GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 21

GOLF TOPICS

(BENEFIT TOURNAMENT SUCCESSFUL OPEN DAY MATCHES AT MIJDDLEMORE SUPPORT OF PROFESSIONALS BY THE HOVER Open days for local golfers jyere inaugurated in Auckland two or three years ago and .on every occasion on which a club has staged events for the professionals, a large number of amateurs have taken part. When the committee of the Auckland Club decided to hold an open day as a benefit to the club's young professional, Juliai' Waite, it was expected that the usual number of players, 80 or 90, would enter. ' It was, therefore, particularly gratifying when a record entry of over 150 Was received; Waite's brother professionals were largely responsible for such a great response to a worthy cause as not only did they all take part, but they were instrumental in obtaining support from a large number of amateurs. The professionals' action in handing back the cash prizes was a most generous and praiseworthy one and as a result a substantial sum was raised. As stated bv one speaker, the professionals have few opportunities for competitive play and provided sufficient support is forthcoming the Auckland Club will hold another open day next month and the proceeds will be used ns prize money for professional events. It is to be hoped that the New Zealand Golf Council will take some action to increase the prixe money at the championship meeting as suggested by an oflieer of the Auckland Club. At present the winners of the open and - professional events receive £4O each and this could quite easilv be doubled without erring on the generous side. Even a professional who meets with' success in ane or other of these events will be out of pocket. He is forced to neglect his ordinary business for about two weeks, while he has to meet relatively heavy additional expenses if .the tournament is held away from his home town.

Few amateurs who regularly take part in the Dominion championships would object if the entry fee was raised, while tho club holding the tournament should be in a position to grant a subsidy. Large galleries ai-e present at every open championship and as they usually follow the professionals, there appears to be no reason why these players should not receive a share of the gate "money. SOME FINE SCORES * ' U" T"~ - R. G. RAINGER CARDS A 72 f There was a number of fine scores returned on Sunday and probably the best effort of the day was a 72 by R. G. Rajnger in the Stapleford bogey. Rainger qualified as a veteran two or three years ago and he plays remarkably fine golf for his age. He seldom hits a shot off the line, but his strength lies in the fact that he has retained his touch on and around the greens. His approach-putting in his round of 72 was excellent, as frequently long putts finished within inches of the hole. R. W. G. Anderson and T. R. Brett also performed well in the medal handicap, as epch returned a 77 gross. This was Anderson's first success for a considerable time and he is to be congratulated on his win. Two young players, W. Wilson, junior, and R, T. MalyOn, combiilt-d well to win tho morning four-ball,- while G. Pollock and N. Farrell broke the run of wins by Middlomore players when they finished in the lead in the afternoon. By holing in one at the short 10th. W. N. Abbott achieved his ambition in golf. A perfect mashie shot landed about five feet short of the pin and the ball rolled into the cup. It was also remarkable that the scores at that hole of the four i players, of whom Abbott was one, were 1, 2, 3 and 4. The Titirangi scratch amateur, H. D. Brinsden, played splendid golf throughout the day, his round of 71 in the morning resulting from a fine inward half of 33 The New Zealand amateur champion, P. G. F. Smith, failed to strike form, but no doubt he Was stilL.feeling the effects of the strennouis tournament at Dunedin. Following' an indifferent round of 76 in the morning, A Murray commenced brilliantlv in the second round and,

•with four holes to play, he required par figures for a 68, However, many players have been in a somewhat simiI lar position and then found that fours are not' as easy as they appear. Murray three-putted on the loth and after striking trouble in the trees at the next !he carded a 6. He dropped another stroke at the 17th, but finished with a fine 3 for a 71. * QUESTIONS RAISED DISCUSSIONS ON RULES During a golf tournament it is not unusual to hear discussions on the rules. Two questions were raised recently and as no finality was reached, the following rules are quoted:— (1) A ball lying on or touching ground under repair may be lifted and dropped without penalty as near as possible to the place where it lay, but not nearer to the hole. (2) A ball may be lifted from any place on the course. If a player lift a ball under the provisions of this rule lie shall tee and play a ball, under penalty of two strokes, behind the place from which the ball was lifted; if this bo impossible he shall tee ami play a ball, under penalty of two strokes, as near as possible to the place from which the ball was lifted, but not nearer to the hole.