THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GAME OF GOLF

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 3

THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GAME OF GOLF

BY

"“SLICE."

7XSTVR&S. Christchui ch May jCaiapo!. ia MaJ* ■ *’-oruiAvouuaic Club.— Inter-club Masfe> U^iuot —jaiuiuay, May 19: Medal Jlaic\vuvd Liun.—jiay 20: Ward Cup, i^uc 1 o: P >vui-u cup, sv.c-.ia jiiy roilliu, ouaKt nai.Oicap. Elcluuonu niuuau. iM . Ka iu^o^'c.iub.—Saturday, May^ 3 9 *^eriijphy. 1 > Savurdai, June -ucuui ‘'nfier-uub^na.ii luaicu againsL l.ytu;itu»k, av. Jrk.au\mU nev Club. —Saturday, May 19: Alciwl .ua ucfii in sc i ujnd cu.npbcii Uosc Uuft-i. odtuiuaj.^ui^-^eaw-C i u L y M fiay *uMai--" l^VU^Sir J :iat^ ay 19 '■ LADIES’ CLUBS. Christchurch Club.—Tuesday. iiagley names Ciuu. — xo-aay t Friday, jiay la: i.G.i . Medal Match (silver ineua i uiiisiuiij. Monuay, May 2i: tui "rnfil'i; n ‘’'fuesuay' May 22: Canadian X’ uursomes. Wednesday, May to; Intfei-uuu naiii luaicu ugamsi Ashburton, at liagJ. y. Avonoaie naujes duo.— week-end. May caeap and Members Cup, qualilying Harewwa Ladies’ Club.—Thursday, May 24: Bogey Handicap. lnutsday, May 31: Eclectic Comptitiou, tiiiru round. Bichnionu Hill Ladies’ Club.—Thursday, May -4: bogey nanuicap. Saturday, day. May 31: ill: Lciecnc Matcn, secMcthven Cadies’ May IV: Flag A! a ten, junior. Wednesday, May 23: duo Championship, hist round. Wednesday, May 3v: one Club Matcn. Saturday, June 2: Junior Medal Match. NORRIE BELL HOLDS MANY CHAMPIONSHIPS. Through Norrie Kell deciding to re enter the ranks of the professionals, New Zealand will lose one of its leading amateur golf players. It was when he was eight years of age that he first handled a club. The late Mr W.B Simpson, who had recently . arrived from St Andrews, Scotland, and who was the professional at Miramar, took Bell under his tare at the age of thirteen. He made excellent progress, so much so that before long he became the assistant “ pro ” at Miramar. Later on Bell acted as coach for all the clubs from Eketahuna to as far north as Waipawa. and at the same time played exhibition games with the late Gilbert Martin in aid <pf Red Cross funds.

He was next appointed professional to the Johnsonville and Wellington Municipal Clubs. He left for the front shortly after with the Mounted Rifles, but after six months in hospital was invalided home. On his return he did not play immediately, but endeavoured to get reinstated as an amateur, and in May. 1921. he received advice of his clearance as a " pro.” In that year he won the Hamilton Club championship, and he has held this honour ever since —seven years in all. This is not the only championship he has held. The Waikato championship lie has had for seven years and the South Auckland championship for five years. On two occasions he has competed in the Mow Zealand championships, the first be ing in 1926 at Miramar, when he was in the last eight in the championship, and the second being last year, when he was a semi-finalist in the amateur championship played on his home links at Hamilton. His performance at Hamilton. when he was runner-up to Moss in the open championship, with a score of 304. and which equalled Joe Kirk wood's record score in 1920, was his, best to date.

A. D. S. Duncan’s Record at Here taunga. Writing of A. D. S. Duncan’s recent record at Heretaunga, an Australian writer says: “The benign influence of style upon the golfer’s fortunes cannot easily be over-estimated. It facilitates the execution of telling shots when these are most desired, it sustains the player in times of stress and strain, keeping him on the rails in spite of tempests of trouble, from outrageous fortune or from a harassing adversary, and it is a never-failing source of that most valuable of all ingredients of success at golf—confidence. Moreover, it preserves and perpetuates form. A striking example of how a plus game can be preserved almost into the sixties is afforded by Arthur Duncan, the great New Zealand golfer, who has won the New Zealand championship no fewer than nine times —the last less than two years ago, and who is now well in the fifties. Recently Duncan lowered the record of the Heretaunga course, and in doing so showed form equal to his best days.” Hagen’s Win. For the fifth x-ear in succession the Open Championship of Great Britain has been won by an American. For the seventh time in the last eight years the title has gone to the United States. For the third time it has been won by Walter Hagen, whose previous successes were achieved in 1922 and 1924. This record is not one that can well be regarded with satisfaction by Britisn goifers. It must indeed be recognised that the palm must for the time being be conceded to the United States. Those who make the annual pilgrimage to Great Britain from America to participate in “ the Open ” are a small contingent, but they are unquestionably select, an additional proof of this being provided in the fact that this year the Americans supplied not only the winner, but also, in the person of Gene Sarazen. the runner-up for the event. Hagen’s victory is specially noteworthy in view of the crushing defeat which he suffered only a fortnight ago in his 72-hole match with Archie Compston. It constituted a triumph for grim determination coupled with masterful skill. Ilagen has not made himself a popular figure iti England, but no one.who is a sportsman can resist the feeling that he deserved his success or avoid the conclusion that he is an exceptional exponent of golf.