GOLF

Southland Times, Issue 19546, 9 May 1925, Page 16

GOLF

By “

"Cicek.")

'lay D British Ladies’ Open Champion?’.av 25. Brii .-h Amateur Championship, Westward Ho. Ime American Open Championship, June _*s.- British Open Championship, 22. -Australian Championships, Kensington. Sydney. August 31. American Amateur Championship, Oakmont. ' : • -I 25.--N.Z. Championships, Shirley, .' : .ember 28 American Ladies’ ChampionUr :ober 15.—N.Z. Ladies’ Championship, Miramar, Wellington. *• i p golf items will be found on page The Committee of the Invercargill Club '. the pleasure of putting through ten ?.ev. numbers at a meeting held during the v.f.k. The Invercargill Ladies’ Club has J- • elected upwards of a dozen new memth.- n. And the season is only was generally anticipated Arthur Dunwon the < hampionship of the Welling-:-a <’!u|>. In the final he easily defeated J. S. G. Duncan 7 up and 6 to play over ■ '•> holes. In the first half Arthur Duncan . not j laying up to his best standard, le John Duncan was going very steadily . A . ‘ the eighteenth the match was square, ".■.ten the champion got going with the •?< and fours and at the end of twelve / ' - he was 7 up and the match was over. G-. i ig on Arthur Duncan finished the round in an easy 71. Met .bers of the Invercargill Club will be : rented to know that the Committee have i- . led to put a man on the five new holes on the Ola:era course and keep him there r ighout the winter preparing the greens ?.?. i fairways for the spring growth of grass. I: i- hoped by this means to have the full i nurse open for play before the end of the The Invercargill ladies who went up for the Otago Championship meeting returned ' - beginning of the week thoroughly i i with their outing and loud in their praise of the Balmacewan ladies, who were .1 of hospitality. Congratulations to Mrs Do Igshun, who added the Otago ladies’ championship to her belt, where the Canierbury championship already hangs. Some years ago a Lancashire club promoted a stroke competition amongst its i. .bers. In order to qualify each player to pass an examination in the rules of gulf and local regulations. Fifty-five players entered, and six qualified to play. I.i’. -say Ross and F. M. Dean, the two .- If professionals who have arrived from ’inland under arrangement to the New Zealand Golf Council, are hard at work < king. Rcss has gone to Napier, and from there he will go on to Blenheim, ■ r which visits will be made from club to dub. Arrangements have been made for im to arrive at Methven on May 18. Dean working in the north, calling at Auck--1 ; i '. and later at Waihi and Rotorua. :. morning that threatened and finr gave rain, last Saturday' afternoon prosal weather conditions for the opening of the Queen's Park' Club’s 1925 season, i - conditions under-foot were very good, though s me of the cards returned sug- ■ i that the players had had troublemu ro r: !s, the conditions of the course d not be used as an excuse. The Inver.rgill Club had postponed its first Medal C an eririon so that it would not clash with th? Park Club’s opening, and in his opening eech the President acknowledged this .mrteous act by the Otatara Club. The Park Club proposes to push on with its ,mmk ring as funds permit, but it has a ' .'-z yez.r ahead with improvements to the '■ i b House and to the greens in hand, reference was made to the Council’s acin raising the Club’s rental, and the President remarked that he felt sure now that the Council understood the position, the club’s request to have the old rental reinstated would be granted. The attendance was very large, and the play througho.j; was interesting, three ladies tying for .-ec nd place. Hie scores and the results have already been published. It seems to be certain that Miss Glenna Collett, the young American star, will make her-, first appearance in the British ladies’ <’pen championship at Troon this month. M.ss Collett is only 22 years of age, but she .- a real golfer. She hits the ball as if -he meant to, and shows a remarkable contoney in her scores. She first came into prominence in the American championship at Hollywood in 1921, returning the best -core in the qualifying stage, two strokes ahead of Miss Leitch. In a tournament at Philadelphia immediately following the championship Miss Collett had the satisfaction of taking two British scalps—first that of Miss Cecd Leitch, and then, in the final, that of Mrs W. A. Gavin. This was rehas formed a great opinion of the golf of diss Collett, and thinks that the American

garded as a great triumph for so young a player, and to show that it was no mere flash in the pan Miss Collett won the American championship in the following year, again defeating Mrs Gavin in the final, on this occasion 5 and 4. Miss Leitch girl will develop into a very real and dangerous opponent. The Americans hope that Miss Collett will be able to carry out her intention of competing as they think she has a very good" chance of winning, but good as the American girl is, and great as is her record in championships, it is highly improbable that she can beat Miss Joyce Wethered. Miss Wethered’s position in ladies’ golf is quite unique. In any other golf championship the odds are on the field against any individual player. Walter Hagen will compete in the British open again this year, but, formidable as he is, the odds are against his winning. Bobby Jones will compete in the British amateur championship, but though he is certainly the best amateur, and perhaps the best golfer in the the odds are against him also. On the other hand in the ladies’ golf championship the odds are in favour i of Miss Wethered, such is her unquestioned i ascendancy in the game. As a British writer says—Whatever may be our feelings as regards Mr Bobby Jones, Hagen, and the rest of the American contingent, we need not have the slightest alarm in the case of Miss Collett so long as Miss Wethered is there to defend the fortress. As Mlle. Lenglen is pre-eminent in the sphere of lawn tennis, so is Miss Wethered in the world of golf. They are so far superior in their respective roles that it would seem that nothing less than a miracle could displace them. Still, it will be vastly interesting to see how Miss Collett fares in unfamiliar surroundings and against the cream of British players. Following is the Invercargill Club’s list of matches for the current season— May 6—Medal handicap (Wednesday players). May 9—Medal handicap (Saturday players). May 20—Bogey handicap (Wednesday players). May 23—Bogey handicap (Saturday players). June 3 —Medal handicap (Wednesday players). June 6—Medal handicap 4 (Saturday players). June 17 —Four-ball bogey, A and B grade partners (Wednesday players). June 20—Four-ball bogey, A and B grade partners (Saturday players). July I—Medal handicap (Wednesday players). July 4—Medal handicap (Saturday players). . July 18 —Ist qualifying round (also counts for Hogg trophy and ringer competition). July 25-2nd—2nd qualifying round (in conjunction with medal handicap). » August I—First round championship matches. August B—Second round championship matches. August 15—Championship finals—36 holes. September 2—Medal handicap (Wednesday players). September s—Medal handicap (Saturday players). September 12—Foursome bogey handicap, A and B grade partners. September 19—Mixed foursomes. October 3—Entries for Summer Cup competition. A ringer competition will be held in conjunction with the six medal hanidcaps. The aggregate four best nett scores in the monthly medals to count for a trophy in each grade, the winner in A grade to hold Dr Hogg’s trophy. The Smith Cup goes to the player who makes the best aggregate in the two qualifying rounds of the championship. THE SIZE OF THE BALL. Is there any justification for a change in the size and weight of the golf ball? This is a question that is arousing interest throughout the golf world to-day. The standard ball at present measures 1.62 inches in diameter, and weighs 1.62 ounces, and it has been said that this ball can be driven too far. There are many who advocate a larger and lighter ball. A vote on the question was recently taken in the United Kingdom, where it is estimated there are 750,000 golfers. To dkte a total of 7151 votes have been re - corded and there is a majority of over four to one in favour of no change. The voters were drawn from a wide handicap range—from plus 3 up to the Emit. The fighter and larger ball is advocated chiefly by Americans who believe the game should be made more difficult. Mr C. B. Macfarlane, a prominent English critic says —“Whatever may be the size of the ball used, golf is a difficult game, though its ‘apparent simplicity’ is a constant source of wonder to the spectator who has never tried to strike the little ball. Strong men have been rendered speechless with rage at their failures, and when they do hit it how seldom does it fly to the desired spot! In the past I have seen the ‘guttie’ ball—which weighed over two pennyweights less than the present one—roll off a keen wind- ■ swept green.” Mr Anthony Spalding says—“By constantly moving about wherever the game is played one cannot fail to sense what is in the general mind. I am convinced that the keynote of opinion is that golf as at present played is already sufficiently difficult, and the last thing wished for is that it should be'made more difficult either by reducing the power of the ball or increasing the strength of the bunkers. It is hard to understand American zeal to make the game more difficult. They have ever sought to make it easier and automatic. The ribbed-face club is an instance. They may, of course, flagellate their pleasures with a bigger and lighter ball, but we will have none of it.” An international golf player who voted for a change stated he did so because he thought a slight restriction in the driving power of the ball would work wonders with the courses which were now considered short, and it would not spoil those which were already sufficiently long. It seems the American suggestion for a change will meet with strong opposition, especially in Great Britain. THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS. STRONG AMERICAN COMPETITION. If present intentions are fulfilled, this year (says an English writer) America will throw out a challenge to British golf in each of the three championships—the Open, the Amateur, and the Ladies’—and, in the case of the professionals, an attack will also be made on some of the big prizemoney tournaments, but expenses are rather a case of “casting your bread upon the waters” in the sure knowledge that if you should land in the States with the British Cup in your possession a fortune awaits you. Hagen calculates that the winning of the British championship means £5OOO a year to him in playing and exhibition fees, and in a hundred and one other ways. Evidently, to be Styled the British champion attracts a far greater number of dollars to one’s banking account than does the title of United States champidn. The reason is not far to seek. The American public, regarding British sporting events as the

greatest and the finest in the world, and the winning of them as the hall-mark of supreme achievement, are prepared handsomely to acknowledge in the only manner worth having a “world’s winner” returning to their shores.

Fired by the example of Hagen other American professionals will be at Prestwick in June, among them Macdonald Smith, who recently won the Californian championship for the second year in succession. If an American has to win this year’s British championship, it would not surprise me to find Macdonald Smith deposing Hagen. As a player of shots Smith is the better golfer, but in the matter of temperament, determination, and fixity of purpose there is none to approach Hagen. In the last two championships Smith has been beaten on the post, after starting favourite in one of them at the seemingly ridiculous odds of 4 to 1. Hagen and Smith form a very dangerous pair, and with J. Farrell, Leo Diegel, Sarazen, Barnes, and Bobby Cruickshank, the late Edinburgh player, to back them up, the American attack at Prestwick will be of a highly concentrated nature. There is no need to despair, although it must be confessed that we have less than a dozen men who can be relied upon to put up an effective counter-attack. To take them at random, they are—Duncan, Mitchell, the two brothers Whitcombe, Ray, Havers, Gadd, and Compston. Not a very formidable lot, to be sure, and some of them, to be quite frank, with rather coarse and not altogether convincing golfing styles. Actually, Duncan and Mitchell are our only real bulwarks. Each is capable of winning; the former when adequately inspired, and the ! latter when not frightened of his own shadow. The two Whitcombes are our next , best props, and it may be that time will show that they are the most reliable. They . have yet to consolidate a position only slenderly held, and none can say definitely how they will fare when the forces emerge from their seasonal inactivity and get to grips again. Of the famous American amateurs only Bobby Jones has so far decided to compete in the amater championship at Westward Ho. As the world’s best golfer, Jones will be a very formidable opponent. For an amateur, who is only twenty-three years of age, his record in the American open championship is astounding. In the last five years his aggregate scores have been—--1920, 299; 1921, 303; 1922, 289; 1922, 296; 1924, 300. In 1923, when he won after a tie with R. Cruickshank, his rounds were—--71, 73, 76, 76; in the previous year when he and John Black were beaten a stroke by Gene Sarazen, Mr Jones's rounds were 74, 72, 70, and 73. He was again second last year. His grand total for the five championships is 1487, giving an average score of 74.32 per round. It shows wonderful consistency and precision, qualities which no other professionaL or amateur has ever approached to such a degree. And to-day he is the United States amateur champion, thereby completing a cycle of achievement that is positively dazzling. It is impossible to disguise the fact that Mr Jones’s presence at Westward Ho constitutes a real danger to the uninterrupted series of British successes. N.Z. ASSOCIATION. MONTHLY MEETING. Tftr monthly meeting of the Council was held at Wellington on Monday afternoon when there were present Messrs R. C. Kirk (Chairman), J. B. Mac Ewan, (Vice-Chair-man), A. D. S. Duncan, and Captain Conway. The Port Chalmers Golf Club was elected a member of the Association and the Sec- ■ retary reported that enquiries regarding ! joining up have also been received from the • Bay of Islands Golf Club, Amuri Golf Club, ! Northern Wairoa Golf Club, Otahuhu Golf ■ Club, and Shannon Golf Club. Association Professionals.—lt was reported that F. M. Dean and Lindsay Ross have now both started their work with very satisfactory results so far. Ross is now completely booked up to the 31st August. F. M. Dean is booked up to the 31st July, so that there will be a few weeks in August available with him, and the first fortnight in September is available with both the professionals. It is desired if possible to book these dates in the South Island because they will both wish to go down and take part in the Open Championship the latter end of September. Club Handicapping—Two clubs had written in with reference to systems of handicapping, and certain information was given to them which will appear fully in the report of the meeting to clubs. An affiliated club submitted a question: Two competitors in a medal competition playing together had both recorded their own scores aud their opponents in the wrong column on the card. Full particulars of the matter had been sent by the club concerned and it appeared that there was really no doubt as to which was the score of each player seeing that the handicaps deducted from the scores were different. After the matter had been fully considered by the Appeal Committee at the time it was referred, a reply was sent that i their opinion was that the rules for stroke ■play No. 5 (1) had been substantially and ■ sufficiently complied with. In each case the ! marker noted the score of each hole on ! the card, checked it and signed it. The ! Appeal Committee considered that upon the I explanation being given as to the score being I in the wrong column, the other score on the j card should have been deleted, leaving only i the score of the player, and it does not seem I important io which column the figures ap- ! pear. [ Provincial Tournaments.—The Wanganui 1 Golf Club advised that in response to our suggestion they have altered their dates to October 6th, 7th, and Bth to avoid clashing with Napier. The Hamilton Golf Club advised that they propose fixing their tournament dates for May 28th to 30th inclusive, and the South Auckland Tournament for 15th to 18th September inclusive. Resolved to inform them that the latter are exactly j the same dates as are fixed for Manawatu. I The Seafield (late Springvale) Golf Club, i Wanganui, advised that it is their intention i to run an Easter Tournament in 1926, and i annually thereafter, and asking the Council to confirm it. Resolved that the Council sees no reason why the application cannot i be approved of. I Professionals’ Tournament. 1926.—The I Otago Golf Club wrote agreeing to provide ; the necessary amount of prize money sugI gested by : this Association and promised . to advise the actual date of the Tournament as soon as it is definitely fixed. Matters in connection wtih the next Open and Amateur Tournament in September were left over until the June meeting.