GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 16

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

PROSPECTS AT DUNEDIN. COMPETITORS AT PRACTICE. OPENING ROUNDS TO-DAY. [r.V TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNK DIN, Thuisdiiy. The score with which the open championship was won on the Balmacewen course in 1008 by J. A. Clements was 333, which is ono of the biggest scores that ever won the title. The. reason for the very high scoring on that occasion was (hat a tempest raged throughout the meeting. At present it looks as if there might be a repetition of the wealhci of 1000. Every day since Monday the gale has swept the course, making real <j;olf impossible. At two of the holes balls have been blown back down the hill by the wind for 100 yds., and even 150 yds. For some time on Wednesday afternoon the high exposed second green was unplayable, balls being repeatedly blown away from the gentle slope where the hole was placed. In these boisterous conditions few goiters played two rounds a day. The wind has now considerably abated, and there was welcome rain during the night. To-day all are happier about tho weather, and two moderately good days are predicted.

The Balmacewen course is ,in excellent condition, although the spring has been the driest tor a generation. Ihe springy turf makes walking a pleasure, and helps to diminish the labour of climbing, in which the hills involve the players Favourable comments upon the course are the rule, especially from those who arc visiting it for the first time, and up to tho present had heard only rumours about it.

On Friday morning at 8.30 the first pair will drive pff in the medal rounds for the open championship. There are 81 com petitors, of whom 19 are professionals. Two rounds will be played on Friday and two ori Saturday. The player with the lowest aggregate for the four rounds becomes the open champion of New Zealand.

The 32 leading amateurs in the four rounds will qualify to play for the amateur title by match play. The eight best professionals similarly play-off in the following week for the professional championship. About 50 of the players are from the South Island, and the rest from tho North Island.

Five days 'ago, before the gale blew. Dr. Ken. Ross went round in 70. No other score has been quite, as good. Shaw and Macintosh, two of the fancied professionals, have been round in 74 each. Since Monday good scoring has been almost impossible, yet Butters (Miramar) went round on Wednesday in a marvellous 73. The same afternoon Dr. Ross was pleased with an- 82, and Sloan Morpeth with an 83. The gale was at its worst then. Butters and Macintosh, in a fourball yesterday, beat Sloan Morpeth and T. 11. Horton, by 2 and 1. but none of tin: four was pleased with his play, even allowing for the wind. Among the professionals, Douglas is one ol the favourites.

Among the competitors from the South Island are Ross, MacFarlane, Sirrie, Wight, Wright, Blair, Clements, Grant, Millard and Campbell, and from tho North Island Shaw, Macintosh, Butters, Sloan Morpeth, T. H. Horton, J. Black. F. Fryer, J. Goss, H. P. Dale, R. Wagg and M. Duncan.