MUNICIPAL GOLF.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2607, 1 November 1915, Page 6

MUNICIPAL GOLF.

OPENING OP THE LINKS. Municipal golf was given'. its ofßcial start on Saturday afternoon, with the opening of, the links recently completed by the City Council on the Town Belt at Berha;iiporo.'

As chairman of the Reserves Committee, Councillor Frost mado tho first speech at the ceremony, and after briefly outlining tho history of the scheme, and stating what the Reserves Committee was prepared to do in regard, to tho maintenance of the course, lie called upon the Mayor to drivo the first ball.

• After a preliminary swing, the Mayor succeeded in getting the ball away from, the tee, and then addressed the orowd. He stated that, being.fully alive to the beneficial effects of the gain© 'as a health-giving exercise, and to its popuwith the rising generation, the council had determined to establish the links, and with the assistance of the public to keep them in good playing OTder. It was ono method of tackling the gorse problem. He specially mentioned in connection with the carrying out of the schenio the indebtedness of the City Council to Dr. R. A. Cameron, the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton), and the professional golfers. His Worship finally made sympathetic reference to the accident which had befallen His Majesty the King, and at the close of his speccli the National Anthem waa sung. Dr. R. A. Cameron, as the originator of municipal golf in the City, was called upon by tho Mayor, and. he appealed to citizens to give the council practical assistance. Upon their help, he said, would depend the success of tho scheme, and tho establishment of further. links for tho exclusive use of children.

An eighteen-hole match (two rounds of tho nine-liole course) was then played between tlie professionals, Dougla6 (New Zes4and champion) and Watt, of Heretaunga. After a. contest, which proved very interesting to the spectators, Duoglas proved victorious, finishing in 75 (38 and 37). He played good golf throughout, though handicapped by the newness of the greens aud the high wind. Watt pressed his opponent closely in the first half of tho match, but was patchy afterwards. One of the spectators twice picked up his ball during the match, incidents which did apt improve the professional's play.