THE GAME OF GOLF

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1934, Page 11

THE GAME OF GOLF

BRITISH INVASION . BRILLIANT JACK MCLEAN. SELECTOR'S DIFFICULT TASK,

(By

“Stance.”)

The brilliant form displayed by Jack McLean in the centenary amateur championship at Melbourne has already quickened the interest in the appearance of the British team at New Plymouth. He will have been able to gain some local knowledge of the course during the progress of the foursomes in the morning and it will/ be interesting to see whether the existing course record of 71 will be able to withstand his assault. The other three members of the team did not perform up to expectations but they will probably do a great deal better in New Zealand, where the climatic conditions will be more similar to those to which they are accustomed. Much Work to be Carried Out. With the match less-than a month off no time should be lost in putting the course in first class order. The greens have improved considerably during the last month and promise to be better than they have been for some time.. The rat tail rough, however, has flourished very much lately, but it is understood this work will be commenced this vzeek. Though perhaps it might be too much to expect in the short space of time left, it would be a wonderful improvement if the left half of the bunker on the right of the third hole and the first bunker on the left of the seventh could be filled in. This very necessary work has been delayed too long already. The Taranaki Team. The selection of the quartette to represent Taranaki is causing endless discussion, and no one envies the task of the selectors. G. M. Chong as the provincial champion must occupy pride of place, while H. P. Wills, the winner of the Central and South Taranaki events, Fas also strong claims. As it is desired to make the team representative of the province it is probable there will be two from the North and two from the South. If H. P. Dale is available and in form he must have a place, his performance in fighting his way . into the last eight in the New Zealand championship ensuring his position. However, there appear' to be some doubt whether he will be available, and in this case N. P. Green, L. T. Quin, E. L. Abbott and W. O’Callaghan will all have to be considered. The young Inglewood player, D. Sutherland, as winner of the champion of champions contest has placed ■ himself in, the limelight. Nevertheless there are several others whose claims must be considered. A. E. Conway is back at the top of his form, as his 73 and 76 at Waiwakaiho during the week-end will show, He was hitting his iron shots with all his old deadly accuracy. His putting, though .not good, was fairly reliable. F. E. Quin’s play at Wanganui was good, but he has not been playing a great deal lately. Altogether the position is most difficult, and no matter what team is chosen there will be a certain measure of dissatisfaction. Taking everything, into consideration, “Stance” would in the absence of'Dale, favour Chong, Conway, Wills and Green, . Great Woman Player.

The American player, Miss Virginia Van Wie, stands supreme in the world of women’s golf. In .the first week of October, she wop the American title for the third year in succession. The field was. strong, containing. the visiting British: team, and the cream of the Canadian ..title. Like. Bobby Jones, it took Miss ’’ten Wie a long time to break through. At one stage it almost appeared -- though she was not fated to win a major title.. Miss Glenna Collett Vare seemed to have an “Indian sign” on her. However she routed Mips Vare in the final in . 1932 and has not looked back since. Last year she met the English champion, Miss Enid Wilson, in the semi-final. Playing absolutely inspired golf, Miss Van Wie was only ope over fours when the game ended on the lain She is a leading exponent of the “swinging club head” school of golf. She herself states that her one thought with every long shot is just to swing the club head smoothly. She is a wonderfully graceful and stylish player who can hit the ball a long way. It was hoped, she would be able to play in the British championship this year but she was unable to make the trip. However, she may be there next time to make an endeavour to notch the first American victory in that event. New Zealand Team.

In view of the match between the British team and a New Zealand team, which it is proposed to play in Wellington on January 5 and 7, the following players have been asked if they will be available if selected for the New Zealand team: —H. A. Black, A. D. S. Duncan, J. P. Homabrook, T. H. Horton, J. P. Mortland, B. M. Silk, and B, V. Wright. These seven players have, with the exception of Mortland, all played in Kirk-Windeyer Cup contests. Two others whose names might well have been added were L. Cathro, Castlecliff, who at the last championships accounted for both Black and Homabrook, and I. MacEwan, Auckland, who was beaten by Silk in the semi-final. However, there is every probability that both these players will have an opportunity of testing themselves against the invaders before the big fixture. The Centenary Winner.

Jimmy Thomson, the whiner of the centenary open at Melbourne, is only an American by adoption. He is a native of Scotland and both his father and his grandfather have been golf professionals. An Australian writer describes him as follows: “Somewhat above average height and solidly built, particularly about the shoulders, Jimmy Thomson is the sort of chap one likes instinctively. He has a thick mop of wavy hair, a smile that radiates friendliness, a full share of determination and a minus quantity of nerves.” He has evidently taken a fancy to the Antipodes, as he has already signified his intention of coming back next year on an exhibition tour. This should certainly pay him, as there are plenty of golfers who will go to see the fair-haired giant who “hits them a mile” off the tee. British Amateur Champion.

Lawson Little, who won the British amateur golf title with such ridiculous ease, also won the American amateur championship more recently by the wide margin of 8 and 7. Little hits prodigious shots, and the eulogies that greeted some of them, which carried 270 yards or more, were somewhat extravagant. The editor of Golf Illustrated commented thereon to the following effect: “We know several players, who never appear in a championship, who can drive an average of 300 yards.” To bear this out, the editor was playing recently with Mr. Vernon Haydon, who has driven the 15th hole at Royal Wimbledon—a little matter of 420 yards. On another occasion, playing at Sudbrook Park, we started at the 10th, a hole 400 yards, which he reached with a drive of 310 yards and a flick with a No. 8 iron At the 13th t?Je longest hole

on the course, measuring 500 yards he really did hit one. He was pin high with his second shot, for which he took a No. 7. His tee shot must have been 370 yards. At the sth, 395 yards, he drove the green if the green be considered any ground within 20 yards of the How is it all done? For one thing, his driver weighs ITJoz. and the grip is well thickened toward the top. This club he can take in his left hand and swish like a swagger cane ’. “With his left hand.” Therein lies the secret of his power—he has a left hand equally powerful with his right, and he swings with both for all he is worth, and Mr. Haydon is a big powerful man. Of course with Little the position is different. He can keep on hitting these long shots, and what is more can back them up with accurate seconds, deft chips and deadly putting. Whereas Haydon with all his mighty wallops is seldom if ever heard of. Lawson Little ir bestriding the amateur golf world like a colossus and many are the critics who are firmly of the opinion that he is going to give the professionals all that they are looking for next year. Lawson Little can hit them well past the 300 yard mark when he so desires, but he has curbed his youthful impetuousity and is quietly content to pat them some 250 to 270 yards unless the hole or the situation demands that his shoulders should be nrwnerl