GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 17

GOLF TOPICS.

PLAY UNDER BAD CONDITIONS

SOME GOOD CARDS RETURNED.

TITJRANGI PLAYS HAMILTON.

The heavy rain last Saturday mado. conditions vory unpleasant for golf, and although most of the clubs continued with their matches, the entricß were small. However, in glancing over the results, it was surprising the number of good scores 1 hat wero handed in, this being much in evidence at Middlemofe, where the second round of the 72 holes medal competition was played. J. McK. Wilson's position at tho head of tho list on Saturday was very popular, as ho has been so nearly there <on several occasions lately. As a result of the first two rounds, it might almost seem as if this competition has developed into a match between the two namesakes, R. B. Wilson and. Jr McK. Wilson, each having had a first and second, while both are leading •the field with totals of 145.

Starting with 6, 7 5, R. B. Wilson seemed to'be in for a disastrous second round, but tho effect was more in tho nature of a steadier, making him recover brilliantly to finish in 81—9—72. It will bo vory interesting to see how theso two players fare in tho next two rounds. Medal play is a strenuous test at any lime, but a week's interval between each round, as is (ho case in this competition, makes it doubly so. With tho championship in view it is vory comforting to seo somo of tho low-markers playing so well.

Several Players In Form. H. Plumloy has been in great form lately, his round of 73 on Saturday being an indication of this. A round of 75 on tfto part of S. Colbeck speaks for itself and tho outstanding capabilities of this young player. IT. B. Lusk continues to play with his usual consistency, whilo R. I). Wright showed a glimpse of return to form with a score of 76. P. C. Nicolls won tho Captain's Prizo at Glendowie when ho defeated K. Brookfield in tho final on Saturday. The game went to tho i6th hole, after a very even contest. Over tho first nino holes the lead changed hands several times, but Nicolls held tho advantage at" tho 14th, where ho was 2 up and with a.good four at tho 16th decided the issue. Tho winner is to bo congratulated on winning this important event. He is a good match player and with more consistent teo shots his game would improve accordingly, flic runner-up, Brookfield, played good golf throughout to reach tho final, and on a fino day might easily have reversed the result. . A large team of Titirangi members paid a visit to St. Andrews, Hamilton, over the week-end. As is the caso with all events awav from home, it was impossible to get the best team away, players of tho calibre of 11. M. George, G. Brinsdcn and J. N. Hockin being unable to make the trip. Nevertheless, it was a fairly representative side that was beaten. T. A. Goulding played number one for Titirangi and met J. L. Black, svho did "not have ft five on his card H'ter the fifth hole. Goulding was out in 37 and was 2 up at the turn, hut Black, coming homo in 34, mado tho pace much too hot, and the gamo ended 3 and 2 in his favour

W, L. Robinson registered a win over IT. T. Gillies. There were only threo others who registered wins in tho senior division besides Robinson—Joplin, Smith and Gilmuur. R. Guy, Hamilton's third man, maintained his unbroken series of victories iu interclub fixtures by accounting for the local player, A. E. Robinson.

St. Andrews Course Improved. Tho Titirangi juniors fared somewhat better. T. Gouclie, who played first in tho junior- team, made his first appearance on St. Andrews, and found the course much to his liking, as also did Gyllies, Bush and Rogarson. On the social side tho Hamilton Club, nr, usual, excelled in hospitality, and gave the visitors a wondertul time. Tho St. Andrews course has just had the fairways and greens thoroughly treated with sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of iron, and a wonderful improvement has been effected. The links were so wet on Saturday that the Waitemata Club decided to postpone the second qualifying round for the senior and junior At present J. Hogan heads tho field with a fine round of 72. Next on the list is Bartley, who, on a 14 handicap, took the field by surprise with a round of 74. Leilch and Hume head the juniors with rounds of 80 each. The club has recently decided on a new layout of tho liuks, which will increase it in length to 900 yds. and the bogey from 68 to 72. It is hoped to proceed with the work in tho courso of the next few months.

Irons are used for accuracy rather than distance. Don't endeavour to hit the ball away as far as possible, but rather to place it in a definite or specific Jnck Cordon.