ON THE LINKS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 216, 12 October 1929, Page 12

ON THE LINKS

- THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS ' STYLES OF CHAMPION S

(Notes by "Plus Four.'-')

Tbe great event of tbe year is over and A. J. Shaw has returned to Napier with tbe double title of New Zealand prol'essional and open cbampion. Sloan Morpeth and J. L. Black had a Wonderful nlatcb in the final of the New Zealand amateur championship, wbicb went to tbe 37th. liole before the game concluded. Witb all square and one to go Black lost bis great chance by underestimating tbe distanee to tlie green for bis approach and tbe 36th. I10I9 was halved, Morpeth getting his nose in front 011 tbe extra liole. * * * A.J.SHAW Commenting on the two professional finalists, A. J. Sbaw and E. J. Moss, "Rubbercore" states: — "Shaw, the open cbampion, has shown to greater advantage at professional tournaments rather tban in New Zealand championship events. At Napier, for instance, be ove'rshadowed tlie opposition as be again did at Rotorua. Though satisfactory, be is not tbe stylist of several of bis confreres, nor is be so outstanding an iron player as the foreniost of our professionals. He is, however, particularly sound witb his wooden clubs, having a masterly control in heavy winds. Tbougb be failed on bis rOcent Australian trip, tliere is no doubt tbe experience gained has benefited bim, and now he has gained confidence be is likfely to occupy a, fwemost ppsition in New Zealand golf for some time to come." * * * PERFECT MOSS "Moss," states the same critic, "can be citecl tbe master shot exponent. Seeing Moss blend body and brain in bis beautifully-cqntrolled sbots is to jvonder wbetber bis destiny was not , - • - - » ^

fasbioned for tbe express purpose of bitting a golf ball. His 'timing is superior to that of any amateur or proifessional in tbe Dominion, bis swing be so even and unhurried. A brainy application perbaps sums up tbe success of tbe several times open and profesional cbampion. "Wben in trouble, which is seldom, bis judgment whether to take a risk 01* not is supreme. Like many great players, however, he is apt to be impatient on short putts, and George Duncan's molto, "Miss 'em quick," not infrequently appbes. Horton is in the same category, in that he frequently fails to apply tbe finishing toucli to inspired iron play. Strangely enougb in match play Moss' putting is much more reliable, but if it cannot be saidi he is a weak putter, it is certain tliat ^ liis artistry with other clubs does not, find equal expression on the green." # ' as * SLOAN MORPETH Concerning Morpeth, who lost the open title, wut won tbe amateur crown, "Rubbercore" adds "Perbaps Morpeth will be pilloried as unorthodox,or 'a dangerous radical,' and frankly there is some ground for the view. His swing is not nearly so well controlled, so deadly accurate, r.s formerly nor does hfi pivot so truly as wben' but a youth, be first burst into sportmg prominence. He has, however, mucb of tbe tiger toucb, and as a highly strung and brilliant player provides the spectacular to keep tbe gallery at fever pitch. He takes wonderful chances, having that vivid imaginati'on wbich is the birthright of genius. The artist, however great,cannot reaeh tbe top without it."