GOLF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 5

GOLF

IJy Uivot

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY Otago.—First' qualifying round Club Championship. St. Clair.—First qualifying rounds Club Championships. NORTH OTAGO TOURNAMENT If numbers and the variety of clubs represented are fair indications, the Labour Day tournament held by the North Otago Golf Club must be considered pre-eminent for popularity in Otago. There were over 80 entrants, and clubs from Invercargill, Central Otago, Dunedin and Canterbury were represented. The course was in excellent condition and the greens were so nearly perfect that the visitors spared no words in their praise. The weather was bright and sunny and the only thing which was unsatisfactory was the fairly strong north-easter winch swept the course during the week-end. The wind was a tricky one and at only very few holes was it an assistance. J. L. Mackay, „of South Canterbury, is to be heartily congratulated for his winning of the North Otago Championship and for the excellent golf which he played. Rounds of 77 and 74 reprepresented excellent scoring under the conditions, and showed that Mackay was able to play the controlled shots that were essential in order to score in Uie strong wind. The field for the championship was a strong one, there being about 12 players with handicaps of four and under. A Gibbs, of \he Otago and University Clubs, was very successful, as was his club mate, J. C. Davies. Gibbs and Davies won the Foursomes .Championship and Gibbs was runner-up to Mackay for the Senior Championship. ST. CLAIR NOTES The 23-hole match played at St. Clair on Saturday was well patronised. The scoring generally was not particularly impressive, but there was excuse for this as neither the weatreh nor ground conditions were conducive to good scoring. R. Simpson had one of those rounds which produces inspired golf and his score was easily the best of the day. His gross score for the 23 holes of 108 was better than most of the senior players, and his net round of 85 represents golf of at least .seven strokes under the standard scratch score. His nearest competitor, E. A. Bolwell, who was runner-up in the junior section, had a net score of 94. In the A Grade, J. Dobbie was the winner with a good score of 110—16— 94. L. E. Routledge being runner-up with 112—16—96. OTATARA CUP The playing conditions for the Otatara Cup were very difficult, and as this represented the first competition on the new course there was a noticeable difference in the general run of scoring. J. C. Redward had a runaway victory with two cards which, in the circumstances, indicated excellent golf. The runner-up, D. C. Bennie, had in addition the distinction of playing the best golf of the day, his rounds of 77 both morning and afternoon being meritorious performances. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS The Otago and St. Clair Clubs will both commence their annual championships with the first qualifying rounds on Saturday. At Otago the result of the Club Championship is very open as there will be at least 12 players, any one of whom is a possible winner. The standard of golf there has probably never been higher than at present, and such veterans as Ross and Sime will be hard pressed to retain the position of pre-eminence which they have so deservedly held for years. At St. Clair there is not such a wealth of talent so far as numbers go, but the standard should bes again.high, and the ultimate winner could be any one of about eight or nine players. There will be added interest this year owing to the Championship being played on the new and longer course, which will make length much more important as a deciding factor than it was on the old course. The Intermediate and Junior Cups, which will be competed for simultaneously, will be well contested, and are attracting considerable interest. OTAGO LADIES' CLUB This last month several of the members of the Otago Ladies' Golf Club, by consistent golf, have reduced their handicaps, and as a result three of the B Grade players have qualified for the A Grade Competition. Mrs Thomas, who was on 23, has been reduced to 15 with rounds of 86, 87, and 91, and continues to play outstandingly steady golf. Miss Shand and Mrs Anderson, who were both on 19, have been reduced to 17 and 18 respectively. Miss B. Dodgshun, who is a junior member of the club, has also been reduced considerably with very steady golf. She has come down from the 36 mark to 26 in a very short time. Miss M. Porteous and Miss A. Meek, both young players, have also reduced their handicaps, Miss Porteous by six strokes and Miss Meek by three. DIGGERS' TOURNAMENTS Diggers' golf tournaments are becoming popular institutions for returned soldiers in all the centres. Balmacewen was the scene of one such meeting on Labour Day. W. G. Wight, after a play-off, was the winner of the Championship. Although E. S. Douglas had on a better score, an excellent 71, he was not eligible this year as he had won the event previously. The meeting was a very successful one, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part. A Diggers' tournament was also held at Queen's Park, and was attended by returned soldiers from all over Southland, and even further afield. The Medal Handicap was won by R. Umbers, of Timaru, and the Bogey Handicap by T. Small, of Ohai.