GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 20

GOLF TOPICS

LABOUR DAY MATCHES TOURNEY AT MIDDLEMORE A POPULAR INNOVATION BY THU HOVER The Auckland Golf Club's Labour Day tournament, which was concluded on Monday, proved one of the most successful yet held in Auckland. The course was in almost perfect order, and the manner in which the tournament was conducted was the subject of very favourable comment. The system of posting tho scores which automatically showed the leaders, the starting times for the following day and the respective opponents, provided an object lesson for the running of such a tournament, lhe work of the secretary, J?. L. McNiven, and the assistant secretary, Mrs. A. R. Abbott, was greatly appreciated by members and visitors.

In winning the two main events, the Hislop Cup and the Middlemore championship, J. H. Young played golf which was a mixture of brilliance and mediocrity. His 35 out on Saturday afternoon resulted from splendid irons to the greens and sound putting. He slipped a number of strokes on the inward half, but holed a good putt for a 3 at the last for a 73, the best oi the Again in the final it was the inward half which almost ruined Young's chances of scoring a win in the championship. Following a display of almost flawless golf over the first ten holes he made a tactical error at the 11th. At this stage be was 3 up and as he had invariably played a pitch to the green in previous rounds, he made the mistako of attempting a run-in. He found a bunker and there is little doubt that this incident upset his concentration. However, lie will no doubt profit from his error and the fact that he met with success should do much to restore his confidence. It is rather unusual to find H. D. Brinsden filling the role 6'f runner-up in Auckland golf, but this was the case in the two events in the week-end. In the morning round of the Hislop Cup he commenced with 5, 5, 6, and although he had fours at the two opening holes m the afternoon he again carded a 6 at the 3rd.

CLUB TITLES WIN FOR W. S. RALPH Two club championships were decided during the week-end and at Remuera W." S. Ralph, who has not played competitive golf for some time, was responsible for a good performance in winning the title. In the final he met another veteran in golf, R. G. Rainger.

who was Remuera champion for the two previous years. Eainger was 1 up at the 4th hole in the afternoon, but his touch then deserted him and Ralph played well to win six holes in a row. He settled the issue by obtaining an eagle 3 at the 13th. A son of the senior champion, J. P. Ralph, who is the present schoolboy champion, played fine golf to win the junior title. As Mrs. W. S. Ralph recently won the ladies' championship at Middlemore. the family has established a record which should stand for many years The golf in the morning round of the final at North Shore was not of a very higfr standard, but there was a decided improvement in the second round. A. E. Browne was 1 up at the 18tli and at the turn in the afternoon he had increased his lead to four holes. He held the advantage, although par figuFes were required.

HANDICAP GAMES MAUNGAKIEKIE PLAY The' Maungakiekie Club finalised a very successful open handicap tournament on Monday, the group matoh-play events again proving popular. Successful in the No. 1 group, J. E. Stedman played splendidly in all matches. F. Busby, of the Orakei Club, produced good golf in the earlier founds, but he could not cope with Stedman's 74 in the final In winning from J. S. Rankin at the 19th hole in the final of No. 2 group, D. G. Macfarlane avenged a series of defeats at the hands of the former. Good fortune, however, was decidedly on Macfarlane's side at the 17th and 18th holes. Rankin made a very good showing at the tournament, as a fine round of 76 enabled him to win the bogey event on Saturday. Now reduced to 7 he has prospects of meriting his former handicap of 5.

G. Kissling was also conspicuous, as in addition to winning his group event, he secured the medal handicap with a net score of 68. His 77 gross might, with any luck, have been several strokes better. A. N. Hay's win'in the Stableford bogey was popular. From his mark he has played well this season and he has been distinctly unfortunate in not previously meeting with success.