GOLF PROSPECTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 885, 5 October 1933, Page 4

GOLF PROSPECTS.

N.Z. Championship Meeting Opens To-morrow. YOUTH HAS ITS CHANCE. (Written for the “ Star.”) The critics have already picked A. J. Shaw as the winner of the open and professional titles at the New Zealand golf championship meeting, which starts at Titirangi to-morrow. Nothing is ever a certainty in this most contagious game, but there is, on form, no one in sight to beat the uncanny Shaw, who is the present holder of both honours. The big struggle will be in the amateur championnhip, for there must be a new wearer of the crown since the holder for the last two 3'ears, Rana Wagg, will not be competing. Once again youth has its chance, but whether the younger performers can seize their opportunity remains to be seen. For the past two years a number of the coming stars have been knocking at the door, but could never put out their more experienced opponents. This time there is a royal chance for Brian Silk, the young Wanganui star, whom Christchurch followers of the game saw playing so soundly two years ago. Silk is undoubtedly at the top of his form and in the past few weeks breaking seventies has been no trouble to him. He has, furthermore, a wider knowledge and experience since he was competing in the New Zealand championship meeting at .Shirley. B. V. Wright, Dunedin plus man, and formerly of Timaru, has always been among those picked to do well, but he has had the fatal habit of slipping at the crucial time. B. J. Smith, jun., of Akarana, who plays a beautiful stick on his day, is another of the younger generation who will have his chance this year, but from the announcement that he is going to Invercargill as a professional it seems that it will be his last bow among the amateurs.

Other youthful claimants to the amateur crown are Jack Ilornabrook, the tall young man from Masterton, and J. P. Mdrtland, of Taihape, who showed splendid fojm in some of his games at Shirley a couple of years ago. Duncan in the Running.

Of course no notes on form would be complete without mention of Arthur Duncan, the evergreen winner of previous amateur and open titles. Although over twice the age of some ol his opponents, Duncan retains his mastery of the game, and is still the most brilliant stylist in the Dominion. He goes on regardless of the years, and last year was only beaten by Wagg in the amateur event through the Hutt man’s weird performance of doing the first five holes in even threes to run up a lead of 5 up. Of the other more mature amateurs, T. li. Horton, with his matchless iron play, the champion in 1925 and 1928, and runner-up last year, will be there. D. C. Collins (Wairarapa), who is right on his game this season, cannot be taken lightly, while Harold Black, title-holder for 1930, should be well in the running provided he has made a good recovery from his recent illness.

The Christchurch hope, R. G. (“ Bobby ”) Arnould, should certainly do himself justice, even though he might fall short of the brilliance usually required to reach a New Zealand championship final. There is always the consolation in his case, however, that if anyone cracks up it will not be Arnould.

Other serious contenders for the 193,3 title will be Jack Black, of Pukekohe, and H. D. Brinsden, the Titirangi member of the last New Zealand KirkWindeyer Cup team. Tareha, the huge, long-hitting Napier man, will once again grace a championship meeting after a spell, and the tournament should be the better for his presence. Tareha has been given the palm on occasions as the longest hitter in the world, and on his day he outdrives anyone in the Dominion. Tareha hits a phenomenally long ball at times; so long that the average club cannot stand up to the strain. If he desires to open his shoulders specially-made implements are required.

Entrants at Practice

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, October 5. Competitors for the New Zealand golf tournament have been arriving; in Auckland and practically all have made themselves acquainted with the Titirangi links, the testing ground this year for the championships. - The best performance in the past few days’ preliminaries was that of the Auckland player, F. J. Smith, jun., who was reported this morning to have accepted a position as professional to the Invercargill Golf Club. Smith is the holder of the present record for the course of 71, but on Sunday, playing in a four-ball, his round was 69. This, of course, is not officially recognised and it is on the cards that his record under present conditions will he equalled during the tournament. Smith set a high standard, but a number of the visitors have got within a few strokes of it. Dr Rom's round of 72 on Tuesday and S. A. Mill’s 71 were good ones, while ' the professionals, Shaw. Moss, Fuller and Bell, had rounds of better than the scratch score of the course, Shaw being best with 71. Yesterday, Shaw, open champion of the past four years, went one better and his round of 70 led th« field. T. S. Galloway and W. S. Ralph are reported to have done 73’s, while Ilornabrook. Bell and Morrice were a stroke worse. In analysing these performances it has to be remembered that there are no doubt concession putts, while there is not the nervous tension which is involved in a qualifying round. Ashburton Club. (Special to the “Star.”) ASHBURTON. October 4. Following is the draw for a four-ball bogey match to be played by members of the Ashburton Golf Club on Saturday next:—L. A. Charles and F. L. Smith with J. Sinclair and C. B. Gass; H. E. Bonnington and D. M. Miller with J. W. King and J. Bathgate; C. Nash and J. Connor with H. A. Vezey and .T. Tansley: H. N. Jones and T. W. R. dudsell with R. B. Lambert and \V. R. Ryburn; H. S. Billcliff and E. Brophy with V. W. Russell arid L. J. Watt; I. l M. Hamilton and L. B. Mace with H. G. Ferrier and J. Lane: G. B. Williams and J. Rooney with R. Macgregor and W. FI. Amos; W. .1. Minogue and N. F. Battle with W. Hedges and A. Bruce; C. A. Cuff and F. W. Watt, with E. A. Cockroft and A. L. Jones; C. J. Bonnington and H. W. Bowden with R. W. Orr and C. Moiler: D. A. Lawson and A. Lane with S. J. Thomas and F. P. Fogarty; W. P. Anderson and E. I. Miller with S. FI. Truman and M. Macmillan.