GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 18

GOLF TOPICS

WINTER SEASON CLOSES

POPULARITY OF THE GAME

PROMISING YOUNG PLAYERS

The curtain has now been rung down officially on serious competitive golf, and most of the younger members have turned their thoughts to more congenial summer pastimes. Those courses, however, with an efficient water supply now provide conditions well nigh perfect for tho good golfer. The links are not crowded, and by starting the round after the extreme heat of mid-day, the most enjoyable golf of the year can be obtained. There is a peculiar charm about tho summer conditions, as far greater control and judgment arc called for to attain low figures. When the ground is holding the strong player can bang a ball on to the green, but with the present unyielding surface a much more difficult shot faces the player. The low pitch and run hit, with both firmness and control, is the only reliable method to reach tho green.

The growth of golf has been tremendous and there is little doubt that within a few vears every town with a population of 4000 will have its golf course. This is all to the good, as no better health-giving exercise or recreation exists. It is not necessarily an expensive game, but only as the player makes it so, depending on where and when it is played and whether one is satisfied to play for the game only. There are those, of course, who continue to pay dues long after they desire or are able to play seriously, simply because the club has come to mean something besides golf to them. It has become part and parcel of their lives, a country club, away from business influences, ami one of the fewplaces reallv exclusive in these strenuous days. Friendly Rivalry

The park-like setting of the modern inland courses ever remains a delight to the older member, and it is small wonder that such surroundings, together with the associations and all they conjure up, become part of the man. Golfers of all stations in life meet in friendly rivalry in the atmosphere with which they are familiar, to enjoy the game thoroughly. The free exchange of courtesies between clubs either by inter-club or pennant matches has always been a great part of club life, these events being particularly enjoyable. Pupuke has experienced a busy season and the standard of golf played Iras been very good indeed. G. McKenzie, in again wJmrmg the championship, proved his preeminence in the club. Possessed of a fine style, he would certainly annex greater honours were he to play more tournament golf. Perhaps the most consistent player in the club is H. Stevens, whose weekly cards were always good. Playing off 6 he won the Auckland handicap at Titirangi, beating Humphreys in the final. Young Player's Distinction

A. Brown is very promising, and learned his golf from E. J. Moss pupil at King's College. He reached the final of the club championship, and has the distinction of a gross round of 70. L. G. Ansell has retained his form, his best performance being when he took Stevens to the 18th in the championship. R. Johnston, the club captain, did not show the form of last season, no doubt his official duties militating against good golf. T. McCorkindale's game improved, while G. Mills has not been quite consistent, his brilliant course record of 67 doubtless satisfying him. The club has a number of junior players of great promise, notably R. Horrocks, P. Deighton and A. Howden. These players have shown marked improvement, and are fortunate in that they are allowed to participate in all competitions. The club is to be commended on giving its young players this opportunity to obtain match play experience. It is apparent at North Shore that the standard of golf is improving. It is particularly pleasing to record the improvement made by several of the older members. In looking for the cause one would suggest that the open nature of the fairways has encouraged the older player to open his shoulders off the tee. The open spaces have unquestionably assisted M. E. Thompson to regain his game, which had developed into a cramped attempt to steer the ball and his effort at 68 gross last Saturday was a pleasing reward of long practice to correct his. style. Other players, although not figuring prominently in competitions, have attained a degree of consistency making for the fuller enjoyment of the game, notable cases being B. Goldwater and H. W. Bennett. Improvement of Juniors Naturally the most improvement has taken place among the juniors, in which class the club contains a very large percentage of boys. The free style and easy swing of the youths is very apparent when compared with the deliberate swing of the old members. Foster, Macindoe, Frater, Harvey, Harper and Chalmers are a type from whom future club champions will be found. The club is running a rather unusual summer* competition, to be played in sections of six players, each player having five lives and the section winners then playing off on the knock-out principle. During the past season at Glendowie there was a noticeable falling off in the standard of golf as reflected in inter-club piatches. This can be accounted for by the fact that the club probably suffered more than any other in Auckland in its loss of senior players. While the membership actually increased, no low workers enlisted, the only senior addition being G. McGregor, of Gisborne, on 12. On the other hand transfers to other centres and resignations froyi active play temporarily accounted for a number of the most promising members, notable among these being C. F. Allcott, R. F. Edmonds, J. R. Kissling, G. Kissling, R. Bradley, J. Richardson, C. L. Nicholls, J. G. McArthur and F. G. Lintott. The remarkable consistency of the Sledman brothers augurs well for their future at the game, suggesting that in a few seasons they will be to the fore in local golf. Their improvement may be gauged from the fact that J. E. Stedman has reduced from 15 to 8 and A. C. Stedman from 14 to 11. W. L. Cole is another young player of distinct merit who lias reduced from .12 to 7 and who only two years ago was a junior. Cole has a nice style and only requires match experience to give him the confidence necessary to develop into a first-class player. He was beaten in the championship final by Hutchison, and in that game failed through inability to make the most of opportunities that would have been turned to good account by an older player. After being runner-up for three successive seasons E. Hutchison succeeded in annexing the club championship. He quickly followed up his effort by winning the Howey Walker Cup.