CHARITY GOLF MATCH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17320, 5 December 1921, Page 13

CHARITY GOLF MATCH.

WILKQ2 baed wins. TVilkie Bard, ..tEe English comedian, "ho some fourteen years, ago'held for two years th® pennant for the best golfer among music hall artists "of London and th© province®, played a match at the Shirley Links on Saturauy against H. C. Butters, the Chrißtchuich- club's 'ihe latter conceded the comedian. Ai stroke a hole, with an optional stroke should one be '"foozled." In the event of his losing, Mr -Bard was to pay £SO to the local brunch of the Pliinket S<>: ciety; if tho professional lost, tho sum. of .£lO, put-up by Mr B. B. Wood,- was to be. paid over. Owing to the-unfavourable hour at which tho match commenced'—il a.m.— there were not many present to witness the play. Mr Bard, who prior to his arrival ia Auckland, a few weeks ago, had not handled a club for about eight years, was. naturally somewhat out •of form; nevertheless, h© played some capital strokes at- , times, particularly when driving and approaching. He took advantage of th# optional stroke allowed him on several occasions, but despite this was two down at th© ninth hole. Coming. home, however, he made a better showing, and th© soore being' all scjuare at the thirteenth hole, he eventually Von with a 'jjcore of two .up and one to play. ' Th© cards showed the following scores:. — Bard—Out :6,8,6,6,5,7, 3, 7, 6. Butters—Out: 4, 5, 7, 4, 5, 5, 8, 5, 4. . Bard—ln: 6, 5, 5, 2, 6, 6, 6, 4. Butters —In:. 6, 5, 5, 4, 6, 5, 6, 3.

Speaking to a "Press" reporter after the' match Mr Bard said that he had enjoyed the game immensely, although he was eorry that there had not been a larger attendance so that tho amount realised might have been more substantial. He waa greatly impressed with the links, on which he had played a number of games since he arrived in Christchurch. He could not wish to play on better and he considered that they could compare with the best links at Home, most of which, like the Shirley Links, were situated near the coast, and were laid out w similar CO "i'vash the golfers of New would take tn> the suggestion. I made last week," ho said, "with regard to starting a fund to ser.d E. S. Douglas the New Zealand open champion, to Britain. Ml Bard was of the opinion that if golfers took the mattsr up the requisite amount would soon be forthcoming. Douglas_h»a made ft good showing against J. H. Kirkwood, and would be sure to do well at Home. There were several in Australia, he Bam, who considered, when the suggestion was made that Kirkwood should go Home. that such would be wily, yet he had made a name for Australia when opposed agiinst the world a best men. Mr Bard mentioned this as an exemplification of the old proverb: "A prophet is. without honour in his own country. It might apnly equnilv to Douglas.