GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 281, 19 April 1913, Page 7

GOLF.

j GOAT GOLF. _ 1 This is a term which has been applied in America to a form of competition which has risen to heights of considerable popularity in the United btates. | 'Tho name, it must be admitted, js ridiculous., and calculated to bring Ui.> ,royal and ancient game into contempt, anion" those at any rate who do not understand it. But the name is the only vfoolish thing about the new idea, which, jthou f 'h it mav, not commend itselt to all «olfora. has still a great many good features, and lias already been adopted by at least one Melbourne club. The modus operandi is for every member of the club who so desires to purchase from the committee a. small .silver badge, in America termed a "goat." which costs About half a guinea, and 'bears the initials of the purchaser and those of the Vlub,.■ Each member owning one of these judges is entitled to challenge any other possessor of a badge, to play for it on j-lub handicaps, and the challenged lrieniJber is compelled to play within a- month. The winner takes tho other's badge,, and may by playing other 1 matches, secure any number of such trophies. Once having lost his badge, a niemb'er may attempt to resiain it bv making a wager ,of a ball or two. as the commiU.ee may (decide, and playing for them against the ftwiier of the badge. A player with more :than. one badge in his possession, may, 011 being defeated, band over someone else's badge to the victor, if he is so desires. At the cud of the year, or fixed term, the member who has, most badges is in America termed the goatherd, and ircceivos .1 prize. The club receive a fee of Is., or thereabouts, every time a ''match is played for one of the .badges, I and is thus able to provide the subse•queiit prize without loss. There was a large muster at Ihe Taraltua Club's links on Pitur.day last, and a good one 011 Thursday. Saturday is ths more popular day. The membership'will not be less'than it was last season. The linns arc steadily limproved. ' The Witiora Club will'be arranging its competitions and matches in the course of the next week 'or so. ~ I.he. links are being maintained in excellent •condition.

irCoimiek, the coach, left for Pa tea oil Wednesday. TTe'will afterwards visit ether T-miiaki clubs and return to "\uw Nvmoutli in June. An effort is beingmade to hold fuiure coaching itssons in the Keeveatvou X'rrounds. wliieh was used last week, and 011 Monday and Tuesday, and than which there is not a more suitable ground for the mirpose. The local clubs could with convenience to plavers combine to have the lessons given there in future

The New Plymouth Golf Club will commence its season this afternoon with a mixed foursomes bogey match, for .which 48 players have entered. The ladies will always drive their own tees in the mixed .foursomes, they having separate tees excent at the second, ninth and seventeenth holes. Those members who have not lilayed oyer the links during the last few days will find a great improvement in the course. When the ground is sufficiently soft, part of the course will be still further improved by a good rolling. A handsome clock has been presented to tile Club bv the president, and will be great.lv appreciated by members.

Members are reminded that a 'bus will leave the Fitzrov 'bus stand at 1.30 p.m. sharp, returning at 5.30 p.m. Those able to get, out earlv are requested to make an effort to do so. On June 3 the New Plymouth Club will play the Hawera, Club, at. Hawera, and it is hoped that a strong team will be able to go this veal - .

It is interesting to note that the Xew Plymouth Club were never beaten on their old links, not even bv the Wanganui Club when they paid Xew Plymouth a visit.