Bright Prospect For Championship Golf At Balmacewen Next Month

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 4

Bright Prospect For Championship Golf At Balmacewen Next Month

The New Zealand golf championship meeting, which will be held at Balmacewen from Thursday, November 18, to Saturday, November 27, will conclude a memorable series of Dominion sporting events held in Dunedin this year. It is expected that the members of the New Zealand team now touring Australia, and a strong representation of leading amateur and professional golfers from the north will compete in the Open, Amateur and Professional championships. The entries close on Monday, October 18, and judged by the interest that is being shown by Otago and Southland golfers the tournament may eclipse all previous records. Play will begin with the first round of the Open Championship, which is played in conjunction with the first qualifying rounds of the Amateur and Professional championships. At the conclusion of the second day, with two rounds of the Open played, the leading 60 players and all ties for sixtieth place will play the third and fourth rounds on Saturday, November 20, which will decide the Open Championship. From the spectator’s point of view; particularly if the scoring at the end of the third round is close, the final day of the Open, with 30 matches in progress, will provide a feast of golf with a dramatic finish always a possibility. The holder of the title, R. H. Glading, who is playing No. 1 for New Zealand in Australia, can expect doughty opposition from B. M. Silk, reigning Amateui champion, and D. L. Woon, South Island champion, who has yet to win a national title. J. P. Hornabrook may be a doubtful starter, but if he comes south with the rest of the New Zealand team he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Among the local amateurs A. Gibbs, A. H. Boyd, B. Ferguson and F. Dixon will lead a strong Balmacewen contingent, which will include a number of promising young golfers who will make their first appearance in a national tournament. Of particular interest will be the competition for the Bledisloe Cup, which was presented by Viscount Bledisloe for the amateur returning the best four rounds in the Open. In 1938 when the last Dominion championships were played at Balmacewen. the trophy was won by A. Gibbs, then a student at Otago University. On that occasion Gibbs did not compete in the Amateur Championship. and next month will be his first full participation in a national event. . , „ v The final of the Professional Championship over 36 holes to be played on Thursday, November 25, is certain to attract a big gallery. The.holder, Alex. Murray, will defend his title against a class field which will include Tom Wight, whose chance must be rated high on his home course. The tournament will conclude with the 36-hole final of the Amateur Chamnionship on Saturday, November 27. The holder. Silk, has a distinguished record in big golf, and granted good conditions every vantage point at Balmacewen is likely to be crowded when the two contestants go out for the last 18 holes. No effort has been spared to bring the course to the pink of condition, and with incidental arrangements in the hands of a competent and energetic committee the success of the tournament, with, it is hoped, the co-oneration of the clerk of the weather, seems to be assured.