GOLF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19497, 4 June 1925, Page 4

GOLF.

By Divot. 'Tho amateur championship contest at Westward Ho! la.-t week must have neon lull of sensations. The early downfall of tho most noted players—or, at any rate, ol tho players ”'iio have been most prominently under notice —gave to the, competition an interest of a special character that must have been sustained. For, with Sir E. W. Holderness (the holdori and Roger IVcthered beaten in the first round, and Cyril Tolley defeated in tlio second round, the event assumed an openness that has rot been attached to it for some years. It was rather curious that tho cable message which mentioned the defeat of Cyril Tolley by Bob Cruickshank in the amateur championship, referred to tho latter a.s “Quito an unknown golfer in England. \s a matter of fact, the golfing contributor >f the Observer was bold enough, not many fecks ago, to include Cruiokshank in a list Tich he compiled of those whom he contiered to lie the 12 best amateur players u the world. Ho know that the inclusion f Cruickshink’s name would bo challenged, ut, ho justified it. by his knowledge of Tuic-kshank’s play prior to his departure T-om Great Britain for South America and by tho reputation acquired by Cruickshank r n South America, of which country ho is he champion. The following have been the winners o, the Amateur Championship since tho _ resumption of the event after tho tel ruination of tho Great liar: 1.920—C. J? H. Tolley. IS2I—IV. I Hunter. 1922 — Sir Ernest Holderness. 1923 R. Wethercd. ’924 —Sir Ernest Holderness. 1925—R. Harris. “Baffov,” in tho Evening Post, has been okitig up some ot tho particulars in the ■oiling career of tho now amateur champion Tho long wait on the doorstop he writ os. has ah last ended for Robert Harris. Ho has knocked at tho door for 12 long lye-ags; the handle was actually turned once or twice, but the door has remained closed until this year Harris made his lust appearance onarly in the century, and in 1907 reached tho aoiui-finals in one ol tho years that John Ball won the event. In 1610 in the sixth round Harris took Ball to the nineteenth green, and Ball went on to win in the filial. In 1913 Harris entered tho final, to bo beaten 6 and 5 by H. H Hilton. Ten years later saw Hams again in tho final. In tho semi-final, R. IVethered beat, Ouiniet (U.S.A.), and Harris beat D. Grant. In the final Harris went down, 7 and 6. In 1924 Harris went through to tho sixth round again, when Holderness beat him, 2 and 1, and went on to win lire title. 'This year tho champions went out in the early rounds, and Harris went on to secure from all-comers tho highest honour available solely to amateur golfers. Harris represented Scotland aimiiist England in 1305, 1903, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1922, 1923, and 1924, and amateurs against professionals in 1911. He captained tho British team against, America at Long Island in 1922. ami at ft. Andrews in 1923. Ho has a couple of holes-in-ono lo his credit. Harris is now 43 years of '"llrs Holm wood, one of Hie leading Hull lady p!avers, did “the Citadel” fourth, a 105-yard hole, in one, last Saturday, and paid the. penalty like ft good golfer. Professional and Amateur Golf Championships of England, America, Canada, and Belgium were all won last, year with tho “Spalding Red” Golf Ball. —Advl.