GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20979, 16 September 1931, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS.

HAMILTON PLAYERS' VISIT. SUCCESS AT TITIRANGI. SURPRISES AT ONE TREE HILL. A team of Hamilton golfers visited Auckland during the week-end for interclub contests with the Titirangi and Auckland Clubs. Conditions for play could hardly have been worse, both overhead and underfoot. Several of Hamilton's best players were unable to make the trip at the last minute. The side was thus weakened considerably, but nevertheless was successeful at Titirangi. Against a stronger Auckland side Hamilton was defeated. Only four-ball matches were played at Titirangi. The principal match, between the two Hamilton players, J. L. Black and C. B. Wake and T. A. Goulding and R. R. McCrystal, produced some good golf. Black and Wake combined well, but McCrystal got little help from his partner, who had an off day, and consequently they were beaten. The win of A. T. Atkins and H. F. Gillies over W. L. Robinson and A. M. Goulding proved a valuable one for the visitors. For Titirangi, J. Graham and T. Goudie appear to have handled their opponents rather severely, but this was needed to counterbalance the defeat of their club mates, P. Balgarnie and W. C. Bush, at the hands of W. J. King and H. S. Blackie. The last-mentioned player, many will be pleased to learn, is now down to a handicap of 12. Conditions at Middlemore. Hardly had the players greeted one another at Middlemore, than rain began to fall, with the result that the majority of the single matches had to be abandoned. Later, the weather cleared, and to arrive at a result it was decided to play four-balls and singles together. Although this was the only thing to do under the circumstances, from a match point of view it was not very satisfactory. Naturally, conditions were very bad and much to the disadvantage of the visitors. The four leading players, Black, Wake, Ralph and Dr. Colbeck, had some interesting golf, judging by their exhibition at the last hole. All four players were on the green in two; Colbeck got his 4; Ralph holed a 20ft. putt for a 3; Black, who was not more than 10ft. away, stayed on the edge of the hole; and Wake's ball did the same. Ralph's was a great putt through several pools of water that enabled him to finish all square. Colbeck's performance of the previous day, when he completed in 74 in a gale of wind, will serve to illustrate this player's form at present, and explain his win over Wake by 4 and 3. The combination of A. Donald and E. L. Bartleet proved too good for the opposition, H. T. Gillies and Atkins. In the next match the veteran champion W. D. Ross was seen in action, playing his long game well, but missing badly on the greens. Maungakiekie Championships. The first round of the championships at One Tree Hill produced few surprises and in the majority of cases the wins were quite comfortable. R. S. Milne, who had just been promoted to senior status, played very well, and Hawley was fully extended to win at the 13th.

Calderwood bad an easy win over Ely and F. Wiseman was too strong for Canavan. whom he defeated 3 and 2. Wiseman's score of 3 up was good enough to win the bogey handicap which ! was played in conjunction with the championship round. J. H. Earle and Garrard had a good fight, the firstnamed prevailing by a putt on the 18th green. C. R. Jones had the better of his match with L. H. Norton, while Clarke was a little of! his game and was defeated by J. M. Elliffe, the margin in each case being 2 up. J. D. Shanly also had an of! day and La Roche had an easy win. In the juniors Coleman, "Verry, Smeeton and Schnauer had easy wins and should come through to the semifinals. Outstanding Performance. Playing in a bogey match at Otahuhu on Saturday, H. J. Levy was again to the fore and won the event with a card of 1 up, thereby adding another success to his already large list, for the season. His performance on Saturday was an outstanding effort, his medal round being 72, which eclipses hi 3 previous record round by a stroke. The Auckland Club sent a team of 10 to the Grange links during the week-end, and, in spite of the persistent rain, an enjoyable day was spent on the new links. The visitors proved the_ stronger side and secured the honours of the day by eight matches to five. The Middlemore men were enthusiastic about the possibilities of the links, but voiced the general opinion that the committee would be wise to bring in the teeing-up rule pending the improvement of the fairways. The club championship at Pupuke was not continued on Saturday. Instead, all members took part in a four-ball competition, which was won by I. G. MacKenzie and A. li. Coltman with a card of 4 up. Coltman made good use of the strokes allotted him, and MacKenzio was generally there when needed. Pupuke Juniors. In the semi-final of the junior championship B. M. Sellars eliminated the youthful player A. R. Stephenson, who was regarded as a likely finalist. A good match is anticipated between L. J. Minogue and A. R. Coltman to decide which of them will play MacKenzie in the final of the club championship. This match will probably be played next Saturday. The scoring in the qualifying rounds for the championship played on the North Shore links on Saturday did not produce many good cards. The outstanding feature of the day's plav was the remarkably good score of Everton, a junior plaver, who returned an 81 gross. The card 3 of Bennett and Thompson are worthy of special mention, particularly that of Bennett, whose continued steadiness on his tee and approach shots is standing him in good stead. As usual accurate approaching and putting enabled Thompson to do a fine score of 71 gross. In the senior division M. Thompson and 11. W. Bennett were the best fo qualify, while in the intermediate grade N\ Drower headed tho list with an 81, i followed by G. Downer, who returned an 82. i