GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS

LABOUR DAY EVENT TOURNAMENT AT TITIRANGI SUCCESS OF J. H. YOUNG . IMPROVEMENTS TO COURSE BV THE nOTER Chief interest in local golf circles during the week-end centred in the annual Labour Day tournament held at Titirangi. The weather was ideal throughout and the course was in excellent order. The main event, a 36-holcs scratch medal for tlio Hislop Cup, was won by J. H. Young with rounds of 75 and 7G, while D. Coylo was runnerup with scores of 78 and 7G. Apart from these' players the scoring was somewhat disappointing. In the morning, Young played very steadily, two's at the fourth and 14th holes enabling him to return halves of 37 and 38. In the second- round Young dropped two strokes to the . turn, but again he played well coming home for a 37. Co.vle was out in 38 in the morning, but he missed chances over the last nine to finish in 78. In the second round lie had halves of 38 each way to fill the rolo of runner-up. Tho Auckland club representative, E. L. Bartleet, struck trouble on tho outward half in each round and lie required 41. In the morning he had an excellent home run or 30, while in tho afternoon he required threo strokes more. Neither 11. D. Brinsden nor W. .T. Davidge, the Titirangi scratch players, revealed his best form. Brinsden struck trouble at the 1.12 th in the morning to card a seven, and attain in the second round tho inward half proved expensive. Davidge commenced Iho morning round with a three, but from that stage ho lapsed into errors and finished in 81. He could do nothing right in the second round and, after taking <ls for tho first nine, ho was forced to liolo a long putt on the last green to break 90. When the Labour Day tournament was played at Middlcmore last year, the first 10 to qualify played ofr the< mark for the Middlemoro championship. This proved to bo very successful and it was hoped that a similar contest would be staffed this year. However, it was decided to play the Titirangi Cup event on handicap and thero was not tho same interest taken. There appears to be no reason why a championship event should not be played each year, as tho longer markers are well catered for with group handicaps. The leading- qualifier for the Titirangi Cup, V. N. Hubble, played really well for one on his mark:. Ho took a soven.at the third and a nine at the 13th iu the first round and again in the afternoon two bad holes spoiled an' otherwise good score. He was defeated ! in the match-play by the well-known Whangarei player. H. F. Buckley, who performed well in tho tournament. Both C. Galloway and C. Cammick played well to reach the final and Galloway, who was conceding ono stroke, proved too good for his opponent. Galloway commenced with 4. 1. I. |t to bo 3 up. and, although Cammick held him from that stage, the end came at the 15th when Galloway obtained a good four.

The recent improvements to the - course were the subject of favourable comment by visitors. It was generally asreed that the alterations to tho second, third, 11th and 14th holes made the course a better test than formerly. With further bunkering and the remodelling of such greens as the seventh and 18th, Titirangi should bo one of the best championship courses in the Dominion.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AKARANA TITLE TO P. SMITH Two club championships were finalised during the week-end. As expected P. G. F. Smith retained the Akarana title, but there was a surprise at North Shore,where W. Wheeler defeated last year's winner, A. E. Browne.In the Akarana final, Smith and G. Coltman met for the fourth year in succession and Smith was successful by a largo: margin. In the early stages the golf was not of a high standard and there was nothing between the pair after the seventh hole. Smith then struck form and he won seven of the following eight holes, finishing tho morning round S up. Coltman again played poorly in the second round and he lost the two opening holes. Ho won the third, but Smith again assumed the attack and settled the issue at tho eighth. , There was a. surprise at North Shore, when Browne" lost his title after having a lead of two holes at the end of the first round. Ho iheld ; they advantage to the 30th hole in the afternoon but Wheeler then played very well and not'-ijnly wiped off his deficit, but took the" lead"'to win at the 35th. Wheeler is a comparatively inexperienced player, who is better known in cricketing circles, and he is to be congratulated on his success. A three-days' tournament at Maungakiekie attracted a good entry and in the No. 1 group handicap, H. Roy, who was in receipt of two strokes, defeated J. E. Stcdman at the 19th. This pair also met in tho club championship a week or two ago, but on that occasion Stedman won on the last green. The second grouD final also provided an exciting finish, as four extra holes were necessary . before ,T. S. Rankin accounted for W. Tcape. i The winners played well throughout and it is pleasing to see Rankin again in form after a lean spell. Stedman is in excellent form and he should p!ay a prominent part in the champion of champions match which will be held at (he Hill in a fortnight. During the week-end he won a medal match with a score of 71 and later was successful in a S'tableford competition.,