VISITING GOLFERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 16

VISITING GOLFERS

PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS MATCH AT MAUNGAKI EKI E WIN FOR THE AUSTRALIANS A team of six Australian professional golf players, which passed through Auckland yesterday, on its way back to Australia after having completed a tour of the west coast of the United States, met six leading Auckland professionals in three four-ball matches on the Maungakiekie links yesterday. Considering that the visitors had spent a fortnight at sea, they gave fine exhibitions to delcafc the local players in all three games. The match between W. J. Bolger and J. H. Cohen (Australia) and A. Murray and T. Galloway drew the largest gallery. Although heavy showers fell during the afternoon splendid golf was witnessed, Bolger playing briliantly to return a card of 69. Murray, the New Zealand champion, commenced well, but occasional bad lapses showed that he was not in his best form.

The second contest, between the Naismith brothers (Australia) and N. Bell and J. Weir, was the most exciting. At the turn the Australians were 1 up, but the Aueklanders won the 12th and the 13th. Then steady play by the visitors saw them successful by 2 up.

The final game, between M. L. Kelly and V. S. Richardson (Australia) and C. Woodroffe and F. Butter, produced golf of a high standard, and the New Zealanders performed well, considering that they have not practised for some time. Reception Disappointing The Australians stated that they had a most disappointing reception in America. When they arrived there was no one to meet them but J. Kirkwood, who had travelled 3000 miles. The visitors were unanimous in the opinion that the Pebble Beach course, which is situated right on the coast, was the best they -had played on. With the exception of this course, they saw no other to compare with Kingston Heath, Melbourne.

They encountered many fine players, but outstanding among them was H. Picard. J. Cohen expressed the opinion that W. Goggin, at present a young "second-rater," would be heard of in the next year or two. Although P. Runyan had not won any major tourneys this year, ho was still the biggest prize-winner in the United States. One tournament in which the Australians participated was worth approximately £2500. In this match the players took from 4} to five hours to complete a single round and one leading professional was known to have taken 15 minutes to play an approach putt. Modern Methods

Discussing modern methods the Australians agreed that it was essential to employ "a full pivot during the back swing of a stroke. When the club reached the top of - the swing the player should have his entire weight on the right heel. G. Naismith said that in the United States golf was a most expensive game, costing up to £2O a week. Caddy fees were 12s 6d a round. He could make more money as a caddy in America than a professional player in Australia.

Following are tho results of yesterdav's matches: —

Bolger and Cohen (Australia) beat Murray and Galloway, 3 and 2. G. Naismith and E. Naismith (Australia) beat Bell and Weir, 2 up. Kelly and Richardson (Australia) beat Woodroffe and Rutter, 3 up.