GOLF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 4

GOLF

By Divot FIXTURES FOR WEEK-END SATURDAY Otago.—St. Andrew's Cross (stroke). St. Clair.—Monthly Stroke Handicap. MONDAY St. Clair.—King’s Cup Tournament. OTAGO NOTES The four-a-side teams’ match played at Balmacewen was a successful fixture for which there was a good entry, and keen competition. The score of (he winning team (comprising T. B. Ferguson, A. Gibbs, J. R. Laidlaw, and A. Lucas) was a good one for a team of low-markers, who, in the aggregate, played very nearly to their handicaps A. Gibbs was the most potent contributor to the result. Round in 72 under conditions which were by no means easv, Gibbs once again clearly showed himself to bo a golfer of great promise. His slow, easy swing gives the impression that he always has some power in reserve which can be called upon if the necessity arises. T. B. Ferguson has played better, but his score was a useful one under the circumstances. A. Lucas had a characteristically consistent round giving him a net 73. and Laidlaw’s 74 was just as sound. The aggregate of this team was 283, and was more than an average of two strokes per man better than the runners-up.

ST. CLAIR CLUB The third round of the Paterson Cup knock-out competition leaves only 16 contenders. All these have their supporters, and keen interest is being displayed in the results. It would be unwise to make prophecies as to the result, but several players have by theiu records so far given indications of being likely winners. E. N. Elder is a very fancied competitor, and, oi course, the low-markers D. C. Bennie and A. Lawrence find support, not only for their recognised steady play, but because of the advantage which, they have in experience. W. G. Aitken has been consistently returning net scores below 70, and on that form is practically unbeatable. A. G. Bayliss has acquired considerable prestige by his meritorious victories over J. E. Matheson and C. B. Wight. In bothcases he played consistently through the green, and his short game was extremely accurate. . A. E. Jefferson has been playing consistently below his handicap. He is a natural swinger and is seldom off the line. He will be a formidable contender who will be beaten only by golf of the highest standard. S., C. Gourley did well in this competition last year, and is apparently again approaching the peak of his form. E. M. Satterthwaite is a tenacious fighter who usually upsets calculations by producing brilliant shots at critical moments. He defeated a fancied contender in K. D. Anderson on Saturday. P. T. Wren is steadily improving a game which required little improvement. He had a close game on Saturday against H. Greenwood. As he is never overawed by any occasion, and does not suffer from nerves, he is an ideal match player. ■ D. S. McLean is on a low mark which he has earned mostly by his ability as .a match player. He is probably the best lefthander in Otago, and as he never underestimates an opponent. Is not likely to take unnecessary risks. G M. Barnett, who is perhaps not so generously dealt with by the handicappers as some of the others, is a model of steadiness who never finds himself in trouble and is constantly a source of worry to less accurate opponents. FOUR-BALL BOGEY The scores in the Four-ball Bogey Match at St. Clair were of a high standard, especially as they were produced by those who had been eliminated from the Paterson Cup. The result was a draw, with cards of seven up returned by H. A. Gamble and F. W. Dixon and W. McGhie and W. D. McKenzie respectively. KING’S CUP The tournament for the King’s Cup to be held on Monday by the St. ClanGolf Club will be open to all members of affiliated clubs, and is expected to be even a greater success this year than last. Post entries will be received in threes as in the past and starting times should be booked with the club professional. CHISHOLM PARK CLUB The first 18-hole match of the season—a Stableford bogey—was played at Chisholm Park during the week-end for a trophy presented by Mr J. Orr and drew the largest field so far this year. Though by far the most interesting from the golf architectural point of view, the first hole proved the downfall of many, who found that its well-trapped green is becoming sticky through being continually shaded by the surrounding pine trees. It is a great pity, as this is one of the most tricky short holes one could wish to play- , . , . , D Sime, L. Wood and J. Aubm piled up points over the first nine holes, and it looked as if they must fill the places In spite of perfect conditions, none of them could get going and all faded badly coming in. D. Sime, however, held his lead to put in the winning card of 25—12—37, upholding his reputation for good, steady golf. J. Aubin, who was in next with 22—13 35 spoiled his chance at the seventeenth by having to pay the penalty of a lost ball. The Burns family is beginning to make its presence felt in the club, and G. Burns and J. Burns (father and son) both put in cards of 34 as also did H. Riddell and H. Webb, all four coming in over the second nine with excellent figures. Then came L Wood and A. Elden, with 33. the latter performing very creditably for a newcomer to matches. He should soon be off the limit mark, as also should L. Duncan and S. Pringle, who arc beginning to reap the reward of consistent endeavour. MACANDREW BAY CLUB The Bogey Competition hold by the Macandrew Bay Club on Saturday attracted a good entry. As a result of the rain the course was slower than it had been previously, and those who were late to finish completed their rounds in light rain. Several players adapted themselves readily to changed conditions, and H. Bevin, J Bevin and J. Allen all played steady rounds to finish all square. J. Hurrell also maintained his consistent form Four of the five leading contestants were playing on handicaps which had just been reduced, and their prominence showed the reductions to be justified, J. Bevin continues to show the way to other members, and one of his weekend rounds was a 33 off the stick—-

one stroke less than the provisional bogey for the course. With eight holes played, he was two strokes under bogey figures, but took a 4 at the last hole, “The Chasm,” a bogey 3. The fact that some players contend that the bogey for the course should be reduced to 33 does not detract from the merit of Bevin’s performance. The fairways on the course are in excellent condition at present, and further work which is contemplated should improve the greens. An energetic committee is working to improve die amenities of the course, the latest addition to which is a new set of direction boards, the. gift of Mr R. Palmer. CENTRAL OTAGO.GOLF The annual meeting of the Central Otago Amateur Golf Association was held in Alexandra on the evening of May 20. The following clubs were represented:—Roxburgh (Messrs S. Burton and J. Pannett). Alexandra (the Rev. Father O’Connell and J. McLennan) Wanaka (Messrs R. Waldron and D. Dickson), Dunstan (Messrs I. and R. Wilson), Maniototo (Mr A. McLaehlan), Cromwell and Omakau (Mr F. B. Belcher, proxy for both). Apologies for absence were received from various intending delegates. The Rev. Father O'Connell (president) occupied the chair. The question of the reciprocal arrangement of waiving of green fees was again discusssed, and it was decided that as it was purely a matter for each individual club and not the association, that any club finding that the privilege was abused, should take the necessary steps to intimate such to the other clubs.

The annual report and financial statement, showing a credit of £5 13s 6d, was submitted for consideration, and were adopted on the motion of the president. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, the Rev. Father O'Connell; secretary, Mr F. B. Belcher (Alexandra); executive—Messrs J. A. McLennnan, I. Wilson, and S. Burton. It was decided to purchase a suitable championship challenge trophy for the association’s Men’s Championship and to alter next year the conditions at present governing the ladies’ championship trophy. The subscription for the ensuing year was fixed at 10s 6d per member. The following dates and tournaments were approved of: —Alexandra, May 20 and 21; Dunstan, June 4 and 6; Roxburgh, women’s events, August 23 and 24; men’s events, August 26 and 27; Wanaka, September 3 and 4; Maniototo, women’s events, September 16; men’s events, September 17. It was also decided that the Central Otago Amateur Golf Association’s championships—men’s, women’s, and P men’s and women’s teams should be run in conjunction with the Maniototo Club’s tournament at Ranfurly. Clubs holding their tournaments on established dates may in the future advertise the exact dates of their tournaments, formal approval being obtained at the next annual meeting. Club secretaries are requested to advise the association’s secretary of the proposed dates. t A remit by one of the clubs that competitors should have resided for at least one month in the district prior to competing in the association's championship events was lost when put to the vote. Whitcombes for Golf.*