AMATEUR GOLF FINAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 9

AMATEUR GOLF FINAL

FERRIEH'S GALLANT FIGHTS H THOMSON'S WINNING SHOT LONDON, May 31 The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says: "Hector Thomson won the British amateur golf final with the finishing shot over known in any championship of world-wide class —a mashie-niblick of 120 yards, finishing six inches from the hole. Tho Australian, Jim Ferrier, had no hope of response to this magnificent achievement, for even a half then would have been useless.

"Ferrier created golfing history by a series of gallant fights. His brilliance on the greens, which w£is notable in all., matches, even yesterday morning, became somewhat dulled in the afternoon. The short eighth in tho second round was a tragedy for him, when he putted thrice, once missing an eight-inch shot and becoming 2 down. After that he did not recover. "Ferrier was unfortunate in *ha morning, when he led by three. Then the players encountered a difficult crosswind which Thomson understood better, resulting in the Australian losing three successive holes."

The winner of the. British amateui; golf championship, Hector Thomson, was born at Machrihanish, Scotland on November 21, 1913. He won the boy#' amateur championship in 1930, the Irish open amateur championship in 1934 and in 1935 and the Scottish amateur championship in 1935. He represented Scotland against England, Ireland and Wales in 1931 and 193t>. From the commencement of the tournament, Thomson was playing extremely well and ho won most of his matches comfortably. On the other hand, Forrier was engaged in a number of desperate encounters! and at times extra holes had to be played before he obtained the decision.. No doubt the strain of earlier games had its effect in the final but ho need have no regrets over the result as he acquitted himself very well in his first apisearance for an overseas national title. The runner-up, James Ferrier, was born in New South Wales and he celebrated his 21st birthday at sea when en route for England to take part in championship events. Although unsuccessful in the British amateur championship he has performed very creditably in the matches in which he has been engaged. 11l his first appearance in Britain ho finished fourth in the northern open tournament, but was defeated early in the Scottish amateur championship. He won the Gleneagles silver tassie tournament last month, a 36-hole 'medal event in which 130 players took part, his total of 140 being a record for the event.