GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10150, 24 September 1898, Page 8

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

MR W. PRYDE WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP. The morning of the fourth day of the Golf Meeting was occupied with the teams' match between Christchurch and Otago representa-

tives. . Dr. Gosset and T. D. Harman (Christchurch) beat F. J. Stilling and F. Leitch (Otugo) by o holes; J. R. Scott and A. Tapper v*R. L. M. Kitto and E. Wilder (Cliristchiuch. drawn; J. C. Wilson and C. F. C. Wilson (Christchurch) beat R. T. Wheeler and Dr. Brown (Otago) by holes; H D Stronach and C. R. Howden (Otago) beat J. W- H. Wood and W. Harman (Christchurch.. by 2 holes. The result of the match was a win for Christchurch by 7 holes to 2 holes. In none of the foursomes was the form generally shown good, and the game between Messrs Kitto, Wilder, Scott and Tapper, though ending in a draw, was not brilliant. At the twelfth hole the Otago representatives had a lead of 3 holes, which the Christchurch team succeeding in breaking down in the following 6 holes. In the afternoon, after luncheon and the photographing in group and otherwise Of the gentlemen who had been engaged in the meeting, the struggle for the championship was renewed in a very stiff nor'-wester. There was a good number of spectators. The friendly combatants were Mr W. Pryde, of the Hutt, Wellington, and Mr E. Wilder, of the Christchurch Club. The first two holes were indifferently played by both, who puiled their drives, but the holes were won by Mr Pryde in 5 each. The third hole was won by Mr Wilder, leaving his opponent one up. From the fourth tee both made splendid drives through the trees, and the hole was halved in 4. For the fifth hole they had again to cross the trees, but this time against the stiff nor'-wester. Mr Pryde accomplished the task well, but Mr Wilder'ball unfortunately struck a tree. He, however made a good second, and finished hi halving the hole. The sixth hole, at the sheep yards, was won by Mr Pryde in 4, and the seventh was halved in 5. The next two holes, which completed the half round, were won by Mr Pryde in 4 each. He had holed out the nine holes in 39, and was 4 up. in three shots each, both got on to the edge of the green of the tenth hole. Mr Wilder made a good approach put, but Mr Pryde gave him a stymie. Mr Wilder very cleverly curled his ball round that of his opponent, and lay on the lip of the hole, in Ins turn giving Mr Pryde-a stymie. .The latter was unable, in consequence, to hole his ball, and Mr Wilder won the hole in 5. The eleventh or Island hole was won in 4 by Mr Pryde, who holed out about 7ft. The twelfth, which Avas a long hole, was won by Mr Wilder in 6, Mr Pryde for once topping his brassy shot. He, however, won the next two in 4 each, which placed him 5 up and 4 to play, and gave nim the championship for i___, after weii played and consistent games throughout. He showed himself to be an excellent player in all departments of the game, and though Mr Wiidtr played really well, he was surpassed by the ilutt member in putting. At the conclusion of the match, the lady and gentlemen visitors and the players formed round the Challenge Cup, and his Honour Mr Justice Denniston made a short speech. He said that in the unavoidable absence of the Captain of the'Christchurch Club, Mr Burns, he had been asked to present the trophy to Mr Pryde. He himseli had been absent in Timaru until a few hours ago, but from what he had heard and the little he had seen, a very successful and interesting meeting had been held, and from a golf point of view, as well as for the reputation of Christchurch, he was glad tliey had had good weather. Speaking as the humblest member of the Club, he would have been pleased to have seen the trophy kept in Christchurch, and the Club were indebted to Mr Wilder and Mr Kitto, especially the former, for their plucky play to keep it here. But he was sure that no one, certainly not Mr Wilder, grudged the trophy going to so consistent and able and generous a player as Mr Pryde. (Loud'applause.) Those who were better judges of the game than he, hod spoken of Mr Pryde's play as excellent, and that he was a consistent player they judged from the fact that he was very close up on other occasions. Four years ago, when he, (his Honour) had the privilege and honour of presenting the some trophy to the winner, Mr Pryde was very near to the runner-up. (Hear, hear.) It was gratifying to think that the trophy fell into such good hands, and that for the second time in succession the name of Pryde appeared on the cup. (Applause.) Three cheers were given for Mr Pryde, followed by one for Mr Wilder.

Dr. Brown, on behalf of the visitors, tendered their thanks to the Christchurch Club for the week's entertainment they had had. The Club deserved great credit, for they had laid on beautiful weather, and their entertainment hod been of the some kind. (Applause.) Mr Condell, in reply, said the Club felt highly honoured at the grand entry which was made, and they were deeply indebted to the visitors who hod come from all parts of the colony to compete at the championship. It gratified the members to have seen so many present, and still more to learn that they had enjoyed the competition which had been arranged.

During the course of the championship meeting many private matches, both singles and foursomes, were played, in .which some very good play was shown. The Ladies' Club placed their pavilion at the disposal of the competitors, and it proved of great use. The greens were arranged by Captain Marshall, and were kept in' good order by the unremitting attention Of the caretaker, Mr A: Marshall

It is probable that the next championship will be played on the Wellington Chins links at Miramar.