GOLF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23006, 8 October 1936, Page 5

GOLF

By Divot

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY Otago.—Stableford foursomes. OTAGO CLUB This year the Bruntsfield Medal result was a most,, unusual one—a tie. The two scratch men of the club. K. Ross and G. S. Sime, finished with aggregates of 151, and tied for first place. This score cannot be regarded as good, as the playing conditions, both as regards weather and the state of the course, were quite favourable. Last year W. G. Wight's winning aggregate was 149. T. B. Ferguson, who has had more than his fair share of wins in the Bruntsfield Medal, having won the event for three years in succession, was a notable absentee. Upon recent form .he would, no doubt, have been a serious contender, but, although he entered for this year's competition, he was unable to take part. In the second round Ferguson completed a fine round of 74. Sime had.the'lead on the first round by two strokes, but in the Second round, notwithstanding some poor holes. Ross played brilliant golf over the last few holes to complete a round of 75. lne tie will be played off this week-end. The handicap event in conjunction with the second round produced a good winning card by H. Brash, who returned a net score of 69 from a 10 handicap. J. W. M'lntosh, who tied for runner-up. had an excellent round of 74, which he compiled by solid golf. This player has a very sound style, and is one of the best shot-makers among Otago amateurs. If he were able to obtain more constant practice he would be amongst the leaders in provincial golf. With T. B. Ferguson, M'lntosh shared the honours for the best gross score of the day. ST. CLAIR CLUB The monthly stroke competition held at St. Clair on Saturday had good support, and some good cards were returned. Especially worthy of note was that of Arthur Richardson, who, playing from the 16 mark, went, round in 78. Needless to say his net score of 62 was an easy winner in the B Grade event, although H. W. Wolstenholme s 67 would, in ordinary circumstances, be considered good enough tp .win. In the A Grade, J. W. Bain came right on to his game and completed a fine round of 76, which his handicap reduced to 68. This score might easily have beeh two strokes better except for. an unaccountable and unfortunate lapse at one hole. C. Rhodes,. to whom must go the honour of having the best gross score, was runner-up in the-A Grade with 69 net. His 73 was the best round of the day and was compiled by characteristic and sensational golf. Rhodes is easily the most improved golfer in Otago, and perhaps. New Zealand, at the present time. His progress from a mere beginner to low marker in something less than two seasons must be regarded as being in the nature of a record. He will be a force to. be contended with in the club championships, which' will commence at the end of this month. Rhodes is the longest driver in .Otago at the present time. His style is built up on orthodox lines, and he is not noticeably weak in any department of the game. . There will be no match at St. Clair on Saturday. The match on the following Saturday is a four-ball bogey, for which a draw will be made. An entry list is posted in the clubhouse, and those intending to take part must see that their name is entered, otherwise they will not be included in the draw. SOUTHLAND WOMEN'S CHAMPION- : SHIP- ' • ■ Miss Claire Srriith, of the Invercargill Club, won the Southland Women's Championship from Miss Leila Rice, of Wyndham,; after a very exciting and close game. ... ■ Miss Smith, who was runner-up last year, obtained an early lead of 3 up over her opponent, who is new to tournament golf. Miss Rice played strongly to reduce the deficit to 1 down with 5 to play, but, despite brave attempts, was unable to square the match, the last five holes being halved. MISS P. BARTON—DOUBLE CHAMPION Miss Pamela Barton, 19 years old, Mid-Surrey golfer, by defeating Mrs Maureen Orcutt-Crews in the final of the United States Women's Championship, becomes the champion woman golfer both of Britain and America, a feat which has never before been equalled. ■.'."", Many in New Zealand will remember having. seen Miss Barton during the tour of the British women's team last year. After Britain's demoralising defeat in the 1936 Walker Cup matches Miss Barton's victory in the Women's Championship, the first British success since 1913, together with' Jack M'Lean's reaching the final of the American Amateur Championships will go a long way towards re-establishing British golfing prestige; : QUEEN'S PARK CHAMPIONSHIP The final of the Queen's. Park Club Championship saw a rather easy victory for J. S. Lindsay over I. W. Campbell, the margin over the 36-hole match being 10 up and 9. The weather was showery, and the course very wet. Despite these disadvantages the standard of golf, especially that of Lindsay, was surprisingly, high. There was no doubt about Lindsay's superiority. He completely outplayed Campbell, and in the morning, with a round of 76, including a penalty stroke, stood 6 up. HINTS FROM MASTERS "The great thing to remember in bunker play, and in all golf for that matter, is always to play the easy shot." —C. J. H. Tolley. We know of many players who drop strokes by playing the spectacular shot instead of the safe shot. There are many times when it is easier to play out of a bunker and finish near the hole by using a putter rather than the orthodox "explosion " shot with- the niblick: "For an iron shot the wrists should be sunk, in addressing. the ball. Feel that the club's heel is pressing on the ground. Strike a decisive blow and go clean through."—J. H. Taylor. To speed up play and prevent damage to putting greens, Charles E. Mason, Massachusetts (U.S.A.), Golf Association president, has suggested that clubs adopt the practice of having the player nearest the hole in medal play and four-ball matches putt out first. Reasoning: That the greens are damaged by players lifting arid marking the position of their balls, and the gairie is slowed down while they replace them. There seems to be a good deal of merit in this proposal. A large amount of time is undoubtedly wasted in marking the position of balls in four-ball and three-ball games. We have departed from the orthodox in playing club and open competitions in threes and fours, solely with the object of overcoming congestion, so why not go further and help to speed up fields by insisting on the player nearest the hole putting first?