GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 17

GOLF TOPICS.

INTER-CLUB COMPETITIONS. HAMILTON PLAYERS' SUCCESS. EXCELLENT ROUND BY E. J. MOSS. Tlie~ Auckland Golf Club sent away, a strong team to Hamilton for the interclub contest, but again the local players proved 100 good on their own links, ilic conditions for play could not have been better, with a perfectly still, dull day and the" St. Andrew's course in great oj-'dpr. Such conditions were conducive to good golf, there being; some excellent play recorded, especially among the home players, who seemed to have excelled themselves on the day. J. L. Black must have heard of W. S. Ralph's performances lately as he saved up for the occasion a- brilliant round of 73 37 out and 36 home—and Ralph did remarkably well to have been beaten only 2 up. W. Wynne and Dr. Abbott had a very, even match, the last two holes, which Wynne won in 3 and 4 respectively, giving him the decision, 1 up. H. T. Gillies' defeat of It. D. Wright, although perhaps a little surprising, was a great victory. The veteran player with his aluminium putter working to perfection, combined with his knowledge of the borrows and curves, treated long and sliort ones alike. Doruiy one down, Wright took a chance at the last hole, but missed and was beaten 2 up. If anything C. 1!. Wake was hitting his shots further and straighter than usual yet A. Donald is not lacking in this department of the game. As a result it was a great game to watch, especially as only one separated the players in the end. Wake's great performance, however, was in the four ball contest. Partnered by Black, ho did a round of 74, their victims being Ralph and Donald. Double Success. Dr. Colbeck and N. Louisson appear to have made amends for their recent failure at Titirangi for they were two of tho few Aucklanders to win their matches m the singles and, partnered in the four-ball, were again successful in accounting for a formidable combination in H. Guy and JV Horton. E. L. Bartleet, 100, played exceedingly well and was successi.nl in winning both his matches. Paired with Y. Wilson in the four-ball against H. i. Gillies and T. A. Atkins, lie reeled .off a nice 35 for the last nine holes. J. Horton fairly staggered 11. lidmarsh with his putting, while perhaps the most thrilling match of the series was that between T. Simpson, runner-up in the recent provincial handicap championship, and G. 11. Abel. I'or an exhibition of putting it was easily the best* owing to the number of good putts being fairly evenly distributed. Out in 37 Abel was playing a great round and had he been content to register a 2 and 1 victory instead of one of 3 and 1 as he attempted there would have been no need to play • the last hole, which ho also lost, to finish all square. Another all square decision rested between W. D. Ross and S. S. W T ilson, a putt of two feet which Wilson had for the match on the last green baulking on tho lip of tho hole. Among the juniors, although far from being a junior, R. D. Horton was outstanding on the Auckland side while the putting of tho Hamilton player, 31. L. Blackie, was worthy of a. plus two. man. After the match tho Auckland team was entertained at dinner by tho Hamilton ; Club, which brought to a conclusion a most pleasant and enjoyable meeting of the two clubs. • Play at One Tree Hill. Some excellent cards were returned at One Tree Hill on Saturday when a bogey handicap was played in conjunction with the second "found of the Elliffc Cup. D. R. Garrard led the field with the fine scoro of 4 up. Although holding a- trifle the greens were in splenid order and the fairways were in surprisingly good condition after so much rain, in passing, a word of praise is duo to tho committee for tho great improvements made to the course generally since One Tree Hill became a separate club. A very progressive policy is being carried out under the supervision of tho new head green keeper, who came from Hastings. There were few surprises in the Elliffc Cup, although after A. K. Turner's good scoro the. previous week his defeat by 11. Walker, 3 and 2, was rather unexpected. R. S. Milne and J. 11. Enrle. two promising juniors, had comfortable wins against L. 11. Norton and .1. ( Sherlock respectively. A good performance, was registered by A. J. Schisclika, who defeated W. E. La. Roche at the 19th after tho latter was at one stage dormy four. The outstanding feature of the interclub contest between the. Auckland and Maungakiekie. Clubs played over the Mid* dlcmore links was tho defeat of 11. I>. Lusk by R. M. George. The meeting of theso two rivals —George leading his old club for the, first time for- many yearsrevives memories of many famous contests between theso players, when as a rule, the issue was in the balance. The following figures will illustrate the excellence of a round of 69 recorded over the Middlenioro course by E. J. Moss during the week-end:—Out: 4, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3. 3. 4, 4-35. In: 3. 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4. 4—34. Ballin Cup Matches.' The handicap match play event for the Ballin Cup at Titirangi has now reached the semi-final stage, some good games having taken place in the two rounds just completed. S. Hunter, following a good effort that took A. B. Joplin to the 20th for the second game in succession, was himself well beaten by F. W. Lucas. The last named will now meet J. Carnachan, who disposed of W. P. Barker at the 19th, Carnalian's second to the pin at this hole finishing inches away. J. E. Murray continues in winning vein and is playing good golf. From his mark lie was too good for the veteran, R, J. Hamilton. Murray will now meet 11. T). Brinsden, whose performance against H. V. Peace was that of a class golfer. In the qualifying rounds of the club championship at Glendowic, a particularly good card was handed in by C. 13. Thomas, who did a 79,' which, less his handicap of 8, gives him one below par. R. Edmonds also did a 79, which, less his handicap, equalled par. R. Bradley, who has improved very much this season, did a very useful 82. Some of the seniors will need to improve considerably in the second round of they wish to be included among those to qualify. Probably tho best round of tho day was put up by N. A. Naismith. In the C grade section 0. F. Rogers, an ex-Wang,'inui College boy who has just started the game, handed in a card of 95. Pupuke Captain's Prize. The captain's prize at Pupuke was advanced a stage further on Saturday. A. E. Browne, whose performances have been outstanding lately, fell a victim to the youthful player A. R, Stephenson, The winner, a new member this season and a promising left bander, is to lie congratulated on his victory, as ho was in receipt of only four strokes from his opponent, an experienced match player. E. W. Mills played his usual steady golf to beat C. F. Browne, to whom he was conceding seven strokes, although Browne would have made a much closer game of it had he been handling the greens better. It is pleasing to record D. R. C. Mowbray taking a hand in matches again, his card of all square with the "Colonel" being the best. Further matches for the Captaiifs Trophy at North Shore were played during the week-end, now bringing the competition to a very interesting stage. The game between B. Goldwatcr and A. Tysoe was hard fought and interest was maintained until the 18th green, when a fortunate stymie enabled Goklwater to win. Other members of the club competed in a medal round and, from a perusal of the cards it is quite evident that an amount of excellent scoring was don*..