GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 14

GOLF TOPICS.

the coming championships STANDARD SHOULD BE HIGH. LAST YEAR'S PLAY REVIEWED. BY FAIRWAY. The New Zealand Golf Championships ■will begin on September 2, anil finish on September 10. The play this year is to be on the St. Andrew's golf course, Hamilton. Very suggestive are the names with which the Hamilton golfers have labelled their course, and the road which leads to it. The course is named after St. Andrew's, the most famous golfing centre in the world: and the road which leads up to the Hamilton Golf Club house is Yardon Road. No doubt these j two illustrious names mean that a high standard on the course and in the play should characterise Hamilton. The standard of play in the forthcoming championships should certainly measure up to that of last year's championships at Miramar, where it was, by common consent, at the highest level yet reached in New Zealand. Two factors assure this high standard tor Hamilton; the presence at Hamilton of practically all the leading golferr who made the competition at Miramar last year so keen, and the fact that the St. Andrew's course is a fine test of golf. A good testing course produces a worthy champion. It is said the Hoylake course, in Britain, always produces a worthy champion, who tramples upon his opponent in the final. In 1927 Hoylake saw Tweddell win by 7 and 6, after being 9 up; and in 1921 the came course saw Willie Hunter win by 11 and 10. It is expected the Hamilton course will thoroughly winnow the chaff from the wheat, leaving the fittest to survive to the ultimate reckoning on September 10. Features of the Course. St. Andrew's course, Hamilton, can be favourably -compared with most New Zealand courses. The fairways are good, and so is the turf. The ability to keep straight will count as a great asset at Hamilton. The man who is playing his wooden clubs well will be in a strong position. That means the course should suit Shaw and Macintosh among the professionals, and Dr. Ross, Kapi Tarepa, J. L. Black, J. H. Drake, and similar good drivers among the amateurs. I believe A. E. Conway thought the carry demanded' off the tee at certain holes was rather excessive. That idea did not strike me when I played twice over the course last March. At the same time I did make a few criticisms of the Hamilton course then—criticisms mingled with appreciation. 1 think the terrain on which the course is laid out contains possibilities which, if carefully brought into play by a skilful golf-course architect, would develop the St. Andrew's layout into the premier course in New Zealand. x\t present there are one or two holes which, to my mind, are very poor holes indeed; and that was one of my criticisms six months ago. Another, if I remember rightly, was concerned with the luxuriance of the ;grass, especially in close proximity to 31 some of the greens. I took notice of " foreign growths" on some of the greens, but that remark has been answered so far as the period of the championships is concerned, by the statement that the foreign growths are composed of paspalum grass, which is unnoticaable in spring-time, and will, therefore, ncit mar the surface of the greens in September. Since March a great deal of attention has been given to the fairways, the greens, the wild rough, and the bunkers, at Hamilton, and the course is reported to be in splendid condition, as was the very attractive Miramar course last year. One hopes that the surface of the tees at St. Andrew's will also be smooth and firm, as long and accurate tee shots will fce called for there. The Championship Rounds. Play will commence on Friday, September 2, so far as the championship proper is concerned. Two medal rounds are to be played that day, and two more on the following day, a total of 72 holes. The best aggregate for the 72 holes wins the open championship of New Zealand. The best 32 amateur aggregates for the four rounds qualify to play oft for the amateur championship by matches of 36 holes each, beginning on the Monday. The eight leading professionals in the 72 holes aggregate play off against each other by matches for the professional Championship of New Zealand. The best single round of the two days' play wins the Jellicoe Vase. Dr. Kenneth Ross won this trophy last year with a 74 at Miramar. He had two 74's on the first day of play. The professional championship match-play was captured by the Mac Donald Smith, of New Zealand— Jock Macintosh, Masterton. The amateur event was won for the tenth time by Arthur Duncan, whose skill, consistency And finesse never failed him, while the open title was ultimately won by A. J. Shaw, after a tie at 307 for the four founds, with E. J. Moss, of Auckland. So far as the course was concerned last year, Miramar was in first-class order, find, in general, pleased everybody. Hamilton will do well if it maintains that standard of excellence, and it probably will do so. The open championship last year was marked by three principal features, a change of wind on the second day, the dramatic spurt of the amateur, Dr. Ross, On the opening day, combined with his Ultimate failure by one solitary stroke to equal the 307 aggregate of the pro fessionals, Shaw and Moss, and, thirdly, the presence of several Australian aspirants to championship honours, two of whom, Hector Morrison and W. R. DobSon, were very formidable' indeed. Favourites for the Open. Shaw, Moss and Macintosh will be fct Hamilton, and the first-named will probably be the favourite starter. For one thing, Shaw is the most powerful of the three with his wooden clubs, although Macintosh, on his day, yields nothing to him. Shaw increased his prestige last j March by winning the open tournament j At Rotorua with the very fine aggregate of 274 for 72 holes. Moss and Macintosh ! were in close attendance there, too, and the latter was leading at tho close of ; Ihe first day's play. Besides these three outstanding professionals, there-'are others quite capable of feeing "in at the death." Blair, of Shirfey, did well at Rotorua, and had a 67 in his first round; .T. R. Galloway, Palmerston North, C. C. Clements, J. A. Clements, Tom Galloway, G. Forrest, R. Butters, and the Hamilton professional, F. Branch, whose local knowledge should be an advantage—these are some of tho names to look for, so for as professional fcoli in the forthcoming championships is feoncerned. Who will win the open at Hamillon ? One who knows the course intimately was bf the opinion a few months ago that four 75's, an aggregate 300, would lead the field.