GOLF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14806, 9 October 1911, Page 9

GOLF.

AUCKLAND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

WON BY J. C. BURNS.

WINNER'S UPHILL GAME.

FINE EXHIBITION OF GOLF.

The final of the men's championship of the Auckland Golf Club was played at the Middlemore Park links on Saturday afternoon between J. C. Burns (last year's champion) and W. B. Colbeck (ail ex-champion), and resulted in a win for Burns by 1 up in a match of 36 holes. The day was beautifully fine, but the light was somewhat bright, while a light breeze blew across the links. Interest was added to the match by the fact that Burns had won the championship on three occasions, and Colbeck twice. Saturday's game attracted a large .following of spectators, Tho feature of the game was the fine uphill fight made by Burns in the outward journey of the second round, and the exciting manner in which the game varied in the inward play. Tho first round, played in the morning, resulted in a lead for Colbeck, who finished two up, but in the afternoon Burns quickly reduced the lead, and from then onwards a great contest resulted, in which the players alternately led, but wero mostly all square. Burns eventually won an exciting game by 1 up at the 36th hole. The scores lor tho 36 holes were as follows — BURNS.

First Round.Out: 7, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 5—45. In: 4, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 5, 4, 6—44. Total, 83. Second Round.—: 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 3, 5, 6, 541. In: 3, 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 3, 5, 6-40. Total, 81. COLBECK First Round.—Out: 5, 6, 5. 6. 4, 3. 4, 6, 5—44. I" : 3, 4, 5, 4, 6, 5, 4, 6, 7—44. Total, 88. Second Round.—Out: 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 3, 6, 5, 5—43. In : 4, 4, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6-42. Total, 85. The match proved to bo a fine exhibition of golf, and was close and exciting throughout. At the first hole Burns displayed weakness, and took seven strokes to hole, while Colbeck went down in five. Burns equalised matters at the next hole, five to six, and halving the next, and winning the fourth, he led Colbeck one up. The players were all square at the sixth, and then Colbeck won the seventh, four to five. The next two holes were halved, but by winning the 10th by three to four, and the lltli by four to five, Colbeck put himself in the lead by three up. Burns then asserted himself, and won tho 12th by four to five, reducing Colbeck's lead to two up. The loth was won by Colbeck by four to five, the next two were halved, and the 16th was also won by Colbeck by four to five, putting him in the lead by four" up. Burns brought off a four at the next hole against Colbeck s six, and Burns also winning the 18th by six to seven, put Colbeck two up at the end of the first round. The chief characteristics of the play in this round were the excellent driving by Burns, and Colbeck's consistent putting. At tho commencement of the second round Burns succeeded in reducing his opponent's lead, winning the first hole by four to five: Colbeck one up. Play to the second hole was not of exceptional merit, and the hole was halved in five: Colbeck one up. Both players got good) drives to the third hole, and while Burns's second brought him well up to the green, Colbeck's eflprts were rewarded with a bad lie in the ditch. Colbeck cleared nicely, and was dead in four. Burns drew up close to the pin with his third, and holed in four: All square. Both players were now treating tho spectators to a fine exhibition of golf, and the next three holes were halved. Playing the seventh Burns reached the green in two, but Colbeck's second lay near some gorse, and from a difficult position he played a poor third, and found tho green ' with his next. The hole was won by Burn.* by five to six: Burns one up. Colbeck had the better of two long drives to the eighth, but both players were within a short putt of the hole in four. Burns missed his putt, and Colbeck went down, making " honours easy." The ninth was halved in five. Colbeck's drive to the 10th only just cleared the gully, and his ball lodged on a rough surface. Burns, however, replied with a fine ball on to the green. Colbeck's second was a poor shot, and it cost him thred to reach the green, Bums going down in three: Burns one up. Both players kept together going to the llLh green, and were within a short putt, of the hole in three. Burns missed an easy putt, but Colbeck made sure of his, and won the hole by four to five All square. Two good drives, followed by two brilliant brassy shots, brought Burns and Colbeck up to the 12th green together. Burns approached a little too hard, while Colbeck put a straight ball up near the pin. Burns was dead in four, but Colbeck lost his opportunity by a bad putt for four, and the hole was haired in five: All square. Both were well up in two at the 13th. A brilliant putt by Burns gave , him the hole by three to four: Burns one up. Colbeck showed Burns the way to the 14th hole with every shot, and eventually won the hole by four to five: All square and four to play. Going to the 15th both players were over the fence in two. Burns placed his ball close to the pin with his third, and Colbeck joined him. Both were a little over a foot away from the hole, and while Colbeck went down in four, Burns failed to repeat the shot, and took five: Colbeck one up and three to play. Colbeck pulled his drive to the. 16th, while Burns was short. Colbeck played a pretty second on to the green, and Burns also reached the enclosure in two. Colbeck just failed to hole his putt, and Burns went down with a fine stroke, winning tho hole by three to four: All square and two to play. Playing to the 17th Burns pulled his drive, but Colbeck's ball went straight, although its career terminated in a bad lie. Both players reached the green in three, .and while Burns's putt was too hard, Colbeck's was short. Colbeck was too lenient with his fifth, the ball going only a few inches. Burns holed his fifth, and so won tho hole, making the position: Burns dormy one. Burns drove a short ball to the 18tli, while Colbeck was well up the field. Colbeck reached the green in four, and Burns was close to the pin in five. Colbeck missed an easy putt for five, taking six. Burns went down in his next, halving tho hole, and winning the match ' by 1 up. Mr. H. Clark, captain of the club, , acted as umpire.

MACXGAKIBKIE , CLUB. A men's bogey handicap over an 18-hole course was played on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Dr. Dudley, who returned a score of four up on bogey. The winner's gross medal round •was 86. The following is a list of the best cards returned Dr. Dudley, 4 up: C. F. Gardner, 1 up; Ridirig3, 1 lip; Carr, all square; Cooke, 3 down ; R. Gardner, 4 down ; Johnston, 7 down. The winter season at Maungakiekie will conclude next Saturday, when men's driving, approaching and putting competitions will be held. Post entries will bo taken by the secretary, and competitors must be ready to start at two p.m.

CAMBRIDGE BEAT HAMILTON. [FHOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Sunday. A return inter-club match was played on the Cambridge links on Saturday, the home team winning by a margin of one match. The results are a* under, Hamilton players being mentioned first:—Bond beat Wells, Uavanagh lost to N. Banks, Seifert lost to Russell, Worsley lost to Bryce, Hume lost to N. Banks, Winter beat Niccol, Shepherd and Wilkinson halved, Shand and Mcßride halved, Swarbrick beat Middleton. DOMINION LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP. WON BY MISS BRANDON. MISS GOULD BEATEN ON THE LAST GREEN. [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. J Wellington, Sunday.

The New Zealand ladies' golf championship meeting was brought to a close yesterday at the Ilercstaunga links, which were in perfect order. A very large number of spectators made the journey from town, the special train l>eing crowded. The weather was again beautifully fine, and everything was in favour of good play. The finish of the championship between Miss Gould (Otago) and Miss L. Brandon (Wellington) attracted an army of spectators, among those who tramped round the links being Lord Islington and General Godley. The match gave rise to a very keen battle, which continued to tho last hole. Neither player was quite at her best, nevertheless very few mistakes were made. The first hole was halved in five, Miss Brrndon taking the next in five to seven. The "third was halved in four, Miss Brandon taking the next by four to five, and the fifth in a perfect three to four, this making her three up. The Otago lady now showed improved form, taking the sixth in six to seven, the seventh in - a like score, tho eighth, the longest hole on the links, also in six to seven. This made them all square, while Miss Gould showed pretty play at the ninth, and holed in four to five, and was now one —a great recovery. The local player, thanks to a good put, holed the 10th in four to five— square. Miss Brandon won the 11th in six to seven, the next being halved in five. The 13th fell to Miss Gould, this again making the game all square. The interest was now very keen. The local player won the next in a perfect three to four, by tho aid of a 3yds putt, but at the 15tn Miss Brandon, failing to carry the high bank with her tee shot, lost in four to —all square. At the 16th, thanks to a dead stymie, Miss Gould' failed, while the 17th was ■ halved in an excellent five, Miss Brandon being dormy. At the 18th the Otago lady extinguished "her chance by badly topping her drive and second. She made a great recovery with a magnificent cleek shot to the green. Miss Brandon, however, playing in correct style, holed in five, and the hole being halved, she won by 1 up, amid enthusiastic cheers for both players. Subsequently the prize was presented by Lord Islington, "who congratulated Miss Brandon on winning tho coveted honour, and coddoled with the loser. He - said the links were in fine order, the management had been admirable, while a fine sporting spirit had been shown by all the competitors, who, he was sure, would remember the 17th annual tournament with very great pleasure. Afterwards the Wellington Ladies' Golf Club entertained the visitors to afternoon tea. • During the. morning a consolation handicap was played, Miss Brewster winning in the under 16 handicap class, while Mrs. O'Meara and Mrs. Bornett-Stahart tied in the over 16 handicap division.

AN EXCITING CONTEST. TO THE LAST PUTT. [BY TELEGIIAPH.—OWIT CORRESPOSDEST.] Wellington, Sunday. The final match of the ladies' championship, played yesterday afternoon, was an exciting contest, tlio interest being sustained until the last green was reached, and the last putt was made.The contestants were Mies Luc; Brandon (Wei-.

lington) and Miss Gould (Otago). A largo crowd of spectators, among whom was His Excellency the Governor, followed the match with the keenest interest. Miss Brandon commenced her round well, and playing sterling golf was three up at the endl of the fifth hole, with on average of fours. She then appeared to get nervous, and fell away somewhat in her play, and by the 111,10 the eighth hole had been decided the match was all square. Miss Gould also won at the ninth, and for the first time in the round was one uj>. Tho game see-sawed for the next few holes from all square to one up in Miss Brandon s favour. The 15th saw the game even, but at the 16th Miss Brandon stymied her opponent Miss Gould endeavoured with her mashie to litt over Miss Brandon's ball into the hole, out played tho shot badly, and lost the hole. I his was decidedly hard luck, for under ordinary circumstances 'the hole would have been halved. Miss Brandon one up and two to 1 !'- A , the 17th Miss Brandon was playing the odd all through, but she managed to halve the hole, and was dormy one. At the last tee . t ls , a Gould topped her drive, and played an indifferent brassy as well, but recovered magnificently, and was on the far edge of the green in three. Her approach putt landed her dead at the hole. Miss Brandon got in two good shots, and approached short of the green, but got her fourth near enough to give her a chance for a half. She put the ball down with a brilliant long putt, thus gaining the half required, and winning the match by 1 up. Miss Brandon's win was popular. The large crowd were entertained at tea by the ladies of tho Wellington Golf Club, and the prizes were presented by His Excellency the Governor. Thus ended the most successful ladies golf tournament ever held in New Zealand.