GOLF.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19052, 16 September 1933, Page 17 (Supplement)

GOLF.

HAMILTON CLUB. . \ . -CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND. EFFECT OF BOISTEROUS WEATHER Very boisterous conditions were experienced on St. Andew’s links last week-end and it was unfortunate that an important event such as the qualifying round for the championship should have fallen on Saturday. Many players In each of the three grades will not be able to take part in match play as a result of one or more bad holes. As usual the 14th was the scene of the downfall of the majority who were eliminated. A strong wind from behind -makes this green a„very, difiloult one to stay on. Had the playing conditions been good it was expected that the soores of previous, years would not have been good enough for the senior players to qualify. As it transpired one card of 92 was able to get In, this being 6 strokes ahead of last year. An interesting example of the effeot of one bad hole in a medal round ooourred in the play off of the tie for the last plaoe between H. V/. Fiaher and P. -G. Harkness. The former was six strokes ahead after the 12th,, he dropped one at the i3th, but was two behind when the 14th was holed out. In addition to Fisher, J. M. Horton, A. T. Atldns, and J. -G. Ferguson are low markers who failed to gain a place. Lod tho Field. W. C. Wynne had the honour of leading the field with a card of 80, and he was followed by R. F. Edmonds 82, C. B. Wake 83 and L. V. Bellingham 84. B. Cumberworth took 88 and as he will meet Bellingham in the first round a good match should eventuate. Apart from the meeting of these two players so early, the draw has worked out very well according to handicap rating. It is some years since the olub championship has been so open, as this year any one of six or seven players has a good ohanoe of winning the honours. There were nearly twice the number of players in the intermediate grade as -In the seniors, and as a result the scoring was more even. Only one man, G. S. Kissling, was under 90, and only two with cards of 85 oould get Into the sixteen. In the Play off the successful two of the five who tied returned oards of 96 and 100. This grade is always open and the winner this year is well concealed. There were not many good cards returned in the Junior grade and only one, J. MoNicol 93, would have qualified amongst the Intermediates. Breaohes of the Rule. It was unfortunate that three playerg—one In each grade—should have been disqualified for breaches of the rules of golf, especially as eaoh would have qualified. The rule regarding practising -before a stroke competition should be well known, as attention has been drawn to It on several occasions this season. Players may always practice any shots anywhere If waiting to play an opponent Id match play, but when waiting for a stroke competition—either medal or bogey—when each is -playing against the whole entry, no shot mu&t be played on or on to any putting green on the course, nor must one play at any hole of the round. The rule regarding playing the wrong ball is also quite definite. If only one stroke has been played before the mistake Is discovered the ball may be replaced, but If a seoond shot is played the player must be disqualified. The only exception is if more than one shot Is played in a hazard and the mistake is rectified before the ball Is played from outside the hazard. Players must also remember that when a ball -is lost or is found to be unplayable the next stroke must be played from as near as possible to the placo from which the previous stroke was played. The only occasion on which a hall may be dropped instead of going back is when it is unplayable, and two strokes penalty are added. South Auckland Open. Apart from the championship matches tho next Item of Interest is tho South Auckland open tournament entries for which close on Monday, September 25. It is hoped that some of the contestants in iiic Now Zealand open event at Titirangi will ho taking JOM'L