GOLF TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23621, 3 April 1940, Page 15

GOLF TOPICS

CLUB COMPETITIONS COURSES IN GOOD ORDER AUCKLAND'S SCRATCH MEDAL BV THE HOVER Competitions wore held by tlio various local golf clubs on Saturday, when the weather was fine and courses were in excellent order. Usually at this timo of the year the fairways nro still fast, but frequent rains throughout the summer have promoted a good growth of grass, with the result that courses arc not playing with a great amount of run at present. Owing to llio fact that a number of lowmarkers nro either oil activo service or engaffed on other military duties, the scratch medal at Middlemoro did not produco any good scores. Last year, when players of the calibro of P. C. Savage, K. M. "Wilson, S. 11. Abel and G. W. S. Williams woro in tho field it was necessary to return a card in tho low seventies to win. J. P. Aldrcd was successful on Saturday with a round of 77, whilo another left-hander, B. H. Mcnzics, was runner-up with 7S. Aldrcd played stoadily to iho turn, which ho reachod in 30, and a two at tho 30th and a three at tho 12th paved tho way for a good inward half. Howovcr, ho dropped strokes by taking sixes at tho 15th and 17th holes. Mcnzics, who was playing his first round after n thrco months' spell from tho gamo, scored well, npurt from striking trouble at four holes, wliero ho carded a seven and thrco sixes. Tho winner of the net medal, W. A. Taaffo, continued to display tho good form ho showed throughout the sumnior. With the exception of three holes, tho <Jth, loth and ISth. where he required a seven at each, Taaffo played really fine golf for one on his handicap. V. E. Masters also scored well, but had lapses at a few holes, and tho same applied to G. Hartshorn. At ono ntago it appeared that D. A. Burt would return the best gross score of jtlic day, but ho struck trouble, particularly at tho I'-'th holo, where ho required seven.

IMPROVEMENT IN PLAY TRUER MAUNGAKIEKIE GREENS Tho quality of tho play at Maungakickio showed nil improvement, which was no doubt due to tho fact that tho greens wero truer than previously this season. In the A grado medal contest, G. Bennett met with overdtio success after a tie with D. G. Macfiurlano. Possessing an upright swing, Bennett plays all his shots in crisp, orthodox fashion. Ills gamo up to tho greens on Saturday, had it been supplemented, by sound putting, might well havo earned him a 72 grass. Mncfarlane, a former club chnmpion, commenced by mis-hitting his drives at tho two opening holes, at which ho carded a fivo and seven respectively. Except at tho sixth, when he missed a short putt for a birdio four, ho made tho most of his opportunities for a score of -10 out. After two good shots to tho last green, he failed with a putt of 2ft for a birdie thrco which would have meant success. It was not a fitting climax to his bold bid after a poor start. In the B grado tho scoring was even belter, F. It. Bcanland having to produco a net. 0/ to win. S. W. Smith required one stroke more, and he was followed by J. A. Murdoch. The handienpper at Otahuhu was again set a task when tho winner of tho senior medal, E. F. Hoggie. who played from 10, returned a 74 gross. Tho successful .liumr, J. E. McKon/.ie, also had a 04 net. Others to score well in the senior event worei D. W. Vcrrall. O. R. Montgomery nnd H. W. Bell, who was runner-up in the Auckland provincial championship last year.

FOUR-BALL CONTEST GOOD SCORING AT TITIRANGI Less strenuous matches, four-ball bogey events, wero played at Titirangi, isorth ohoro and Akarann. As usual, the scoring.in this tvpo of competition was good at iit irangi, B. T. Lavcock, who performed well at Easter, and G. Lorimcr being successful with a card of nine up.' On this course there are four or fivo holes each with a scratch score of five which are. under normal conditions, within reach of two shots. For this reason a pair which combines well can return cards which are better than on most other courses. The winners at North Shore were J. A. Penman and M. C- O'Connor, with a card of seven up. Although ably assisted by his partner, Penman had an excellent round, of ,2. and both players earned reductions in their handicaps. D. J- Keid and 11. J. I reston and H C. Stevens and I. A. Harvey also combined well. Re id repeating the previous week's form when he was successful in a med.U c^ 0 e "p; marl<eTS figured . prominently nt Akarann. the winning pair being J. It. Lampbell and A. B. Wilson. J. D. Bean andI S. Lovell, and A. 13. Wilson and J. E. Cashmore, the best of tho lower-handicap players, were next.