1949 New Zealand Open: The Hastings Golf Club was established in 1897 and the 1949 Championship meeting was held at their Bridge Pa course on September 12 to 14. This was for many years a “seasonal course”, in that it closed down from late Spring till early Autumn due to the poorer soils being unable to maintain a grass cover during this period.
Consequently, in 1949 the course played rather short although considerable improvements had taken place and a great deal more was planned for the future. The Manakau amateur Revell opened with a Jellicoe Cup winning 66 and led by two strokes going into the final day.
He faded badly in the two final rounds with the more steady and consistent players providing a feast of excellent scores. James Galloway, who finished with 283 broke the scoring record of A.J. Shaw established in 1930 at Hokowhitu and equalled the Australian Open record held by Gene Sarazen and Keith Pix. Bob Glading, now a professional player joined amateur L.B. Johnston, one stroke back.
