GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS

TITIRANG I COMPETITIONS INTEREST IN CHAMPIONSHIPS MATCH FOR PROFESSIONALS Golf appeared out of the question 011 Saturday morning, but at midday the weather cleared, enabling programme matches to bo played on tho high country at Pupuko, Titirangi and Maungakiekie. On most courses, however, play was very wisely limited as unrestricted traffic over greens and tees when in a waterlogged condition causes great damage. Greenkcepers havo an unenviable task in striving tp provide good gieens for all year golf, a task by no means appreciated by the bulk of members. Titirangi recovered quickly and although the tees were in bad shape conditions otherwise ware good. No fewer than threo pairs finished 5 up in the four-ball bogey competition, MoCrystal and Young, Murray and R. Graham and Browne and J. Graham, the honours on tho day being with tho low markers, McCrystal Young, who were both round in 78. Young is playing remarkably well in conditions all against ono of his physique and it will be interesting to sec how ho shapes when tho ground is firmer. Ho is the most accurate player in tho club and needs only a little extra longth to rank with tho best. Tallis proved too strong for Magßon after a groat battle and J. Coltman found Spinley a little off form on tho day, these being the only two matches decided in the Ballin Cup. Interest in this course is beginning to quicken in view of the national meeting nino weeks hence and Shaw played superbly in a try-out during the' week-end. Ho handled the heavy wind and difficult conditions in a manner that suggests he stands alone in Now Zealand golf. Above all this course calls for , long and accurate driving, having accomplished which the player usually lias a straight-forward shot for tho green.

Position ol Short Holes When Dr. Mackenzie planned this interesting courso he made full use of the natural terrain, thereby achieving some wonderful results, not the least of those being his choice of position for the short holes. The real test of a course is in its short holes and any player who can register threes at the four short holes during the championship will be envied. Dr. Mackenzie blended greens, bunkers tfiid mounds into the landscape with a minimum of artificiality, in striking contrast to the rather crude work carried out on somo of the newer courses. However modest a club's beginning may be it should not embark on any course construction without the advice of a golf architect. Ho will discern any natural features and embody them in a lay-out that can be completed according to plan as funds permit. Some people have the erroneous idea that beauty of lay-out is of no importance on a golf course and that only tho golf matters. No matter what may be said to the contrary, however, a player is subconsciously influenced by his surroundings, and in course of time will admit it. The finest golf holes are invariably beautiful, either in their undulations or their surroundings. Another advantage of the permanent layout is that treo planting can be systematically undertaken, thereby providing for shelter, background and hazards. For this purpose pines are the most suitable as they cost little, grow quickly and thrive in isolation. Deciduous trees should only bo planted on the outskirts or away from the line of play as the falling leaves litter up the course. The veteran, W. I. Sternson, registered a very popular win at Pupuke in the bogey competition for Dr. Andrew's trophy, in tho third round of the Shaw Cup, Palmer beat Waterman and would now appear to have a great chance in this event. McCorkindale had an easy win over Armstrong, but Fox and Jaggs only beat Stevens and Walker respectively on the 17th after desperate struggles. Schnauer Cup Matches In the second round of the Schnauer Cup at One Tree Hill, in which the trophy goes to the best four medal rounds, long-markors wero again in the van, filling the first 15 places. Tanner outdistanced the field by no fewer than six strokes, with the excellent card or 8(3, 21—05. Next came Bennett with 89, 18—71, which put him i;i the lead with 142, one stroke better than Tanner. Only one game was played in the Ellifi'e Cup, when Buist, who had become a favourite for the event, was defeated by Stitchburv. The last-named began very badly, and was 2 down at the Bth, but thereafter settled down and, his opponent weakening, gradually assumed control. , , , _ Owing to the rocky formation surrounding tho 9th and 18th holes the officials of this club have so far been unable to construct satisfactory greens. An excellent suggestion has now been put forward that tho present 18th green should be used as a tee for a new 9th hole, which could be formed where tho present 18th tee stands. A new 18th green would then be formed under the hill at the back of the present 9th tee and would be played as a dog-legged hole from a tee situated on the present 9th green. No doubt this suggestion will be seriously considered by the club, and, if found practicable, will eliminate a lot of unnecessary climbing. Competitions Organised With the object of assisting the Sports Queen in the Prosperity Week campaign, a committee consisting of B. Brown, G. H. White and A. H. Gyllies has been formed to organise competitions and functions. A competition will be staged next Saturday on All courses and a trophy will be presented to the member who beats the scratch score by the greatest number of strokes. If given suitable weather a record entry will undoubtedly take the field, and a score of about ten strokes better than handicap will probably be returned by some long-marker, lo piovide some interest for tho single figure man the committee might well consider tho question of allocating two prizes, one for those handicapped under ton and one for handicaps in excess of ten. A second competition will be held on August 5. It has also been arranged that the professionals, E. J. Moss A. J. Shaw, F. Butter and 1. Galloway will take part in an exhibition four-ball match at Middlemore next week-end. Club executives have also been requested to promote competitions such as putting. approaching and putting, and driving.