GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 21

GOLF TOPICS

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS BRYANT WINS AT AKARANA SUCCESS OF YOUNG PLAYERS BY TIIE ROVF.U The third golf club title in Auckland to be won by a young player was that of the Akarana Club played during the week-end, when L. V. Bryant defeated F. Hazelden, the titleholder. In tho morning round Bryant went right away from Hazelden to become 6 up at tho 11th, having done the first half in 39, to his opponent's 44. Hazelden then settled down to his game and coming home in 37, managed to reduce his deficit to 2 holes. At tJie first hole in the afternoon round Hazelden had a chance to win back another, but his four-foot putt would not go down. Bryant took the 20th with a four, but lost tho next after running through the green with' his second, Hazelden holing in 4. At the 21st Bryant's drive was well out to the right, but ho played a great mashie-niblick into the green, where ho took three putts to halve after his opponent had recovered from the righthand bunker. The next hole was halved in orthodox threes, Bryant holing his putt after recovering from the bunker. At the long sixth Hazelden played two beautiful shots down the middle, while Bryant struck trouble in the rough on the left, losing the hole to n five. His lead was now only ono hole. Having the misfortune to run through the short seventh with his tee shot, Hazelden played back too firmly and had to putt first, as Bryant's shot was nicely on. Thero was a change of fortune when Bryant, failing to negotiate a stymie, hit his opponent's ball into the hole for a half. Hazelden struck trouble at the next and gave up the hole. Playing the ninth hole down wind both hit magnificent seconds to the green, but Bryant holed a fifteen-footer for a birdio three and a win. Both narrowly missed threes at the next, and Bryant won the 29th hole of tho match with a five. The 30th was halved in correct fours and Bryant became dormy with a nice three at tho next. Hazelden had a chance to keep tho game alive on the 32nd, but could only halve, and tho title went to Bryant, 5 and 4. The winner played fine golf, including many long driyes and excellent recovery shots from the rough. Hazelden was steady up to the greens, but found that Bryant was ready to take advantage of any mistakes. Great credit is due to tho loser for his splendid fight from the 11th hole, when ho was 6 down. PUPUKE FINAL A KEEN CONTEST The final of the Pupuke senior championship provided a keen contest in which R. Johnston gained the decision over E. W. Mills only at the 37th holo. In tho morning round Johnson was 3 up at the turn, which ho reached in 39,' Mills having missed a number of chances on the greens. Coming home Mills squared the game at the 15th, but his opponent won the 18th to bo 1 up. He increased this lead to 4 up at the 27th hole, and again Mills assumed the attack over tho last nine holes. Mills wiped out tho deficit by the time tho 35th hole was played, and a half in o resulted at the next. After slicing his drive at the 37th Johnston played a nice second to within five yards of the pin, Mills eventually missing a two-foot for the half. Both contenders are keen match players and their performances during tho last season have been very creditable although tho abundance of practice enjoyed by the runner-up should have enabled him to secure the title. There was some startling scoring in a four-ball bogey played at Titirangi on Saturday, C. S. O. Woods and J. L. Sheen's card of 9 up being followed by two pairs with 7 up and two with 6 up. Tho inter-club match between Hamilton and Titirangi at tho latter club's course, being more of a social gathering than 'a contest, was a most enjoyable fixture. It is pleasing to see that many clubs still find time, in spite of several fixtures, to Continue these popular visits. PENNANT COMPETITION WIN FOR MAUNGAKIEKIE The Glendowie team in its pennant match against Maungakiekie was, with exception of one game, overwhelmed in the singles. The One Tree Hill course was in perfect condition. It was expected that thero nvould bo some close finishos among the leading players, but lack of local knowledge and inability to find touch made play difficult for tho visitors in tho morning. Wj L. Cole and E. Hutchinson could not settle down and were rather badly beaten by J. H. Earle and J. D. Shanley respectively. With the exception of J. E. Stedman, who beat L. B. Schnauer by 3 and 1, and J. R. Kissling, who lost by one hole to G. R. Meredith, the Glendowie players lost all the singles by margins varying from 7 and 6 to 4 and 3. The visitors showed to better advantage in the foursomes, however, and in spite of the strong south-westerly wind several pairs put up good scores with tho result that Maungakiekie won but one, and squared one match. By winning ten matches to four and squaring one Maungakiekie is level with North Shore. These clubs will play-off during the week-end at Akarana. A suggestion that might be worthy of the pennant committee's consideration is that the foursomes be played in tho morning and the singles in the afternoon. Unless teams aro fairly evenly matched one side is likely to gain too great a lead in tho singles under tho present system, and little interest is taken in the foursomes. A reversal of the match arrangements should provide a more interesting finish, and give visiting teams the opportunity of a gaining a Tittle local knowledge. STANDARD OF ROWING ENCOURAGING THE NOVICES In an endeavour to popularise rowing in Christchurch, tho Canterbury Rowing Association is at present conducting a "learn-to-row" week. The teaching of novices is being carried out throughout the week, while many avenues are being canvassed in an attempt to attract young men to this healthy and popular summer pastime. A similar scheme, just completed by the Otago Rowing Association, had beneficial results, and was regarded as ample justification for such methods. Special attention is being paid by certain Wellington clubs to the novice oarsmen. A contrary position, however, exists in Auckland, where there is a lack of such encouragement. More oxpert coaches among Auckland oarsmen would make for a vast improvement in local oarsmanship. This apathy on the part cf Auckland oarsmen is regrettable. For the past two seasoni! club jubilees and national championships have occupied the stage and tended to detract interest from tho embryo oarsmen. Tho season in prospect, therefore, should provido a wonderful opportunity of remedying the position and fostering the sport considerably.