EXHIBITION GOLF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18597, 7 January 1935, Page 7

EXHIBITION GOLF

NEW ZEALAND V. BRITAIN

FIRST DAYAS PLAY

STANDARD NOT HIGH

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

Considering the perfect summer conditions, the standard of play oil the first day of the exhibition match between the touring British amateur goiters and the team of amateurs representing New Zealand on the lleretaunga links on Saturday was not as hign as expected. The singles were played over 36 holes, and the British team led by two matches to one, with one game halved. The fiery nature of the course as a result of the prolonged drought no doubt accounted for neither British nor New Zealand players being able to p, ounce ligures of winch they are capable wueu tue greens are more holding. The pace of the greens seemed to pu/.zie them all.

The best round of the day was by the captain of the British team, the lion. Michael Scott, who covered the course in 71 in the afternoon to defeat Duncan, the New Zealand captain, two and one.

The tussle between McLean, the Scottish champion, and Silk, amateur champion of New Zealand, attracted most attention. They finished up all square on the thirty-sixth, green.. Neither was in the best of form. At the thirty-sixth hole Silk was on the edge of the cup in four, but McLean missed a 51t. putt, halved the hole in five, and thus lost the winning chance. Duncan lead Scott one up at lunch, but Scott played some high, class golf in the afternoon. He was two up at the turn and came back in even fours.

Garnett displayed prodigious driving, but the rest of nis piay also vyas good. Mortland did well to hold him to so narrow a win.

Horton maintained a steadiness in his game against Bourn, but the latter could do nothing right. The following are the results, the British players being mentioned first: — Scott beat Duncan, two and one; McLean and Silk, all square; Garnett beat Mortland, two and one; Bourn lost to Horton, 13 and 11.