GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 14

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

JFHE AMATEUR TITLE LOST.

DEFEAT OF A. D. S. DUNCAN.

SIME'S CONSISTENT PLAY.

GREY BEATEN BY MORPETH

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] HAMILTON, Wednesday. The title of amateur golf champion of New Zealand will change hands at Hamilton this week. To-dav tho holder, A. D. S. Duncan, of Wellington, was defeated in the third round of the championship by A. G. Sime, of West port, himself a former amateur champion of the Dominion. Although the result may somewhat surprise New Zealand golfers generally, it was not unexpected by those who have closely followed form at St. Andrews during the past few days. Duncan qualified four strokes better |han 'he West Coast player, but the latter has since been fighting his way up with remarkable confidence, justified by fensistently sound golf. It was generally acknowledged that Duncan's long game was lacking something of the quality which usually rounds off his finished play, but- to-day's was a memorable and close Struggle. / It may be sketched for the purpose of $ summary of the day's events by mention of the facts that Sime finished 1 up on the morning 18 holes, but was 3 down ?fter playing ./the sixth in the afternoon, only to win through before the eyes of large following, 3 and 2. Easy Win for Morpeth. Sloan Morpeth, of Maungakiekie Club, ylayed like/a champion to defeat comfortably Philip Grey, the New Plymouth Club captain. T. H. Horton, of Masterton, displayed his old-time brilliancy in eliminating M. H. Duncan, of Wellington, imt Norrie Bell, the Hamilton champion, just beat hi£ club mate, G. F. Colbeck, J up, at the 36th, to enter the semi-finals, light showers fell at intervals throughout the day, but the clubhouse verandah sheltered few when the pairs were out, *uch was the interest displayed. Details of the third round of the amateur championship are:— N. C. Bell, of Hamilton, beat G. F. Colbeck, of Hamilton, 1 up. T. H. Horton, of Masterton, beat M. 0. Duncan, of Wellington, 5 and 4. Sloan Morpeth, of Auckland, beat Philip Grey, of New Plymouth, 11 and 10. A. G. Sime, of Westport, beat A. D. S. Duncan, of Wellington, 3 and 2. In the semi-final on Friday, Bell plays Horton and Morpeth meets Sime. Slrae's Golfing History. From the day when A. G. Sime, as a Jad.- played golf with manuka stick clubs »nd a wooden ball to the time in 1921 when he won the amateur championship ef New Zealand at Shirley, Christchurch, is a far cry. His unique golfing history demonstrates convincingly what one de.voted to the game may achieve in the face sf difficulties and conditions which would ieter most from ever aspiring to premier tournament honours. "My first acquaintance with golf was Trhen I was caddying at Balmacewan, Dunedin," he said, this afternoon, following his defeat of Duncan "An early enthusiast, I used as clubs for practice manuka sticks cut fronf the bush, and as my lather was in" the timber trade I managed to have balls turned out of wood, bat I went to Australia without having had the opportunity of taking up the game seriously, and it, was not until my return to New Zealand in 1913 that I did so. I joined the St. Clair Club at Dunedin, and won the club championship the folio wing year." Period on Active Service. Sime spent some years on active service, and shortly after his return went to Greymouth, where he won the club championship. Rapidly he improved his golf. He held the West Coast championship for six years, and in 1921 at Shirley beat J. L. Black in the final 'of the amateur championship of New Zealand, and, incident ally, did a record round for the links of 72. A. D. S. Duncan beat Sime in the semifinal of the Dominion championship at Palmerston North in 1922. Sime does not get much golf on the nine holes course he now plays on at Westpbrt. There was, he said to-day, not one hole there of 200 yards. His employment permits of his appearance only once a week on . the course, and the weather restricts the period of possible play to about four months in the year. He had been playing little immediately prior to this year's tournament. 'The Handicap Matches. Considerable "interest was taken to-day in the professionals' handicap match over 36 holes, stroke play, for prizes of £25, £ls and £lo.' The match was won by T. Gailowav, of Auckland, with a net score of 143, F Branch, of Hamilton, with 147, being second, and Lindsay Ross, of Hntt, 148, third. The next best were C. C. Clements and G. B. Forrest, with 149 each. The second bogey handicap for amateurs played to-day was won by G. Brett, of Akarana (handicap 9), who finished 7 up. F. C. Fryer, of Napier (scratch), and L. V. Bellinjiham, of Hamilton (4), tied for second place, each 2 up. Donald Grant, r>f Christchurch (scratch), 1 up, was next, and the following ended all square:—M. Macbeth, of Hamilton (scr). R. G. Guy. /Hamilton (5), L. Seifert, Palmerston North (2), C. Fisher. Titirangi (5), G. Karkness, Hamilton (7). The play off for second place takes place to-morrow. The plav-off to-day hv the five who tied for second place in Monday's bogey handicap resulted in a win for L. V. Bellingham, 2 up. Some great hitting is anticipated tomorrow afternoon in the driving competition, which is open to both amateurs and professionals. There are many at the tournament whose prowess in this department of the game is outstanding, and the trials are keenly awaited. A stroke handicap for amateurs, for tvhich 44 have entered, will be played in the morninp. Tribute to the magnificent condition of the links was paid to-dav when F. Branch, the popular professional at St. Andrews, was made a presentation bv Mr. ,T. M. Hussev. of Wanganui, on behalf of the 'Competitors.