DOMINION GOLF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 22

DOMINION GOLF

PLAY IN CHAMPIONSHIPS SUCCESS OF A. MURRAV . HORNA3ROOK BEST AMATEUR BY THE nOVER In reviewing the play in the New Zealand championships which concluded on the Shirley links on Saturday, one of the most gratifying features to record is the number of young players who figured prominently. Pride of place goes to A. Murray, the 24-year-old professional who went south without a great number of supporters and returned home with the three chief titles for events open to professionals. In tho open championship his chances were not considered bright at the conclusion of tho third round, at which stage he was four strokes behind A. J. Shaw.' His fine 71 in tho last round, however, left Shaw in tho position of requiring a 74 to win. How Shaw lost his chance by taking 5 at " Old Nick," a simple 128 yards hole, is now history, and Murray won by two strokes. Abiy partnered by J. D. Mcintosh Murray won tho professional foursomes championship and to provide further proof ' that ho is the outstanding golfer of the year he was successful in the professional match-play championship in which he defeated Shaw in a thrilling final. Shaw was runner-up in these three events. The performance of J. P. Hornabrook in winning the amateur championship was another triumph for youth as he -is the same age as Murray. In the early stages it was apparent that Hornabrook was easily the best amateur in the field and he did not at any time give his followers any cause for concern. The first three rounds of tho match-play were each played over 18 holes, and although it was quite possible that an inferior player might upsiet calculations over these rounds Hornabrook was never seriously troubled. From start to finish he played golf of a a high standard to score a popular and vrell-deserved success.

YOUNG PLAYERS BENEFIT FROM EXPERIENCE A. E. Guy, another youthful player who recently joined the professional ranks, gave an impressive display to tie for third place in the open. Other voung professionals to do well include J. Weir, A. Dvke, G. Watt and N. H. Fuller and with the coaching of players in such capable hand 3 the standard of golf in New Zealand should continue to improve. • Of the young South Island players C. J. Ward and T. B. Ferguson performed best and each showed himself in a most favourable light. M. R. Moore, B. G. Thomson, J. It. Hobbs, J. L. Blair and J. L. MacKav, all members of the younger school, should benefit considerably from the experience which they gained and their future progress will be watched with interest. Thomson was unfortunately mistiming his tee shots, otherwise he would hav-e had a great chance of reaching the final. When he was hitting his best drives a few months back it was very noticeable * that the club head was travelling a long, way out after contact with the ball. At Shirley, however, he appeared to be " picking " the cl ub ■up much too abruptly. FORM OF A. D. S. DUNCAN REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE One, must not overlook the splendid performances of the older players. First comes the remarkable showing made by A. D. S. Duncan, who won his first national title, the amateur, in 1899, and vafl successful in the initial open championship in 1907. This year he commenced with two 70's in the open and following with two 76's he headed the amateur qualifying test by two strokes. AUhough he survived only one round in the amateur championship his performance was a remarkable one considering that he is 62 years of age. The veteran professional E. S. Douglas>- who won the open in 1913, 1914, 1919 and 1921, is still a very fine golfer and H. R. Blair, the Shirley professional, played four very consistent rounds. The name of T. H. Horton, the brilliant iron player, has bpen associated with first-class golf for so many years that; one is apt to consider him in the veteran class, but he has just turned 40 and should still have many years of good golf ahead. He played very well throughout the tournament and was unfortunate in striking J. L. Black in re-cord-breaking mood. Black's methods of play were the cause of criticism by some of the younger players during the meeting. On a number of occasions he used his putter from off the green and remarks such as "That's not golf" were frequently heard, but many a good golfer, notably Sloan Morpeth, adopted similar tactics. After all the object is to hit the ball as near as possible to the hole and if one player prefers to run up with a putter rather than use an iron it is ridiculous to criticise. One is just as much a golf shot as the other and many players would return much lower scores if the simple rather than the spectacular shot was played whenever possible. LOWER SCORING ' STANDARD OF PLAY Because so many players broke 70 in this tournament and the scoring generally was much lower than that in previous years it must not be assumed that the standard of play has .shown a marked improvement. Unfortunately the course was playing rather on the short side and except for two days it did not provide a real championship test. The greens are not bunkered nearly so severely as those at Middlemore nor is there the trouble from misdirected tee shots which is to be found at Titirangi. The greens were a treat • to putt on and the fairways, while not in the same state of excellence as the greens, have improved considerably since the watering scheme was instituted. How the standard of golf in Auckland compares with that of- other centres is a question which has teen asked and after giving the matter careful consideration one is forced to admit that the answer is "unfavourably." Probably the state of the courses in Auckland during the playing season provides the chief reason, but whatever the cause there are no good iron players in the north, nor are there the number of promising young players who are to be found in the south. SWIMMER RETIRES > ; Andrew Charlton, the well-known former New South Wales and Australian champion swimmer, stated at the annual meeting of the Canberra Swimming Club that ho would not be a competitor in the State swimming championships this year. Charlton, the cap-tain-coach of the club, assured members that he would be able to devote more time to coaching than previously. This would appear to be the definite retirement of the most outstanding Australian swimming personality from active racing; and, it, markß the closing .El "J 08 * colourful .careers to swimming, not only in Australia, bat m the sporting world.