GOLF.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 October 1925, Page 3

GOLF.

AMATEUR FINAIi. DUNCAN BEATEN BY HORTON. The final for the amateur championship, which was played at Shirley links at Christchurch on Saturday, resulted, contrary t,o all expectations, in a hollow win for Horton, after a match hi whien his opponent, A. Duncan, hero of many a great, struggle, was quite outclassed. The match finished at the 2sth hole, Horton thus winning nine up and eight to go. Duncan concluded the morning play ten down. He began the afternoon by losing the nineteenth and then made a great struggle against a hopeless position, winning three and halving one. but the effort was too late, and at the 28th the match ended. The day was perfect for golf and a great struggle had consequently been expected. Contrary to expectations Horton, playing fine golf, went ahead to , win from the outset., and at. the turn was five up. Continuing his success, Horton was no less than ten up on the morning’s play. Duncan was often off the course and his putting was weak. It was not till the Kith that he won a hole, and this was the only win for the morning. But Horton’s play was brilliant and he concluded the round with the fine score of 73. The afternoon commenced badly for Duncan, who lost the first hole. Steeling himself for a last effort, Duncan then plaved in something of his old form. Ho halved the next two, won the 22nd, lost the next in four to his opponent’s fine three,-.halved again at the next two, and Horton was then dorinie eleven. Duncan still struggling against odds, won the next two, Horton finding trouble at both. At the 2Sth both lay level on the green in two and both running up close, halved ,in four and the contest was over, Horton winning by the large margin of nine up and eight to play. After the tournament the prizes were presented to the winners by Mrs. A. D. S. Duncan. THE CHAMPION.

T. 11. Horton, who achieved the honour of leading in the amateur ranks for the year, has been a consistent performer' at championship meetings for a number of years. He began his golf at Blenheim, and removing to Masterton before the war was champion there about 1912. In 1921 he- played at Wellington and was runner up for the Wellington championship. The same year he went to the New Zealand championships at Shirley and was runner-up in the amateurs and fourth in the open. Another good performance was his defeat of A. Duncan for the Wellington provincial championship in .1924, when lie played a magnificent, round of 71 in the final. He also competed at Hamilton and won the South Auckland championship. At Middlomorc, however, he did no good. At the present meeting ho occupied fourth place in the open and was second in the qualifying list of amateurs, AT NEW”PLYMOUTH. LA,DIES v. MEN. In a contest'between-the ladies and the men, sixteen a side, the .latter won twelve, lost- three and halved one. The ladies were allowed fifteen strokes each.