GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 21

GOLF TOPICS

CLUB COMPETITIONS IDEAL CONDITIONS PREVAIL SCORES BELOW EXPECTATIONS BY THE ROVER With such ideal golfing conditions prevailing last Saturday, the scoring generally was not quite as good as expected. However, the majority of clubs had discontinued the clean and place rule and until there is sufficient growth to enable the fairways to bo evenly and closely cut, it may take a week or two for members to become 'accustomed to playing tho ball as it lies. The Pupuke Club was the first to commence its championship, while North Shore and Maungakiekie each played the first qualifying round. It is doubtful if tho North Shore course has over been in better order. The fairways were excellent, while there was little excuse for poor putting. As is often the case in qualifying rounds, the scoring was not good. A. E. Brownj and W. Mncindoe led the field with scores of 77 and they were followed by P. D. Foster with a card of 79. Foster, who is a young player, is to be congratulated on his effort in winning the handicap medal event. H. C. Stevens was out of touch and ha should do much better in the second round. R. E. Ash headed tho intermediate grade and R. Steele, who also won the junior medal competition, was the best of tho juniors.

ACCURATE PUTTING PLAY AT MAUNGAKIEKIE The Maungakiekie course was in very good order for the first qualifying round and the closer cutting of the greens made accurate putting easier than has been the case for some time. The best effort among the seniors was a 75 by J. C. Pelham. On the form he has displayed this season, Pelham appears to be the most likely winner of his club championship although, should fast conditions prevail, his position may be less secure. From the 7 mark, J. Earle returned an excellent gross 76 only to lose, on a count-back, the concurrent handicap event to L. McOwan. It is doubtful whether any other golfer in Auckland has so often filled the role of runnerup in club competitions. Out in 40, McOwan dropped only one stroke over the last half to return a 77. He is playing excellent golf for a man of his years and is quite capable of defeating any player in the field in match-play. J. E. Stedman, confident as a result of his recent achievements at the Rotorua tournament, was very impressive. Considering that he had been playing during tho week on a course where the conditions were entirely different, his round of 77 was full of merit. L. B. Schnauer was another player to do well and had he not indulged in somo fancy putting he would have been much closer to the leader. On the 12th green he required no fewer than four putts from liftcen feet. H. Morpeth and W. H. D'Audney, two very fine match-players, were hopeout of touch on the greens and tiiey will have to play much better in the" second round in order to quaiif.v. G. Phil son and E. D. Thomas had creditable rounds in the intermediate >n-ade while 11. Aley continues to improve. With C. Schnauer, Aley is leading in the junior grade. . Pupuke had a busy week-end. Besides medal and boge3 r competitions, various matches in the Pupuke Cup, Bell Cup and captain's prize events were played. W. J. Thompson, J'. Armstrong and M. Grant won various handicap events a.nd one of the most interesting games in tho match-play was between L. McKay and H. E. Nicholas, McKay winning at the 21st. The Remuera course benefited from the recent dry spell and in a fourball bogey, I. S. Matthews and W. P. Ralph tied with W. S. Ralph and M. Mcßeth. Mcßeth has not played regularly for some years, but lie was well known in .Hamilton and. was fornicily on a very low handicap.

MIDDLEMORE MATCHES POPULAR EVENT AT AKARANA Only one player was equal to his handicap at Middlemore, which was in excellent order. In a bogey match, A. S. Gray, who recently -won a four-ball event with J. P. May, was successful with a card of 1 up. Coming home. Gray commenced with a fine run of 4 j :i, and he completed the last nine'in'37 V. E. Masters, the runnerup', played well to the greens but his short game was weak. At a number of holes he missed, opportunities and twice failed to hole very short putts. The C grade championship is pro grossing and among those to survive tho early rounds are T. Oliphant, C. Id. Abbott, K. Martin, F. E. Webster and P. Wilson. The first of three medal rounds for the Self Cup was played at Titirangi. which was also in splendid order, and A. 0. Jacob headed the list with a card of 72 net. N. C. McLean, F. A. Browne and J. C. Wilson were next and there was little between them and the next dozen players. j\l, .Jaques and J. Dcanc were successful in a pairs Stableford bogey at Akarnna and Jaques later distinguished himself by holing out in one at tho 155-yards 10th hole. Through the courtesy of the Akarana, Club, its course was again made available last week for the annual Dominion teachers' tournament Ihe senior championship was invested with more than usual interest this year as a greater number of low markers participated. Jtlcavv rain and ji strong wind made conditions decidedly unpleasant in the morning but there was a marked improvement after lunch. Tho winner of the chief event, 11. Tidmarsh, was one stroko behind the loader in the morning, but ho played a solid second round of 78. G. Foote, of Ruaivai, who was leading in tho morning, played a powerful game and •with greater experience lie might easily have won the title.

HAMILTON TITLES RESULTS IN FIRST ROUND Results in tho first round of the match-play for the club championship at Hamilton were much as expected. The favourites, C. B. Thomas, L». .1. Bryant, I?. D. Harding and J. G. Ferguson, fill had comfortable wins and as the automatic draw has worked out well, two of these players appear likely to contest the final. With the New Zealand championship meeting only a month off, the committee is; sparing no efforts to have the St. Andrews links in first-class order. During 1 lie week-end the majority of the fairways and greens were excellent and by the time the meeting is held there should bo little cause for complaint. Tho new iGtli green is an improvement, although tho approach, which has been returfed, may be troublesome as it has not yet consolidated.