Victoria Will be Tough Hurdle for N.Z.’s Golf Team

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 665, 17 May 1929, Page 6

Victoria Will be Tough Hurdle for N.Z.’s Golf Team

Much Depends On How Duncan Plays WILL CUP COME BACK? (THE SUN'S Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON, Thursday. As forecast in my letter published on May 4, the New Zealand team to visit Australia in an attempt to regain the Kirk-Windeyer Cup will consist of T. H. Horton, Sloan Morpeth, Dr. Kenneth Ross and Arthur Duncan. Each of these players has a fine record, and each is a match-winner, even under the most trying and difficult conditions, and taken together, they are probably the strongest golf combination New Zealand could possibly select, though there will naturally be a little disappointment that one or two likely players like Jack Black and A. G. Sime have not found a place. Looking at the team as it has been selected, there certainly does not appear to be a place for either of them, except perhaps in an emergency role. It is certain that

the open champion, the amateur champion and Dr. Ross could not be denied a place, and with Duncan in form there is no better golfer in Australia or New Zealand. He has been a little bit erratic on the greens during the past few months, but he is always better when it comes to stern match play. Judging by reports from Australia, the strongest team the New Zealanders will be called upon to meet will be the Victorians, and IuUT? ,cat, ° ns at the moment are that New Zealand will have to meet that State's representatives in the challenge round.

In order to win the trophy they are after each of the Dominion’s players will need to be at his best, and the weakness in this direction may be Duncan, but he has done so many great things in golf has played in so many uphill fights with success that it seems quite reasonable to feel confidence in his ability to once again help to carve the way to victory. It will be remembered that the last time Duncan went to Australia he failed miserably, and that after he had shown excellent form in New Zealand. Probably on that occasion he had gone off form, but on the present occasion he is just coming up to his best, and by the time he reaches the Common wealth he should be at the top. and play accordingly. If he does that, then there seems little doubt at the moment but that the Kirk-Windeyer Cup will return to New Zealand.

There is a possibility that wben the Zealand team reaches Australia it Mill meet a team of English golfers, i Ue arr i ve * n the Commonwealth shortly. There is also a movement on foot in this Dominion to send four of the leading- professionals overseas, and if this is brought about, in conjunc\''V th the En &lish visit and the Kirk-Ay indever tour, the Australian championship tournament should provide some hot golf.