GOLF.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14669, 4 June 1921, Page 14 (Supplement)

GOLF.

(By Niblick.) /the recently-formed Matamata Golf Glob held a most successful opening on its new mne-hules link (on air G. joliusiou’s property), situated withfii Hu te . and a-half miles of the town, in declaring me lulus open Mr B. G. Taylor (president) stated tnat the ciuo rneinbership was lu6, with twelve more to be put through at the next committee meeting. The best cards put m were by Hutchison and Mrs needy and Miss Robinson and Mahon. Mr Mornce, the club's coach, has been at Matamata during the last fortnight, during which lame he has been lully occupied. He stales tiial he is thorougiiiy satisfied with Hie material for good golfers, especially among the ladies. He considers the links the best nine-holed course he has played on in New Zealand. Jock Hutchison, who won the "North and South Open Championship" at the Pinehurst (U.S.A.) meeting, where J. H. Kirkwood finished ninth in the best company the United States can produce, must be a remarkable figure on the course when in form, and everything is going just right. The correspondent of the Tribune gives this picture of him on the first day;— When Jock Hutchison, better known to the golfing community of this country as J Jock the Hutch, starts his Indian war dance over the links it generally means trouble—-for his opponents. The thistle-haired Scot of the Glenview Club, of Chicago, on the first round of the North and South open championship tournament on the first day played serenely and without ostentation and took a seventy-five. Bui .having lunched well he apparently felt better and immediately The faster Hutchison played the better lie performed, and at the eighteenth hole he wound up with a nifty score of 69. This set a new competition record for the course, which stood at 71. As a result he is in the lead of the largest and best field that ever competed. In the afternoon Hutchison was pitching his mashie shots on high and dashing up hill and down dale to see if the ball was heading toward the goal. K. virtually did a Marathon along with his game. The spectators had no chance whatever to keep pace with him, and young Charlie Hoffner, his partner, was hard put to it to keep astride. But the fact is this Scotch bundle of nerves is on his way, and unless he trips it will take some wonderful player to beat him out. Hutchison’s record round was scored over a 6223-yard course, par for which is 71. His card:—■ Out: 44434335 5—35 In: 34453354 3—34—69 Hutchison kept going second day, and though he fell away in the fourth round to 76, two strokes worse than Kirkwood, he won comfortably in a record score for the event. His 291 was better by two strokes than the previous best for the event—293 by Walter Ragan in 1919, and again by McLeod in 1920. Kirkwood’s two rounds of 74 were among the four best played on the second day. In its report the New York Times summed up by saying that the Australian champion was “considered to have made a good showing in view of the fact that he entered the tournament without previous experience of sand greens.’’ Anyway to tie for ninth place in the hottest field that the States could get together, and with greens to putt on that were quite new to his experience, was no mean performance, and, as vve know, Kirkwood went on to better things at the White Sulphur Springs tournament, Hutchison again •won. Hutchison will be a competitor in the Queen Championship at St. Andrew’s HOCKEY. (By ’’Left Half.") Points for the Hooper Cup are as follow; P. W. L. Gls. Gls. Ch. for Ag.Pts. Hamilton ... 4 4 17 6 8 Old Boys ... 4 3 Frankton .. 4 3 1 0 18 2 6 United 4 2 1 9 V 5 Ngahinepouri A 4 22 Y.M.G.A. . . 4 Methodist .. 4 Ngahinepouri B 4 The Auckland senior competition is proving very interesting. Mt Eden A, with 8 points, are in the lead, Areta following with 6 points. Some sticks looked as if it would be a struggle to get them through a two-inch ring last week. The turf still gets a good thrashing. Very few players have the knack of clean hitting. More practice wanted! The ladies’ competition is going along in fine style. Unfortunately, each day the play has to be early, and there is no ground to practice on after the match. However, the players fßw much enthusiasm, and Hie games are very keen. The Hamilton-Ngahinepouri game on Saturday provided another fine contest. The country team were unfortunate not to win on Hie day’s play. They were attacking most of the time, hut seemed too slow in the circle. The forwards were not combining as we I as usual, with the result that the "insides" did not gel the ball quick enough when in the circle. The three goals' scored were good shots. A noticeable feature of their stirk work is that the hitting is generaly clean and crisp. Tile halves pul in some solid

work, but their placing was not consistent. The half back must remember that he is there to break the attack and feed the forwards. The full backs were sound, Spiers, a youthful player, giving a line exhibition. He stops well, and lays on the wood in good style. He also places the ball well. Fletcher (771 goal) was in good form, effecting some line saves. He uses his feel to advantage. The forwards had a very strenuous afternoon. They were inclined to hit too hard in getting to Hie circle, giving the opposition time to break Hie attack. They gave the Hamilton defence a very torrid time in the second spell, and should have scored more goals. The Hamilton back division was much below form on the day. Du Flou was the pick of the fullbacks, Bennett being very much off. Botli speculate 100 much. Having no goalkeeper the full backsJiave, much more responsibility thrust upo-n them. Sweeney (rover) was very sound, and saved repeatedly. Fallowes, in Hie half line, was in fine form, and played with Tyler (centre) a great defensive game. These players were matoly responsible for the breaking of Hie "AV attack. Smythe was off colour. He sustained a nasty knock in the second spell. He should wear shin pads. They give much confidence to the player. The forwards were in great form and combined well. They use the short pass to advantage. Sweeney, at centre, handled his line well and is quick io see an opening. Conradi and Xrjer (insides) supported him strongly. Tiie wings, Tallt and Booth, were in good trim and made the most of their chances. Booth is inclined to take Hie ball too far before centreing. The last goal, scored by Conradi, vvas a tine run, the whole line coming away to the attack as one man. It was a flash of the ideal forward play. The United-Ngahinepouri B contest was a very willing go. The country team still have the fault of running out of position too much. They put up a sound defence In the second spell, and United were unable to improve their score. The forwards did too much hard hitting. This fault gives the opposing backs' plenty of time and room to clear. The backs hit well, but generally without direction. 'I he United team were very "raggy” rig.it through, failing to get down to a steady game. Rivers, at full-back, was again a strong factor in the defence of his goal. He hits cleanly and well up to his forwards. Goodwin was also in good form. The forward line were always ready for the attack, but did not combine at all well. Flit, Beaven and Mayes were the pick. Frankton had an easy game with St. Paul’s. The blacks were in good form and all the forwards had a goal to their credit at the end of the game. The backs were very sound, and supported the forwards well. Methodist fall to combine, and although they battle along it seems generally without a thought of combination. They should do better, as the material is In the team. The Old Boys-Y.M.C.A. match was an easy game for the former. Their backs are good hitters, but they fail to field the ball, frequently letting in the attacking forwards. They should attend to this point. The half line are very sound, Wrigley especially playing a fine game this season. In the forwards Worsley is always on the ball, and is well supported by the remainder of the line. They combine well and make the most of the chances offering. Y.M.G.A. continue tin improve. The new players arc gi'l*" 1 , hold of the necessity -of keeping in position, thus saving themselves a great deal. This has also tended to improve their defence very much.. The newly-formed Matamata Ladies’ hockey team played its first match on Saturday last, securing a win against Te Aroha, at Te Aroha, by two goals to nil. The club is strong in numbers, and has players out of the ordinary’ f° r a country club, but a difficulty is being experienced in 'obtaining matches.