GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 5

GOLF TOPICS

PROVINCIAL TITLE SUCCESS OF J. H. YOUNG WINNER'S EXCELLENT FORM EY THE ROVER In reviewing the Auckland provincial golf championship, which was concluded on the Titirnngi course on Monday, it must he said that the best player in the field met with success. It is not uncommon in an event of this kind for a competitor to play easily the best :D;o]f in the tournament and he defeated by an opponent who had just managed to win his earlier matches with mediocre play. Fortunately such was not the caso at Titirangi. Young commenced with two excellent rounds, each of 73, to lead the qualifiers, and in the matchplay his scores were about level fours ugainst all opponents. Throughput the tournament he gave a fine display of shot production, tvliile he appeared to be more confident to hole short putts than in the past. The new title-holder first came into prominence during the New Zealand championship meeting at. Titirangi in J933, when he was narrowly defeated by H. A. Black in the semi-final of the amateur championship. Since then Young has played some very fine golf, but until thin year major titles continued to elude him. Although lie had a number of excellent inedal performances to his credit ho failed to meet with the same success in match-play events. His .winning of the provincial championship should do much to restore his confidence in his undoubted ability to score as well in match-play as in medal competitions.

Tho J O-ycar-old Hamilton player G. Burgess is also deservifig of congratnlations in filling the- role of runner-up. It. was his first appearance in championship golf, and he 4 acquitted himself very well. He proved to be ". a straight and powerful hitter, his iron shots were well executed and on a number of occasions he was a fearless putter. He eliminated two of the favourites, A. E. Browne and H. D. Brinsdon. to reach the final, in which he performed with credit. Others to play well in the tournament were J. M. Coltman, A. N. Young, .T. Grierson, B. T. Laycock and H. C. Luscombe. Coltman had a fine round of 72, the best of the meeting, to win one of the minor events. Luscombe was unfortunate in not heading the list in this competition, as he had a medal round of 05 net to finish 3 up on bogey. Young, a younger brother of the champion, and Laycock each liacl a good individual performance In handicap events. Although he was not driving well, J. Grierson had little difficulty in winning the final of the provincial handicap from A. Young. After an even game to the turn Grierson prodncc-d a great run of figures over the next five hole 3 to put the issue beyond doubt. An accurate short game enabled him to equal the scratch score at the critical stage. Tho winner of the title for the past two years, W. J. Davidge. failed to strike his best form, but in any case it is doubtful ' whether lie could have coped with the figures produced by Young. H. D. Briusden. who returned two good cards in the qualifying rounds, was out of touch on the greens against Burgess, and he never troubled his opponent.- A. E. Browne, too, failed to play with his usual accuracy and he went down, to Burgess when he appeared to be in a winning position. The long-hitting Titirangi player K. B. Carr gave one of his best performances to date as he took the ultimate winner to the last green in tho semi-final.

GREENS ALMOST PERFECT STYMIES ABOLISHED As usual, the tournament was managed in an efficient way by the secretary, Mr. M. E. Ward, and the state of the course reflected prreat credit on those responsible. The fairways were in good order while the greens were almost perfect, the absence of weeds being fhe subject of much favourable comment by competitors #rom other clubs. There was'only one tiling which could be criticised and that was fhe fact that stymies were not played in the championship. To a number of ♦he older players who followed the final much of the charm of the same disappeared when one of the players would lift his ball, or hole out when nearer the hole, before his opponent had putted. On a number of greens this caused a complete absence of golfing tactics, which are a part of the match-play. Even in" earlier rounds, when the players were also taking part in bogey or Stahleford events in conjunction, it would have been a hetter lest had the rules of the game been observed. Many improvements have been carried out a! Titiranei durinar the past few years, the chief of which has been the alteration of fhe second. llHi and 1-lfh holes. The committee has now taken another step in the right direction by reducing the out-of-bounds penalty. One stroke is sufficient penalty for a shot which finishes off fhe course and the local rule now brings the club into line with most others in New Zealand. The standard scratch score of Titirangi, 74, apnears to be liberal and probably "a score which a scratch golfer might" reasonably be expected to do in spring or autumn conditions when there is reasonable run and no wind" is not more than 73. The scratch score is allotted under those conditions, but it can of course vary according to the weather. In fhe winter, when there is practically no run and a strong: wind, it might easily be as hi<rh as VS. TTowever, as a basis one stroke micht reasonahly be deducted from the present rating. fc • • A very comprehensive programme of open handican events was finalised by the Manntrakiekie Club on Monday. The main competition on Saturday, the 30 holes medal handicap. went to V. Kirk, who made considerable progress at the en me during' the summer season. After winning two rounds of_ matchrlav for the Jfaunsrakiekie Cup Kirk lost form and he was well beaten by J. Tanner. In the final game Tanner was unable to concede two strokes to D. A. Schnauer. whs' was in good form throughout the tournament. Of powerful build. .Schnauer" hits a long ball from the tee and when he is in touch with bis short irons he is very difficult to defeat. TTis reduction in handicap earned during the tournament should have the effect of steadying up his play. J. S.. Bankin appears to hnve made a habit of winning No. 1 group matches. "His this type of event are due largely to resourcefulness around the preens and when he ca_n control his woods he is an able golfer.