GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 18

GOLF TOPICS

PLAY IN AUCKLAND RECORD AT ONE TREE,HILL PELHAM'S BRILLIANT ROUND BY THE IItOVEIt The best performance in local golf during the week-end was a brilliant round of 69 by J. C. Pelham at Matingakiekie. The course was in good order but low scoring was ,by no means easy as there was a, fairly strong wind. An eagle three at the isecond hole paved the way for an excellent outward half of 32, and although he required a six at the 15th, Pelham was home in 37. Details of his card and the (standard scratch scoro are:— Pelham.—Out: 43 3: 43434 4—32 Scratch—Out: 4 5 8; 3 4 5 4 4 4—30 Pelham.—ln: 4 4 4 4 4 6 8 4 4—37 Scratch.—ln: '4 3 3 4 4 5 5 4 4 —30

Pelham has had a number of good scores this season and he ils to bo congratulated on establishing a now official course record for amateurs. If ordinary handicaps had been in use Pelham would :not have been successful in the first round of the Wiseman Cup on Saturday. H. Roy, D. D. Holland and J. Riordan all bettered their handicaps while others to score well wero J. Tanner and J. H. Earlo.

Tho Maungaklekie Club introduced summer handicaps for the first time this season. From records kept over a number of years it was found that during the summer months over ninety per cont of the competitions were ,won by players on handicaps of 12 and over. A reduction of handicaps from about November to March is no innovation, but although there has been a good deal of controversy over the matter it is generally accepted that some adjustment is necessary. Whether a reduction of one quarter is too drastic is debatable, but it provides a simple system on which to work.

The final of the veteran's handicap was interesting as the contestants had each won tho event before. N. J. Kidd had been successful twice and by winning on Saturday, D. F. MacCormick scored his second win. Kidd was in the lead in the early stages, but his opponent squared the match at tho 11th. MacCormick became 2 up after playing the loth, , but ho last tho next when his drive failed to clear the trees. However, he settled the issue with a sound 4 at the following hole. RAINGER CUP FINAL CLUB CHAMPION BEATEN The defeat of the club champion, W. Wheeler, by such a largo margin in the final of the Raiuger Cup at North Shore was unexpected.' However, his opponent, IT. Preston, played an excellent outward half of 30 to establish a lead of six up. He then won the two following holes to put the issue beyond doubt. A year or two ago Preston was considered one of the coming players at North Shore, but he did not fulfil iiis'earlier promise. Ho has a good swing and now that ho has met with success it may provide incentive for the future.

A fine round of 73 enabled L. J. Minogue to win a Stableford event with a total. of 10 points. He was out in 38 and with three holes to go he appeared likely to return a 70 as he was hitting his shots well. He missed a very short putt at the 10th and finished with two fives for a creditable Tound. I The Middlemore course was in splendid order, but few good cards were returned in a Stableford competition. Brilliant putting enabled T. E. Clark to score a popular win with a total of 85 points. Clark was out in 4.1 and the only , blemish on his card of 38 cbniing home was a six at tho 10th. The consistent Warwick Wilson again played well, but he spoilt an otherwise excellent last nine with a six at the 22th and a seven at the 15th.

The usual mixed foursome competition was played at Titirangi to mark the close of the winter season. The match resulted in a win for H. 0> Wiles and Mrs. L. H. Norton after a tie with H. V. Ganley and Miss M. Wright. The veterans' handicap has reached the concluding stages and R. E. Alpe and J. Murray will meet in the final. It is doubtful if the Titirangi course has ever been in better order than during the past few weeks. It is to be regretted that it was necessary to abandon the centenary tournament which was to have been played last month as with the improvements which have been made to certain holes, the course would have provided an excellent test. Tho following trophies were presented at the closing day of the Akarana Golf Club: — Senior championship, P'. G. F. Smith; intermediate championship, R. Lewis; junior championship G. L. Bayley; C grade championship, P. Germann; Coltman Cup, G. M. Graham; Roskill Cup, A: J. Hitchings; Tylrr Momorial Cup, K. M. Sheffield; Howey Walker trophies. R. M. Black and A. E. Wilson; Paterson Cup,. A. L. Graham and G. M. Graham; Fuller Memorial Cup. D. Covle; Edwards trophy, I. W. Houston; Br'idgens prize, It. B. Smith; Captains prize, G. G. Ashley; G. M. Brown bowl. Mr. and Mrs.' A. G. Rylands; Kohn rose bowl. Miss O. Darrach and C. S. M. Edwards.