GOLF.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13921, 27 March 1909, Page 9

GOLF.

(By "All Square. 55 )

The official opening oFthe Ngamotu Club took place this afternoon. The Easter tournament is approach* ing and the committee is not sparing its efforts to ensure, the links being in perfect order by that time. Most of the fern and superfluous grass have been cut, the now teeing grounds have been opened, the greens improved, the club-house painted, the links generally being in very good order. At the time of writing there are 10 ladies and six men for election to Ngamotu this, season. This will bring the number of playing members up to 118, and with some sixty or seventy playing in tho new cuib, golf should be a very popular sport in Now Plymouth this season. Golf is also in a flourishing state in Auckland. At the animal meeting it was reported that tho club had a membership of 217, made up of 122 playing members, 44 non-playing members, 20 country members, 20 lady members, and 31 boy members.

It is stntcd that there is every prospect cf the Cornwall Park (Auckland) link 3 being in" excellent condition for the Now Zealand championship mooting, with little expenditure beyond what would be required for ordinary upkeep. Tho annual mooting of tho ladies of tho Ngaraotu Club will Ik? held in the Club-house on Tuesday next at 5 p.m. The Hawera Club anticipates being represented by a strong team at the Taranaki Easter tournament. The other Taranaki Clubs will all endeavour to be represented. It is said that tho re will be eight players coming from Wanganui. Tho telephone has been put in at the Ngamotu Club-house — an innovation which will be thoroughly appreciated. Connection with the town water supply would be another beneficial step. Austin Bewley, an old Now Plymouth boy, who has been residing in Mastorton for several years, intends to return to New Plymouth to practice his profession. Bewley is a good golfer and will bo welcomed bark to Ngamotu. In accordance with a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the Ladies' Golf Union (Now Zealand branch), the pars of alM.he older clubs wore submitted to Miss Pearson, secretary of tho English Union, for revision. The n mended pars have just boon received. Miss Pearson has adjusted them on the most liberal terms as pars go in England, and recommends that our clubs should take in addition two strokes extra as an allowance for the comparatico roughness of our Now Zealand courses. With 4ho two strokes added, the new pars are as follows : — Auckland 82. Christchurch 80, Djiihiovirke 85. Hokitika 80, Invwar'jcill 80. Napior 82, Manawatu 82, Masterton 80, North Otago 78, Otago 82. St. dnir P2, Timaru 80, Wanganui 85. Wellington 80. Poverty Bay is allotted 82 if th« turf is nt the seaside on sandy soil, if inland 88.

As a means of perpetuating the memory of tho "Grand Old Man" of golf. Tom Morris. Mr. IVtor D.iwson. of Glasgow, has given a trophy, valued at 1000 dol., to tho Western f.'olf Association of America for competition amongst tennis representing all the Hubs of the association. The trophy i^ in the form of a statue of "Old Tom."

King Alfonso, of Spain, has conferred on C luirlos Jacobs, the professional of the Royal Isle if Wight (Jolf Club, the decoration of the bronze medal of Isabella the Cathoiic, as a distinction in recognition ol his having given lessons in the royal :uid ancient game to both his Majot.v and (^uoen Victoria Eugenic, and having made clubs ior them. This »••» I.eliowd to bo the first distinction oi the kind awarded to a golfer.