GOLF.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

GOLF.

LATEST GAMES REVIEWED. BLYDE CUP RESULTS. TOWN v. COUNTRY MATCH.

(By “Niblick.”)

■Last week-end was an important one for golf in this district. On Saturday at Cambridge 14 clubs took part in the competition for the Edwin Blyde Cup. The weather was. very rough, being cold, wet, and windy, but it ■speaks well for the enthusiasm of those taking part that only one team did not hand in cards for all six rounds. The Cambridge Club won the clip with 555 strokes, 18 less than the Rotorua team which was in second place. Matamata were third and Paeroa fourth so that the smaller clubs were well in the picture this year. Hamilton, who were the holders, tied with Te Kuiti for seventh place. Naturally the home players have a big advantage over visitors, especially on a day when the wind is blowing at gale force, but the winners well deserved their victory. Both senior players went round in 84, in the singles and the -men had a similar score in the foursomes. The best card of the day was returned by A. Poole (Rotorua), 82, while Mrs Freeman’s-(Cambridge) round of 84 was the best amongst the ladies.

Cambridge staged this year's contest by accepting the general invitation issued last year by the Hamilton Club, but next year it will have the right -to defend the cup on its own links. Club Events. One of the semi-finalists in the local match play events was at Cambridge last Saturday so his match was postponed.. ‘The other three were played, however, but owing to the conditions good golf was not produced. In the Captain’s Trophy match Christie and Fahey made an early start and encountered the worst of the weather. Both , players were nervous but Christie was steadier and won the match at the 13th hole. Such a convincing victory was not anticipated against. Fahey, who has proved himself a good match player, but Christie has also demonstrated that he can survive when the critieal stages of a competition arc reached.

■Clarke and Reid were the other semi-finalists and they finished all square. As the former was engaged in an intei’-club match at the weekend the re-play will take place on Saturday. Clarke was ahead most, of the journey and was 2 up at the ist.h. Reid squared the match at the 17th, hut his drive at the 18th was sliced into the willow trees. Clarke, after reaching the bunker and getting out nicely, had a comfortable shot to the green for his third. He sliced out of bounds and the hole was halved in six. In 'the vice-captain’s match president Strang continued his run of successes to beat Wooller at the 15th by 4 up and 3 to play. He will play the winner of the match between McLeod and E. Wilson.

Cambridge v. Hamilton. A team travelled to Cambridge at the week-end and was successful by a small margin. An enjoyable day was spent notwithstanding the rough weather and the Hamilton players were well entertained by their hosts. The most important event last weekend was tiie second annual match between the Auckland reprosent'alives and the team from clubs s-outh of the city. Several prominent Aucklanders did not put in an appearance, notably, Ralph', Brindsen, and George, but the team was good enough to win by a wide margin. Edmonds’ absence from the country players weakened this side but the local players were much weaker as a whole and the result was not unexpected.

Cumberworth played -good golf but was outplayed in the second half by Menzies who led the City side. Coyle did well to hold Thomson to the last green, being beaten by the odd hole when the latter holed his putt for a three at the 17th. Dr. Howden had a good win over Mac Ewan whose long game was not as reliable as usual. Other winners for the country were Alford (Cambridge), Sutcliffe (Hamilton), Kidd (Paeroa), Blundell (Te Awamutu), Cooper (Morrinsvtlle), and ‘Patterson (Putaruru), -while M. D. Carr (Rotorua) halved his match with Coltman (Titirangi). An excellent homeward journey was played by Kidd who is under 20 years of age. His card read from the turn —- 3,4, 4, 4, —4,4, 5, 3—31 for eight holes. At the 14th his tee shot went through the fence at the back of the green and as his opponent could not miss a three Kidd did not go back to play a second tee shot. The 17 holes took him 73 including two sixes in the first nine and this must have been the best card of the day—a good one under the conditions. The foursomes were very much in favour of the Aucklanders, who, apart from their superiority, have much more experience in this type of play. Wake and Graham (Hamilton), Cooper (Morrinsville) and Patterson (Putaruru), were the only winners for the Country, while Kidd (Paeroa) and Haworth (Cambridge) halved their match. The series resulted in a win for the Town by 18 matches, a total of 39 being played. The match is a popular one with both sides, and the players from the smaller clubs welcome the experience gained from meeting players of the calibre of the city men. South Auckland Tournament. The open tournament at w’hich the South Auckland championship will be decided commences at Hamilton next Thursday. .Tack Black, who has won the event six times in the last seven years, will defend his title and he will have some strong opposition. W. O’Callaghan (Hawera), Mac Ewan and Plumley (Auckland), Howden (Waiuku) and ‘Caldwell (Pukekohe) are expected at the time of writing these notes and any one is capable of extending him. Dr. Howden won the event at Cambridge in I’9lo, 25 years ago, and as he usually plays -well on this course he has a chance which would be a great effort if he were successful.