THE FIRST GREAT WOMAN GOLFER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22370, 6 April 1938, Page 2

THE FIRST GREAT WOMAN GOLFER

1893 MATCH RECALLED DEATH OF LADY MARGARET HAMILTON-RUSSELL Three names stand out above all others in women's golf, Lady Margaret Scott, Miss Cecil Leitch, and Miss Joyce Wethered. The news of the death of Lady Margaret HamiltonRussell will be read with regret. She was the first winner, as Lady Margaret Scott, of the British Open played in 1893 at Lytham and St. Annes, then a nine holes course. To quote the words of Miss M. Hezlet, whose first championship was 1895, the year that Lady Margaret won for the third consecutive time, “The impression of her calm, stately progress through the rounds is still vivid. Stately seems the most apt word to use when one recalls her veil, sunshad/e, long skirt, and beautiful style.” The general opinion seems to be that the only reason why she did not extend her wins from three to many more was because she did not go on playing. Her days were the days of the old “guttie” ball, which had to be controlled. She was a contemporary of that great personage in British golf and founder of the union, Mrs T. H. Miller (Miss Issette Pearson), who was the runner-up to Lady Margaret in 1893 and 1894. Lady Margaret’s record of three consecutive wins was not touched until Miss Cecil Leitch won in 1914, 1920, and 1921, though this was broken by the war years, and again in. 1926. Then the greatest woman—some say man or womanplayer, Miss Wethered, carried the mantle of greatness, but did not attain to three consecutive wins. It was left to Miss Enid Wilson to equal the record in 1931-32-33. It is to such women as Lady Margaret Hamilton-Russell and Mrs T. H. Miller that all the players in their thousands owe the progress and organisation of the game as it is to-day, and while the courses may not have been so long, the skirts were longer- and they had little but their own skill to produce the scores, as balls and clubs did not.

Lady Margaret Hamilton-Russell was a sister of the Hon. Michael Scott, whose deith was erroneously reported recently. His nephew, bearing the same name, died in Florida, and the cabled announcement of his death was at first thought to refer to thg great golfer, who is closely linked with Australian golf history.

COMINGOF-AGE At their home, Taihoa, Rotherham, Mr and Mrs G. Popplewell entertained a number of friends in honour of the twenty-first birthday of their daughter Je'an. The woolshed was decorated with evergreens and streamers, and supper was .served in the djnipg room. The WJaiau Band supplied f, the music, and extras were played , by Misses Macintosh and Danielson. Mr. R. Neale and Mr J. Montgomery. During the evening Mr Popplewell presented his daughter with a gift.

Those present were Mr and Mrs McLelland, Mr and Mrs Forbes, Mr and Mrs B. Hendersdn, Mr and Mrs C. O’Malley, Mr and Mrs E. Roberts, Mr and Mrs S. Popplewell, Mr and Mrs G.. Robinson, Mr and Mrs Wilding,' Mr and Mrs Macintosh, Mr and Mrs J. Gallagher, Mr and Mrs H. Gallagher, Mr and Mrs J. Thomson, Mr and Mrs A. Munro, Mr and Mrs W. Munro, Mrs Munro, sen., Mrs E. T. Roberts, Misses M. and K. Mannion, E. Powis, J. Popplewell, N. Danielson, E. Dreaver, A. Topp, Mclntosh (2), M. Black, B. Thompson, M. Johnston, A. Thompson, N. Britton, E. Rae, M. Poulter, Messrs E. Black, R. Smith, D. Clark, H. Topp, J. Montgomery, A. and E. Sevan, A. Lambie, J. Duncan, G. Duncan, R. Carson, E. Thomson, D. Smith, R. Neale, W. Hampton, L. Popplewell, and C. Popplewell. GIFT PARTIES Misses C. Swan and G. Winter were joint hostesses at a gift evening party given in honour of Miss Jean Redman, whose marriage will take place soon. The guests brought gifts for the kitchen and pantry of the bride's new home. Those present included Mesdames J. D. Cairhey, S. G. H. Rich, Misses Jean Redman, Muriel Clark, Olga Anderson, Beverley Bain, Betty Reaby, Audrey Daniell, Chrissie Swan, and Gwen Winter. «.

The first of a number of parties arranged in honour of Miss Lily Todd before her marriage this month, was given by her sister, Mrs R. A. Nolan, at her home in Ticehurst road, Lyttelton. During the afternoon the guest of honour was presented with a novelty bouquet by Miss Norma James. Amongst the guests, all of whom brought gifts for Miss Todd’s kitchenette, were Mesdames D. I. Todd, E. O. Barrett, C. Cross, H. Pascoe, E. M. Todd, T. James, G. W. Watson (Rangiora), B. S. Yuill, H. M. Todd, H. S. Norris, A. R. Garner, Misses Joyce and Lila Corbett, Dorice Reynolds, Joyce Meikle, Norma James, Leith, Lois, and Julian Watson.

To honour Miss Joan Telford, whose marriage to Mr S. Wealleans will take place this month, a pleasant variety gift evening party was given by her bridesmaids. Misses Marie Smith and Alison Greer, at the latter’s home in Kahu road, Riccarton. Trump whist was played, the winner being Mr S. Krahagen. Those present were Mesdames S. Krahagen, H. Telford, G. Greer, Misses Joan Telford, Alison Greer, Nettie Greer, Helen Telford (Akaroa), Constance Gee, Elaine Hancock, Marjorie Hancock, Messrs S. Wealleans (Oamaru), H. Telford, N. Peters, E. McEwen, G. Hammond (Takamatua), R. Carleton, and S. Krahagen.

Mrs C. Ell was hostess at a kitchen gift party given at the home of her mother, Mrs P. Jack, in honour of Miss Edna Kearney, whose marriage to Mr Ray Inwood will take place on Easter Saturday. Competitions were won by Mrs D. Sommerville and Mrs H. Geddis. ICED CHERRY CAKE Crystallised cherries are frequently a feature of the better kinds of cake. A very liberal proportion of extra choice crystallised cherries are in Iced Cherry Cake which is being featured in the Ernest Adams Colombo Street Shop (near Queen Anne Corner). The price is l/2d per lb, and it is obtainable at this price also, at the Ashburton and Timaru shops, Ernest Adams Iced Cherry Cake is something really choice. Buy some this week. —6