NORTHERN TITLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 14

NORTHERN TITLE

SOME CLOSE MATCHES PRESENT CHAMPION PRESSED OUTSTANDING features [by TELEGRAPH —OWX CORRESPONDENT J PALMERSTON NORTH, Sunday A feature of the opening play yesterday in the North Island amateur golf championships on the Hokowhitu course at Palmerston North was the close call experienced in tho second round by B. M. Silk, present amateur champion of New Zealand, and A. R.Kitto, whom ho defeated in the final last year. Both struck form over the last few holes to obtain narrow victories over V. Sutherland and W. G. Clark respectively. Tho course was in perfect, championship condition, but intermittent showers that fell changed tho pace of the greens, providing a better test of golf. Although there wero a few notable absentees from tho tournament, the entries totalled 100. In spito of tho defections there is enough North Island talent to make tho title well worth winning. As tho seven quarter-finalists are scratch players or on the one mark, the Remaining rounds should produce golf of a standard as high as that in last year's national tournament. Best Morning Hound The first round was noted for the sub- j stattial defeats inflicted upon tile lesser lights by their more outstanding opponents. Tho best round of tho morning was A. It. Kitto's gross 72. which Avon him tho stroke handicap. P. G. F. Smith was next with 74, while B. M. Silk carded 75—excellent scoring for so early in i;ho season on a par 73 course with the greens slower than competitors wero accustomed to. The surprise of the afternoon round was K. Glendinning's defeat, by N. H. Anion. The nature of the golf that characterised tho match is reflected in the scores. Anion was only two over fours, while Glendinning took 75. Glendinning's downfall was his inability to judge the strength of the greens, and, although he retrieved his position with birdies and an eagle, it was another missed putt thai, gave Anion the decision on the 19th. The New' Zealand open champion, J. P. Hoinabrook, although not extended in cither of his matches, displayed form that, indicates he has excellent prospects of adding another title to his already long list. <T. P. Mortland was another golfer who took little time to become accustomed to the pace of (he greens. After being dormy in both his matches, lie won comfortably. Pelham Defeated J. Pelham, Auckland, failed to survive the second round after defeating a promising young player in W. Moffat as tho result of betler putting. Pelham, although playing well, proved no match for the more experienced M. Moore, who obtained greater length with his irons to bring him within easy access of the greens. Well-judged chip shots saved Pelham on several occasions and ho proved that he hns the correct golf temperament by fighting back gamely. After tho pair were all square at the 34th, Moore forced ahead by taking tho next two holes, winning 2 and 1. . , A. R. Kitto could not find his game against E. W. Clark in tho afternoon. The latter established an early lead and it was not until Kitto was trailing two with only four to go that he managed to strike form. From this 6ta»re Clark was eclipsed. Three par fours placed Kitto 1 up. Putting Lapses P. G. F. Smith's two rounds were characterised by steady goir with putting lapses. He was more fortunato than Pelham in drawing higher handicap golfers for his' opponents. A late recovery of form gave him the decision in the second round against Walsh. V. Sutherland, the youthful Manawatu club member, provided B. M. Silk with a titanic struggle and had it not been for Silk's greater match experience Sutherland must have won. Three wasted putts enabled Sutherland to lead 2 up at tho seventh. Silk reduced the deficit by sinking his approach putt for a birdie two at the short ninth. Halves in par figures were recorded at the 10th and 11th, but Silk iost ground at the 12th by going through the back of tho green with his drive. It must have been an unenviable experience for the New Zealand champion to be two down at the hands of an unknown player, but worse was to follow Unusual Incident

Silk's drive to the 13th was half-stymied by a tree. The ball hit the tree, rebounded and struck air umbrella held by the caddie. This unusual incident under the rules of golf cos!; Silk the hole and ho was now three down. However, Silk rallied and took the next two holes in par figures. Sutherland striking trouble as the result of faulty driving. Both holed tricky putts at the halved 10th. At the 17th Sutherland presented Silk with an opportunity to square tho match by hocking his drivo~and taking three to reach the green. His 10-foot putt missed. Silk was nicely on the green and handy with his approach putt, and took the hole in par figures for a win. The matches for to-morrow are as follows: — Hornabrook v. Amon, Morfland v. Moore, G. F. Smith v. R. F. Kitto, Silk v. A. R. Kilito.

Results of Play Results were as follows: First Round. —J. P. Homabrook (Manawatu) beat It. M. Goodwin (Carterton), 7 and 0; F. C. Hutchison (Wanganui) . beat J. F. Field (Manawatu), 2 and 1; I>. H. Anion (Raiigitikei) beat It. A. Nic-holls (Oiroua Downs), 1 up: K. Glcndinning (Manawatu) heat M. R. Majide (Poverty Bay), 5 and 4; G. Paris (Tapuata) beat H. G, Kelloy (Matamata), 7 and 0; J. P. Mortland (Taihapc) beat B. R. Chapman (Manawatu). a and 1; J. Pelliam (Auckland) beat W. MoJfatt (Manawatu), 3 and 2; M. R. Moore (Miramar) won from L. G. Harris (Waimarino) by default; P. G. 14.I 4 . Smith (Akarana) beat W. .T. Goodwin (Manawatu , O und 5; C. J. Walsh (Manawatu) beat W. G. Clark (Levin), 1 up; B. F. Ivltto (Wanganui) beat W. W. Smith (Manawatu), 1 up; R. M. Ramsay (Palnierston North) beat M. A. Oilgley, 8 and 7; A. it. lvitto (Wanganui) beat D. H. Graham (Wellington), 0 and 4; y E. W. Clark (Lovin) beat J*. Johnston (Matamata), 3 and 2: V. Sutherland (Manawatu) beat A. D. Fullerton-Smith (Marlon), r, and 4: B. M. Silk (Wanganui) beat J. Urftin (Dannevirke). 0 and 5. Second Round. —Hornabrook beat Hutchison, 4 and 3; Anion beat Glcndinning.'l up at the Ifith; Morlland beat Par's, o 4; Smith beat Walsh, 4 and 3; R. F. TCitto befit Ramsay, 5 and 4; Mooro beat Pelliam, 2 and 1; A. R- Kitto beat E. W. Clark, 1 up;; Silk beat Sutherland, 1 up. NORTH SHORE LADIES' CLUB

Following is tho draw for tho captain's trophy, to be played next Wednesday by members of tho North Shore Ladies Golf Club, play to commence at 10 a.m. and tho first 30 to qualify:—Miss O. Stevens v. Miss A. McFetridge, Mrs. _M. Stevens v. Mrs. Atkinson. Miss A. 0 Neill v. Mrs. W. Houghton, Mrs. R. Sniallficld v. Mrs. Prentice, Mrs. Weir v. Miss I. Wight Mrs. J. Mason v. Mrs, K. Pike, Miss M. Leggoe v. Miss R. Gillett, Mrs. O. Winstono v. Mrs. 13. Cockayne, Mrs. it. Fleming v. Mrs. P. Keane, Mrs. H. P. Ibbertson v. Mrs. E. Cox, Mrs. J. Morrison v. Miss M. Mason. Mrs. Homo v. Miss L. McDonnell. Mrs. S. W, H. Chambers v. Mrs. Jrl. Cadncss. Miss G." C liar in an v. Mrs. Walsh. Fourteenth Tee.—Mrs. Wiseman v Mrs. H Melville. Mrs. Jacobi v. Mrs. H. Service, Mrs. E. Wilson v. Miss Noako. • Twelfth Tee.—Mrs. Herbert v. Miss R. Webster, Mrs. Parkinson v. Mrs. W. H. Taylor, Mrs. Rollo v. Mrs. A. Bow, Mrs. H Dumbleton v. Mrs. Wisnewsky. Miss 1. Stewart v. Mrs. I. A. Taylor, Mrs. B. Scurr v Mrs. Halvcy, Mrs. H. Goodwin v. Mrs. Rickerby, Miss T. Coupo v. Mrs. H. Babaße, Mrs. Grant v. Mrs. Lewjns. Mrs. H. Preston v. Miss B. McDonnell. Mrs. G. Harvey v. Mrs. McCloghrie. Mrs. Law v. Mrs. Commencing at noon.—-Mrs. L. B , ' rr '?" n v Miss B. Hawes, Mrs. H. Newsham v. Mrs. Chlgnell, Mrs. Hol.voake v. Miss J. Speedy, Mrs. A. Whyte v. Miss J. Higson.

MANUKAU LADIES' CLUB The winner of the L.G.U. monthly medal round played by members of the Manukau La,dies' Golf Club on Saturday was Miss G. Jackson with a card of 90,35-Gl. The next best scores were:—Miss Isixon, lo>., 72• Jlrs. F. A. Parker, 90, 1. <n. Following is the draw for tho first eclectic competition for the captain's trophy to be plavcd rm Wednesday, commencing at O'clock:—Mrs. F. H.. Barnard v Mrs. R. H. Lever; Mrs. T. Fleming v. Mrs. H. Dreadon; Mrs J. Bradstreet v. Miss b. Graham; Mrs. George v. Mrs. G. C. Wardcll; Mrs. S. Bishop v. Mrs. R. Urquhart; Mrs. V. Goddard v. Mrs. Blair; Miss Blanchard v. Mrs. Ellott; Mrs. Cross v. Mrs. Farquhar; Mrs. Brcbner v. Miss J. Little; Mrs. R. Grant, v. Mrs. K. Napier; Miss King v. Mrs. Looker; Mrs. F. Parker v. Mrs. J. J. valentine; Mrs. F. Yates v. Miss I\. Brooks; Mrs. de Carteret v. Mrs. Colheck; Mrs A. McJCeish v. Mrs. Pollock; Mrs. Nicholas v. Mrs. W. K. Francis.

MANUKAU CLUB Following is the result of a medal round played by members of the Manukau Golf Club on Saturday:—S. McDonald, 70, 13 GO; G. Tuck, SO, 12—68; A. Irvin.e, SO, 1(iO; C. G. Wardcll, 78, B—7o, J. Alexander, 83, 12 —71; T. Roberts, 81, 11 —73; E. Marine, SO, 11 —75. WAITEMATA CLUB A four-ball best-ball bogey competition was played on Saturday by members of the AVaitemata Golf Club, the winners being W. Mitchell and R. Howlctt, 3 up. Other good cards were:—E. Rudge and B. McQee, 2 up; Gr H. Lord and B. McDuff, all square; P. Foster and D. MacGregor, all smiare; D. Corbett and S. Bond, all square; P. Roach and B. Elworth. 1 down.