GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1926, Page 4

GOLF.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. STRUGGLE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP, WILSON BEATS GREY IN SENIORS. Before perhaps the largest gathering that has ever witnessed a club championship match, J. B. Wilson defeated P. Grey by I n p at the 38th hole after a grim, intensely interesting struggle? at the links at Wahvakaiho on Saturday. >i an atari, Wilson settieo down io a beautiful game. Without doubt it was his day. Things went well for him ami, seeming to realise this, he played coolly, confidently and well. Grey on he other hand, was up against it, Ins short approach and his putt, usually Ins best shots, refused to work, and yet, faced by his opponent’s almost flawless exhibition, he fought grimly and determinedly only to lose through a stroke of ill-luck. But for a carelessly removed pin his putt for a file on the 36th green would have gone down and given him the match and the championship. But such is golf, and Wilson is to be congratulated on his fine display and his annexing the championship at his early age, and with only about seven seasons of golf behind him. Wilson was nervous at the start and Grey won the first three holes. Wilson then settled down io his game and Grey had very bad luck. His drive at the fourth was a beauty right over the far ridge, but his lie was very bad and, playing with a mashie, he pulled into another almost- unplayable lie in the rough on the left. Wilson, playing a neat five, reduced the lead. Grey was again unlucky at the fifth, his drive finding a deep depression on the right, Wilson reducing the lead to one, ami then squared the match with a beautiful four at the sixth. The 7th, Bth and 9th were halved. Wilson took the lead at the tenth after holing a long putt for a two, and after halving the 11th won the 12th with a nice three. The I.3th was halved in four, but Grey reduced the lead to one with a nice three at the Redoubt, and after the loth had been halved squared the match by winning the 16th. Weak putting cost Grey the 17th, but a five at the 18th squared the match again. On resuming after lunch Grey hit his drive out of bounds, and Wilson became 1 up again. Grey, however, holed a long putt for a three on the second and the game was square again. Weak approaching by Grey allowed Wilson to win the third. The fourth and fifth were halved in bogie figures, but a magnificent iron second to the green against the wind enabled Grey to win the 6t'i with a four. Wilson won the 7th, and a three at the Bth with a five after Grey had been stymied. The 9th was squared and Wilson was then 3 up with 9 to play. Grey’s putt stymied Wilson at the 10th and Grey reduced the lead by one. The 11th and 12th were squared, but a 10ft. putt gave Wilson the 13th. Grey, now in the bad position of two down and five to play, topped his tea shot at the 14th, but by dint of a fine mashie shot and a good putt, halved the hole. Wilson's third at the loth was caught in the bunker on the left, but he chipped out nicely, only to miss his putt, Grey winning with a live. Wilson's tee shot at the Dell finished up in the bunker on the right, and Grey squared the match with a bogie three. Grey then won the 17th with a four, and when Wilson’s drive went out of bounds looked sure to win. He was on the green about 15ft. from the pin with his fourth, while Wilson was some 14ft. past the flag. Grey’s putt ran round the hole and went three feet past, and his return balanced on the edge, almost stymieing Wilson, who sank the putt and squared the match. The excitement was intense as the players went to the first tee for the third time. Wilson’s drive was a beauty right down the centre of the fairway, and Grey's finished up right against the fence. Wilson was short with his approach, while Grey, with a splendid shot, was nicely on the green. Wilson overran the hole with his third and Grey was left with two putts for a win, but again failed, and the hole was halved. Both hit good balls at the 38th, Grey being almost level with the stones. Wilson was on the green with his second and Grey, duffing two shots. Wilson won the bole, the match and the championship with a four. Mr, C. H. Stephenson acted as umpire. The following are the scores: WILSON.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The junior championship was also productive of a great struggle. Johnson was 3 up at the turn, but then nerhassett won nine holes in succession and started the second round with n lead of six. Johnson however payed splendidly in the Tpe37th match was square at the 3t.th The 37th and 38th were halved, but Johnson won the 39th- T]ie however, in subject to a decision regarding a point ut fact by Ibe committee. MANAWATU TOURNEY. EKSTEDT WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. Bj Telegraph.—l’ri«» Aaaneiatlon. Palmerston N., Sept. 11. A. E. Ekstedt won the open championship at the Manawatu golf tournament, defeating J. C. Bidwill by 3 up and 2. The liest game of the day was in the semi-finals between Bidwill and Leo Qninn, which went to the 2ist alter Bidwijl being dormy 3. Bidwill did Ute first nine boles in 34 and finished the round in 75, Quinn taking 7t>.

(Morning.) 5, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 5—44 2, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, G-37 ——- 81 (Afternoon.) 4. 4. 3. 5, 4. fl, 3, 5, 5—38 4, 5, 3, 4, 3, fl, 4, fl, fl—40 — 78 5, 4. GREY. (Morning.) 4, 5, 4, fl, 7, 5, 4, 5, 5—45 4, 4, 5, 4, 3, fl, 3, fl, fl 39 ——■ 84 (Afternoon.) 5. 3, 4, 5, 4, 4, 4, fl. ft——40 3, 5, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3, 4, 7—38 78 5, 5.