Well Worth While

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 5

Well Worth While

South Canterbury Championships Visitors Impressed It was a source of treat satisfaction to the Timaru Club that the South Canterbury Championships played at the Highfleld links during the weekend were a success from every point of view. It was thought when the entries closed that the unusually thin fields might probably mean a loss on the fixture, but post entrants came to the rescue and the playing strength was much greater than first anticipated. A very pleasing feature was that visitors who did make the trip thought it well worth-while. Many favourable comments were heard concerning the condition of the course, the conduct of the tournament and the happy atmosphere that was evident throughout. Although the senior and junior championships were annexed by members of the Timaru Club one of the visitors, I D. McCaskill, had the honour of taking the intermediate ‘’tie to Waipukurau. While the tournament was not supported to the extent it warranted, the visitors certainly obtained a good impression and there is little doubt that If the club is able

to adhere to its date that larger fields are practically certain in the future. Anothei' Important joint which has to be taken into consideration is that the support from Timaru members was nothing like it should Lave been. This was not due to the fact that the tournament is not popular locally, but that the unparalleled conditions during one of the wettest seasons in the history of the club brought about a forced retirement of players and In some cases sets of clubs have not even yet been given an airing. Many no doubt held the view that there would be little pleasure in tackling a major championship event in their first outing for the season. There is no doubt that a better season will see former patrons amongst those who tee up for what is usually regarded as one of the most enjoyable events on the South Canterbury golfing calendar. Rain marre„ Monday’s bogey events, but it was pleasing to find that .he

majority of the morning and afternoon players were visitors. If a similar holiday is declared in the future it will provide a welcome third day to the tournament. While the championship lacked the usual numbers there was no disputing the right of J. L. Mackay to retain the title. He played excellent golf and two 71's would Lave taken a power of beating. Pat Rhodes, the St. Clair player produced a brilliant 68 In the morning but failed to maintain the consistent form shown by Mackay. More was expected from E. G. Kerr, junr., and G. A. Ussher. The former was out of touch on the greens, while Ussher had a particularly bad start in the first nine of the morning, although for the most part there was little wrong with his game. Unfortunate Disqualification After a fine 75 in ‘he morning D. J. Mcßeath had a most unfortunate experience in the afternoon. R. Adamson, who figured well in the morning

intermediate round and Mcßeath e?ch drove into a sand bunker at the Ridge green. The fairway .vos wet and when the balls reached the bunker they became partly coated with rand. Although different brands the balls were of the same number and mesh. The players holed out with the wrong balls and were thus disqualified. The intermediate and the junior championship events created consid-r--able interest. R. L. Galloway, who won the junior, has been playing steadily this season, and he maintained his form with twe good 36's. A feature of the tournament was the excellent manner in which it was conducted. Great Credit for the smooth running and general satisfaction was due to the secretary (Mr W. J. Cotterill) and the club's coach (G. B. Forrest).