GOLF

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20000, 7 January 1935, Page 11

GOLF

BRITAIN V. NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION GAMES By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 6. Considering . the perfect summer conditions, the standard of play on the first day of the exhibition match between the touring British amateur golfers and a team of amateurs representing New Zealand on the Heretaunga links on Saturday was not so high 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 the British nor New Zealand players being able to produce the figures of which they are capable when the greens are more holding. The pace of the greens seemed to puzzle them all. The best round of the day was by the captain of the British team, the Hon. Michael Scott, who covered the course in 71 in the afternoon to defeat A. D. S. Duncan, the New Zealand captain, by 2 and 1. The tussle between J. McLean, the Scots champion, and B. M. Silk, the amateur champion of the Dominion, attracted most attention. They finished up all square on the 36th green. Neither was in his best form. Following are the results, British players being mentioned first:— Scott beat Duncan 2 and 1. J. McLean and B. M. Silk all square. L. G. Garnett beat J. P. Mortland 2 and 1. T. L. Bourn lost to T. H. Horton 13 and 11. A Close Contest. The morning round of 18 holes concluded with McLean 1 up, both having taken 74. Silk drew ahead for the first time by taking the short twenty-first in 3 to 4, but McLean drew 2 up by winning the twentythird, twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth in 3-4-4. Silk got one back with a 10-foot putt which gave him a birdie 4at the twenty-sixth. Silk placed his approach putt on the lip of the twenty-seventh cup, but McLean ran down a 15-foot putt for a half in 3. McLean was 1 up at the final turn for home. They halved the twenty-eighth in 4. Silk squared the game by taking the twenty-ninth in 4 to 5 and drew 1 up with a birdie 4 at the thirtieth. They halved the next hole, and Silk drew 2 up by taking the short thirtysecond in 4 to 5. Silk now developed a terrific slice, which threw away a commanding advantage. He sliced his tee shot at the thirty-fourth into the creek and had to play a second from the tee. McLean won the hole in 4 to 5. At the thirty-fifth Silk sliced his drive to the edge of the long bunker on the twelfth fairway. He boldly lifted over the belt of trees, but badly duffed his mashie chip, which only travelled a few yards. McLean made no mistake and squared the match once more with 4 to 5. At the last hole McLean had the better drive and it looked as if the game was all over when he landed his ball with a perfect iron shot on the green. Silk was on the edge of the cup in four, but McLean missed a 5 foot putt and the hole was halved in 5. A most exciting match finished all square. Both took 77 for the round. Scott Plays Well. The two captains, Scott and Duncan, fought again the desperate tussle they had in Australia more than 20 years ago. Scott then won at the thirtyseventh. The New Zealander had a lead of 1 up at lunch, taking 74 to Scott’s 75. Scott played some high class golf in the afternoon. Out in 35 to Duncan’s 38. Scott was 2 up at the turn, and coming back in even fours he took the match by 2 and 1. Scott took 71 and Duncan 75. Garnett gave the gallery some thrills with his prodigious driving. Out in 38 to Mortland’s 39, the Englishman was 1 up at the turn and he maintained his advantage to the end of the round, also coming back in 38. Garnett’s approaches were good and his putting very sure. Mortland did well to hold him to as narrow a win as 2 "and 1. A Runaway Win. Horton played very steadily in his match against Bourn. Out in 36. he was 3 up at the turn, and he went on strongly to record even fours which left him 9 up at the end of the round. Keeping up his steadiness in the afternoon, Horton drew further ahead, and took the match by 13 and 11. Bourn was right off his game and could do nothing right.