KIRKWOOD’S RETURN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11045, 31 October 1921, Page 8

KIRKWOOD’S RETURN

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. CHAMPION GOLFER'S IMPRESSIONS OF HIS TOUR. The Australian srolf champion, J. H Kirkwood, who. with his partner, J. V, East, has worthily upheld the prestige of Australian prowess in the royal and ancient game in the course of a playing trip through America, Great Sritain, and. France, was among the passengers who disembarked from the R.M.S'. Makura at Auckland, on ’his way back to Sydney. Messrs Kirkwood and East will play at five links in New Zealand, prior to leaving Wellington, for 6ydney. Wed* nesdar will see them at Hawera, and the following Saturday the Australian and New Zealand champions. Kirkwood and Douglas will meet on the Miramar links in Wellington. The visitors will make their final appearance at Heretaunga on Sunday. In tho course of a chat Messrs Kirkwood and Hast remarked that they had been received with wonderful hospitality in Britain, France, United States, and Canada. 'They had not been able to see many of the famous links in Great Britain, but of those they did make acquaintance with they considered Glen FSagles the best. Good as that course was, however, they had found that generally the American links were in advance of those in Great Britaixn So far a a the standard of play was concerned they bad found that in th© United States it was as 'lush, if not a little higher, than in Britain. They ivorc looking forward, they said, with creat interest to again playing on New Zealand links, and to renewing the

acquaintanceships they had _ farmed among the golfers of the Dominion. Mi Kirkwood hoped that as a result cf bis trip he would be able to give e display that was a distinct improvement on the game be bad played on bis previous visit. He desired to extend his congratulations to B. S. Douglas, of Miramar, on kia win in the New Zealand open championship. He has a very high opinion of Douglas* game, and would have liked to hove seen him compete in the Australian championships. GAMES AT AUCKLAND. A Frees Association telegram. fronS Auckland states that in a game on Satin'day between Kirkwood and Beat and Blair and Watts, on the Titirungi links, the players finished all square. JCirkvrood was not playing,at his beet.. Blair played the best game of four, his eoore pj 75 being 2 strokes better than Kirkwood. In the afternoon Kirkwood played tne best ball of K M. Gefrtge and F. G. Hood, ginning with four up and three id play. It was excellent golf, though Kirk* wood was patchy.