GOLF

Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 53

GOLF

GOLF IN AUSTRALIA.

HIGH FEES FOR COACHING.

AUCKLAND, February 19. It costs twice as much to learn golf in Australia as it does in New Zealand if the services of a professional are engaged, according to E. J. Moss, the professional golfer attached to the Auckland Golf Club at Midd b ; .. r e, who returned by the Ulimaroa after a six weeks’ trip to Sydney. One prominent professional in Sydney was charging 9s an hour for coaching, whereas probably the highest fee in New Zealand was 4s an hour.

Several games were played by the Aucklander on the Cronulla and Bonny Doon links in Sydney. He had a game at Cronulla with the professional, Sinclair, who. is considered the best golfer in .Australia or New Zealand, and Moss finished on very even terms with him. The course was a seaside one and very sporting. Sinclair went round in 66 Moss being one stroke more. Bo<mv for the course is 72. °

Four of the most prominent Australian professionals—Sinclair, Carey Spence, and Eyre—are willing to make a tour of New Zealand giving exhibitions matches, said Moss. “They are not seeking profit, but all they ask is that their expenses should be covered if they made such a tour. I consider it would be the best thing that ever happened to golf in New Zealand” Moss stated that Australian golfers were looking eagerly forward to a visit J? Oa , n Mor peth in June for the Kirk-Wmdeyer Cup contest, which would take place at Melbourne. Morpeth was assured of a splendid welcome.

Giving his impressions of the Sydney course, Moss stated that he was surprised at the good condition of the greens, especially after the long drought.

PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT. * . . NAPIER, February 20. A professional golf tournament was opened on the Waiohiki links this morning m perfect weather. The Waiohiki bogey handicap resulted in a tie between H. R. Blair and A. J. Shaw, 2 up, whilst four others tied for third place with 2 down. The first stroke handicap was won by F. Branch and T. Galloway with a score of 72 each. y

rp, o February 21. The 3G-hole handicap stroke match resulted in a tie between J. A. Clements and J. Lambic, with 144 each. R. c Butters was third with 151.

m, , February 22. with tournament ?'as concluded to-dav with a popular win for A. J. Shaw' Clements and Butters, with leads of seven and six respectively from Shaw, were expected o fight out the final, but neither reproduced his form of Die first day and Shaw, with a fine third round of /4 entered the fourth round on level terms with Hie former leaders. Shaw did the fourth round in 73, makimr his total 302 Blair and J. R. G a ‘l?ow.“ with final rounds of 73 and 75 respect ively, slipped into second place with 308. The remaining scores were as follows-— R. C. Butters 309, J. A. Clements 309, J. Lambie 309, J. D. M'lntosh 309 T Galloway 317, F. Branch 325, B. J. Smith 326, G. W. Melvin 3.32, B Stratmore 338. A. Dyke 341, E. Dalton 350. The tnird stroke handicap was won by B. J. Smith (71), and the fourth by J. D. M'lntosh (71).

The Dunlop Rubber Company’s prize for the beet net aggregate in the third and fourth rounds of the championship was divided by B. J. Smith and H. R. Blair (146).

The prizes were presented at the close of the tournament by Mrs T. H. Lowry.