GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS.

INTER-CLUB CONTESTS.

HAMILTON BEATS AUCKLANO.

COMPETITION AT TITIRANCI. The Auckland and Hamilton Golf Clubs seem to be most unlucky in striking such unfavourable weather conditions for then* inter-club matches each year. It was only possible to play singles on Saturday, the much looked forward-to foursome matches having to be abandoned. Once again the Hamilton players proved themselves masters on their own course by defeating the Middlemore team by 9 games to 3. Although Auckland won the 13 division, played at Middlemore, the margin of defeat at Hamilton was too great, the Hamilton club therefore winning the contest bv 5 matches.

Nothing seems to have been spared by the Hamilton players in 'entertaining the Auckland team, ft would havo been very interesting indeed to have noted the result had Middlemore been able to send its full strength, which would have included Lusk, Wright, Bartleet and Louisson. In the absence"of Lusk and Wright it fell to W. S. Ralph to face J. L. Black and as it happened Black was very much on his game going round in 73 (Ou. : 3,4,4,5,3,4,5,4,4-36. In: 4,4.4,4,3, 4, 5, 4, 5—37) off the championship tees. This was a particularly bright exhibition considering this player lately has been confined to Saturday play only. A fewnew additions to his kit in preparation no doubt for his trip to Australia have made a vast difference to Black's game. Particularly noticeable is the extra length he is now getting from the tees. Bellingham Surprised.

Plumley had all lie could do lo bent IJcllingham, for in the ordinary course .'of. events the match should have gone to the 18th' green. Bellingliam looked to have, the 17th hole won, which would liavo squared the match until Phimlev, with"- it putt from the far edge of the green, holed out, completely surprising Bellingliam, who missed a comparatively short putt that closed the match very suddenly. Rees appeals to have been caught napping, for he was 5 tip on Wynne at ono stage, and when the latter struck his form over the last nine holes, which he did Sn, par figures, Rees could not get going again. It was a particularly fine chip shot to within inches of the hole at the last that won Wynnp the match, 1 up. 11., Gillies played his usual steady game, and handling the green much better than Tidmarsh had a comfortable win. C. M. Gordon lost nil idea of his game on tho strange links John Horton proved the saVne dangerous opponent of bygone days in accounting for Dr. F. Macky as he did. It genprally falls to Kissling's lot to deal with John Horton ori these occasions. However, Kissling found Fisher none too easy on the day, and after a very close game managed to score a victory' for his side on flic last green. 'The only other Aucklanrler besides Plumley and Kissling to j win his match at Hamilton was C. X. Jacobsen who, to beat Bcelian, went round in 84. which reflects great credit on this player.

Games between Juniors. Some very good games took place at Middlemore between the two junior tennis. R. C. Jacobs, paying first man for Middlemore, won his match. X. H. Rawson (Hamilton) did well to beat W. A. Phillips, and P. B. Morris and N T . Ross had a hard tussle. W. Pavitt caught N. Bell, senr., right off his game, and this enabled him to win by such a big margin. 1 lie Auckland Golf Club has fared very badly in inter-club contests so far this season. I'irst and foremost was the match with Titirangi, when the absence of W. S. Ralph and Donald left a big gap in tho team. Now comes the defeat'by Hamilton. In sending teams to A lea ran n and Glendowie the selectors seemed to have sadly underestimated the strength of these chilis. It has been suggested that even with the smaller clubs the best available players might be sent, and resort to playing on handicaps until these clubs are strong enough to play on erpial terms. t This arrangement, no doubt>.. would be greatly appreciated by the smaller clubs, for it would give their players a chance of meeting some of the best players like Morpeth, Lusk and George. F. S. Ballin Cup. Thirty-two players qualified for the F. S. Ballin Cup at the Titirangi links "on Saturday. The competition is played under similar conditions to the G." L. Taylor Bowl, with tho exception of the qualifying round reducing the field to 32 competitors. The play on Saturday was hardly up to expectations, as only ci;o competitor completed with a net* score which was under the scratch score of 75 for the course. This member was L. Williamson, who had a brilliant day by leturning a net score of 66. This score was achieved bv two factors—orthodox figures and the, limit handicap. That handicap has now been reduced* by seven strokes. Under the new handicap system and with a largo field of long handicap players it 1 is usuallv found as in this instance that

one player is on the wave-crest of brilli

ancc and returns a card which is far ahead of the capabilities of the remainder

of the field'. A. Colliding did well to return 75 net, going out in 43 and completing the inward half in 4]. This was good scoring, considering a breeze blew from the cast, which made the course harder for low scoring. Unfortunately Iho wind from this quarter rather spoils many holes at, Titirangi, especially the famous "Ridan." where considerable difficulty is experienced in trying to stop on the green from the tee shot. The character of this lioiu and others also is completely lost under easterly conditions.

Players returning cards of 85 net qualified for match play. A. 1!. Hodgson, who has just commenced to play, is to be congratulated on his effort of qualifying with 78 net. F. £'. Ballin returned 92, 13—79, but, of course, is not a competitor in the event. The final of the 0. L. 'l'avlor Bowl has yet. to be played, when E. F. Burns will meet C. >S. Western-

The Elliffe Cup. Judging by the way it opened on Sattirday, tho Elliffe Cup competition promises to rival the Kingswell Shield event in popularitv at One Tree Hill. A match pi,iv handicap, it allows of (he true and original form of golf, the panic between (wo players, fighting their way round the emirs'?, hole by hole. For obvious reasons this class of competition cannot figure verv largely on the fixture card, but it is accepted as a welcome variant from tho bogeys and medals which arc much more, common. Incidentally a little experience of match plays comes opportunely with the club championships not far away. With a field of 88 engaged, (he end of the first round is far too soon to offer any cbanco of guessing tho result.. Even as the. process of elimination proceeds it is not easy to sec the winner in advance, for strokes conceded can make so material a difference to the most fancied competitor.

A feature of Saturday's play tho return of four pairs who were all square at the end of the round. T. H. Chapman and J. D. Shanly. ari example of experience pitted against youth, finished in this ►way. So did A. II Blackburn and D. D. Holland, while L. Knight and R. W. Yerrv, (he first winner of last year's C grade championship, the second a survivor of several rounds in it , proved equally well matched. As usual m such events, another round will have to be played lo settle the issue. It remains to be seen whether there will be a repetition of one incident, of last year, whon U. tho eventual winner, and J. A. Stewart had to play three rounds before eitHel could prevail. -The pleasures of golf are thousandfold when it is plajcd cp„ : recti}'."— Alex Hord.