GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS LOW SCORING ALL ROUND SCHNAUER 'CUP TO TANNER The ideal weather continued over the week-end and as most of the golf courses were in first-class order low scoring was much in evidence. The Titirangi Club has departed from the usual custom of holding qualifying rounds for the senior championship, with the result that some 27 players have entered for the event. A partially seeded draw has placed Brinsden and Tallis in the top half and McCrystal, present holder, and Young in the lower half. The only justifiable reason for a seeded draw in a golf championship is for the purpos* of attracting a gate during the final stages. All entrants should enjoy equal rights and no favour is due to, or should be shown, the low marker. There were no surprises in the first round, the results being of the clearcut variety with the exception of the Brinsden-Beehan and Gardner-Wilson matches. The first-named pair had a desperate struggle and although Beehan had a chance to square the match at the 17th he failed. Following this respite Brinsden put the issue beyond doubt by holing a birdie three at the 18th to win 2 up.

Gardner and Wibon began at the Bth and after a fighting match Wilson reached a dormy one-up position. Gardner holed a very awkward looking putt on the sloping 7th green to secure a win and keep the match alive, and then went on to win the match at the 19th.

In the qualifying round for the intermediate championship Gaskin, a previous winner, headed the list with an excellent 82. Fine cards were also returned by Spinley, Harold and Naismith. Yock again qualified top in the junior event, closely followed by Haines and Winter. With a remarkably good card of 76 gross Young maintained his position in the Self Cup, finishing no fewer than nine strokes ahead of Peace. Accurate Flay Although the course is not being played at full length, the permanent tees being rested for the champioilship, Young's three cards of 79, 77 and 76 remain a testimony to the accuracy of his play. His handicap has been reduced to four, a rating which certainly does not flatter him .considering that the scratch score of the course is 75, less perhaps one stroke for short tees.

A pleasing feature at Akarana was the success of Hazelden with a fine 75, 5—70, following a long period off form. Judging by the evenness of the cards returned in the medal handicaps it would appear that the handicapper is alive to his responsibilities. Once a course has been allotted a standard scratch score it behoves the handicapper to follow strictly the instructions laid down in the system. If the weather or conditions are unusual he should add to or reduce the scratch score for the day, enter this estimate in the result book, and then make the necessary alterations in handicaps. The fourth and final round of the Schnauer Cup was played at Maungakiekie, the trophy being donated for the best three rounds. Tanner, who led at the end of the third round, improved his position to win finally by three strokes. His total of 204 included cards of 65, 71 and 68, and his handicap has now been reduced from 21 to 16. Bennett, off an 18 mark, was second with 71, 70, 66—207, followed by Rostgard, 208, and A. Morpeth, 214. This club possesses a galaxy of youthful talent and all but two of the trophies so far this season have been won hy junior players. Elliffe Oup Match

In the fourth round of the Elliffe Cup, Stichbury beat Earle at the loth. Three down at the 10th, Earle, by fine golf, squared the match at the 13th, but was dormy down going to the loth, where, however, he notched a birdie o for the win. Earle threw the game away on the 19th green, where, from a distance of 7 feet, be putted for the win, overran the hole, and missed the return. Stichbury now meets Woollcy in the semi-final and the winner will then play Jarman. . Conditions favoured low scoring at North Shore and but for the rather tricky greens even better cards would have been handed in. Ihe second round of the president's prize gave.Coldicut a well deserved win with 62, 73 —I.x), but only by the narrowest of margins, as Weir finished with 66, 70 —136. In the medal Stevens relished the fast greens and returned a splendid card of 72 5 —67, to win the event. Smallfield s 88* 20 —68 was useful and with a little •putting practice this player should soon improve. . . . , A popular win was registered at Middlemore by J. McK. Wilson and Tidmarsh in the Canadian foursome bogey competition with a card ot 1 up. The variable greens, however, many of which are bare and uneven, militated against good scoring. Unless a ball were hit boldly for the hole, to fall in immediately, it meandered about with the inconsequential freedom of a drop of quicksilver. Middlemore is peculiarly susceptible to frosts and it would seem that the green mixture, in which Brown top largely predominates, is quite unsuited to the conditions. Browntop languishes and remains dormant throughout the cold spell, at the very time it is most needed, and it appears obvious that a well-selected lawn mixture would give the best results Qualifying rounds for club championship events were completed at Pupuke witn no surprises. Thomas retained his position with Johnston at the head of the senior division, but the absence of Bush 'is to be regretted. , At Glendowie the qualifying rounds were begun with Hutchison leading in the seniors, Hall in the - juniors and Walker in the C grade.