GOLF TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21162, 20 April 1932, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS.

CONCERN FOR HANDICAPPERS BETTER TEES NECESSARY. EXCELLENT SCORES RETURNED. Golfers turned out in full force on Saturday to take advantage of a perfect autumn day. Scoring generally was so low that handicappers were not a little concerned as to how to treat somo of the cards returned. A safe principle on which to work is to assess the value of the course for the day, irrespective of the standard scratch score. Taking Middlemore on Saturday as an example, all the long holes could be comfortably reached in 2 by the average senior player, the ninth in 3 and the three short holes in 1. Allowing for the orthodox two putts per green, the par would bo 70, to which two strokes can be added, thus giving a scratch score of 72 for the day. The handicappers, having thus assessed the value of the course, should only consider reducing those players whoso net scores arc under 72. Taking tho converse, with a, heavy gale blowing and muddy conditions, perhaps five of the holes could not be reached in 2, thus tho scratch score might then be 76. However, it should always be the duty of the greenkeeper, or who is responsible for the management) of the course, to see that, as nearly as possible, the strategy of the goodlength hole is retained under any conditions. K3y to Position. 'I lie alternate, or long, tee is the key to the position, and no course is complete without big tees, so that the discs can be moved forward or back as the case may be. On a championship course the tees are almost as largo as the greens and if properly made entail very little upkeep, as they can be cut by the fairway machine The golf architect designs a 400 yds. hole fur normal, windless conditions, and bunkers it accordingly, making it possible to reach the green in two. With suitable tees it should be possible to retain the natural strategy at such n hole, no matter what the conditions may be. Auckland clubs should consider this aspect, us in most cases small and altogether inadequate tees are being played on right through the season, in spite of the wind and weather. A four-ball, best-ball bogey was played at Middlemore on Saturday and the rosult was remarkable for the evenness of tho scoring. With the good card of 7 up, B. C. Jacobs and Dr. Friedlander led the field and, needless to say, their win was most popular. Friedlander held the fort for most of the journey, but it was Jacob's devestating run of 4, 4, 3, 4 for the last four holes that won tho match. R. D. Wright and R. J. King finished 6 up, but after being in the strong position of 5 up at the turn they must have missed many opportunities on tho way home. Of the others, V. Masters and C. Jacobsen had a great chance, the golf played by Masters being very fine at times, ancl warranting a much lower handicap. Taylor Bowl Matches. At Titirangi the big match play knock-out competition for the Taylor bowl was commenced, when the first two rounds were played. Very few surprises resulted and the margins in most cases were of the decisive nature. R. J. Graham seems liberally treated if one judges from the manner in which lie dealt with that good golfer, R. M. Dacre. A. Good and E. Beelian had a battle royal before the first-named prevailed on the last green. This tourney promises to become very interesting as the eliminating rounds proceed. J. M. Elliffe returned the great card of 80, less 11, at Maungakiekie, to win the senior medal, and thoroughly deserved the many congratulations proffered. The junior medal was won by N. Ford with the really amazing net score of 66, which no doubt was duly noted by the handicapper. The Akarana Club held the qualifying round for the Brett Cup, and those remaining in will now play-off under match play conditions. The scoring here again was phenomenal, and suggests that the handicaps require overhauling or the true standaid scratch score allotted to the course. W. G. Taylor's gross 79 was a splendid effort, and more should be heard of him in this competition. Howey Walker Cup. At Glendowie the Howey Walker Cup medal competition was commenced. This match extends over four rounds, the player returning the best three cards winning. O. Wolfgram played finely to return 77, 9 —68, which placed him four strokes ahead of the field. This player is quickly consolidating his game and club championship honours should not be beyond his reach. Tho 65 net returned at Pupuke by T. Gooding was rather wonderful considering that the greens were anything but perfect. R. A. Spinley silenced all the opposition at North Shore on Saturday, when he handed in a card of 74, 15—59, and one can sympathise with A. A. Tysoe, who returned a 61 net only to find it was in vain. In perusing the above net scores varying from 59 to 69, one wonders why the low handicap man bothers to enter for stroke competitions. The system of summer handicaps adopted by most of the local clubs evened up the position somewhat during the dry weather. Next season it may be found necessary to extend this system until the full autumn growth of grass slows down the courses.