A GOLFER'S TRAVELS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22457, 29 December 1934, Page 10

A GOLFER'S TRAVELS

BEAUTY OF NEW ZEALAND IMPRESSIVE MOTOR TRIP By Gene Sarazev (Copyright.) 11l Gisborne was my next centre, where we-played at the Poverty Bay Club's course, and 1 was rather intrigued at the name of the club as the district, with its wonderful sheep country, seemed rather prosperous to me. The car trip from Napier to Gisborno was most interesting and Mrs Sarazen enjoyed this trip immensely, but better things were in store for us the next day, when we travelled from Cisborne to Rotorua via Opotiki, through the Waioeka Valley. ' This was some of the nicest scenery I have ever seen. I wa s particularly thrilled with the river, which runs parallel to the road for so many miles, and some day I shall come back with some of my American friends camping in this valley. On arrival in Rotorua I "renewed my acquaintance with the British amateur team and had a practice round with them over the course before my exhibition match with Shaw. The course at Rotorua was in fine condition and Mr Redhead has made a great course here. It has a certain charm about it that I cannot just explain, but it seems to make golf so much more enjoyable. Rotorua is certainly a weird place. Before I left we visited the numerous attractions. I do not mind telling you that I was mystified with the wonders of Whakarewarewa, where Guide Rangi so carefully showed us over. I would not live there with those Maoris for 10,000 dollars. I have taken back a full Maori dress equipment and if things do not go right I think I will go into the show business as a Maori warrior. By the way, I have already learned to do a haka.

I also visited Fairy Springs, the fisherman's paradise. If only we had this, in America it would be worth millions of dollars. Why, the trout even took the bread from my fingers. Even in my wildest dreams I never thought it possible to lice such a sight, and if people in other parte of the world knew this they would come to New Zealand to see this phenomenon alone. Reluctantly saying good-bye to Rotorua, we motored to Hamilton, thence to Auckland. Although I did not see the Hamilton course under favourable circumstances, as it was an exceptionally hot day, I could see it was one of the best courses in New Zealand under normal conditions and I hope to be back in 1936 and play in your open championship, as I understand there is a possibility of it being played at Hamilton. My final appearance was at the North Shore Club, in Auckland, at the completion of which I had the pleasure of viewing the Auckland harbour in the setting sun, and this was something to be remembered. The next day, before sailing, I was to see more of the beautiful harbour, when Mrs Sarazen and myself were taken on a harbour cruise in a private launch. New Zealand players, as I have already mentioned, really surprised me. Your open champion, A. J. Shaw, is a great example and has held so many of your titles that, if he had been in keen competition with the world's best, he could have been one of the greatest players in the world. As a matter of fact, ho is the finest hitter of the ball • 1 have seen in Australia or New Zealand. Young Fuller is also a player of possibilities, but he lacks the necessary experience. and Blair, the Christchurch professionals, also hit the ball nicely.. In Auckland I did not see mauy of the professionals, except Bell, who is a stylist. I was sorry I did not see Moss in action, as I wa s informed that he is a good player. Among the amateurs, Silk and Mortland are outstanding, but other very fine players I played with arc Harold Black, Horton, Hornabrook and Dr Ross and Wright, of Dunedin. In practically every one of these players I noticed a' common weakness, this being in the way they hold the club, and 1 would suggest that they pay great attention to this fault. " . ~ Another point is that many of the courses I have played on are too open and need tightening up, as this is necessary in order to make the standard of the game high. I also think that your open championships should go to all parts of the country and give the opportunity of competition to all. You would find this would give' an added incentive for improvement to the various courses. For instance, our next American open championship goes to Okahoma, away down in the south-western oil fields, and it looks as if in the near future the open championship will go to California. If anyone had told me this 15 years I would not have believed it. I hope that my tour through New Zealand will benefit the game, and 1 will be happy if it docs only one thing, and that is to make players realise that all old theories I have seen them using throughout my tour should be discarded, and they will then develop a more natural game. That much I have tried to demonstrate during my various lectures. The most important thing in golf is the grip Every minute of the tour has been interesting, and I would like to thank my very many new friends for the sincere way they entertained and assisted Mrs Sarazen and myself throughout the tour.