GOLF.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 14 June 1909, Page 11

GOLF.

• WELLINGTON v. CHRISTCHURCH. AN.EXCITING GAME BETWEEN DITNCAN AND WOOD. (Bt TEIBQBAFH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' * .;■ Christchurch, June 12. At an interolub match between teams representing tho Wellington and Chrietchurch Uolf Clubs, played at Shirloy links to-day (tkrfoursomos boing played in the morning and singles in tho afternoon), the games irore even in the former competition, but in the latter Christohurch won 5| to 21 scored by thoir opponents, and on the days play were three to the good. A bitterly cold north-cost wind blew aoroSS tho links during the duy, which proved very uncomfortable to tho spectators, of whom there were a fair number. The' links were to good order. Some of the putting greens were in particularly fine trim. Tho'gamo of tho day was undoubtedly that between A. Duncan (New Zealand champion) and.B.B. Wood (Christchoroh), and in this oontest it may be said that Wood played the gamo of his life. He held his own against the ohampion all the way, And at one stage of tho game was two up, but he suffered one or two reverses, and at the fifteenth hole the two were all : square. Duncan won tho six'teenth and the seventeenth was halvd, but Duncan got horn at the eighteenth, and so won the match. Duncan's standard of play wasmuch above what is generally seen in Christchurch, and even then, so competent authorities from "the North Island declared, he was not approaching anything like , his best form. Certain it is that had that best form been shown • Wood probably would never have put up the splendid, performance he did. At different stages of the gamo there was little to choose between the two men. Both were driving well, and, curiously enough,, at about the same distance, and both displayed remarkable powers of approaching and putting. Duncan, lowever, displayed to better advantage tb£ faoulty of extricating himself from hazardous positions, and his magnificent second shota stood him: in good stead time and again. He played with characteristic codlness, unaffected .by the successful result of long putt and undaunted by bunker misfortunes, and "his clean, skilful,- correct, and consistent play might well bear down and terrify even one no novice in golf play. The match proved the star item of the day, and attracted.tho largest number of spectators, who at the seventeenth hole were worked up to a high pitch of excitement, at which: it waa then supposed the game would end. Wood 'was lying about a yard and a half from the flag, and had to hole out to halve. The hit was one eventually of nerves; and Wood, after somewhat elaborate preparations, took the stroke and holed out amid applause. ■ It was expected that the game, between B. C. Butherford (the Canterbury champion) and W. J. .•" Abbott '(Wellington) would prove a _closo contest,- with the chances-in favour of the local player, but Abbott from the start played a very .hot-game, and Rutherford could make no headway at all, the result being that Abbotl iron by four up and three to play. Wright, of Christchurch, however, paired this score in his game against Bidw.ell, and the remaining games in the singles w.ore all won .by local players, with the exception of that between Pearce (Wellington) and Gow (Chnstohurcn), whioh was halved, the players being all square at, the eighteenth hole. C. K. "Sams (Christch'urch) beat A. M'Clark (Wellington) very handsomely by six up and four to play, but the others achieved' victory only at tho eighteenth hole. . . ■ „ Details of the scores are aa follow:— ■■ Singles.-'A. Dunoan (Wellington) beat B. B. Wood (Christchurch), two up; W. J. Abbott (Wellington) beat B. C. Rutherford (Christchurch), four up and three to, play; H. E. Wright (Christchnroh) beat J. C. Bidwill (We'tiaeton), four up and three to play; A. JL 'aafthwick (Cbristoaurch) beat t. . Reid (WeUington), one up; A. E. Pearce (WeUington) v. J. A. Gow (Christchurch), all square; S. K. Sleigh (Christchurch) beat K. Duncan (Wellington)! On« up; C. K. Sams• (Chnstohurch) beat A. M'Clark (Wellington), slx up and four to play; J. Wood (Christchurch).übeatu beat C. fWelUngton), one.up: Totals; Christchuroh, SJ; Wellington, , 2J. V; : ' ~.„■ ■„''''''" mr i- ■ Foursomes.—A. Duncan and C.v Gore (Wellington) beat B. B. Wood anoVA. M. Borthwick; B. C. Rutherford and H. E.. Wright (ChristctarcW beat.A..J. Abbott/nd W. .Reid (Wellington); J. .Ci-Bidwi 1' and A. M Clark WelHnKton) beat J. Wood, and T K. 4 SWh Ichristohnrch ; C. K. Sams and J- A. Gow IChristchuroWbeat K. D. Duncan and-E. S. Pearce' (Wellington). Totals: Wellington, 2; Christohurch, 71, Wellington, 15. • MISAMAE CLUB. In the Miramar Club's bogey competition on Satoday,, the following wero the best cards handed in:— ' M. W. Horton (owe 1), 2 down. C. R. C. Robieson (8), 3 down./ L. F. Watldns (G), 4 down. Dr. A. Martin (9). 5 down. A. Erskino (5), 6 down.