GOLF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 4

GOLF

I (B t

"SEAVIEW.")

Execrable weather just about describes the conditions which ruled last week-end and made the outlook for golfers the reverse of pleasing. Saturday’s keen wind and the showers of rain the following day juade even the majority of ardent golfers prefer the comfort of indoors to the conditions outside. Some will comfort themselves with the hope that this experience serves to indicate that weather conditions for the remainder of the season will be more favourable, just by way of contrast.

Silk’s “all square” card on Saturday was eminently satisfactory under the conditions ruling. Judging by the regularity with which this player gets down to 70. and even below that figure, the 1933 season promises to show Silk in better form than ever before. It may be that his Kirk-Windeycr Cup and big tournament experience is commencing to bear fx’uit.

Reference to Silk’s form would be incomplete without a word of congratulation on his success in the Auckland provincial championship at the Middlemore links last week. Referring to his play in the qualifying rounds, “Rubbercore” in the Auckland Star states that his swing was delightfully smooth and suggestive of great power. “Even though he had lapses—too many for one of his standing—it was significant that he was but one stroke behind the leaders. He had probably to learn of Middlemore that the main bunkering to the greens is at the entrance, and that a shot, even though a little loose, had a greater chance of escape, if up to the pin.” In match play Silk, after having been one down to Haworth at half-way, quite out-golfed his opponent over the concluding stages. No doubt, comments “ Rubbercoro,” he held visions of their match at Wanganui last October and was leaving nothing to chance.

Concluding his comment on the golf in the final stages, “Rubbercore” has the following:— Tuesday morning saw a titanic straggle between Menzies and Silk. Though some loose shots characterised the middle stages, the strain was on throughout. Silk’s recovery from a two-down-and-three-to-play position was really meritorious, but Dame Fortune was on" his side in that Menzies’ putting touch should have deserted him. The gods were also kind that h e should have stvmied Menzies to save the eighteenth. Menzies’ second shot to this green was

Between Horton and Lusk it was simply a continual struggle for supremacy, and though the veteran lost, he went down with colours flying, having fought it out to the last inch. Until Horton splendidly holed an awkwardlooking putt at the seventeenth, the indications were that Lusk might appear yet again a finalist. Probably sufficient has been written of the final, but briefly two aspects stand out. One that Silk again experienced his full share of luck in success, and the other that Horton is a better golfer than appears to have been generally recognised. This reference to Silk "is not in any sense derogatory — rather is it a sample statement of fact. All things considered, Horton did excellently, and is entitled to warm commendation on his efforts. Though perhaps not strictly a stylist, his game is essentially sound, and he will win manv more good matches.

Next Saturdav Wanganui and Seafield will play ‘their first inter-club match of the season, half playing at Belmont and the other half at Seafield. The return match is set down for August 19. There is another interclub match set down for May 7, when Manawatu and Wanganui will meet, the seniors at Hokowhitu and the juniors at Belmont. The best wishes of ail Hamilton golfers will go with J. L. Black, who has been transferred to Wellington. During the four years of his membership of the Hamilton Club he made manv friends. Although he has not succeeded in winning the New Zealand title he has several times reached the final of the amateur championship and has been runner-up also in the open event. #

The amateur Canterbury championship was won by J. Galloway. Rangiora, from J. Millard, Avondale, by a stroke, after they had. tie’d over 36 holes and played another 18 holes. In the final round Galloway did a 72 of the very best kind. Galloway is a son of John Galloway, the professional of the Manawatu Golf Club at Palmerston North, while his brother, Tom Galloway, is the professional to the Maungakiekie Golf Club, One Tree Hill, Auckland. Although recognised as a stylist among short handicap players. Galloway was not favoured for the title, as he had had no practice. There were very few who had seen him playing, because since since ho has been in Canterbury he has scarcely taken part in an open tournament, although champion at the Rangiora Club in each of the last four years. Lack of sufficient time to practise and play in tournaments —he is a teacher at the Rangiora High School—has prevented him from playing in many. In 1930 he made a bid for the Canterbury championship, but failed to qualify, with rounds of 78 and 79—157. Since then Galloway has not appeared at an open tournament.