GOLF.

New Zealand Mail, 25 June 1902, Page 42

GOLF.

A mixed foursome was played by members of the Wellington Club at Miramar on Saturday and resulted in a win for A. Duncan and Miss Harcourt, who with a handicap of two came out all square. The best cards handed in were as follow : —Arthur Dunean and Miss Harcourt, handicap 2, all square: F. Dalziell and Mrs Collins, handicap 2, one down; P. H. Latham aud Mrs Bell, handicap 7, three down; E. Jackson and Mrs H. Johnston, handicap 11, three down; H. P. Butler and Miss Johnston, 4 down. A match between representatives of the Wellington and Masterton Clubs is being arranged;, and will probably take place at Masterton on Saturday week. A match Wairarapa v. Wellington will follow later in the season. At the second tournament of the Professional Golfers’ Association, held on the links of the Mid-Surrey Club at Richmond, J. H. Taylor was at the top of his game. His winning score of 147 included a round-of 71, being only one stroke above the record of the green, which stands to the credit of Harry Vardan. The champion was second, and that promising player, Janies Kiunell, was placed third, nine strokes behind the winner.

Golfers should not fail to read Tom Dunn’s “Reminiscences,” of which the first instalment appeared in the last number of “Golf Illustrated.” They are most interesting. Anent the somewhat vexed question of the introduction of gutta-percha golf balls* Dunn tells us that in 1847 or 1848 the late Sir Thomas Monerieffo brought from London a piece of gutta-percha and asked Tom Dunn’s father, Willie Dunn —a famous character in the annals of the game—to make it into a golf ball. The result was unsatisfactory. The ball would not fly. It came into the hands of the caddies, who found that the more it was played with and cut about the better it travelled, and in this manner was evolved the modern “guttio, ’ which still holds the field against all rivals. Tom Dunn recalls an international professional match, England again Scotland, in which he and Bob Kirk, representing the South, were defeated by old Tom and young Tom Morris.

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP. Mr Hutchings is the amateur golf champion for the year, and it is no slur on his splendid play to say that few expected such a result when the play began. But thero wore so 'many surprises on the first day of the tournament that thereafter anything became possible. Unfortunately, Mr John Ball jun., was drawn to play with Mr Robt! Maxwell in the first round, and as both

aro excellent golfers, it was unfortunate that one of them should riot seen again oven in the second round! ■ Mr Maxwell was the conqueror, and one of the best amateur golfers in tlm world was struck out on the first dav ■ from the list of players. Scotland 7 which started in great strength, was ‘ . slowly thinned away, many notable English, golfers falling at the same tnno m the friendly conflict. Even M r Hilton, who has played a strong and winning game so often, was vanquished in the semi-finals. Mr Maxwell also was overcome by Mr Fry, and in the final round the contest for the championship lay botween Mr Fry and Mr Hutchings. Most golfers, we imagine vvere prepared to back Mr Fry. for he had already met the finest of his onponents, bar one, and vanquished them Besides, Mr Hutchings is not a young player, and it was quite natural to suppose that he might fail in the final round. But here came in the glorious uncertainty of golf. Mr Hutchings was m splendid form, and though Mr Frv piayed a steady and stalwart game, in which apparently lie had not too much “AW round of the final tie left Mr Hutchings eight up with eigh- •aS teen to play. • The weather was un- : 3-i favourable for golf, but it affected both players equally; and when the last round was started it seemed as if Mr Hutchings would have a walk-over, for with eight holes in his pocket his task appeared an easy one. But there is nothing so demoralising in golf as to have an advantage to begin with over a strenuous opponent; and in the end Mr Hutchings won.by one hole. Mr firy undoubtedly made a fine effort to recover the ground he had lost, but the play of his opponent in the first round had given him just sufficient advantage to enable him to come in the winner. One can but regret that so interesting a game was played in such disconcerting conditions. Rain and golf go very badly together; but the result was, as we must always say on such occasions, that the best man won. We congratulate Mr Hutchings on a notable victory, and Mr Fry may con-' sole mmself with the reflection that he may. have better luck next time. In Scotland theie must surely he lamentation that s or many of her best players were effectively disposed of before the final round. But after all. that is golf, and there is no more to be said. “Morning Post.”