GOLF,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 5 September 1913, Page 3

GOLF,

Those who were fortunate enough to visit the Hawera golf links on Wednesday had the opportunity of witnessing a very fine exposition of the game by two experts (Messrs McCormick and Hood), two Auckland professionals, and two of the leading players in New Zealand. A great amount of interest was taken, not only locally, for there were visitors attracted from Eltharn, Patea and Stratford. The weather was anything but favorable, a" strong wind and bright sun hampering the players in the morning and in the afternoon the wind increased to a gale, accompanied by showers of rain. Under these conditions the fine game played by the two professionals will long be remembered by the spectators. McCormick has been coaching in Hawera and had never previously met Hood. His play was, therefore, of special interest. The result of the match was in doubt right up to the last stroke, for . although Hood was at one time dormy 4, and at the 36th hole the players were all square, McCormick won the match on the 37th green, doing 4 against his opponent's 5. On the morning's play Hood was 1 up after a very even and exciting contest. Hood took 85 ancl McCormick 86. The Glade was won by McCormick in a perfect 2, Hood getting down in 3. At 2 o'clock they started on t-Be second eighteen holes, Hood being 1 up. Both got well away with their drives, McCormick pulling.-somewhat. Hood Jay up close with, his second and won Inthree, 2 up. The second was only moderately good. Hood> playing with his cleek, kept a better line in the wind and' should have won in 6, but missed a short pntt, and a half resulted. McCormick got a magnificent drive at the Budleas, being well down •n the flat. Ho pulled his approach, i but lay dead with his third and won in a good four. Hood 1 up. The fourth and fifth were halved in capital fours. The Valley Hood won in 5 to Mci Cormick's 6, his approach work being particularly fine. He also won the Glade in 3, McCormick taking 3 on the green after being in £he better position.—Hood 3 up. A good half in 4 at the eighth, and then at the upshot McCormick just missed, his putt, the ball lipping fhe hole and lei Hood in.— Hood 4 up. The first hole in the fourth round was halved in 4. Hood duffed his drive at Land's End, and McCormick, making no mistakes through the course, appeared to have an easy win, but missed a short putt and won the hole in 7. At the.Budleas McCormick let Hood in through missing his putt and Hood was again 4 xvp. The Return was halved in 5, McCormick making a good recovery after being right against the fence in his second. TKe Crossing was won by McCormick in 4.—Hood 3 up and 4 to go. Both played great shots at the Valley, their seconds being within easy approaching distance, and the hole was halved in s.—Hood dormy 3. At the Glade Hood had the bad luck to hit "a green post and instead of being well on ran back. McCormick put in a fine 3 and won the hole.—Hood dormy 2. He repeated the 3 at the stable and Hood was 1 -up and Ito go. Excitement was keen as they teed off for th"c upshot. Their drives were good, Hood somewhat pulled. He had bad luck to rebound from the road, while McCormick lay nicely on with his second. Going down in 4to Hood's 5, the match was all square. The 37th hole was played. Both drove well and were on the green in two. Hood took three putts, and McCormick going down in 4, won the hole .and the match 1 up. It was a great finish to a finely played match. McCormick's strenuous fight against big odds was much appreciated. He thoroughly" deserved the win. The rounds were as follows: — McCormick— 5, 6, 6, 4, 5, 6, 3, 4, 5—44 4, 7," 5, 6, 5, 5, 2, 4, 4—42 4, 7, 4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 4, 5—42 4, 7/5, 5, 4, 5, 3, 3, 4—40 ~168 Hood— 4, 6, 6, 5, 5, 6, 4, 4, 4—44 3, 7, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 5—41 3, 7, 5, 4, 4, o, 3, 4, 4—39 4, 8, A, 5, 5, 5, £ 4, 5—44 168