BRILLIANT GOLF

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19452, 17 December 1934, Page 10

BRILLIANT GOLF

SARAZEN AT ST. ANDREWS

EXHIBITION MATCH PLAYED. SOME REMARKABLE SHOTS. Superlative golf in which Gene Sarazen, the leading American golfer, was the centre of attraction, was seen at St. Andrews on Saturday afternoon when the American met A. J. Shaw, the New Zealand open champion, in an exhibition match. A large gallery followed the play, but the weather was too hot to be pleasant. in mind the fact that Sarazen was new to the course and that the latter was exceedingly hard and dry, his display was undoubtedly brilliant and it was easy to realise why he is in the first flight of world golfers. Sarazen proved that he could do almost anything he liked with the ball. His drives were enormously powerful and ..straight, while his mashie and approach shots generally revealed an extraordinary control of the ball. Though his putting was less consistent, his superiority in this department could not be doubled after his avoidance of Shaw’s stymie on the 13th green. The American, using the interlocking grip, which, incidentally, he does not advocate for others, took a fair amount of turf with him with his seconds and thirds.

Shaw, who knew every inch of the links, gave an excellent display of golf. His putting, which was erratic at the start, improved later in the game. Sarazen went around in 72, five better than scratch score, while •Shaw’s score was 73. The respective cards read:— Sarazen— Gut: 454 44354 4—37 In: 3454 34 4 4 4—35 . Shaw. — Out: 3 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 4—37 In: 3445 35 3 5 4—>36 The average distance of tee shots going out was 276 yards and coming in 287 yards. Mr G. Bindon was the umpire. . ' The next hole was halved in fours and-Sarazen was one up to the 6th. The 7th., Bth. and 9th. holes were halved, Sarazen driving steadily and accurately at Hie blind holes. On the return journey they were again all square at the 10th. and 11th.

A Masterly Putt.

Approaching the .• twelfth Sarazen struck the rough with his drive,, but made a line recovery. 'Sarazen missed a short putt, Shaw.taking the hole 4 to 5. (Shaw one up). Sarazen elected to' play an iron at the T3th. rather than take the risk of being in the bunker and got away with a beautiful second to the edge of the green. On the' green Shaw putted strongly and made a dead stymie for Sarazen, who played a master shot,, just touch- 1 ing his opponent’s ball to hole out. Sarazen won the hOie 4 to 5. (All square). ■ Both got to within about 10ft of the pin at the awkward 14Hi and both narrowly missed their putts, halving the hole in three. With his lee shot at the next Sarazen got well up the fairway, Shaw finding the rough. Sarazen went through the green with his second, Shaw failing just short. The American found his putt bumpy and Shaw was a shade strong. Sarazen won the hole '4 to 5 (Sarazen one up).

Sarazen. played his drive at. the 10th with .the., new ball wrapped in paper. Shaw got an eagle and won the hole 3 tc 4. Sarazen experienced hard luck on the green, his putt lipping the hole. (All square). Doth got good drives at the 17th and played 'magnificent approaches. Sarazen won the hole 4 to 5, Shaw taking three putts on the green. Sarazen one up.

On the last hole both got good drives down the fairway, the American going through the green with his second. Shaw took two to be near the pin and the hole was halved in fours, making 'Sarazen the winner one up.

ANCIENT AND MODERN.

DEMONSTRATION SHOTS. After the match Gene Sarazen gave a bewildering demonstration of all types of shots, ancient and modern. Here is some of his advice, whicl* was interspersed with amusing American.isms which delighted the gallery:— ‘•Ninety-five per cent of the game is gripping the club properly. “A good,player always starts with his mashie-niblick. “Vardon, Hagen and Bobby -Tones all used the overlapping grip. 1 use the interlocking grip, but I don’t advocate it.

“In driving don’t think of your feet, head and hips. Concentrate on your hands. But maybe I’m all wrong. “My advice when in a bunker is to use the explosion shot every time. “When putting keep the blade straight and level with the ground.” Sarazen’s drives were of remarkable length, tiic majority of balls falling into the river. His hook shots and push shots aroused the keenest enthusiasm from tiic erdwd. After the demonstration Mr. ,1. F. Strang president of the Hamilton Golf Club, conveyed the appreciation of members to the American for whom three hearty cheers were given. Opinion of St. Andrews. “It is certainly one of the finest courses in New Zealand.” replied garazen when asked for his opinion or St. Andrews. “The changes' now being made will be a great improvement. .1 think the links are exceptionally well planned and I ran appro? c j a te what the greens were like a few months ago. 1 hope to come hack and try them out perhaps in August, two years hence.”

DRITfSH TEAM. AUCKLAND. Saturday. The British golfers played an Auckland team- at Middiemore to-day in perfect conditions. Singles Matches. Hon. .Michael Scott beat I. MacEwan, 2 up. ,1. McLean beat B. 11. Menzies, i and 3. H. M. George beat T. A. Bourn, 2 and 1. i,. G. Garnett beat J. M. Coltniun, 7 and f>. Tola Is: Great Britain, 4 wins; Auckland, i win; i all square.