GOLF.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 13

GOLF.

THE COMING CHAMPIONSHIPS. PROGRAMME AND TIME-TABLE. The prospects for tho New Zealand golf championships, which will commence on. the Wellington Golf Club's links at Herctami'o'ii on tlio llith of this month, aro in every way auspicious. Tho links aro in excellent order, and tlio greens have never been better. Ten bunkers huvo been recently made, and tho capabilities of the players aro likely to bo thoroughly tested. Complete arrangements have been made, and the accommodation provided foi coiupelitore in tlio neighbourhood of tho links can hardly fail to be a great convenience. A special train service is to bo run for tho benefit of players and spectators, so that largo attendances aro expected. The detailed tinw-tablo will be advertised later. It is anticipated that the entries will constituto a record, but as they do not closo till to-day tho exact numbers are not jet available. Practically all the noted golf players, amateurs and professionals, from both islands will tako part, and whoever carries off the honours will havo proved himself against the beat iu. the Dominion. The last occasion on which the New Zealand championship was held in Wellington was in.1890, when Mr. A. D. S. Duncan, the local champion and present New Zealand champion, won the championship tor the first time. He has since secured this honour on seven different occasions. In 1907 tho New Zealand open championship was inaugurated, and won for tho first time by Mr. Duncan, who the same year won tho amateur championship, which feat ho again accomplished last year, winning both events at Wanganui. Although Mr. Duncan will bo playing on his home links this year, he will l>e hard put to hold his present position, judging from tho calibre of the present entrants. Being a very consistent player, he should stand a better chance in the open event, for although he may havo to meet better players in some respects, the four rounds allow moro for consistency than brilliancy. The following is the time-table of tho events:— . . . . Tho open championship will start on Monday, September IG, tho first round being played in the morning, tho second in tlio afternoon; on Tuesday morning tho third round of tho open and concurrently the first qualifying round of the amateur, championship; iu the afternoon tho fourth and final round of the open championship and tho second qualifying round, of the amateur championship, and the inter-club challenge vase. On Wednesday morning the first round of the professionals match and the first round of tho amateur championship will take place. The bogey handicap will bo played in the afternoon. On Thursday, in the morning, the Professionals', Match, second round, and Amateur Championship, second round. In the afternoon the Four-ball Bogey Handicap.

On Friday, in the morning the Professionals' Match, third round, and the Amateur championship, third round. In tho afternoon, tho Amateur Championship, fourth round, and the Medal Handicap. The finals for the Professional and tho Amateur Championship will bo played on Saturday, the last day of tho meeting. The Amateur Championship of New Zealand is open to members of recognised golf clubs in or out of the Dominion,- consists of two qualifying rounds (medal play), tho thirty-two players returning the best scores to play off by match play over 18 holes. Final 36 holes. Tho winner and runner-up will both receive trophies "in addition to the gold and silver mednls presented by the New Zealand Golf Association. Tho winner will also bo registered as the winner of the Challenge Cup. The cup will bo handed to tho club of which tlie winner is a member, and will be hold by that club until tho next championship meeting. Tho' Open Championship of New Zealand consists of four rounds of medal play, and is open to professionals or amateurs. Prizes, JC2O, .£lO, and £5 for the' first, second, and third players. If an amateur wins any of these prizes ho will receive a trophy. The Professional Match, is over 18 holes (match play), and is open to any professional in .Now Zealand or elsewhere. First prize, .£10; second prize, £2. This match will not bo played unless there are six entries. Tho Bogey Handicap, over 18 holes, and open to any amateur. Tho winner and runner-up will both receive trophies. Tho Four-ball Foursome Bogey Match, over 18 holes (handicap). Open to amateurs. Trophies to tho winners. The Inter-Club Challenge Ta'se (presented bv Mr. E. D. O'Rorke), to be held bv the winning club until the next championship meeting. Teams of four players will represent each club, lho aggreEate gross score of each team in second qualifying round 'of the Open Championship will decide- this event. The Medal Handicap, over 18 Tioles. The winner and runner-up will botu receive trophies. . , ..+ Following are tho winners, of the ISew Zealand amateur golf championship eince 1893:1893. Dunedin. J. A. Somervillo. 1894. ChristchuTch. H. MnoNeil. 1895. Wellington. G. Gossett 1986. Dunedin. M. b. lodd. 1897. Auckland. D. I'rydo. 1898. Christchurch. W. Pryde. 1899. Wellington. A. Duncan. 1900. Dunedi'n. A. Duncan. 1901. Auckland. A. Duncan. 1902. ChristchuTch. S. H. Golkn. 1903. Napier. Kurupn 1 arena, 1904. Dunedin. A. H. Fisher. 1905. Auokland. A. Duncan. 190 G. Christohurch. S. H. Gollan. 1907/ Napier. A. Duncan. 1908. Dunedin. H. C. Smith. 1009. Auckland. A. Duncan. 1910. Christchurch. 11. B. Lusk. 1911. Wanganui. A. Duncan. The following are tho past winners of tho Now Zealand open championship since 1907:- ■ 1907. Napier. A. D. S. Duncan (amateur). 1908. Dunedin. J. A. Clements (professional). 1909. Auckland. J. A. Clements (professional). 1910. Christchurch. A. D. S. Duncan (amateur). 1911. Wanganui. A. D. S. Duncan (amateur). The following are tho officers of tho Wellington Golf Club:-r»tron, Right Hon. Lord Islington; president, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. .1. Abbott and L. O. ll.'Tripp; captain, Mr. .T. Webster; committee, Messrs. A. E. Whyte, Arthur Young, F. A. Kebbell, and W. E. Reid; secretary, Mr. A. S. MacShane.

JOHNSONVILLE CLUB. The following are the drawings for the men's handicap, president's trophy:—F. T. Moore plays G. T. Hall, F. Bethune ploys A. Coombos, D. Sloane plays A. Moore, R. Adams plays H. Merrywcather, Dr. Edgar plays M. Townsend, D. On plnys C. Wood's, F. Jlills plays A. M. Adams, O. Angell plays Iv. Donovan, C. Bould plifys H. Buddie, J. Ferguson plays Dr. M'Killop, V. Rogers plays IL Andrews, .T. Jamieson, a bye. The first, round must be completed by' Soptomber 22. \ POSTPONED. Memiwrs of (ho Wellington Golf Club are notified tlfnt tho cleok competition, announced to take place to-ilny, h«s been postponed. The Star Challenger is the very last word in Golf Balls. A new shipment of them arrived on the Essex. Get a Stnr Challenger to-day—it will save you a fitroke a hole.—Aclvt. ] "