BOWLING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20563, 14 May 1930, Page 15

BOWLING NOTES.

BY SKIP

START OF NEW SEASON.

NOMADS AT EPSOM CLUB.

A POPULAR LIFE-MEMBER.

The fine weather prevailing on Saturday was quite sufficient to tempt many bowlers to participate in what was practically regarded as tho opening of the winter season Tho conditions had the effect of bringing out quito a few players who had decided to give the game a spell for a time. Consequently, it was not sur prising to find the various greens filled to their full capacity. The largest assemblage of the day was at Epsom, where the Nomads, under tho guidance of their keen leader, Mr. J. J. IJonnell, turned out in good stylo and mustered enough players to form almost 14 rinks A most enjoyable outing was spent.

On Saturday it was noticed that the Epsom Club had gone in for more green accommodation by utilising the two adjacent areas lately in use for croquet. Theso two areas were specially prepared about 12 months ago and equipped with the necessary banks and ditches so that they would be ready for bowling when the winter season opened. That tooth greens had been well looked aftei during the summer was reflected in their playing capabilities on Saturday. For a first-time usage the surface was really good, and, moreover, the going was delightfully keen. A Club's Foresight.

With winter bowling solely confined to these two areas the club can concentrate on the two large summer greens and there is every indication that these will be in splendid order for next season's plav. It is pleasing to note the foresight of the Epsom Club in thus planning arrangements so as to utilise every square inch of its property to the best advantage." The move comes, too, at a most opportune time, seeing the next Dominion tournament will be held in Auckland, and the Epsom Club for one will be sure to supply part cf the good accommodation which will be required on that occasion. No club in Auckland can lay claim to a more happy closing of the season than West End. This has in a great measure come about by the generosity of one of its life-members, Mr. A. C. Tonkin, who supplies tho trophies annually. It is now just on 2d years since Mr. Tonkin first became associated with the bowling game during the foundation work of the club's present green. He and others worked hard and gave generously to form a green out of what was by ri o means an easy proposition. Since that time Mr. Tonkin has filled all the positions available in a bowling club and his generous support, to not only West End but also other clubs he has been connected with, has made him a ponufar and central figure in tho bowling world. Some years igo Mr. Tonkin went to the country to livo and lie immediately se* about starting the game going there and the formation of tho Buckland Bowling Club followed. On returning to town Mr. Tonkin, although residing at Onehunga, played for his old club and later on for Carlton but on becoming a borough councilloi at Onehunga, he finally threw in his lot with his district club. Auckland and Press. Much interest is being displayed in the forthcoming match at the Auckland Club's green between the club's repiesentatives and tho representatives of the Press and Printers The latter have selected eight specially good rinks and although they usually suffer defeats hope on this occasion to make a good showing. The well-1 inown Public Service bowler, J. Hollows, who joined the Hillsborough Club at the beginning of tht-- season had a particularly fino run of success for his first season in the new club He practically scooped the pool as far as tho club competitions were concerned, as ho won the singles championship, was the winning skip in the percentage fours competition, and skipped the winning team in the champion pairs. His partner in the latter event was Mr. G. C. Munns, M.P.

PROFESSIONAL BOXER.

RUGBY STATUS QUESTIONED.

Because at times C. E. Pickrang, the ex-Poneke and Wellington Rugby representative forward, earns a few pounds in the ring as a professional boxer, the New South Wales Rugby Union has been turning the spotlight on him by consideration of the question of whether he is eligible to play Rugby. There was a good deal of discussion on the matter, and ultimately it was decided to seek an answer from the English Rugby Union. A reply has been received from the English body to the effect that Pickrang is eligible. In New Zealand there have been several c;rses of professional boxers playing Rugbv. One, of the members of the 1924 Al; Black team which went to England, Brian McCleary, was a professional, and Steel and Parker were professional sprinters. A Sydney writer regards Pickrang as possessing great possibilities. He is said to bo slow and is inexperienced, but if handled right and is game, he might bring the coveted world's heavy-weight title" to Australia. He has the physique and tho punch.

DEATH OF CYCLIST.

KIRKHAM'S GREAT RECORD.

Don Kirkliam, one of (lie greatest longdistance cyclists Australia has known, died last week in Melbourne. lie was 44. Twenty years ago Kirkliam was the idol of Australian and New Zealand cycling enthusiasts. At the height of his career h<> ranked with the world's best riders, and created record after record, some of which still stand. With I. 11. Munro, Kirkliam represented Australia in the Totir de France in 1914. The two were prominent throughout the race. With the exception of the Warrnambool to Melbourne road race, Kirkliam gained the fastest time and championship honours in every cycling event of importance in Aus tralia. He was Australasian road champion for several years. Among his achievements which have not been excelled are the 100-mile world's unpaced road record (4h. 36m.) and the 25-mile world's unpaced road record (50m. 305.).

COMMON GOLF FAULT.

IMPROVING LIE OF BALL.

A very common fault in golf is the pressing down of a tuft of grass or heather, either with tho foot or club-head, writes E. I!. Whitcombe, ex-Irish open champion, in Golf Illustrated It will seem incredible to the experienced player that such a thing is done, but tho writer has observed it frequently with beginners. Bear in mind that nothing must be done to improve the lie of tho ball. By so doing you forfeit tho hole.

I do hold that a man may best initiate himself into the mystery of relaxation by relaxing his hands until he must let them lighten on his club. Tho best cricketers do this, as well as tho best golfers.—A. C. M. Croome.