GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 12

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

LADIES' PROVINCIAL TITLE. IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARD. FINALISTS TO MEET TO-DAY: Fine weather favoured tho continuation of- tho Auckland ladies' provincial championship golf tournament at Middlemore yesterday, when the ti f<t and second rounds of the championship a*id the Middlemore Cup competition were decided. The course was in perfect condition, while a slight breeze failed to trouble tho players to any serious extent. The general standard of play showed great improvement, the contestants playing really good golf in many cases, while some" very interesting and keenly-fought matches wore witnessed. The first round of the championship played in tho mornjng was responsible for few surprises, although the defeat of Mrs. A. H. O'Leary (Titirangi) by Miss 11. Johns ,(Pukekohe) was unexpected. Mrs. T. W. Hosking (Titirangi), in defeating Mrs. G. F. Ferguson (Auckland) by 8 and 7, returned the fine score of 79. Mrs. R. Deighton (Titirangi) had a good win at the expense of Miss K. llorton (Titirangi), by going round in 80. The second round of the championship was played in the afternoon, the fine standard of golf set in the morning being maintained. Mrs. T. W. Hosking (Titirangi) defeated Miss F. Rathbone, tho Auckland Club's champion, by 5 and 4. The players were all square at the sth and Miss Rathbone then lost the next four holes. The 10th was halved in fours, Miss Rathbone winning tho 11th only to suffer defeat in the 12th and 13th. Tho 14th was halved in fours, leaving Mrs. Hosking the winner. Poor putting characterised the contest between Miss E. Culling (Auckland) and Miss E. M. Upton (Auckland), in which the former gained a victory by 5 and 3. Miss Upton was slow to settle down and tho first three holes went to her opponent. Miss Upton triumphed in tho next, but the succeeding three holes were halved. A win for Miss Lpton at tho 9th was followed by Miss Culling taking the next three holes. 'I he 13th was halved in threes, Miss Upton winning tho 14th in 4 to 5, and Miss Culling secured the next with a five, the match ending at this juncture.

Good Goll. Mrs. R. L. Wilson played good coif to secure a win over Mrs. J. M. Wilson (Auckland) by a margin of 4 and 3. Tho first hole went to Mrs. R. L. Wilson in 4 to 5, and when her opponent evened at the second Mrs. R. L. Wilson followed with a win at the next hole. The succeeding six holes were halved, both completing the nine holes in 44. A win at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th gave Mrs. R. L. Wilson a substantial lead and when the 35th was halved the match ended in her favour. Miss R. Johns (Pukekohe) again displayed good form to get the better of Mrs. R. Deighton (Titirangi) by 4 and 2. The defeat of Mrs. Deighton came as a surprise, for her handicap reads 6 as against her opponent's 13- Commencing with Miss Johns the players won alternately to the 4th hole and the stn was halved in fives. Mrs. Deighton took the lead at tho 6th in 4 to 5, but Miss Johns retaliated strongly by taking tho next three holes in bogey. The 10th was halved and Miss Johns further increased her lead at tho next two holes with wins in 4 to 5 and 5 to 6, respectively. Tho 13th was halved in fours and "Miss .lolins won the 14th, but fell away at the 15th. The 16th was halved in fives and Miss Johns had victory by 4 and 2. Following were the results of yesterdav's play in the championship:— First' Round.—Mrs. T. W. Hosking (Titirangi) beat Mrs. G. F. Ferguson (Auckland), 8 and 7. Miss F. Ratlibono (Auckland) beat Miss M. Gold water (Titirangi), 4 and 3. Miss E. Culling (Auckland) beat Mrs. H. R. Hughes (Auckland), 5 and 4. Miss E. M. Upton (Auckland) beat Mrs. C. M. Croft (Auckland), 5 and 4. Mrs. J. M. Wilson (Auckland) beat Mrs. Robertson (Auckland), 3 and 1. Mrs. R. L. Wilson (Titirangi) beat Miss M. Guy (Manawatu), 2 up. Miss R. Johns (Pukekohe) beat Mrs. A. H. O'Learv (Titirangi), 1 up. Mrs. R. Deighton (Titirangi) beat Miss K. Horton (Titirangi), 7 and 6. Second Round.—Mrs. Hosking beat Miss Rathbone, 5 and 4. Miss Culling beat Miss Upton, 5 and 3. Mrs. R. L. Wilson beat Mrs. J. M. Wilson, 4 and 3. Miss Johns beat Mrs. Deighton, 4 and 2. Middlemore Cup Contestants. Flay in the first and second rounds of tho Middlemore Cup competition also produced fome fine contests. Following were tho results of yesterday's matches:— First Round.—Miss L. Roberton (Auckland) beat Mrs. R. G. Rainger (Auckland), 4 and 3; Mrs. G. R. Buttle (Auckland) beat Mrs. K. Rutherford (Auckland), 4 and 3; Mrs. 1. B. Stewart (Titirangi) beat Miss M. Cooper (Auckland), 1 up; Mrs. G. McMillan (Titirangi) beat Mrs. H. Johnston (Maungakiekie), 3 and 2: Mrs. A. R. Abbott (Auckland) beat Miss Marion Macfarlane (Auckland), 6 and 4: Miss C. Moginie (Auckland) beat Miss G. Buddie (Auckland), 4 and 3; Miss E. Mahonev (Auckland) beat Mi v s N. Ballantyne (Auckland), 5 and 4; Miss E. Wilson (Auckland) beat Mrs. J. C. Finlay (Titiranci), 4 and 3. Second Round.—Mrs. Buttle bent Miss Robertson, at the 19th; Mrs. McMillan beat Mrs. Stewart, 4 and 2; Mrs. Abbott beat Miss Moginie, 4 and 3; Miss E. Wilson beat Miss E. Mahoney, 4 and 2. Results of Bogey Match. A bogey match was played in conjunction with the morning rounds. In the senior division a tie resulted between Mrs. R Deighton and Mrs. G. McMillan, who each returned cards of 1 down. Mrs. McMillan proved the winner when the last nine holes were taken into consideration. Other good cards were: —Mrs. T. W. Hosking, 2 down ; Miss ,E. Culling, Miss M. Guy, Miss R. Johns, Mrs. C. J. Green. 3 down. The junior division bogey match also resulted in a tie between Mrs. R. P. Towle and Mrs. Ralph, who each returned cards of 2 down. Mrs. Towle secured the decision on the last nine holes. Other good cards were:—Miss L. Roberton, Mrs. R. D. Wright, Mrs. E. B. Brown, Miss B. Hill, Miss E. Mahoney, 4 down. Miss E. Wilson was the winner of the previous day's putting competition. FINALS TO-DAY. The semi-finals and finals of the championship and Middlemore Cup competition will be played to-day. The semi-finals of the championship will coinmenco at 9.30 o'clock, and the final at 1.30 o'clock. The semi-finalists in the Middlemore Cup competition will commence in the morning immediately following tho championship contestants, and the final will be played at one o'clock. Following is the draw for to-day's semi-final play:— PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Mrs. T. W. Hosking v. Miss E. Culling. Mrs! R. L. Wilson v. Miss R. Johns. MIDDLEMORE CUP. Mrs. G. R. Buttle v. Mrs. G. McMillan. Mrs. A. R. Abbott v. Miss E. Wilson. The medal foursomes competition will commence at 10 o'clock in order of tho draw.