GOLF SURPRISE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20890, 23 August 1939, Page 8

GOLF SURPRISE

ROTORUA OPEN TITLE PAX BMITH ELIMINATED GLADINGS BETTER FORM (Special to Times) ROTORUA, Wednesday The features of the commencement of the match play of the Rotorua Golf Club’s open championship tournament to-day were the surprise defeat of the New Zealand amateur champion, Pax Smith, by the Auckland youth, J. P. Ralph, and the better form displayed by the title holder, R. if. Glading,* of Hamilton. There were occasional showers during the play this morning, but the course was still in excellent order with the greens fast for this time of the year. It was Smith's putting over the last three holes that cost him the match. He had been playing excellent golf and at the 13th was three up, but three putts on the 14th and 15th greens and another lapse on the 16th allowed Ralph to square the match. Despite his lack of experience in big tournaments, Ralph continued to play par golf and gained a meritorious win. Results of the first round were:— C. H. Wells beat T. R. Breit. 4 and S. J H. darken beat W. R. Woolhouse. 4 and 2. S. G. I.ong-uet beat W. Monk. 7 and A. J. C. Beik beat A. A. Sinclair, 3 and 2. M. D. Carr beat C. Bailey, 4 and 3. S. K. Carr beat F. C Hutchison, 1 up. E. s. Took on d beat G.‘ Coltman. 4 and 2. an h- H. beat W. v. .Mathers, 5 and Hoadley beat R. Kensington, 3* R. L. Craig beat H Troutbeck, 2 and I. E. L. Bartlett beat A. Bams Graham, J. E. Stedman beat W. p. Ralph, 4 and 2. H. D. Brindsen beat R. C. Smith, 4 and 5. J. P. Ralph beat P G. F. Smith, 1 up. M. 11. Wiseman beat H. P. Dale, 5 and 4. D. H. uraham beat T. J. Johnston, 4 an(l 2-