YACHT RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 14

YACHT RACING.

ANNUAL EVENT TO TAURANGA. SUCCESS OF LIMIT BOATS. REGATTA AT COWES BAY. BV SPINDRIFT. Ideal weather prevailed for the annual ocean race from Auckland to raui.inga. Favoured'with a light south-west breeze the boats carried spinnakers until reaching Cape Colville, where leading jibs were then used. The conditions were distinctly in favour of the limit boats, resulting in all the prizes being won by them in both (.lasses. A. Gilligin, skipper, and 0. Hislop, i ,spinnaker hand, of the Heretaunga Boating Club, will represent Wellington in tho annual contest for the Cornwell Cup. Four trials were held, Gilligan winning the first three and finishing second in the fourth. He was never once caught in a leeward berth and off the, wind lie always managed to bring his boat through the field. Hislop is a reliable spinnaker band, being very safe, fairly fast, and working well with bis skipper in running before a following sea. The annual regatta promoted by the residents of Waiheke will be held at Cowes Bay on Friday. The programme includes races for keel yachts, mullet boats, 18ft. and under classes, and launches. FORMIDABLE GOLFER. NEW SOUTH WALES CHAMPION OFFENCE TO PUTTING THEORY. Describing the final match in the professional golf championship of New South Wales, in which T. E. Howard was successful, a Sydney critic said: — T. F,. Howard is formidable enough on any course, but on Concord, of which he knows every slope and hillock, every run of the ground, and what the ball will do under any conditions, he is almost invincible. Witness what he did to young Don Spence in the final of the New South Wales professional championship. One pictures Howard rising betimes, remarking: "It's a good day for golf; let's have some," arid then proceeding to have some in full measure. Howard has won a vast array of golfing titles, not only because he is a really sound player, but also,because he has absolute confidence in himself and because ho is thoroughly philosophical in all circumstances. Nothing upsets him. If his opponent has a lucky break and wins a row of holes, that doesn't daunt Howard. He remarks to himself: ,"oh, well, mv turn is coining," and then proceeds to make it come. He needed no philosophy against Spence, to whom he administered what was probably the most thorough beating that has ever been given in an Australian championship final —to the tune of 13 up and 11 to play. He went on reeling off hole after hole in par figures or better until the spectators began to think that it was impossible for him to make a mistake. In his round of 67 he made only two slips of any consequence—a short approach at the 16th hole and a pushed out iron shot to the green at the 17th. His practice of looking at, the hole instead of the ball when putting gives offence to golfing theory, but the fact remains that he did not miss a putt he should definitely have holed throughout the day. It was a great exhibition, and well worth seeing. Spence, who is holder of the Australian professional title, was out of touch when he needed all the skill he could command. He fought well, but his chance was hopeless. TOUR OF SPRINGBOKS. ORTHODOX METHODS USED. PLAYERS CROUCH IN RUNNING. It is rather remarkable that the. South African Rugby tourists have brought us nothing new in the way of tactics, but rely mainly upon orthodox scrummaging, dribbling, and hand-to-hand passing, says an English writer. Football enthusiasts had hoped for some developments of tactics, but unless they are reserving a trump card in case of dire necessity they seem likely fo learn more from English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh football than they will teach. In one respect they are delving into the past for inspiration—that is in the matter of interception. Benny Osier, the present Springbok captain, goes forward like an arrow from the bow, arid if he gets the ball he is practically clear of the defence. The lesson from this is that scrum halfbacks must pass lo.w and swiftly. That will beat Osier's tactics. So will an occasional "dummy." Interception is all right if it comes off; if it does not, the initiative is with the other side. Is it. characteristic of the Springboks that they crouch when running? Judging from the games already played, it must be. It is not unlike the crouch sometimes affected by a boxer in the ring. And the curious part of it is that tins does not appear to affect their speed. This applies with especial force to the forwards. But they have one other great asset: their star men at the line-out are so tall and strong that they can take the ball above their heads, turn round, and pass it back to a waiting man without being inconvenienced to any great extent by opponents who endeavour to glass them. My definite view is that wheeling is likely to throw the Springboks out, of stride more than anything else; and if it is backed up by quick passing it will spell disaster. NOVEL GOLF CONTEST. OPPONENTS OF BOBBY JONES. Bobby Jones recently took part In what seems to have been one of the most novel golf competitions ever played anywhere. At the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, one of New York's bestknown and most exacting courses, lie opposed a, field of 65 members of the Association of the Bar of tho city. Jones, himself a lawyer, played each hole against a different set of fellow attorneys, and prizes were, offered to those who beat his score at each hole. Five competitors accomplished the achievement, and nine tied with him. While Jones' worst hole was the third, where ho took a 6, only one of the players succeeded in getting below that, figure. In his score of 71 for the round Jones secured one eagle (two below par), six birdies, and five. pars. Each of the five successful players was awarded a. certificate on which was inscribed the fact that be beat Bobby .Tones in a one-hole test, with the champion's signature appended.