GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20339, 21 August 1929, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS.

TITIRANGI CHAMPIONSHIP.

WIND AFFECTS SCORING.

MATCH AT MIDDLEMORE. After the fine weather experienced last week tlio links were fast for Saturday's matches, but a strong wind swept the links and made matters difficult for competitors taking part in the qualifying rounds of the.club championship at Titirangi. As a result the scores were very poor, and the only bright patch was a round of 76 recorded by J. N. Hockin. When it is mentioned that R. M. Georgo took three putts on nearly every green, one can well imagine how difficult it must have been for the average player. J. N. Hockin led the field with an average of 84's, but the best performance of the day was credited to A. V. Peace, as his rounds of 86 and 88 will show. He varied only two strokes, which for this player was remarkably good. Georgo started fairly well, but over the last nine holes in fche afternoon his scoro mounted up. However, ho qualified, which was the main thing, for it is in the match play ho excels. Better things were expected of H. Brinsden, who has been showing to advantage lately. A slip hero and there, recorded in black and white, acts as a mental hazard even lor the more experienced players.

One glance at the two rounds handed in by G. Tallis is sufficient to indicate ho played " scotch." Two nineties m his estimation would qualify. Maybo ho will bo known as " Mac-Tallis "• on tho links in future. A. M. Gouldiiig did well, especially when ho returned 86 for tho first round, and H. L. Robson was at least consistent and qualified.

Tho junior event saw most of thoso expected to qualify included, with T. Goudio at tho head of tho list and* 11. Broadbent not far away second. N. "McLean finished too near tho end to bo secure, but ho is likely to do better in match play. Visitors to Middlemore. Middlemoro had visitors from across tho water—a team of Pupuko players, headed by ,T. G. Mackenzie. Tho Pupuko champion put up a fine exhibition of putting and approaching, and was 3 up on D. B. Manzergh at the 12th hole. Over tho last five holes Manzergh played better, and squared the match on the last green. Dr. Macky was unbeatable on the day. His long driving, a feature of his game, left him little more than a short mashio at/ the majority of tho hclcs. Dr. Macky is subject to these brilliant performances every now and again, and M. E. Thompson was unfortunate to bo the victim in this case.

Minoguo went down to J. B. Lusk who drove ill great style. E. W. Mills registered the first win for the visitors by defeating C. F. Gardner, who required moro than an iron off tho lees against tho wind on Saturday. B. C., Jacobs' record in inter-club contests was maintained when he defeated H., W. Bennett somewhat decisively. The contest ended in favour of Middlemore by eight game's to two. The return visit of tho Waiuku players to Middlemore during the week-end was marred by bad weather, many of . tho matches arranged having to be abandoned." In the morning, howover, a full round was played. Dr. Howden played sonio nice golf and T. R. Bloomfield also was in good form. Seymour Colbeck showed glimpses of his old form. Juniors at One Tree Hill. *' Juniors and C grado players turned out in full forco for tho qualifying rounds of tho championship played at One Treo Ilill on Saturday. Conditions generally were good, although the wind was somewhat troublesome at intervals.

Of the juniors, it is interesting to find J. S. Rankin at the head of the qualifying list again this year, as he was at tho hill course last season. He did not survive long in the match play rounds. It is nothing new to have the leading player disposed of speedily, but from the merit of. his cards on Saturday, and the attractiveness of his stylo as a player, Rankin can fairly bo wished better fortune this year. X. The second player to qualify, L. Knight, also recalls an interesting feature of last season's event. An absolute beginner last year, who had started with the. sound policy of taking early lessons, Knight qualified in the C grado and went on to win tho championship. Necessarily, ho soon saw his handicap reduced balow tho C grade limit. He had some trouble with his game early this season, but his good performance on Saturday suggests it must bo improving again. Rankin and Knight tied for tho 36 holes'' medal played iu conjunction with tho championship rounds, followed by N.Kidd from the generous mark of 25. For the rest there was nothing sensational in cither tho junior or the longer handicap players' results. The usual talo of tho shot which went astray to spoil a good card, or the short putts missed on too many greens wero told. Such incidents can happen to spoil the day, but the merit of the doublo round is that it offers the reward for consistency, and also tho chance of recovery from lapses, if tho lapses are not repeated too often. When such 6tories of hard lack arg. related they simply show tho qualifying rounds to have served their truo eliminating purpose. Glendowie Club.

At tho open day at Glendowie on Thursday last the Stednian brothers had a field day. In the morning J. Stednian won the prize for (he best gross score, and in the afternoon tho two brothers returned tho extraordinary good card of 8 up on tho colonel. Tho championships havo now reached a very interesting stage. In tho Trice, Allcott, Hutchison and Dr. Horton are left to fight it out. Richardson and Wright play off in the final of the junior event, while in tho third grado Garrard will play Keys.

" I am a believer in tho use of heavy wooden clubs, provided they are within the control of the player's physical powers."—H. H. Hilton.

AMERICA'S GOLF HOPE.

SUCCESS OF HORTON SMITH*

The miracle golf played by Horton Smith, tho young American, in tiio French open championship, when he returned a 66 in the first two rounds, compensated him for his failure at Muirfield.v Tho "babe" of tho American dentally he was 21 years old on May 22 is believed to be the finest polfci- produced in America since "Bobby" Jones came to the front. v

Concerning Ilorton Smith, the Americans old mo an arousing story when I was at .Moortown with them, says an English writer. As soon as it was realised tho boy had strong claims for inclusion in tho '.Ryder Cup team, it was decided to test lliis powers of concentration. He was sent out with a variety of partners who were notorious for certain mannerisms not always acceptable to the serious golfer. There was tho man who indulged in "small'* talk all the way round; one who possessed an irritating whistle; another who continually grumbled at his illluck and "snarled" when his opponent line the benefit of tho "rub of the P' 60 . 1 }- ~ nothing intimidated Horton Smitn. won tournament after tournament. w turning a hair, and '..walked into . team.