GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22726, 12 May 1937, Page 19

GOLF TOPICS

CLUB COMPETITIONS FOURSOMES AT AKARANA (WINNERS' SPLENDID RECOVERY BY TIIH ROVER After a sensational finish,' J. E. gwanson and J. Shalloon won the fourtomes handicap match-play competition for the Patterson Cup at Akarana. The final \vas played over 36 holes and J. E. and L. L, C'ashmore, who were in receipt of one stroke in each round, finished the first 18 holes with a 5 up lead. They increased their advantage until tho pair were in the apparently unbeatable position of 7 up with eight holes to play, and after halving thenext they lost tho 12th to become dormio six. Swanson and Shalfoon then assumed the attack and they played splendid 'golf to win at the 38th, their figures over the last 11 holes of the match being one under the scratch score. The winners are to be congratulated on their excellent performance and the runners-lip no doubt learnt a valuable lesson in mat ill-play tactics. Defensive* play when in the lead has cost many a golfer a championship, and the advice once given by Bobby Jones is worth repeating. He stated that ' whether he happened to be 1 up or 6 up ho aways endeavoured to play with / the object, of increasing and not merely maintaining his lead. By adopting a defensive role a player is liable to lapse into errors, and only those who have been in a similar position can realise how difficult it is to maintain an advantage when an opponent commences a winning run. The president of the club, P. Griffiths, scored a popular win in the qualifying round for the Coltman Cup, as he returned the best gross as well as tbe best net score. L. D. Stewart, a new men)ber, was runner-up and, as lie took an eight at tho last hole, ho should soon be reduced from the limit handicap. I. W. Houston, who, since winning the junior championship at Orakei has made splendid progress in tho game, qualified high tip. and the long-hitting J. C. Mitchell also scored well. N./ F. Cooper, who gained distinction on the running track, was another to plav to his handicap, and K. C. Ward, A, A. Young, H. Cullen, C. R. Taylor, J. Swanson, A. B. 0. Saunders and S. Booth wore among the singlefigure handicap players to obtain a place. * CLOSE FINISHES CONTESTS AT MIDDLEMORE The popular captain's prize tourney lit Middlemore attracted tho usual large entry and a number of games went to the last 'green, while extra holes had to be played in five Most of the low-markers retained their places, although R. D. Wright and P. C. Savage had narrow escapes. Wright was dormio two on H. M.. McCoy, winner of the event last year, and although McCoy squared the game at the 18th ho was defeated at the 20th. V. W. iWi'son missed a short putt for the match on the last green after D. A. Burt had recovered well from a bunker and, after halving tho 19th, Burt won with a fine four at the next. J. A. Gow and P. C. Savage each won his Watch on the 19tli, and Sir H. Horton, who has been playing very steadily_ recently, / accounted for A. 0. Boddington at the 20th. Sir Henry was 3 up at the fifth, but his opponent recovered well to take the lead at the turn. Sir Henry squared the match with a fine two at the 10th and there was little difference between the pair corning home, the winner settling the issue when he made use of his stroke at the 20th. S. H. Abel was responsible for one of the best rounds of the day when he defeated H. Hotson, and T. R. Brett struck W. Kerns in good form. H. V. Coverdale had a brilliant run in the early stages from the turn,- but he was. beaten by R. E. Rainger. B. B. Armstrong played well to defeat C. N. Jacobsen. CORONATION TOURNEY H. ROGERSON'S DOUBLE SUCCESS Probably owing to the fact that only handicap events were on the programme for the Coronation tournament at Titirangi very few entries were received from other clubs. H. M. Rogerson had a successful opening day, as he won both the Stableford and bogey handicaps. In the morning Rogerson played an excellent round of 75 and, although his handicap was reduced, he again broke 80 .to return a card of 2 up. J. Galloway, a young player who was runner-up in the club championship last-year, was unfortunate in not meeting with success after his fine 72. M. Eraser-Smith, E. Tonks, L. J. Clifford and P. Harrison all played well, Harrison and Tonks winning the junior events. Group handicaps were commenced and the semi-finals and finals will be played to-day. Matches in the first group particularly promise to be interesting, as J. H. Young, R. R.'McCrvstal, J. Galloway and C. S. O. Woods survived the early stages. PROMISING PLAYER H. ROY'S MEDAL VICTORY The winner of the senior medal event at Maungakiekie, H. Roy. has been playing for a very short time, but his handicap has" been rapidly reduced. He has a good natural style and, as he is a long driver, ho should attain an even lower mark before the end of tho season. J. Earle was beaten on the countback, and probably there is no player in Auckland who has performed so consistently and yet failed to win manv events. A. Woolle.v, W. R. Teape, J. C. Pelham; J. Palmer, C. A. Jarman and J, S. Colegrove scored well and L. J- Drummond had a comfortable win m the junior division. The scoring in the second monthly medal match at North Shore was fair, J. W. Morrison playing steadily to win the senior division. From a nine handicap T. Miller had a round of 85 to finish second. E. J-larper was the lead- ] n S junior, K. D. Anderson being beaten on the count-back.