AMATEUR GOLF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 19

AMATEUR GOLF

WELLINGTON TITLE HORNABROOK SUCCESSFUL A DISAPPOINTING STANDARD [FROM OtTR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, April 20 The unanimous decision of the council of the New Zealand Golf Association that tho 1936 championships are to be played on tho New Plymouth Golf Club's Ngamotu links in October, caused considerable interest to be taken in the Wellington provincial championship held on tho Hutt Golf Club's links. As an indication of "form" covering the play of the many "first-flight" golfers who took part, it could be said that the conditions were ideal as the weather was almost perfect, and the fairways and greens in the best condition of any in or around Wellington; yet the standard of play was generally disappointing, as it was much below that expected when so many champions were competing. Out of the 84 starters tho 16 players to qualify included the present and five past New Zealand amateur champions, five provincial and club champions, and the veteran past open champion, A. D. S'. Duncan. But very few low scores, and none that are brilliant, were returned. The standard scratch score of the course is 74 and the best cards returned equalled this in only three or four rounds. Better golf had been played during the few days before the tournament by J. P. Hornabrook, J. L. Black, B. M. Silk and others, but, as with many, their form could riot be sustained and in most cases it varied considerably throughout the four days' play. With the exception of Hornabrook, who will from now onward be playing at Palmerston North, where better conditions prevail than at Masterton, and which should enable him to steadily improve, most of the other scratch and low handicap players will need to get down to serious and hard play before they can reach a standard to enable them to be in the running at New Plymouth. This is more particularly the case in view of the improved and high standard of form attained by so many golfers in various parts of New Zealand and who may be able to be present at the 1936 championships in October. Players Who Qualified It was considered doubtful if 80 would qualify at the Hutt, but in this ' forecast it was obvious that the standard was expected to be higher than that shown by those who qualified as follows: — •T. P. Hornabrook (scr) 76 75 —151 G. W. Tustin . . (scr) 75 77—152 J. L. Black . . (scr) 74 78—152 B. M. Silk . . (scr) 79 74—153 Rana Wagg . . (1) 77 77 —154 C. E. Hollis . . (scr) 78 77—155 A. D. S. Duncan (scr) 78 77 —155 E. W. Thurgood . . (4) 79 77 —156 K. V. Jeffery . . (1) 80 76—156 W. G. Home . . (1) 76 80—156 M. It. Moore . . (1) 80 76—156 C. N. Armstrong (3) 76 81—157 J. F. Pvm . . (3) 77 80—157 H. A. Black . . (1) 80 78—158 C. D. Patrick . . (8) 81 78—159 T. H. Horton . . (scr) 79 81—160 In the play-off (match play) only a fnir standard was shown generally, with very few exceptions of good golf. In the final J. L. Black went out in 38 against J. P. Hornabrook's 40, which left Black one up. The game was taken to the IJth where it was finished as a result of Black finding the bunker to tho left of the green with his second. Hornabrook followed a perfect drive with a firm iron to the green, and took the hole in 4 to 5, which gave him the championship by 2 and 1. Hornabrook did the eight holes of the homeward journey in 32 to Black's 35. Flight Tourney The programme included many other events, of which the flight tourney, comprised of seven . flights of eight players each, was very popular. Groups 1 and 2 were for players whose handicaps ranged from 1 to 5; group 3, from 5 to 9; group 4, from 9 to 10; group 5, from 11 to 13; group 6, from 13 to 23; group 7, from scratch to 3. The scores in these and the bogey and four-ball handicaps did not come up to expectations, but brought to a close a most enjoyable tournament with evidence of only one player present who could be expected to hold his own in New Zealand championship company. However, there were several promising players, including M. 11. Moore and C. E. Hollis, of whom much can be expected this year.