GOLF

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 75, 12 March 1930, Page 2

GOLF

HAGEN AND KIRKWOOD BEATEN. AUSTRALIAN PAIR HAVE LUCK WITH THEM. [United Press Association—By CableCopyrlffbt.J Sydney, March 11. Hagen and Kirkwood were subjected to a thorough test when two local professionals, Fred Popplewell and Don Spence, played brilliantly in a thirty-six holes inatah at the Australian Golf Club’s course at Kensington to-day. The local players were four up at the end of the morning round. Hagen had bad luck to burn his hand severely when a box of matches exploded while the seventh hole was being played. Thereafter ho .could not grip his club properly, but he decided to continue.

Popplewell and Spence eventually won by five up and three to play. Hagen lost his normal accuracy after burning his left thumb, causing him excrusiating pain. Kirkwood played gloriously throughout, but the team work of the Australians was too superior and consistent. Popp.lewell in the afternoon displayed the finest putting in his career. Fifteen hundred people followed the players. The weather and the course were excellent. Conditions were four ball over thirty-six holes, a side wager of £250. The profits of the match went to the Sydney Hospital'.

Writing to an Auckland friend just before the Aorangi reached Sydney, Joe Kirkwood said that he and Hagen were trying to plan a return visit to New Zealand, and that if this was successful they would be in the Dominion by the end of March. Kirkwood said both Hagen and himself were looking forward to their trip to New Zealand and were very disappointed when they had to go on to Sydney without lauding.