GOLF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 7

GOLF.

The royal and ancient game was in full swing at the Green Lane links on Saturday last, in fact, tho Auckland Club's ground was never so crowded before, thero being upwards of fifty players present. The occasion was the commencement of the first round of the championship competition, and tho first draw provided a number of exceedingly closo and interesting matches. Several of tho greens were undergoing repa.u and play was carried on in temporary greens outside tlio fences at tho Remuora Forest and Gap holes. This made the putting at thoso holes somewhat difficult, but in spito of the disadvantage under which players labourod some very good scores were returned during the afternoon. Mr. Kissling had a walk over, his opponent having scratched, while Mr. Caldwoll had an easy victory ovor Mr. Lawrenco— has not yet got into his proper form—by 7 up. A splendid match was witnessed between Messrs. Carr and Grimshaw, resulting eventually in a win for the latter at tho nineteenth bole. At the Polo hole Mr. Grimshaw was in tho bad position of two down, but by winning tho Upolu and Long wall he succeeded in getting all square with his opponent. Wit% five still to play the Bridge hole was well halved in three, Mr. Carr then winning the fifteenth with a good five, but this advantage was neutralised at the first hole out by 8. Tho seventeenth was halved in four strokes each, and at tho eighteenth Mr. Carr was lying some three feet from the hole, whil- .his opponent lay about two feet away. Both players were exceedingly nervous at the final and deciding put, and contrary to all the traditions of golf agreed to solve the difficulty and rolievo the tension by calling a half. At the first hole out both seemed to bo playing very nervously, and Mr. Carr drove into .tho creek, tho ball, howeve., scrambling out oil the fir side. Mr. Grimshaw, after a good drive, sliced his second into the bunko,. Mr. Carr's iourth lay stone dead while Mr. Grimshaw, playing tho like from 12ft, holed his ball and won the matoh. Mr. Turner had a great match with Mr. Leatliam, and tilers was never moro than one hole dilforonco betwoon the pair until they arrived at the seventeenth hole, where Mr. Leatliam was in the happy position of 2 up and 1 to play. An excellent set to was that between Messrs. Sykos and Walker, and here again neither gained an advantage of moro than 1 up 011 the opponent, until the seventeenth hole was reached, where Mr. Sykes was 2 up and 1 to play. Messrs. Kyd and Colbeek had both drawn byos, but agreed to play their match, with the result that tho law prevailed, Mr. Colbeck winning by 4 up and 2 to play. Tho keenest match of tho day was undoubtedly that between Messrs. Burliest and Brassey. Mr. Brassey won the first hole by 5 to 6, but Mr. Burness then put in tlireo exoeedinely useful holes in 3, 4, 4, this putting him 2 up. The players then halved five holes in succession in 6, 6, 4, 5, 4, alter which Mr. Brassey won the tenth and eleventh, with two sixes, The twelvtll boing halved in 7, matter., were all square at the thirteenth, Mr. Burness then winning | the thirteenth in 4, and tho fourteenth in 3. Mr. Brassey, howevoi, again got his opponent down to 1 up at the sixteonth hole, which was halved in 5, and winning the seventeenth in 4 to 6 was once more all square, with one hole to play. At the last hole Mr. Brassey practically had the matoh in hand, he being within 50 yards of the hole in 3 to his opponent's 5, but by some unaccountable piny be took 6 moro to hole, and Mr. Burness won the holo with 8 to 9. The second round of tho championship will be played to-day, when the following matches come up for decision:—Kissling v. Caldwell, Grimshaw v. Burnesb, Leatham v. Sykos, Colbeek, a bye. The committee of tho Auckland Golf Club have decided that the match between Messrs. Brassey and Burness shall bo replayod.