COURSE CRITICISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 13

COURSE CRITICISED

MIRAMAR FAIRWAYS BELOW REQUIRED STANDARD EARLIER MEETING SUGGESTED [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday During the annual meeting of the New Zealand Golf Association, Mr. 11. C 4. Hayward (Shandon) asked if the Golf Council in future would take steps to see that any course selected for the New Zealand championship tournament was inspected to ascertain if it were in a fit condition. The president, Sir Alexander Roberts, said that had always been done in the past.

Mr. Hayward: AVe liavo had evidence during the past few days that it has not been done this year. The Miramar courso is certainly not up to championship standard. .Mr. G. O. Sutton, secretary of the association, said that players who had been attending championship meetings in the Dominion for the past 19 years had told him that the Miramar greens were the best they had ever played on.

Mr. Hayward: I made no reference to the greens, Avhich were certainly in excellent condition. Tho courso can hardly bo considered up to championship standard when placing is allowed on the fairways.

Sir Alexander Roberts said that that applied to only one fairway. The Miramar Club had been unfortunate owing to severe winds which had dried tlio fairways up during the past few days. Mr. Hayward: I have played frequently on the Miramar course during the past few months and have been well awaro that the fairways were not up to championship standard.

The president said that the championships this year had been arranged to fit in with the centennial exhibition and could not have been held at Miramar before it was opened. Mr. B. M. Silk agreed that the Miramar greens wero in perfect condition, but he was sure better courses would bo obtained if the championship tournament was held in September or October.

Sir Alexander Roberts: That applies to tho North Island. Mr. Silk: No. Tho course at.Balmacewan was pretty dry last year and would have proved a better test of golf had tho tournament been held a month or two earlier.

ASSOCIATION'S SURPLUS MATCHES WITH AUSTRALIA [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, Friday The annual meeting of the New Zealand Golf Association was attended by 20 delegates and members of the Golf Council, the president, Sir Alexander Roberts, presiding. Sir Alexander referred to the reinstitution of matches between Australia and New Zealand, and said they were near to having an understanding to resume the matches as soon as conditions became normal. During his visit to Australia ho had learned that there was no prospect of the Ivirk-Windcyer Cup contests being resumed. The association had finished the year with a surplus of £565. Mr.B.M. Silk,on behalf of the Wanganui Club, moved: "That it be a recommendation to all affiliated golf clubs that a charge of 10 per cent on gate receipts bo made for the tiso of tilt* course in connection with any exhibition match by visiting professionals." The motion was defeated. At the instanco of the Rotorua Club ■the council agreed to exempt from payment of levy members of clubs on military service.

The existing council, Sir Alexander Roberts and Messrs. W. A. Kiely, W. E. A. Gill, J. H. Drake, C. A. Burgess and A. R. Iclanders, with Mr. I). R. Richmond (Miramar), wero reelected.

PREVIOUS HOLDERS HORNABROOK'S THIRD WIN J. P. Hornabrook has now won the Now Zealand amateur golf title on three occasions, thus equalling Sloan Morpeth's record. Following are the title-holders from 1919: — 1010 .. .. 11. E. Crosso 1020 .. .. Sloan Morpeth 3 021 .. .. <A. O. Simc 3 022 .. .. A.,.!). S. Duncan 102!J .. .. J. Goss, jun. 3 02-1 .. .. L. Ouin 1025 .. .. T. H. ITorlon 1020 .. .. A. D. S. Duncan 3027 .. .. Sloan Morpeth 3028 .. T. H. ITorlon 1020 .. Sloan Morpeth 1030 .. .. H. A. Black 1031 .. .. Tfana Wapff 1032 .. TJana "Waprgr 19OT .. .. B. V. Wrisrht 1031 ... .. Br. M. P ilk 1035... .. ,T. p. ITornabrook 1031) .. .. ,T. P. Hornnbrook 1037 ..' .. B. M. Silk 1038 .. .. P. O. F. Smith 1030 .. .. J. P. ITornabrook