GOLF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 84, 8 April 1936, Page 4

GOLF

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The 1936 golf season iu Wanganui has been launched ou what promises to be a successful career of s'evcral months duration. As a good deal depends on the weather, it is satisfactory to note that the weather has been on its best be havious during recent weekends, though the nitenuplion.s caused by the call of several other sports ami also the Easter holidays will prevent the commencement of the season’s p,ogrummes until late in the month. Congiatulatioiis will b-e extended to New Plymouth on their successiul application for the .1936 dnampiouships. Golfers here, a.s elsewhere, will be luuking forwaid to an enjoyable time there during the tournament, as Taiauaki hospitality is provei bial. The Castlccdiff Golf Club’s Easter tournament will engage the attcutiou of the majority of local golfers during the holidays, and it is anticipated tlhat theie will also be many visiting players at tac Cornfout Pa.k jinks. •Several Wanganui golfers ha\e announced of patronising tournaments still further afield. With the Castlecliff tournhment ou there will be no draw for Wanganui. Golf Club players at Belmont during the coming week-end. A bogy round will be played the following Saturday, and then there, will be another vacant Saturdav owing to it being Anzac Day. The fairways at Belmont are reported to be playing ]()() per cent better than was the case last season, and it is ■predicted that, scores are certain to be improved. A one-day mixed touinameut is being promoted for April 23 (St. George’s Day;, and as this is a bank holiday it is anticipate*! that a la"ge number ot players will participate. The newly fornred 'Tawhero dub commenced activities on Saturday last, the first, ball being driven off by the Mayor of Wanganui, Air. AV. .1. Rogers. Having played over the municipal course a good deal Mr. Rogers madu a good job of his official task, and the attendance of some 50 golfers shone*! their appreciation O'f his driving feat. All enjoyed the afternoon’s piny. Tire naming of the Tawhero Club, playing over the municipal links, has revived memories of another golf dub whid) operated over that area of land lo the west of the .Mr-sston-Castlecliff Road, within a mile nf Cast be cliff. It is well over 3’l years since that dub commenced operations, but it carried on fill after the war, prior to the s'nift to Seafield. Those who have, played over the municipal golf course express the opinion that a promising future lies ahead of the course, though much work will have to be done and a. good sum of money will be required to put .it in sucth good order as would be desired by low-handicap players. However, for the player who can afford a few hours for play during the week the course affords an excellent and easily-aece.ssiblc rendezvous. The. addition of stdl another golf club to tiic-se already op-erating in and around Wanganui is a very encouiaging sign. The increasing number of people taking up golf makes it imperative that still more open spaces should be rcs'crvcd for extension in the future. In addition to the old-c.dablished Wanganui Golf Club, which has used the Belmont link? for over a quarter of a century, there are the •Scaiield and Castlecliff Clubs, th-e Airport Club and the latest adiiition, file Tawhcro Club. Nearby are the Makirikirj and AlaxwcH Chilis, and it is understood that the end is not yet. In being able to- provide patronage for these golf courses Wanganui gives the lie to those I'ho consider that there is something wrong with the city and its citizens. The likelihood of the Taranaki Wanganui Rugby match being played on ih-e morning of the King’s Birthday holiday may lead to an alteration in the season’s programme for some of the golf clubs. It is understood that projected intcr-club matc’hcs will not be played on that day if the suggestion to play the Rugby match in the morning and to hold the races in the afternoon js carried out. On such an occasion golfers may be expected to accord patronage to the dual attraction. * » * • A very much improved appearance has been given the Benfield Jinks by careful manipulation of the soil and the constant cutting and preparation of the fairways and greens. .In the medal match last Saturday several players returned net scores under 70, and this may be accepted as evidence of the splendid playing conditions. The winner was J. E. Waters, with a net 65, and W. McNabb handed in a net 66. Off a 5 handicap A. R. Kitt** had a not 70, which was really brilliant.

The Castlecliff Golf Club's first bogey match of the season was played on the Corn foot Park links on Saturday, with ideal weather conditions. E. Gilbert won the senior competition with 3 up, and t.he intermediate grade field was led by four players nil square. The junior competition went to E. H. Christip, who was 1 down. At Seafield last week one of the club’s promising young players, A. G. Alunro, put up a fine performance by notching a 2 at Boundary (375yd5.). This was all the more creditable as }l steep hill has to be carried to reach the green. • * * ¥ Thp brilliant win of the professional. Padgham, who won the Daily Mail prize of £5OO last week over the difficult Bramshot course, was a feat which could well be styled the champagne of golf. He established a course record with 68 in the final round, finishing with an aggregate of 284, three strokes ahead of hi* nearest opponent. He commenced his final round with 20 for the first six holes, six under par.