GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 16

GOLF TOPICS

BALLIN CUP COMPETITION CLOSE FINAL AT TITIRANGI FINE ROUND BY H. B. LUSK Golfing conditions were again ideal on Saturday, with just enough wind to give the game an added interest. The gloriously fine although cold weather enjoyed lately has provided the best winter golf in the memory of the younger players. The hard frosts have, however, retarded growth on the greens to such an extent that in some cases, at least, putting is decidedly difficult, but the warm rain of the last few days will bring on the fine grasses. Although a majority of players seem unable to handle an unusually fast green it is remarkable how a first-class putter can accommodate himself to changed conditions. A notable example is E. J. Moss, of the Auckland Club, who has been producing some wonderful scores at Middlemore fliis winter. On fast, bare greens Moss appears to play his putter down through the ball, thus imparting both firmness and drag to the holing out putt, it being remarkable how the ball holds the line.

Interest at Titirangi centred in the final of the Ballin Cup match play competition, in which R. L. Wilson, conceding 3 strokes, defeated L. J. Williamson on the 18th green. This was a fine match, in which each player, after the first hole, played consistently good golf, there being at no time more than one hole difference in the game. Bad Tee Shots Both played bad tec shots to the Ist, a half in 6 resulting, but Wilson won the 2nd with a nice 4 to 5, only to lose the 3rd to a par 4. At the short 4th Wilson squared with a 3, but lost the sth where he had to concede a stroke. The 7th went to Wilson in 3 to 4. He lost the Bth where he needed 3 putts, and with a perfect 4 at the 9th got the half owing a stroke. Williamson went into the lead at the 10th, where he played a great iron shot to within a few feet of the flag, but lie lost the 11th to a well-played 3.

I The 12th was halved in correct figures, and the game again see-sawed in William- | son's favour at the 13th, which lie won ! with his stroke. The 14th was halved in | 3. At the 15th Williamson played his first bad tee. shot, in a game which was remarkable for long driving, and failing to recover lost to a 4. The game was now square and the 16th was halved. Wilson lost a great chance at the 17th, where after a perfect pitch he missed a short putt for a win in 4, a half resulting. Both were nicely on the 18th in 2 with Wilson in the better position, and Williamson, failing to get dead from 20ft. away, lost to a good 4. Wilson thoroughly deserved his win, as on the path to victory he survived several close calls. C. Robinson, playing sound golf, won the Captain's Prize for the bogey competition with the good card of 2 up. Course Record Equalled In the sth round of the captain's tourney at Pupuke I. G. Mackenzie beat H. W. Dixon and returned a card of 69, which equals the amateur record for the course. This short course suits Mackenzie's favourite draw shot with his iron clubs, a shot he plays to perfection. li. Ash put in the startling score of 79, 20—59 at North Shore to provide another example of the futility of the standard scratch score system as applied to a short, temporary course. The fourth and final round of the 72 holes gross and net medal competition was played at Middlemore. Prizes were given for the best three.rounds and the contest provided a finish full of interest to the last putt. After the third round W. A. Donald was leading for the gross score with 231, his position being apparently unassailable. He also led in the net medal with 219, but at least three players needed a 70 net to supplant him. Beginning well Donald reached the turn against the wind in 39 with every chance of doing the easy half in 36 at most. However, such is the glorious uncertainty of any game, and especially golf, that his tee shot at the short tenth found an unplayable lie in the deep bunker and a six restilted. He played the next two holes well, but another failure at the thirteenth lost him five and he finished well to complete the round in 79. Brilliant Start

Meanwhile H. B. Lusk, who with two cards of 80 required a 71 to catch Donald, had started brilliantly with an eagle three. A/ lapse at the second, which cost him six, was followed by faultless golf, and he reached the turn in 38. Getting a two at the tenth, followed by 3, 4, 3, 3, Lusk was now actually one stroke better than Donald. He got his four at the difficult fifteenth, and only required four figures for a 69. but after reaching the sixteenth in perfect golf he failed to hole a short one for his four. At the seventeenth he again missed a four footer for a four and went to the eighteenth requiring a four to lie with Donald. After a good drive, followed by a high mashie to the back of the green,/he failed, however, to gauge the fast green and overran to miss the return putt for a four. Tn completing the course in 72 Lusk put up one of the most determined efforts ever seen at Middflemore, an effort deserving of success. Donald's form of late has been very convincing, his last four competitive medal Tounds of 79. 7b, 76 and 79 being very fine. F. Abbott, who played off the sixteen mark, needed an 88 gross to beat Donald in the net medal, but after taking 47 for the outward journey his prospects did not appear over bright. However, on the run home with the wind, he played consistent golf, finishing in 86 to win by three strokes. W. 13. Colbeck, in returning 78 t gross, again proved that the true, unhurried swing is the best.

The Akarana Club made its annual visit to Otahuhu and although strange to the surroundings won comfortably. Smith, Coltman and Swanson, who led for Akarana,did really well to win their respective matches against strong opposition. The institution of pennant matches for next season is well under way, the idea meeting with general approval. This form of inter-club play has been in vogue in Australia for some years and has done much to improve standard of ui the different States. NEW BOOK ON GOLF ROTORUA PROFESSIONAL Golfers in all parts of the Dominion will welcome the publication of a book on I/he game of golf, written by J. McCormick, professional to the Rotorua Club. Mr. McCormick is well and favourably known to hundreds of New Zealand players and visitors from overseas. At Rotorua his services as coach are alwajs in great demand. His book, entitled "How to Play Good Golf," deals very soundly with all Jepartments of the game. It should appeal very strongly to beginners in particular as the information it contains tells very simply and comprehensively everything that pertains to> the game. For the older player, too, there is much good advice, and even the lowest handicap men (and women) will appreciate some of the helpful "tips" that come from a man who has devoted his life to studying golf. For instance, here is a " tip " that will help those who are not " hitting through the ball " properly with the driver. " Keep your right heel on the ground as long as possible, and the club-head travelling low as though you were hitting down bill." This book has been compiled and edited by E. G. Guy, and is published by the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Publishing Company, Limited.