GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 19

GOLF TOPICS.

I THE HUTT CHAMPIONSHIF.

fj. H. DRAKE'S BRILLIANT SCORE.

kirk-windeyer cup team. r.Y FAR AND SURE. Golfers from many chilis throughout Kew Zealand mot at Wellington on July 19 tc/ compete in an open championship at the Hutt course Wet weather having prevailed foi the preceding week it. was expected I lie course would bo heavy. Tho day broke .vith a heavy mist, hut fortunately the sun peeped through as tho first competitors drove from the first teo, and thereafter the weather conditions vers conducive to good scoring. However, most players had difficulty in returning scratch scores, which was surprising considering the entry of many first-class players. Interest was added to tho day hy reason of tho presence of those players who are representing New Zealand in the Kirk-Wintleyer Cup matches to be played in Melbourne. Many •were keen to'se« those players in action, vith tho result that a large number of ■ spectators dotted the course. A special scratch invitation medal event was played for the benefit of the team, this being played in conjunction with the qualifying rounds for tho Hutt Winter Cup. Tho well-known player J. 11. Drake, of Wellington, became one of the outstanding competitors of the day by returning the brilliant score of 71 in his morning round. The scratch score of the course is 72. On the day he proved himself a better scorer than any of tho members of the Kirk-Wintleyer team, his card reading:—Out: 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 3-37. In: 3. 4, 3, 4, 4. 5, 3, 4, 4-34 Total, 71. First-class Golf. Such scoring represented first-class golf. The course is short and unbunkered, but every other competitor failed to reach these figures. Drako continued in tho afternoon to produce steady figures, completing the first half in 37, and evontu ally carded a 75, and a grand total of 146. T. A. Horton, who was playing with the leader, had {'otic 76 in the morning. 110 got gooil figures in the early part of the afternoon round, but slipped a few strokes coming home, and finished in 75, five strokes behind the winner.

Sloan Morpeth handed in tho second best card ol tho morning, 75. He made ;i bad start in tho afternoon, needing two fives at tho commencement of the round. However, be steadied at this point and ■was out in 36, and a 35 was needed corn ing homo to tie with J. 11. Drake. He missed by one stroko by finishing in 72.

.1. L. Black played with his customary steadiness and returned 77 in I lie morning and afternoon. Dr. K. Ross completely lost, touch and failed to produce his form. Both Morpeth and Ross were at a disadvantage in not having played on the course before. It could be seen that both players were experiencing considerable difficulty in trying to gauge the distance of their shots. The course is particularly flat, and when one is playing for a green which has no definition or background the judging of the length of the shot beepmes rather terrifying. T. 11. liorton and J. L Black have had acquaintance with these links. The greens were very fast, and with the approach to them wet all shots had to be pitched on to a small, fast green and stopped. A. D. S. Duncan was at home on such greens. Victorian Championship, The first event in which the Now Zealand team will be engaged is the Victorian State/ championship. As the KirkWindeyer Cup matches follow immediately after this match it may bo said the best amateurs from all the States of Australia, as well as the best from New Zealand, will be competing. Probably a greater percentage of class players will compete in this championship than in the amateur championship of Australia, to be held at Adelaide at the end of August. The qualifying round of the Victorian championship will be played on August 3 with 16 players to compete by match plav. For many years the Victorian amateurs have been considered the soundest and most brilliant players in the Commonwealth. Ivo Whitton and A. Russell aro the outstanding figures and are sure to lead their State in the cup matches. Other well-known players who 7iiay be competing aro: Ryan, Jackson, Edgar, Bulte, Schlapp. If New Zealand or any State can win from any four of theso "it will have the honour of holding th<i Kirk-Windeyer Cup. It must be realised New South Wales is making strenuous efforts to retain the trophy. Their representatives will be picked from the following: —Apperley, Koane, W. S'mith, N. Smith, Fawcett, Morrison and Harrison. All are very sound players and individually liable to beat all-comers, but the chances would favour the Victorian combination. New Zealand Flayers.

In sending only four players to represent New Zealand it is to be hoped all members will keep fit and be enabled to strike their best form. Morpeth is a sounder player than ever before. A matched set "of irons has made an enormous improvement to his came. His greatest asset lies in his length of wooden shot. In Australia, where the ball will carry a greater distance through the a:r owing to a lighter atmosphere, he ought to do some prodigious hitting. Such length will be an asset as the Commonwealth course "ivhero the matches will be played is 6500 yds. in length. T. 11. llorton is playing his usual sound rind solid game, being well pleased with n riew set. of matched irons just imported. He is well known in Australia from his appearance m the last series of matches in that country. It "ill be remembered the New Zealander created a big impression when he defeated F. lop pel well, 4 and 3, in a match which was arranged between professionals and amateurs. When the match finished llorton was three under fours. In the New South Wales championship and also in the cup matches ho met A. Russell at the height of form and lost in the former evpnt by 2 down and by I down in the latter. In the State event Russell was 71, as against Florton's 72. As the record cu the Rose Bay course is 69 it. may be said Iho golf was well-nigh perfect.. Undoubtedly the New Zealander will be a popular ficure in .Australia this year. Form No Criterion Dr. K. Ross has been getting satisfactory figures on his own course in Duncdin. His form on the Ilutt course is no criterion of his form as he was completely fogged on a strange course, lho southern player is also well known in Australia as ho has repeated performances in State championships. J. L Black mav find difficulty in get ting satisfactory figures during the visit owina to his shortness from the teos, hut bis game in other departments is so solid as well as his match playing capabi.ities that lie may be depended upon to be an acquisition to the team. It is thought New Zealand will not plav through the elimination rounds. The States of Australia will play off and New Zealand will meet the winning State only. The match will be. concluded in one day by 18 holes of foursome play and two matches of singles.

"Everv stroke in golf must ho played frealv, everv muscle of the body must bo allowed to do its fu'.l share of the necessary work " —>J H. Taylor.