GIBBS BRILLIANT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26933, 19 November 1948, Page 6

GIBBS BRILLIANT

Golf Championships At Balmacewen

FIRST ROUND OF OPEN

With a brilliant 71, A. Gibbs, the Otago plus one amateur, led the field by two strokes in the first round of the national open golf championship, which was played at Balmacewen yesterday under trying conditions. A north-east wind helped to dry the gr.tns and fairways which had been saturated by rain during the week, but its great force made low scoring difficult. With few exceptions, the contestants found the strength of the green hard to judge, and three—if not four —putts were not uncommon. Under these conditions, Gibbs’s score was outstanding.

Two 73's by B. M. Silk, of Wanganui, the present amateur champion,, and

J. P. Hornabrook, twice winner of the Open Championship, took 38 both ways in a round of 76. In the first half he was a shade unlucky with putts that were stopping on the brink of the hole. He made a brilliant recovery at the long eleventh after two indifferent shots and played the last two holes perfectly. Three birdies at the third, fourteenth and eighteenth compensated for weaknesses in a good round of 77 by A. W. Middleton (Hutt). He had a bad 6 at the second last hole and missed possible bogeys at a number of holes.

A. J. Murray (.Titirangi), the professional title holder, filled next place to

Gibbs. R. H. Glading, the Titirangi amateur, the present holder of the Open championship, played fine golf to finish with a 74. Following on the North British-Slazenger tournament at St Clair last week-end, and the fact that the members of the New Zealand amateur team which had just returned from Australia were competing in the Open, the public showed keen interest In the games. A gallery of about- 200 watched Glading and D. L. Woon (Waitikiri) in the morning. Apart from Gibbs, the best local players were J. A. Scouler, who returned 75, T. W. Wight, the Otago professional (76), J. N. Lemon (77), and F. W. Dixon (78). J. P. Hornabrook (Paraparaumu), who was a member of the New Zealand team, scored a 76, but his teammate, D. L. Woon, found difficulty on the greens and could not break 80. Hornabrook has not entered for the Amateur Championship. Gibbs’s brilliant round of 71 was a model of consistent play. He hit long, straight drives, played accurate seconds and putted soundly. On the few occasions that he landed in bunkers he made no mistake with his recoveries. Gibbs was out in 37, one over par, and clipped three strokes from bogey in the second half. At the second hole he was within six inches of the hole with his approach, narrowly missing an eagle. He dropped strokes at the seventh, where his third chip was short, and three putted on the eighth green. Sparkling Finish The tenth and eleventh holes were played in regulation figures and, after dropping a stroke at the twelfth, he played perfect approaches to the next two greens to hole his putts for consecutive birdies. Gibbs finished his round in brilliant fashion. He holed his chip for a birdie 3 on the seventeenth and just missed an eagle on the Home hole after reaching the green in 2. Gibbs's score was:— Out

One of the steadiest players in Dunedin, J. N. Lemon, justified his reputation by returning the good card of 77. Lemon was two over bogey on the way out and again two over on the homeward 9. Three putts on the thirteenth, fifteenth and eighteenth greens spoiled his chance of returning an even better score. F. W. Dixon, the Otagip scratch player, covered the second nine in par figures to score a 78. He dropped a stroke at the eleventh, recovered with a birdie 3 at the fourteenth, and sank a putt for a birdie on the’ last green after losing a stroke at the fifteenth A. G. Sime, the Otago Club player and veteran of the tournament, was seldom off the line in a round which produced 78. His putting was a model of soundness and his card included three excellent birdies at four-bogey holes. John Watt, the unattached professional, of Wellington, returned a good 78. He took 41 strokes in the first half—five over par—but covered the second nine in par figures. Watt notched a birdie 4 at Tipperary (586 yards), the longest hole on the course, and birdies at the fifteenth and eighteenth. W. G. Horne, who won the Amateur Championship in 1946, dropped four strokes in the first nine, but played fine golf coming home to finish with a 78. G. A. Ussher, the Timaru amateur, scored a sequence of s’s in the first half, which he negotiated in 43. . He played the next nine, however, in a faultless 35—two under par—including birdies at the thirfeenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth. To-day’s Games

Par: 4,4, 4,3, 5,4, 4,4, 4—36. Gibbs: 4,3, 4,3, 5,4, 5,5, 4—37, In

Par: 3,5, 4,5, 4,4, 3,4, 5—37. Gibbs: 3,5, 5,4, 3,4, 3,3, 4—34 Silk played all the shots in the book in his round of 73. He gained considerable length off the tee and hit crisp, accurate shots from the fairway. His approaches were always on the line, and on two occasions he watched with chagrin as bold putts went round the edge of the hole. Silk dropped a stroke at the first holf when a six- . foot putt lipped the hole. He hit one of the longest drives of the day at the seventh (of 410 yards), but his iron shot just trickled into the bunker on the left of the green. Thgt hole cost him a 5. After long drives down the middle of the fairway and perfect approaches at the eighth and ninth, Silk made no mistake with his putts for two fine birdies. His score in detail was:—Out: 5 (4), 4 (4). 4 (4), 3 (3) 5 (5), 4 (4), 5 (4), 3 (4), 3 .(4), 36 (36); in: 3 (3), 5 (5), 4 (4), 5 (5). 4 (4), 4 (4), 4 (3), 4 (4), 4 (5), 37 (37) Murray's Round When Murray had reached the turn one stroke under par figures and had consolidated his position by being two under at the fourteenth, it appeared that Gibbs’s position at the head of the list might be in jeopardy. Murray, however, fell into error at the next hole and took a 6 at the seventeenth to finish the round in bogey figures. Apart from a minor blemisn at the first hole, Murray played like a machine over the next eight holes, completing the nine in one better than par. He scored brilliant birdies at the fifth and sixth. In the second half, Murray made two spectacular recoveries from bunkers, but narrowly missed reasonable putts. A long raking drive at the thirteenth (bogey 5) and a classic iron shot. gave him a birdie 4, and he followed this with a 3 at Roy’s. At the second last hole Murray struck disaster. He sliced his drive under the pine trees and, after holding a lengthy conference with himself, selected a number 4 iron and topped it The hole cost him 6. Murray’s card was:—Out: 5 (4), 4 (4), 4 (4), 3 (3), 4 (5). 3 (4). 4 (4), 4 (4), 4 (4), 35 (36)j in: 4 (3), 5 (5), 4 (4), 4 (5), 3 (4), 5 (4) 3 (3), 6 (4), 4 (5). 381 (37) A 6 at the Glen spoilt Gladmg’s card, but he was nevertheless round in a fine 74. Glading played lovely golf and his accuracy was seldom troubled, by the high wind. In common with most of the contestants, however, he experienced difficulty on the greens, and he had three putts on four greens in the second half. Otago Player

Play in the second round of the Open championship will start at 8.30 this morning and the- last players will drive off at 1.55 p.m. Between 10 a.m. and 10.30 several of the players whose scores were low yesterday will start their rounds, with most interest centring on A. J. Murray, who is partnered by W. G. Horne. J. P. Hornabrook and C. J. Ward will also attract ; attention from the gallery. Between 12.30 and 1 p.m. spectators will probably chose between following H. W. Rogers and T. W. Wight, D. L. Woon and B. J. Smith, jun.. R. H Glading and A. Gibbs, who will probably command the largest gallery of the day. and A. J. Shaw and B. M. Silk. Detailed scores:— A. Gibbs (Otago) 71 •A. J. Murray (Titirangi) 73 B. M. Silk (Wanganui) . 73 R. H. Glading (Titirangi) .. .. .. 74 J. A. Scouler (Otago) '.. 75 •A. E. Guy (Akarana) 75 J. P. Hornabrook (Paraparaumu) .. 76 *T. W. Wight (Otago) 76 I. A. Ewen (Hutt) 76 i *R. A. Jackson (Remuera) 77 J. N. Lemon (Otago) 77 A. W. Middleton (Hutt) 77 W. G. Horne (Wellington) 78 W. E. Jones (Taumarunui) .. ... 78 A. G. Sime (Otago) 78 G. A. Ussher (Timaru) 78 A. N. Des Forges (Invercargill) .. 78 F. W. Dixon (Otago) 78 J. S. Lindsay (Invercargill) .. .. 78 •John Watt (unattached) .. .. .. 78 *N. H. Fuller (Russley) 79 A. P. W. Church (Shandon) .. .. 79 •J. D. Mclntosh (unattached) .. .. 79 N. H. North (Otago) 79 ; •J. Lambie (unattached) 79 J. L. Black (Hutt) 79 C. W. Caldwell (Christchurch) 79 A. H. Boyd (Otago 1 ) 79 H. W. Rogers (Invercargill) .. .. 79 E. Shields-Brown (Hutt) 80 C. J. Ward (Christchurch) .. .. 60 D. S. McLennan (Queen’s Park) .. 80 I. McLennan (Alexandra) 80 T. B. Ferguson (Otago) 80 ♦J. B. Tunnell (Wanganui) 80 S. A. McDonald (Hutt) 80 R. Deacon (Otago) 80 j T. C. Tvrell (Otago) 80 B. Bamfield (New Plymouth) .. 80 •James Galloway (unattached) .. .. 81 •A. C. Sherriff (Chisholm Park) .. 81 H. J Gossett (Christchurch) .. .. 81 ♦A. J. Shaw (Miramar) 81 D. L. Woon (Waitikiri) .. .. .. 81 A. C. Macdonald (Otago) 81 J. F. Byers (Otago) 81 A. D. S Smith (Shandon) 82 O. Ford (Gore) 82 •A. H. Dvke (Maraenui) 82 A. R. Kitto (Castlecliff) 82 R. D. Wilson (Gore) 82 W. C. CrlsD (Miramar) 82 H. J Longstaff (Hastings) 82 J. B. Forrest (Timaru) 82 E. G. Kerr (Timaru) 82 L. Reid (Waipukurau) 82 J. L. R. Mackav (Timaru) 82 J. W. Mclntosh (Otago) 82 J. A. Wilson (Wellineton) 83 C. F Schadick (Westport) .. .. 83 A J. Aitken (Ot’go) 83 L. A. Watson (Methven) 83 T P. Jones (Taumarunui) 83 •J. K. Waite (Auek’and) 83 H A Montgomery (Christchurch)-.. 83 K W Stenhen (Miramar) 83 G P. Roberts (Hutt) 83 S. Gourlev (St. Clair) 83 W. C. Romeril (Otago) 83 R. B. Carr (Titirangi) 83 D J Scott (Timaru) .. .. «• •• 83 P. J. Gill (Otago) 83 S E Cox (Grevmouth) 83 •J Forrest (Manawatu) .. .. *• 84 R. Dallev (Hutt) .. .. 84 •J. A. Clements (Avondale) .. .. 84 F R. Nlcol (Cblsho’m Park) .. .. 84 B. V. Wright (Otago) °4 S. F. Lambert (Otago) 84 R G. Ho”and (Shandon) 84 W B Reillv (Hldt) 84 •T. S Oallowav 'Rotorua) 84 I. M. Bovd (Shandon) 84 C. L. CidOeld (Wanganui) 84 L. B WVdnam (Otago) 85 T. A. McLean (Otago) 85 D C Bennie (St Clair) 85 R R Cn+hbertson (North Otago) .. 8.0 K S Glendtnning (Manawatu) .. 85 R T T.amble 'E’lnctnnre) H S. Rosa (St C’air) 85 E. J. Pnmnhrev (Christchurch) .. 8R J W. I3)gan (Russley) Bfi P Burning (Timaru) .. .. .. .. 86 •John Oaßnwav (Peim«r S ton North) 86 R Hav-iVTaeKenaie (Titirangi) .. 86 j G Mangan (Christchurch) .. .1 86 L A Rankin (Otago) »R D C. Collins (Wellington) .. .. .86 H. A. Black (Miramar) ™ B. W Caulton (Grevmouth) .. .. J. H. Randle (Otago) p. A Joblin (St. Clair) D. A. Stevens (Miramar) A. G. Cliff (Manawatu) .. .. .. »/ •B. J. Smith, jun. (Invercargill) .. 87 B C. Parsons (Miramar) G. L Baker (Hutt) .. °° W McElligott (Nightcaps) .. .. 86 J. Shelley (Miramar) •L. C. Ross (Nelson) * “J T. M Stout (Invercargill) .. •• 89 A. E. Timms (St. Clair) .. .. •• 90 J. D Mcß°ath (Tiirpru) .. .. .. 98 S H McKechoie (Waitikiri) .. .. 98 c A Masters (Invercargill) .. .. 90 J H Woflanri 'St. Ciairl .. .. .. 91 c Riddell 'Wainuku—u) 91 G While 'Obis'-elm Park) 91 X. w Wllbv 'Timaru' 92 A "p G'bson 'Wtmrtham) 92 W C Davies 'Tim-ru) 93 A M Jones (St C’air) 93 O A Y Johnston (Christchurch) .. 94 C. J.'Haves (Shandon) 95 P. B Barnett (Wvndham) 96 •Denotes professional. J. S. Hamilton-Gibbs (Greenacres), J. L Mitchell (Waimate), and *W. Allbon (Lochlel). did not take part in the tournament.

The difficult conditions caused J. A. Scouler, the Otago scratch player, little trouble, and he completed the course in 75. Scouler made few mistakes with his woods and irons, and putted soundly. After dropping strokes at the second and Seventh holes, he sank a putt for a birdie at the notorious ninth, which was the downfall of many other golfers during the day Scouler dropped a stroke at Tipperary, but scored two birdies on the way home to balance his card. A mistake at the fifteenth hole cost T. W. Wight, the Otago professional, and W. B. Reilly, the consistent Hut* amateur, two penalty strokes when they each played the wrong balls. Returning a card of 76, Wight completed the second half in par figures, including the penalty of two strokes. Wight’s putting was a feature of his play. He got plenty of length from the tee and seldom strayed from the line with his fairway shots. Another player Who had a lot of trouble on the greens was A. J. Shaw, the Miramar professional, and past holder of the Open and Professional titles. He took four - putts on the fifteenth green and carded a 6 at the next hole (par 3). I. A. Ewen, the stylish Hutt amateur gave a- fine exhibition of putting in his round of 76. He was driving well from the tee and playing accurate shots through the green. He was out in 39 and home in par figures. At the long fifth hole, Ewen had a lucky escape His second shot hit the fir trees flanking the fairway and bounced back on to the middle of the track. After a first half marred by a 7 at Camel’s Back (bogey 4), A. E. Guy the Akarana professional, came home in par figures for a score of 75. He compensated for a stroke dropped at the fifteenth by a confident birdie 4 it the last hole. Guy showed fine form the professional tournament at St Clair last week-end, and his 75 was a good opening effort for the gruelling open contest. A 7 at Manuka (par 5) rather cancelled the effect of three birdies notched by R. A. Jackson, the Remuera professional, in the second half of his round of 77. . ... _ Starting with a 6 at the first, W. E. Jones (Taumarunui) recorded a bad 42 going out, but pulled himself together and reeled off the second 9 m one under par figures.