ON THE LINKS

NZ Truth, Issue 910, 5 May 1923, Page 10

ON THE LINKS

WITH THE GOLFERS

BY « SAMMY."

Auckland Golf Club, Middlemore, record score 71, returned by R, D. Wright in medal competition, April 21. Thank goodness we have golfers in New Zealand who can return scores of 71 over firstclass courses. Following A. Shaw's fine performance at New Plymouth,, where he equalled Kirkwood's record for the course, Dick "Wright's wonderful score at Middlemore proves him to be a •worthy holder of the Auckland provincial championship. His score is 10 under bogey, and is likely to stand as a record for some time. His card readi— Out, 3544 54335^-36; in, 44434354V-^35. Total, 71. in Shaw and Wright we have two fine young: golfers who are improving each year and are certain in time to win open and amateur championship honors. Their scores of 71 at New Plymouth and Middlemore tie and beat the best score returned by Kirkwood at these links. Since the visit of the Australian the two courses have been made more difficult by added bunkers, therefore the scores returned were finer performances. :: :: :: J Major Muggs, . ex-Indian Army, was playing bis usual eighteen holes before lunch, but was a long way. below his usual standard, making many bad shots. In consequence of this . his temper, never one Of the best, became somewhat ruffled, and his anger increased when .he noticed that a laborer was following from hole to hole. At last the major could stand it no longer. "What the are 'you looking at?" he burst out. "Looking, sir?" replied the laborer. "I ain't looking, Fm. listening." , i: :: . "We carry far too many dubs," murmured' the philosopher, "we should carry only those we really are able to use." "Yes," snarled the disagreeable man, '"but you would look a damn fool chasing round the links with an empty bag in your hand." ii :: :: The Auckland Golf Club has had a successful year. The year's working has shown a profit of £573 as compared with £69 the previous year. The bank overdraft, however, has increased from £906 to £1803, a circumstance that was accounted for by the various improvements effected on the course, including a water supply throughout the course. Alterations to the club house absorbed £1430, so the members of the A.G.C. are well satis- y fled with the results of the year. S! :: :: E. S. Douglas, ex-open champion of New Zealand, has been appointed professional to the Robin Hood- Golf Club, Birmingham. Douglas was successful in being appointed pro. out of 150 applicants for the position, so doubtless his victories in New Zealand greatly helped his selection! After he had signed a twelve-months' agreement with the Robin Hood Club he received a cable from the Southwood Golf Club, U.S.A., asking him to acoept the position of pro. to their club. He had previously applied through a golfing agency for that position, and not receiving any answer for some time he thought the position was filled, so signed up with the Midland club. The retaining fee offered was large, so no doubt Douglas will hot remain long in England. He £as eatered for all the competitions he\ can play in, so we will soon know if he can produce the fine golf he played here. His best score since arriving Home was a 65 at Broome Knave, a course outside Edinburgh! The record stood to Alex. Herd with a 67. He says the course he now plays on was laid out and bunkered by the well-known golf course expert H. C. Colt, and is vastly superior to any course in New Zealand. . :t t: tx The Mlramar pro,, F. G. Hood, was driving better at New Plymouth than ever previously, and he is now back to his pre-war form; He often beat Shaw off the tee, but round the greens he was weak. : : : : ' : : The lure of the pictures has got Joe Kirkwood arid Ws partner, Walter Hagen. They have signed a contract to appear in the movies. They will ' be cast in a picture with May McAvoy. Methinks Australia has seen the last of the famous trick shot exponent, except when they see him on the screen. :: :: :: ' Taken all round, the Middlemoro pro., "Skinny" Moss, was the most consistent player at New Plymouth. Owing to the Rarawa being barbound, he, Clements and Blair did not arrive at New Plymouth until the night before the opening day, and when they went out to play the first round of tho competition they were making their first appearance on the links. Needless to say, this was a big handicap. It seemed to affect Blair (MaungakiekJe) most of all, and try as he would he could not got the strength of the course. Both Moss and Clements adapted themselves to it much quicker. The last-named is still the same stylish player asof old. , ■*! " a, Grelg, the Hawera pro., is a newcomer to New Zealand. He is an examateur from Scotland, where he was a scratch man, but he Has been but of the game f c>r many years and has. only recently taken up his present, position. He lid not do himself justice, but should be at his best by the time the championships come on In September. :; :; :: Judging by the enthusiasm shown at the opening of the Ranul Golf Club at Tawa Flat on Saturday latft, this new club can bo pronounced an unqualified success. The weather was not all that could be desired, but in spite of this thero waa an attendance of about 260 members, visitors from Other clubs and their friends. The president, Mr. Field, was very happy in his openinK speech, and Mr. R. C. Kirk, president of tho N.Z. Golf Association, also spoke. Special mention must be made of the excellent afternoon tea provided by the lady membora which was greatly appreciated by the visitors. Tho visiting golfers from Horetaungu, Mlramur, Wuiwetu, Mornington and Hull enjoyod their immensely and wore well pleased with j the golf provided. The? projects of tho club are exceedingly bright. Thero are j still a fow vacancies for new members and those in tending to Join will bo wise to moko early application to tho secretary, W, Whitehead. j j :: :: There is trouble in England between the Radyr Golf Club and the Ystrad and Pontyrch Hunt, because during u rocent run with hounds, some thirty J followers rodo across the golf course, doine it 1b stated, a good deal of damage to somo of tho toea, fairways, and I putting greens. <# I Two golf paragraphs appeared on ihn same page of an evening paper. Tho fir" suted: "Maryport Golf Club has decided to exclude artisan mwnboVs The ? chairman (Mr. P. Mandle) defined an artisan as 'A man who takes ofT His coat to work. 1 " Tho socoml read: "Playing from the lith tee at BxirnhanV Mr. I^ovi sliced hla ball, which dropped into tho coat pocket of Mr O P. Horlick, who was playing about *150 yard« away." if Mr. HorUclc had boon an artisan ho would not havo spoiled Mr. Levi'a shot Plus fours arc getting no common that only the "smartest set* now appear on tho links in tho old tlmo "minus twenty- fours." A thought for tho round*. Do not '' keep too much woight on tho left foot jia driving. This Is tho eauoo of muny

a faulty swing, and topped shots. Start the swing by raising the left heel off the ground. This movement will assist the screwing of the i>ody and enable the left shoulder to begin moving round with the swing. . . Unless the left shoulder moves round a true swing cannot be accomplished. King Golf is now in full swing, and in many families it is "Golf" for breakfast, , lunch and dinner. : : : : s s A five handicap player on a visit for a few days to a well-known course, was left with a three: at the short ninth to break 40 going out. He got a six. Had another try and did a 41, and overstayed his holiday in the endeavor to get that 39. Latest aidrices are that he has joined the club as a full member and intends staying thera over the winter. :: :: a "When Golf interferes with your business, give up— Golf ?'*— Never*