GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 16

GOLF TOPICS

KEEN GAME AT GLEMDOWi^ PUPUKE PLAYER'S FINE CARD GOOD RECOVERY BY H. B. LUSK Golfing conditions were almost perfect on Saturday, and players thronged the different courses. The final oi! the captain's prize match play competition at Glendowie resulted in a win for V. R. Johns, who defeated J. E. Stedman on the eighteenth green after a great struggle. Johns, who was in receipt of ten strokes, obviously * plays tho game in a lighthearted manner, but he drives a tremendous ball and is a sound putter, a dangerous combination. Stedman has been playing very consistently this season and he was unlucky to lose, as he returned a card equal to an 82. Johns won the first hole .with his stroke, but lost the fourth, fifth,, sixth and seventh, all to sound golf. The eighth went to Johns with his stroke, but, losing tho ninth, he turned fcf home 3 down, leaving Stedman in a winning position. Stedman, however, played the short tenth hole badly, losing to a 4, and he also lost the 11th, where he was unfortunate enough to be completely stymied. Ife became 2 up again with a nice 4- at the 12th, but played the 13th weakly, holing out in 6 to obtain the half. Johns (squared the match by taking the 14th and 15th with his strokes, but Stedman again wont into the lead with a four at the 16th. Critical Hole The 17th proved to be tho critical hole of the match, Stedman drove a very long ball just short of the green, and Johns found the rough, from whence he recovered to reach the edge of the green. Stedman chipped in to within 6ft. of the piu, and Johns putted to get inside 3ft. in 3. Stedman now had his putt for the match, but he over-ran and missed tho return to lose the hole. Johns was. in receipt of a stroke at the 18th, and, sending away a perfect drive, lie finally holed an Bft. putt for a 4 to win tho hole arid the match. The medal competition was won by Stedman with an excellent 80, 10 —70. The members of the Pupuko Club played a bogey competition, when L. H. Saunders and L. G. Ansell tied, all square. The fourth round of the captain's prize was played, some close games resulting. The surprise of the day was the defeat of the favourite, A. E. Browne, by S. L. Bond, to whom he just failed to concede eight strokes. J. Hume had a desperate encounter with H. Goodwin, in which the last shot had to be played, and the same can be said of the Dixon-Stokes match. Stevens' Good Card A noteworthy round was recorded by H. Stevens in completing the course in 69, which' is equal to tho standard scratch score. Stevens' card read as follows: Out: 4, 4, 4, 5, 3, 4, 3, 2, 3,-32. In: 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 3, 3, 5, 4—&7, a total of 69. While resident in Christchureh, Stevens held the championship of the Avondale Club, and at Easter time he won the provincial handicap at Titirangi, beating V. fi. Humphreys in the final. His consistent form should make him a prime favourite for club championship honours at least. Over 70 players entered for the bogey match at North Shore, and, as evidence of the improved playing condition at this course, both W.'Roberts and W. Badeley. finished 3 up on the colonel. The first round of the 72-holes medal competition was played at Maungakiekie, when W. D'Audney, 80, IS—65, and J. Earle, 83. 18—65. tied. The new greens were in perfect order, although on the fast side, and courage was required in holing the four-footers. Almost a record entry was received for the professional's benefit bogey competition at Titirangi. J. Murray and G. C. Jones-tied with cards of .1 up, but at least five others were hopeful going, to the 17th. Play at Middlemore 'The first round of the 72-holes medal competition was played at Middlemore, the trophy to go to tho player returning the three best net scores. A prize is also being given for the three best gross cards, an innovation not generally known. H. V. Coverdale returned the best gross card of 78, 5—73, and tied with B. G. Thompson, 82, 9—73,- and F. Abbott, 89, 16—73, for tho net score. Coverdale has been playing well of late, his powerful tee shots being invaluable under present conditions. Thompson continues to play soundly aiid only Abbott's inability to achieve length from the tee precludes him from returning much better scores. An Otalmhu team visited Middlemore and, although beaten, it thoroughly enjoyed tho day. H. Levy, W. B. Eustace, A. P. Eustace and L. J. Croxson are a stnwig quartet to lead, the Otahuhu side. All are strong hitlers, possessing a correct style, and, when some form of pennant matches are arranged, they will show rapid improvement,. H. Levy did well to beat W. S. Ralph in a match that was all square at the turn. Levy played his second shots boldly up to the flog and his putting was deadly. He took the lead at the 13th, and there-, after, playing par golf, won at the 17th. Lusk's Good Effort In tho second match H. B. Lusk staged a recovery reminiscent of some of his best efforts of the past. He was 4 down to W. B. Eustace at thtv turn, but lie reeled off a 34 home, his score reading 3, 4, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 4, to win 2 up. After winning the 10th, lltli and 12th he squared the match with a birdie 3 at the 15th, holing a long one, much to the consternation of his opponent, who was dead for his four. Lusk assumed the lead with a four at the 16th and he clinched matters when'his perfectly played second shot to the 18th came to rest .bosido tho pin. H. Plumlev was too solid for A. P. Eustace, tho la&t-named being quito uuablo to play on the sand traps on any occasion in which ho visited them. Against B. Merizies, Croxson was off form; but later in the four-ball ho played some fine golf and, when he Veeomes better acquainted with his steel clubs, he will be a force to be reckoned with. During tho four-ball match H. B. Lusk holed his second shot at the 14th, which measures 360 yards. The qualifying lourids for the senior and junior championships were held at Otahuhu, the best card being that of L. J. Croxson, with 78. He was followed by tho Todd brothers, each with 83. The course was in fine order and scoring should have been better, but many strokes were dropped on tho tricky greens. This course is quickly assuming shape, the new greens are looking well, and the prepared greens are very promising. The spring should seo tho lay-out in something like permanent shape.

CHAMPION SWIMMER MOST SPEEDY IN WORLD Dr. Stephan Barany, of Hungary, is undoubtedly the speediest sprint swimmer in (lie world to-day. Barany is 100 and 400 metres champion of Europe, has victories over tho world's record holder Jean Taris, of France, and his time 57 3-ss, for 100 metres, put up in a 50 metres pool, is ono second faster than Johnny Weisstmdlcr's Olympic record, and certainly a better performance than Woissmuller's world's record of 57 2-ss, established in a 25 metres bath. Barany has swum 200 metres in 2m 16 2-ss, and 400 metres in 5m 1 2-ss, in 50 metres pools. He is also in world class as a backstroke swimmer, being capable of lm lis for 100 metres at that stroke. H e is considered to bo prime favourite for the Olympic 100 metres event.