LINKS AT LAKE HAWEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 29

LINKS AT LAKE HAWEA.

NEW COURSE LAID DOWN. A long-felt need at Lake Hawea has at last been filled by the laying down of golf links in the vicinity of Lake House. Those golfers who know the lake and the perfect facilities for an enjoyable holiday in that district, will be pleased to hear that the frequent suggestions made by visitors from all parts of the Dominion have borne fruit. Though the course is as yet only about 2500 yards in length, with only nine holes, it is an excellent start, and it should not be long before a complete 18-hole course in the very best of condition is available for visitors to this popular tourist resort. To walk round the links, even without clubs, is a treat in itself, as the panorama of beauty and rugged grandeur that unfolds itself from the many vantage points on the course is incomparable. The first tee overlooks the wide stretch of flat country round Hawea. The first green lies beneath the big gum tree at the entrance to the Lake House grounds, and the second and third tees command beautiful long flat fairways which end with the third green which snuggles cosily in a natural pocket of the hills. From here an iron shot lands one (perhaps!) into a natural basin on top of the lowlying hills that rise gently from the lake-* side, where the green offers few difficulties. From there the player moves to a teeing ground under the tri" station, which commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country. There is no better point in all the district for the visitor to take stock of the countryside. In the first place there is an unrivalled view of the lake, and on every hand one or other of the landmarks for which the Lake county is famous. Mount Maud, the Cardrona, the Grown Range, and Mount Pisa rise majestically above the fertile flats which stretch for miles towards Luggatc and Tarras. The sixth tee and green are, perhaps, the most delightful of the lot. An easy iron shot and a little good fortune nut the player in a vwy handy position from which he moves easily on to the green. From the next tee practically the entire stretch of the lake can be seen, and from here the course drops away gently through an easy fairway to the seventh green which lies in a natural basin. Driving from a promontory to the eighth there is a yawning chasm to be crossed before the player composes himself for a good uphill drive to complete the hole. After holing out there, a good 90 minutes’ sport comes to an end with a straight blind shot of 180 yards towards the final green, which lies just behind Lake House. The course is now in readiness, and tees and green are in exceptionally good order. All the greens, which allow for at least a 10-foot putt, have a brown top and chewings fescue turf that provides an excellent surface. Green sizes as well as the extent of the course will bo increased from time to time, and there is no reason why Hawea should npt be able to offer touring golfers the very best in the way of up-to-date links. OTAGO CLUB. A mixed foursome competition was played on Balmacewen links on Saturday afternoon. Ideal weather conditions prevailed, and the course was in splendid

order. The winners proved to be C. T. Irvine and Mrs Rattray, with an excellent score of 4 up. Forty-two couples competed, and the best scores were:—C T. Irvine and Mrs Rattray, 9, 4 up; O. H. Burns and Mrs Gamble, 11, 2 up; H. D. „ an( f Mrs Callender, 9, all square; R- W- Dick and Mrs Barron, 9 all square; H. L. Cook and Miss Steele, 13, all square; I'. I. Dawson and Miss Finch, 13. all square; G. Gibson and Mrs Scott, 17, all square; J. Spence and Mrs Gibson. 9, 1 down; Mr and Mrs J. R. Lemon, 9, 1 down; J. S. Munro and Miss W. Johnstone, 9, 1 down.