GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 20

GOLF TOPICS.

FEW CLUB FIXTURES HELD.

VARIOUS TOURNAMENT DATES. MORPETH'S MEMORABLE FIGHT. T1 j o visit of the British footballers resulted in tho postponement of nearly all club fixtures on Saturday and tho samo will also apply to next Saturday. There were a few players, however, who preferred tlieir round of golf end with the course to themselves so to spenlc had an enjoyable game. Weather conditions proved fine, but underfoot the ground was very sodden and difficult to play off, especially just short of some of the greens where many a good shot was badly treated. There were about 20 entries for the medal scramble provided for members at Middlemore, C. A. Herman taking tho small field by surprise with a score af 90, 20—70 net, and in view of the handicapper's absence it may be as well to mention that his card over the last nine holes included three birdies and an eagle. R. 15. Wilson was not far behind with 81, 9—72. j 11' played some brilliant golf over the first half, which, had he continued with the good work over the last nine holes, would have been a marvellous round.

In winning another scramble played during tho week end, 11. Leeso was conspicuous in recording a 32 over the last nine holes at Middlemore, including a 2 at tho 15th hule where he holed out a full iron shot. Coming Tournaments. With Ihe season so well advanced now various tournaments will shortly be occupying the attention of players. First on the'list comes the Rotorua Open Amateur Championship on -August 26, 27, 28 ;md 29. Players come from all parts of the North Island for this meeting, which is regarded as the golfing holiday of tho season. The new club house now in course "f construct ion, practically on the same site as the old one, will be a great acquisition. The holder of the championship is R. M. George, who defeated W. Mori ire in tin final. George hopes to compct" again this year in defence of his title. Almost immediately after the Rotorua championship follows the A eteron s championship on September 2, 3 and 4. Last vear this event provided some very interesting matches, the, winner being I'. 11. Minitay, of the Morrinsville Club. 'J his year indications point to an equally successful meeting. It should be noted that a veteran is a goiter of 5o years of age and over. Continuing with the various forthcoming tournaments the South Auckland championship takes place as usual at Hamilton, just prior to the New Zealand championships, which arc set down to be played at Palmerston North from October 24 to November 3.

A Thrilling Finish. Advice lias been received that the Australian open amateur and professional championship will lake place this year over (lie .Metropolitan links. Oaklcigh. Melbourne, commencing on September 9. These championships will be watched with keen interest locally, in view of Sloan Morpeth again participating. Playing for ('ominonwealth against 'Victoria recently Sloan Morpeth was responsible for one of the must sensational and memorable fights seen in pennant matches for years. Jle was 4 down and 6 to play against A. A. Hancock, states J. M. Dillon in the Sporting (llobe, and then, with lour threes in a row. including two "birdies.' 1 squared the match, won the 17th and halved the last. "It was one of the most thrilling finishes I have seen and showed again that a golf match is never over until it i<- actually won." writes Mr. Dillon. " For 15 holes Morpeth struggled painfull v with his long shots. lie was hooking his woods and cutting or pushing out his irons like a novice. Hancock, who. bv the way. was Morpeth s opponent in the final of the Victorian championship, was playing magnificent long shots, and again proving to a critical gallery that he is out.' of Australia's most polished ami stylish golfers, generally outplaying the X<• w Zealander. "While things were going well. Hancock was stroking his putts ported lv. but as soon as the strain came on lie fell into that fatal fault of his. stabbing the green shots. It. was directlv as n result of this fault that lie lost the 15th and 17th and failed to w in the 18th " Morpeth got his 'birdie .3 at the 380vds.. 13th, after having hooked his drive to thick rough, and tearing a niashie to within 4ft. of the hole. Similarly driving Jit the 330vds. 15th, he found n bunker and, plaving cannily by pitch and run to the green, he sank a 7-varder. "11 is woods down the 580 yds. 17th. were masterly hits, and he unloosed a screamer from the 18th tee when everything seemed to be on those hits. Again he pTovcd that he is a terrific fighter. The looseness he showed in his game appears tn be due to lack of practice. In tlm championships ahead he is likely to be as dangerous as lie was last year. Titirangi Club.

Two matches wore played in the JJallin ("up competition al Titirnngi during I lie week-end. M. Jacobson found Clearv ;i very solid proposition off 12. and although .lacobson was finally round in SJ ln> found himself 1 down going to the ]Stli. I'learv did not, give .lacobson any i-lmiik'os ill lite last, hole, where ho had a possible 3 and a certain 4, which finished the, match. The other match resulted in a win for A. .J. Good, who defeated A. Kairl.uin, 1 up. With the exception ot one or two liolrs (ho golt in lliis match was not particularly good. It is to lie remembered that flood was in a comfortable, position against McCrvstal in the recent Taylor Bowl comneiition onlv In go down to a homeward score of 37 on the part ot ]\lc( rystal. lie shniild be a j)ossibilitv in the Balbu ( up. I I! Stewart, another of the favoured division, was seen to advantage in a fourball scramble during the weekend.

F„r some years I have boon in tho habit, of answering critics liy asking wliclher it is clcsinililo that the two hands si ion 1(1 work together. It is arguable t lint at the moment of impact the left hand iv pulling, the right, pushing, the cluh through the hall, and that, straightness is secured I>v compromise between push and pull, not'by concerted action of the. two hands.—A. C. M. Groomc.