GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 18

GOLF TOPICS

PLAY IN GOOD CONDITIONS FORTHCOMING CHAMPIONSHIPS MacEWAN'S FINE PERFORMANCE After a period of practically eight weeks of unpleasant golfing weather players were favoured with delightful overhead conditions during the weekend. Sunshine and an invigorating south wind combined to make the game enjoyable, with the result that the various links were taxed to their fullest capacity. Underfoot conditions were naturally very heavy and there was an almost total absence of run, with the result that only the big hitters could get up at the ordinary good two-shot holes. . -

With the many provincial championships and the Dominion meeting' at Belmont, Wanganui, on October 5 to 13, players are provided with a wide range for competitive golf. Hastings will lead the way with a fixture beginning on August 16, to be followed by the Rotorua meeting on August 21 to 24. H. B. Lusk, of the Auckland Club, is the holder of the Rotorua title —he defeated F. C. Fryer, of Hastings, in the event last year—and will be on hand to defend the cup. The Veterans' Cup, age limit 55 years, will be played for at Rotorua on August 28 to 31, and the South Auckland championship is set down for decision at Hamilton on August 30 to September 1. J. L. Black defeated W. S. Ralph in the final last year and is expected again to be a competitor. Napier will follow with a fixture on September 4 to 7, and the Wanganui championship will immediately precede the national event.

Matches in Wairarapa In a series of matches in Wa'irarapa T. H. Horton and J. P. • Hornabrook have played Shaw and Campbell, and it is pleasing to note have held their own. This hard match play should be a great preparation for the Dominion tourney and the quartet might provide the winners of the major events. To assist the professionals the Maungakiekie Club is staging competitions during the coming week-end on the One Tree Hill course in which all the local professionals are taking part. Coverdale was quite off his game in the final of the captain's prize at Middlemore, but this fact does not detract from the merit of MacEwan's victory. Out in 39, MacEwan was two strokes over fours when the game finished on the thirteenth, figures sound enough at any time and excellent under the conditions that prevailed. MacEwan's driving was even better than usual, and his putting was crisp and free and such as to depress an opponent. His three-quarter irons were unconvincing, but, after mistakes with this shot, he usually contrived to pitch well and hole the putt. Coverdale's Play

Coverdale, who plays too little to be sound in his golf, was never happy or on good terms with his clubs. He was lucky to get a half at the first, where MacEwan knocked his ball into the hole, and was somewhat fortunate to scrape a half at the third with a very long and difficult putt. He looked certain to square the match at the 4th, however, where he reached the green with two glorious woods, but failed to get dead with his putt, and was chagrined to see his opponent hole a grand putt to take the hole. MacEwan had his share of luck at the sth when his drive went over the bank and taking four to reach the green, he halved with another good putt. The match, henceforward was definitely MacEwan's although Coverdale's tee shot to the 10th was deserving of a two, but the green was so bad as to make putting a lottery. Victory off the three mark, after plaving through a field of over 120 competitors, is evidence that MacEwan will have to be reckoned with in championship golf. He is to be congratulated on his performance, as is Coverdale, who, from the five mark, played many sterling rounds to reach the final. Plumley and Abel, junr., combined happily in the Middlemore four-ball to win the event with a card of 6 up, Handyside and J. Upton being only a hole less. Abel, tinder the Vatchful eye of his experienced partner, made full use of his handicap allowance, thus contributing largely to the success of his side. Handyside (11) is playing very well at present, and recently overwhelmed that hard match player Clark in the semi-final of the George Cup. In receipt of 5 strokes Handyside gave his opponent no quarter and reached the turn in scratch figures, to clinch the match on the 11th green, with a score, of two worse than fours.

. Impressive Players L. McLean (4) and Bartleet (4) are playing impressive , golf just now, the latter in particular enjoying a very liberal handicap. McLean is steadily improving, his seconds are better controlled, and with a little crispness added to his short work he would enter championship class. Keen golf was witnessed in the first round of tiie Rainger Cup at North Shore and the changed conditions for play obviously affected some of the contestants. A mild surprise arose from the defeat of Oliver, who went down to Ellerton (17), after having the match as good as won, but failure to secure the half at any of the closing holes proved his undoing. Ellerton, it may be said, however, is very favourably placed on the 17 mark. A. M. Seaman reaped a reward for assiduous practice by beating Sutherland, 3 and 2. Kingsford (19), like Ellerton, is likely to prove a thorn in the side of the seniors, as exemplified by his defeat of O'Connor.

Scoring was difficult at Titirangi and only two players, J. M. Coltman and Ansell, beat the scratch score in the first round of the Self Cup, two handicap medal rounds. Coltman, 78, 5—73, played class golf, and Young, last year's winner, was three strokes behind, 78, 2—76. Goudie, 82, 7—75, was unlucky at the 16tli, where his chip to the green ran through on to the road, a seven resulting. Club Championships

The first round of the 36 holes qualifying test for club championships took place at Pupuke and Glendowie. Dr. Horton, 79, led the field on the latter course, four strokes better than Cole, club champion, while other low markers are well placed. Horton's score was also good enough to win the sealed bogey handicap. The captain's prize has dragged somewhat, but Keys (14) and A. C. Johns (11) have reached the semi-final in the top half, while St-ed-man is similarly placed in the lower half. Cole and Taine meet in the third round, the winner then to play Naismith, and the survivor enters the semi-final, with Stedman. , . Maungakiekio was favoured with beautiful weather for the mixed foursome match on Saturday, the success of such an event being due largely to the conditions. The fixture was greatly enjoyedr by the "large entry, and Mrs. J. B. Gilmore and <N. J. Kidd are to be congratulated on their fine score of all square with bogey. Mrs. and J. M. Elliffe, president, filled the role of runners-up, with Mrs. Boucher and Rosser. Play in the second round of the Coltman Cup at Akarana resulted in victories of the clear-cut nature, with Cashmore's defeat causing a surprise. Now that almost half the games have been bunkered under the Redhead plan the transformation is very noticeable and players can visualise the completed scheme. Whether the treatment of the 12th, which is completely isolated, by bunkers, this hole to the freak category will be decided only after playing it in normal spring and autumn conditions.