News and Comment from Four Corners of the World of Sport

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 198, 24 August 1935, Page 4

News and Comment from Four Corners of the World of Sport

SARAZEN TALKS OF AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. 'MORE GOLF IN N.Z. THAN ANYWHERE I KNOW

In an interview with The American Golfer, Gene Sarazen talks about Australasian golfers and courses. Obviously he was delighted with New Zealand. T.A.G.: “What are the prospects of golf in Australia?” Gene: “It is just a m'atter of time before Australia will be represented in all British and American championships. Everyone seems anxious to learn and the courses they have built would surprise anyone. Those in Melbourne and Sidney are just about as good as our own championship courses. All they lack is sufficient trapping. And, as far as their players are concerned, all they need is experience and modern equipment.’ ’ T.A.G.: “Gene, do they play much golf in New Zealand?” Gene: “There is probably more golf played in New Zealand than in any other country I know. There are only one million and a-half people down there and they all seem to play. Every town has its course. And what a grand place that island is—why, it’s a sportsman’s dream. The country is narrowly striped with fast-flowing trout streams that teem with rainbows. Near Rotorue you can catch a trout in one stream, turn and walk about twenty yards to a hot spring and cook it in about two minutes. That sure is de luxe fishing.” T A.G.: “How did you find the turf in Australia and New Zealand’-’

Gene: “The original fescue and grass which we now have in America came from New Zealand. I have yet to sec anything to compare with the beautiful fairways. Particularly those of Invercogill. And they work a strange plan to keep their courses in good shape. During the summer—golf is a winter game down there—they lease out the course to sheep herders for three or four hundred dollars. The sheep keep the fairways in condition all summer and when the winter playing season comes around they are led away to other pastures. ’ ’ T.A.G.: “Are you planning another trip soon 1'’ Gene: “Yes, and the next time I would like to take Tommy Armour as they would like to see the master iron player. They all want to see the obi masters down there. They have read about them and want to learn from those old players. Take Mac Smith, for instance, he would be a real treat there because they have heard and read of him for twenty-five years. Yes, sir, I am going back in either 1936 or 1937, take about eight months, and put another 100,000 miles on my speedometer.” It will come as something of a shock to the self-esteem of Australasians to note the way the American publication spells, Sydney, Invercargill and Roto-