat by so largo a margin. Last year Goss put up a very fine performance in winning the amateur championship at Wanganui, after being in what appeared to be a hopeless position against Arthur Duncan. When 3 down and 5 to play ho won four holes in bogey. Tho feature of his play is the length and control ho has with his wooden shots, and tho facility with which he plays tho half-push shot with all his iron clubs. "Qum was too hot for me all right." Goss said at the conclusion of the match.

THE PLAY DESCRIBED.

WINNER SHOWS FINE FORM.

SOME SENSATIONAL SCORING.

EARLY LEAD MAINTAINED.

Both got well away from the first tee, Quin playing a beautiful second past the pin, while Goss, with a pushed mashie shot, was 10yds. wide. The hole was halved in four. Both drove perfectly at the second. Goss was through with his second, Quin just staying on the green. Gpss was short with his approach, and Quin won the hole in 4to 5. Quin drove over the bunker in the rough at the next, but his third was a beautiful approach over the mounds at tho loft. Goss was to tho right with his second, having got into the rough from tho tee, and took 3 more, Quin holing his putt to win in 4 to 5. A diivc and ,a cleek put Quin on tho next green, Goss being in the rough to the right with two wooden shots, and ho took three more. Quin drew to 3 up with a 4 to 5. The fifth and sixth were halved in perfect fours, Quin negotiating a half-stymio at tho Pah and just missing his three at the RiverbankAt the seventh, Goss was short with his tee shot, and had to approach with a mashie, but secured a half in threes. Quin made his first mistake at the Mounds. Ho drove a perfect tee shot but got right under his approach shot, just reaching the green. He did not hit his putt, taking 5 against Goss' 4. Quin was in the rough with his drive at the ninth, but had tho advantage because of it being imperative that after a good tee shot the player must bo short with his second at this hole to avoid trouble. Both reached tho green in 3, and tho hole was halved in 5. Quin Holes From Approach. Turning for home, Goss took three putts on the tenth green, which put him 3 down again. At the eleventh, Goss/put his second shot into a pot, but Quin let him off, taking 3 putts for a half in 5. Both drove well for the twelfth, but pulled their iron seconds with the vfrind. Goss was too strong with bis approach, while Quin caused a mild flutter among the spectators by holing out with his third, a perfect pitch and stop approach over a sand pot. Bogey for this hole is 5. Qnin was now 4 up. Neither was on the green at the Shovel, but both holed out in 3, approaching with putters. Into the wind the Ridge was halved in fours. Goss played the hole porfectly. Quin pulled his mashie second away to the left, but his approach was good and his putt even hotter. Goss got a win at the gully. Both drove well. Goss put his mashie second on the green, and was out in four, while Quin went over and was short with the return; taking 2 more. A Remarkable Recovery. Into the wind again at tho sixteenth, both drove well, but Quin played a magnificent iron second, which landed almost on the pin, and ran 20ft. past. Goss just got the green and lay dead with his approach putt. Quin holed his, for a win in 3to 4, bogev boing 5. Quin was thus 4 up again. He badly topped his tee shot'at'tho seventeenth, and it took him 3 to reach the green. Gosb was on in two, and, holing out for 4 against 5, reduced Quin's lead to 3 up. _ Two verv bad pulls off the eighteenth put the balls into tho plantation against a netted wdo fence* Goss, with his', flat- swing> had some difficulty in negotiating his second, but finally cut his ball out nicely into the fairway. Quin, with his ball' in a space of about ,3ft. between a tree and the fence, found less difficulty. Using a perfectly upright swing he played a remarkably recovering shot 100 yds. up the'fairway. Both were well away from tho pin after playing four, but holed out long putts for a half in 5, leaving Quin 3 up at the finish of the morning round.

Going out in the afternoon, the players halved the first in perfect fours, and the second in fives, Goss missing a 2ft. putt for a win. At the third, Goss found the bunker in the rough with his tee Bhot. failed to get out with his second, and was short of the green with his third. For his second, Quin played a nice cut up into the wind with his iron, and just reached the greon. His third was pinhigh, and he won the hole in 4 to 6, making him 4 up. Both got nioe tee shots away at the fourth, and Quin's second went nicely on to the fringe of the green, while Goss hooked his into tho rough at the left. Quin holed a 3ft. pntt for a win in 4 to 5, and became 5 up. At tho fifth, both were on the green with their seconds. Goss laid his approach putt dead, and Quin, who was out to tho right, missed a sft. putt for a half. This reduced Quin's lead to 4 up. Quin's tee shot at tho next wont well along the fairway, Goss being in 'iie rough. Quin played another of tho pitch and stop approaches, which helped him so much during the day,., and he holed a 4ft. putt for a win in three, becoming 5 up again. Playing for tho seventh, Quin placed his mashie tee shot 15ft. from the pin. Goss was short of the green and short with his approach. Quin holed his second, and was thus 6 up. At the eighth, Quin sliced his tee shot out on to the ninth fairway, but tossed a niblick shot high over the mounds on to the green. Gross, with his second, struok the mound, and Quin took the hole in 4 to 5, making him 7 up. Quin was short with his third at the ninth. Goss half-topped his third with a mashie, but reached the green and won the hole in 5 to 6, Quin being weak with his fourth. This reduced Quin's lead to 6 up. Champion Shot of the Day. Goss half-topped his mashie tee shot at the tenth, finishing 10yds. over the green, and was too strong with his return. Quin's tee shot hit the bank on tho right of the green and rolled toward the pin. He just missed a two. Goss, with his putt, wont into the hole and out again, and Quin winning in 3 to 4 now stood 7 up and 8 to go. Quin hit the champion tee shot of tho day at the eleventh, 50yds. ahead of Goss, who pulled his into the rough. Both were on in 2, Goss took 3 putts and the match was over, with Quin the victor, 8 up and 7. The cards for the match wore:— Quin.—First round (73) : Out—4 4 4 4 443 55, 37. In: 353 3 4 5 3 5 5, 36. Second round: Out—4 54453 24 6, 37. In: 3 4 (8 up). Goss.—First round (77): Out—4 55 5 4 4 3 4 5, 39. In: 4 5 5 34 4 4 4 5, 38 Second round: Out—4 565 4 4 35 5, 41. In: 4 5 (8 down).

PREVIOUS TITLE HOLDERS.

TWENTY-EIGHT CONTESTS.

Following is a list of winners of the amateur championship to date:— 1893 ... J. A. Somorvillc, Otago. 1894 ... Hi Macneil, Otago. 1895 ... G. Gosset, Christchurch. 1896 ... M. S. Todd, Otago. \ 1897 ... D. Pryde, Hutt,. 1898 ... W. Pryde, Hutt. 1899 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1900 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington, 1901 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1902 ... S. H. Gollan, Napier. 1903 ... Kurepo Tareha, Napier. 1904 ... A. H. Fisher, Otago. 1905 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1906 ... S. H. Gollan, Napier. 1907 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1908 ... H. C. Smith, Otago. 1909 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1910 ... H. B. Lusk, Wellington. 1911 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1912 ... B. B. Wood, Christchurch. 1913 ... B. B. Wood. Christchurch. 1914 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. 1915. 1916, 17 and 18—Not played owing the war. 1919 ... H. E. Crosse, Napier. 1920 ... S. Morpeth, Hamilton. 1921 ... A. G. Sime, Greymouth. 1922 ... A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington, 1923 ... J. Goss, jun., Wanganui. 1924 ... L. Quin, Eltham.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

WINNERS CONGRATULATED.

VISITORS' PRAISE FOR COURSE.

The presentation of prizes, always a happy ceremony, took place on the putting green in the presence of a very large gathering. Mr. W. B. Colbock, president of the Auckland Golf Club, said he felt sure all had thoroughly enjoyed watching the elite of Now Zealand golfers showing their prowess on the links, and especially had they been given a magnificent display of golf in the amateur final. (Applause.) Ho had extreme pleasure in extending to the visitors a hearty welcome to Middlemore, and if they had enjoyed themselves as much as the club had enjoyed having them it would be very well satisfied. He specially referred to the presence of Mr. R. C. Kirk, president of the Now Zealand Golf Council, who had always used- his best endeavours to help the game along. There was no aoubt that Moss, the Auckland Club's professional, had proved himself the finest golfer in the Dominion and in fact, he believed he was in the first three in Australia and Now Zealand. (Applause.) A friend in Australia, whose judgment he respected, had written to him stating he thought Moss would easily hold his own with tho host .there. There were not many who expected Quin to win tho amateur championship, but he went on improving and improving, and honestly, on that day's play, tho speaker did not think anyone in the world would havo beaten him. (Applauso.) It was one of tho finest games ha had ever had tho pleasuro of witnessing. It was also a treat to see the professionals playing their matches. There was among amateurs a tendency to "fiddle and fool about" with thuir shots, trying half a dozen trial swings and then making a mess of it. (Laughter.) He hoped the amateurs would take a lesson and try to play the game like tho professionals did. Mr. Colbeck concluded with a tribute to A. D. S. Duncan, who, they knew, came to the tournament not in the best of health, and yet his first effort in tho Open Championship was magnificent. It was very fitting that Duncan, who occupied probably the premier position in golf in New Zealand, should win the handsome trophy presented by the GovernorGeneral . (Applause.) Work of Secretary Eulogised. Mr. J. B. Lusk, captain of the Auckland Golf Club, expressed groat pleasure at seeing such a large number of spectators, and said it showed a fine interest in the game. He had the pleasure of umpiring the professional final and tho sportsmanship of the players was wonderful and their golf even better. The succoss of the tournament was largely duo to the magnificent work of the committee and the secretary, Mr. A. E. M. Rhind. All Slayers had a great deal to thank Mr. [hind for. (Applause.) Mr. R. C. Kirk, president of the Now Zealand Golf Council, said no one was more pleased than he at the great success of tho meeting- Never in the history of the golf championship tournament in Now Zealand had it been played on a course in such excellent order, or providing a better tost of golf and where there were more conveniences for the golfers. (Applauso.) The course wus well bunkered and the groat point was the 'reliability of the approaches. The greens were larger than most players were accustomed to, and probably during the first few days this accounted for some players not being up to the pin, The appointments of the Auckland Golf Club and the arrangements on behalf of the visitors could not be excelled. No doubt this was due in large measure to the Auckland Golf Club taking the proper stop of having a permanent qualified secretary. With regard to the players, be desired to emphasise that.there was no better stylist, no man who got results with less apparent effort than Moss.

Ho was an object ilesson to players who wasted physical strength on getting: length, for he did it without effort. Ho paid a tribnte to Butters and Forest, and expressed l pleasure at seeing them in the prize list after their long period of ill-health. In congratulating the Eltham Club on its fine performance in the Challenge Vase contest, Mr. Kirk said it was a marvellous thing for th.B membors of the team to come out from a country club with a 9-holo course and do what they did. (Applause.) Never in the history of New Zealand golf had such comparatively faultloss golf been played in the final as Quin had produced.. It was no flukey game. (Applause.) It was rather a coincidence .that Arthur Duncan should have won the Governor-General's trophy, for it was through him that the gift was introduced to the council. The council was arranging a farewell to Lord Jellicoe at the Miramar course next month, when it was hoped all clubs would be represented. Mr. A. D. S. Duncan said he thought the meeting had been probably the most successful of any in New Zealand. The weather had been extraordinarily fine and they had been provided with a course the condition of which was well nigh perfect. They had seen some excellent play and he did not think he had ever 3een better play in any amateur final in New Zealand. (Applause.) The visiting golfers were much indebted to the Auckland Golf Club for its entertainment and hospitality. Ifhe Llat of Winners. Following is a list of the prizes, which, except where otherwise stated, were presented by the New Zealand Golf Association. Mr. Colbeck handed the prizes to the wiuners. Open Championship.—First, £40, gold medal, Brodie Breeze Challenge Cup, and miniature: E. J. Moss, professional, Auckland. Second, trophy valued at £15 and silver medal: A. D. S. Duncan, Wellington. Third, £10 and bronze medal: J. Mcintosh, professional, Hutt. Fourth,, trophy valued at £5: H. W. Macfarlane, Christchurch. Amateur Championship. —First, trophy, presented by Mr. W. B. Colbeck, and gold medal: L. Quin, Eltham. Second, trophy and silver medal: J. Goss, Wanganui. Third and fourth, trophies: G. F. Guni son, Maungakiekie, and H. B. Lusk, Auckland. Tho Challenge Cup will be held by the Eltham Club, of which the winner is a member. Professional Championship.—First, £50 and gold medal: E. J. Moss, Auckland. Second, £25 and silver medal: J. Mcintosh, Hutt. Third and fourth, £10 each: B. C- Butters, Wanganui, and G. B. Forest, Timarn. Challenge Cup, presented by the Gov-ernor-General, Lord Jellicoe, to be held by the competitor handing in the best single round of the four rounds in the Open Championship: A. D. S. Dnncan, who also received a replica. Inter-club Challenge Vase, presented by the late Mr. E. D. O'Rorke, to be held by the winning club: Christchurch Club's team, comprising E. M. Macfarlane - , . H. W. Macfarlane, C. A. Seymour, and A. L. Cropp. First Bogey Handicap, trophies presented by "the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club.—First: H. Horton, Auckland. Second: H. L. Bees, Auckland. First Stroke Handicap, trophies presented by the committee of the' Auckland Golf Club.—First: H. P. Dale, Eltham. Second: E. L. Bartleet, Maungakiekie. Second Bogey Handicap.—First, trophy presented by Mr. G. B. Bloomfield: R. 0. Gardner, Maungakiekie. Second, trophy presented by Mr. G. H. Abel: E. L. "Bartleet, Maungakiekie. Second Stroke Handicap.—First, trophy presented by Mr. H. Horton: W. Geddes, Auckland. "Second, trophy presented by the Auckland Golf Club: T. A. Goulding, Maungakiekie. . Four-ball. Best-ball Bogey.—Trophies presented by Mr. M. M. Louisson: T. H. Horton, Masterton, and J. L. Petley, Miramar. Professional Handicap Match.—First, £25: R. 0. Butters, Wanganoi. Second: tie, £12 10s each: A. J. Shaw, Wellington, and J. Watt. North Auckland. Professionals' Consolation Match, cash prizes.—First: H. Blair, Christchurch. Second: C. C. Clements, Maungakiekie. Third: F. G. Hood, Miramar.

PROFESSIONALS' CONTEST.

MOSS WINS BOGEY MATCH.

About a dozen professionals visited the Titirangi links during the week-end and played a bogey handicap and a four-ball handicap for prizes presented by members of the Maungakiekie Golf Club. Tho bogey match was won by E. J. Moss, of Auckland, winner of .the open championship at tho New Zealand tournament, who, playing from scratch, was 1 up. The other best scores were:—.!. Mcintosh (scr.), all square; H. R. Blair (1), 2 down; G. B. Forest (1), 3 dowm Moss' medal round was 76, the bogey for the course being 78. He played the first nine holes in 35, but spoiled what might have been a record round by taking 41 to come home. The four-ball handicap resulted in a tie between Mcintosh and J. A. Clements and Butters and C. C. Clements, who were 7 up. Butters went round in 75 and Mcintosh in 76.