GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 20

GOLF TOPICS

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP YOUNG PLAYERS PROMINENT P. SMITH AND BELL IMPRESS nY THE ROVER In reviewing play in the Auckland provincial golf championship one of the most pleasing features to record is that a number of young players performed creditably. Over half of those who qualified were under 21 years of ago, and of these no fewer than six survived the first round of match-plav. The "find" of the tournament was the youthful Akarana member Pax Smith, who accounted for E. G. Tallis and then took H. D. Brinsden to the 16th green, in spite of the fact that the winner was throe under fours at that stage. H. W. 8011, of Otahuhn, who was also making his first appearance in open company, gave an impressive display by reaching the second round, in which he was beaten by the experienced E. L. Bartleet. J. H. Earlo. who was defeated by J. H. Young in the semi-final, is another player of promise and, with more experience, he should develop into a fine golfer. A. Browne, of North Shore, who will be remembered as the only player who ran B. V. Wright close in the New Zealand amateur championship at Titirangi ip 1933, was playing well and more should be heard of him in the near future. J. Galloway and J. Stedman each showed good form, but one must not forget Young, who has figured so prominently since 1933 that one is inclined to consider him as almost an " old-timer." Although Young appears to be fated not to win a major championship he has still plenty of time to reach the top. Up to the final his short game was faultless, but against Brinsden he failed to make the most of his opportunities. The winner of the title, Brinsden, thoroughly deserved his success as his play throughout was most convincing, his putting in particular being exemplary. He has not played better golf in his career and his method of hitting the ball has shown remarkable improvement. PROMINENT PLAYERS FAIL OUT-OF BOUNDS PENALTY The failure of a number of prominent players to qualify is perhaps not so surprising when it is considered that neither of this year's finalists obtained a place when the event was held on the same course two years ago. Much better scores are required each year and with the younger players improving, even better rounds may be necessary in the future. _ Although the tournament was a decided success, one is forced to make some comment regarding the severe penalty for the out-of-bounds or the lost or unplayable ball. CertaSnlv the rules of golf provide for this penalty, j but it wasi recommended by the St. Andrews authorities that, where necessary, a local rule waiving the stroke penalty should be made. With the trouble that abounds at Titirangi one would expect that this club would have been one of the first to make such a local rule. The loss of stroke and distance undoubtedly compels players to adopt defensive methods from the tees at a number of holes and the majority of golfers appear to favour the suggestion that the rule should be modified. The penalty is much too drastic for the offence and especially in matchplay it spoils the game, as a player has practically no chance of staging a recovery after paying the penalty. Possibly it is difficult to legislate for this course at holes such as the Wrecker and Temptation. There may be doubts as to whether a ball entered the Whan from the tee or the green side, but these difficulties could be overcome. The present, rule is the cause of a good deal of delay in play during a round and if a number of places were treated as water-hazards and the penalty for out-of-bounds altered to distance only, most of the objections would be overcome. VARIOUS CLUB EVENTS COURSES IN GOOD ORDER Local courses were in such excellent order on Saturday that the strong easterly wind and occasional showers did not greatly affect the play. Good scoring was general at all clubs and at Middlemore R. G. Rainger played a round in the middle seventies to win the Stableford bogey competition. A. I. Johns finished two points behind him and then followed J. F. Brown, R. D. Wright and G. H. Abel. The grass on tho 12th, 14th, 15th and 18th greens, which has recently been resown, has taken well and the result of the underground watering system on the last green is awaited with interest. A great round of 70 by R. M. George enabled him and liis partner, C. Jarman, to return the best card in the four-ball Ibogey at One Tree Hill. George's short game was almost perfect and he reached the turn in 37. He completed the home journey in 33, a score which included a missed short putt at a hole where his partner had already obtained the half. The. qualifying round for the Swanson Cup competition at Akarana attracted a record entry, and of the 32 who qualified only four are on single-figure handicaps. T. Mitchell returned the best gross score, bis card of 81 being one stroke better than the scores of M. Bush and C. N. Jacobsen. A. S. Finn and J. E. Cashmore also obtained places, K. P. Wilson, a player, heading the lis.t with a 66 not and S. R. Harrison was next. CAPTAIN'S TOURNEY FIRST ROUND AT NORTH SHORE Matches in the first round of the captain's prize tourney at North Shore resulted much as expected, one possible exception being the defeat of A'. E. Browne by A. White. As usual, Browne's long game was good, but owing to tho fast greens, ho frequently three-putted. It was particularly noticeable at a number of clubs .that members who played at Titirangi at Easter completely failed to gauge the strength of their own greens on Saturday. H. C. Stevens. H. Corbett and A. F. Halvey all had easy witi3, but the majority of matches were closely contested, one game going to the 19th, where K. D. Anderson beat J. D. Bull. The secretary, S. W. H. Chambers, had his handicap reduced to a single figure when he handed in the winning card in the concurrent Stableford bogey. B. Macindoe, the runner-up, missed chances over the last three holes. The first round of the captain's prize at Otahuhn produced some remarkable -finishes, four games going to the 19th, two to the 20th, one to the 21st and one is reported as ending on the 27th green. At Pupuke the second monthly medal was won by W. J. Skelton with a net 67' and then came R. Pacey, whose name v figures consistently in club events.