THE PROFESSIONALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22852, 6 October 1937, Page 17

THE PROFESSIONALS

INITIAL SURPRISE BELL DEFEATS C. CLEMENTS SMITH'S GOOD EXHIBITION [BY TELEGRAPH —FROM THE ROVER] HAMILTON, Tuesday In the first round of the professional championship N. Bell caused a surprise by defeating the title-holder, C. C. Clements. After failing to strike form in the open championship Bell played many brilliant holes this morning, and ho thoroughly deserved his win. Following hi* fine showing if was expected that Bell would keep Shaw busy in the afternoon, and this proved to ho the case, as, although Shaw was round in 71, it was not until the 18th that he eliminated his opponent. In the middle stages of the game there were 10 holes in succession halved in par figures, and when Shaw's second shot to the 17th found ft bunker it appeared that Bell would take the lead. However, his opponent, after a good explosion shot, holed his putt for the half. That E. J. Moss is still a force to be reckoned with was again demonstrated to-day, when he defeated N. H. Fuller and A. E. Guy. to reach the semi-finals. Moss was never seriously troubled to account for Fuller, but in the afternoon he was fully extended. The players wore all square at the 12th, where Moss brilliantly negotiated a stymie. Guy took the lead with a fine two at the 14th. After halving the next Guy struck trouble from the toes over the concluding holes, and Moss obtained three fours to win on the last green. E. S. Douglas played two good rounds of 73 and 72 to defeat A. Dyke and T. S. Galloway, while B. J. Smith, jun., gave a splendid exhibition to win his matches. When an amateur Smith was recognised as one of the finest shot-makers in Auckland, and to-day he showed that he still has the ability. FLIGHT MATCH DECIDED NEW ZEALAND PLATE CONTEST [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] HAMILTON, Tuesday The 16 amateurs who returned the lowest aggregate scores in the four rounds of the open championship, exclusive of those who qualified for match play in "the amateur title, contested a flight match to-day. Two rounds wore played and the 'semifinals and finals will be decided tomorrow. Results were as follows: — First Round. —A. E. Browne beat R. J. Love, 4 and 3; H. E. Cross beat C. B. Thomas, 3 and 1; J. D. Shanly won from J. M. Coltman by default; J. W. Jackson beat P. R. Godby, 2 and 1; AY. A. Donald beat J. Galloway, 2 and 1; R. E. Bell beat R. Harsant, 1 up; D. C. Collins beat A. L. McLean, 1 up; J. Shelly won from L. J. Bryant by default.

Second Bound. —Crosse beat Browne, 3 and 2; Shanly beat Jackson, 3 and 2; Donald boat Bell, 6 and 4; Shelly beat Collins, 2 up. The elimination round for the New Zealand Plate, which is open to the 16 players put out in the first round of the amateur championship, was played this afternoon. The winners wili bo matched to-morrow with the eight players eliminated from the second round of the amateur championship. Results were: —K. C. Ward beat J. P. Mortland, 1 up; H. D. Brinsden beat H. P. Dale, at the 19th; J. H. Young beat H. A. Black, 1 up; P. G. F. Smith beat F. H. McDonald, 1 up; J. Logan beat H. J. Longstaff, 4 and 3; G. P. Roberts won from A. R. Blank by default; S. G. Cooper beat P. L. Peacock, 6 and 5; R. H. Glading won from M. R. Moore by default.