GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 17

GOLF TOPICS.

CLUBS CLOSE THE SEASON.

AUCKLAND AND TITIRANGI. LADY PLAYERS VERSUS MEN. Mixed foursomes marked the closing of tho golf season at Lotli tho Auckland and Titirangi Clubs on Saturday. About midday a tropical downpour held play up for some time and again later during the afternoon another heavy shower swept the links, literally drenching many of (lie players. Tho Middle more links were in excellent order for the occasion, in fact the best they have been this season and with the new greens open for play everything was favourable except the weather. The first good score to lie returned was a round of 75 net by W. B. Colbeck and his partner, Mrs. Towlo, but this did not reign for long, as R. B. Wilson and Miss Noakes came in with 74 net and took the lead. This score remained the best for quite a while until Mr. and Mrs. R. J. King arrived in with the phenomenal score of 97, 26—71, which proved to be tho winning card. Later another 74 net by Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Brown was recorded and also a 75 net by R. Norton and Miss Vaile, who were somewhat unfortunate in being caught in the heavy rain and in their anxiety to reach the shelter of tho clubhouse took 10 for the last holo.

Aftor afternoon tea at which those present were the guests of the president, Mr. H. Gilfillan, and Mrs. Gilfillan, the prizes won during the season were presented to the various winners by Mrs. Medhurst, daughter of tho president. The club captain, H. B. Lusk, spoke highly of the work conducted on the course during the past season. In drawing attention to the new holes, which undoubtedly have made a wonderful difference to (he links, he thanked members for tho patience they had shown in playing on temporary greens while the work was in progress. The reconstruction of the course, Mr. Lusk said, had proved a costly item, but members were well rewarded in now having one of the best courses in the Dominion. Tho links would be kept open for play during the summer months, when he hoped more players would avail themselves of the pleasure of the links. With the new and adequate water supply recently installed the greens should be in perfect order during this period. Titirangi Club. Tho Titirangi Club's activities for the season were closed with the usual bogey foursomes, the result being a tie between Miss R. Cornaga and V. Humpreys and Miss M. Miller and R. M. Dacre, the cards reading all square. A decision in favour of the first-named pair was, however, reached after a round of the putting green. Both cards represented good golf, as tho competitors in each case were not in receipt of the same number of strokes as that which at times is claimed in these events. Tho club president, in his speech prior to presenting the prizes, stressed the fact that a good summer programme of events was provided for and with every facility for play, it was to bo hoped that good entries would be forthcoming.

Tlie club's most improved player is R. R. McCrvstall, whose form in recent championship events has been outstanding. In outside events the representatives of the club have not met with the usual successes. The North Auckland title, however, was won by E. G. Tallis, while T. A. Goulding was runner-up for the provincial title, and R. M. George occupied a similar position in the Rotorua open championship. The prize-list this year includes the following:—Senior championship, R. RMcCrystall; junior championship, S. T. Gaskin; Taylor Bowl, C. G. Fisher; Ballin Cup, I. B. Stewart; Gardner Cup, A. J. Parr; Rendell Vase, A. J. Parr; Captain's Prize, R. L. Wilson. Good Play Witnessed. The annual match between the lady and men members of the Auckland Golf Club was played last week and resulted in a more even contest than that last year, when the men hardly won a game. It, is to he noted that the ladies received nine strokes in this match last year, but only received six strokes on this occasion. Some very excellent golf was witnessed in the leading game between Miss Culling and H. B. Lusk, Lusk requiring the very excellent score of 72 to beat Miss Culling 1 up. Equally good golf was displayed in the match between Mrs. Marshall and E. L. Bartleet, Mrs. Marshall treating her opponent to a wonderful exhibition of putting, which undoubtedly was the deciding factor in her favour. Mrs. J. Wilson was obviously at a disadvantage when she could not putt in her match with R. G. Rainier, who excels in this department of the game. Mrs. Abbott, with a fine round of 84, easily disposed of A. Boddington. The disaster of the contest was the defeat of E. A. Brown by Mrs. Ferguson, 9 and 8, Brown halving only one hole in the first nine. The lack of the gift of natural balance can bo remedied by tuition and practice and you cannot progress without, practice and concentration.—George Duncan. PRESENTATION TO GOLFER. GLENDOWIE PROFESSIONAL. The opportunity during the week-end was taken by members of the Glendowie Golf Club to mark their appreciation of the good performances of their professional at the recent golf championships. Mr. A. G. Graham, on behalf of the members, asked F J. Rutter to accept a memento in recognition of his win in the professional championship, and his success as runner-up in the open championship. Mr. Graham spoke of (lie splendid spirit which existed in the club and assured Rutter that the improvement in play was in a great degreo attributable to his efforts. Mr. Rutter, in replying, thanked the president and members for the kindly spirit which had prompted the presentation and assurer.' him that he would do everything possible to foster that spirit. AMATEUR ATHLETICS. ADJOURNED CENTRE MEETING Although the annual meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association was not fully attended by affiliated chilis there is reason (o expect a revival so far "as control is concerned. Several dolegales expressed dissatisfaction at I lie manner in which I lie body had administered amateur sport in Auckland in the past. That club interest, has been lacking cannot bo admitted, but the actual control of the sport has been confined to threo or four officials.

However, a visit is promise,-1 from a team of overseas athletes, and a team of champion cyclists is likely to attract public attention. The apathy of the public in Auckland of In I o is (o he deplored. During (he winter months three members of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association met the local centre's executive officers and gave an assurance that Auckland's interests would be looked after by the controlling body. It was definitely promised that R. A. Rose would compete against J. W. Navidan. In a race over ono inile the meeting of New Zealand's best, distance runners would draw thousands to the Domain, and the sport in Auckland would receive a great fillip thereby. The adjourned meeting of the Auckland Cent.ro is to lie held nejt, week and competitors particularly hope the centre officials to bo elected will seriously attempt to bring back to Auckland the sound position it occupied in amateur athletics a few years ago.