GOLF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16423, 11 May 1921, Page 3

GOLF.

AT HOME AND ABROAD. j (By “THE CADDIE.”) A trim lifctlo iig,Tirc in grey costume, with a thoughtful smile and a wealth of girlish wondering as to how great her rivals here might prove to he*—this was Miss Alexa Williamson Stirling, of Atlanta, Georgia, the woman golf champion of the United States, who reached Liverpool yesterday (writes li. Under so y Howard in an English paper of March 10). Miss Stirling has come to compete in the British women's championship, which begins at Turnberry, Ayrshire, on May 30. She lian three consecutive victories in the United States championship to her credit—the only player with such a, record. Those who have watched hor on the links say that she r.as nothing short of a genius for playing the correct shot every time—except when kli© suddenly produces the brilliant shot that startles an opponent. Tho question that has been discussed more often than any other is as to how she compares with Miss Cecil Leitch, the British champion. That will bo settled within the next three months. MLb Stirling is the first holder of the United States championship to enter for the honours of women’s golf in this country. “Of course, it’s bound to ho a big task to win the British championship.’’ Miss Stirling said reflectively. ‘‘l’m just finding comfort in the thought that probably 1 stand a sporting chance. I hope to have some quiet games on some, of tho Liverpool courses for a week, ’ nnd then go north to see an aunt in Edinburgh before settling down to practise seriously for the championship.” Miss Stirling, made tho iril cresting .statement that, although horn and bred in the United States, the is a registered British subject. “’ My father is a Scotsman—he hails from Peebles, which isn’t so frightfully i- far from .St Andrews--and my mother i is a native of Hull.” she said. li J was twelve when I took up the game, and James Maiden, the old Carnoustie ; player, gave me all my early lessons.” Tho standard of play must be splendid here.” added Miss Stirling, “and it is really advancing wonderfully in the United States.’’ ■ An unexpected discovery ended a mixnd sixsome match in which three ’ golfers were paired with women part- - nors at Pinehurst, North California (says an American paper). Miss Eleanor Fox. a toll and dashing brunette, 1 whom nobody had seen before, started : the excitement by driving about 200 [ yards from tho first tee. When she iifted an iron shot for another 200 i yards on tho second fairway the. effort i shook off her tarn o’ sha.nter. her ' luxurious tresses fell with it. and Alias .For stood revealed as William TO. I Donohue, winner of the midwinter , qualifying rmdal. He was promptly disqualified for conspiracy, misrepre- , scuta,tion. failure to register properly at tho Country Club, and on several other counts, and the match broke up in disorder.

The rules of golf committee has notified alterations to operate from 3lay 1. The committee has standardised the maximum weight of the ball at 1.620 z. nnd tho minimum diameter is fixed at 1.62 in. The lost ball penalty is roil,iced. and tko out of bounds penalty | increased. The committee announces i that ribbed irons may be barred in j the near future after the open amateur championships have been decided. Mr i Anthony Spalding, writing to the i “T>aily News ” suggests the prohibition i of the use of solid or liquid cores as a possible solution of the golf ball problem. Golfing women in this country proved themselves more enterprising than tho. men when they formed the Ladies’ Golf Union, and have continued to <lo so by the admirable way in which they conduct thi affairs of that body (says an .English paper). Now they have scored again by inaugurating a Veteran Ladies’ Association, for which the ago qualification is ‘‘not less than fi.ft Will the men follow suit? Numerous Veteran Golfers' Associations for men exist in America, but, so far, our middle-aged British players have refused to label themselves as being l*usl the “ mere boy ” stage. The Christchurch Club has challenged the Timaru Club to a match for tho Orboll Challenge Cup, and this will be played at Timaru next month. The Otago Club sent a team to Timaru recently u? fry and wrest the trophy from them, but tbe Timaru players proved too good. The semi-finals for the Bortbwiok Vase were played last Saturday at Shirley, when Dv Louiason beat M’Faria no. 2 up: and C. Wood beat C. K. Sands. 2up and Ito play. The final is to be played some time this week, porhays to-morrow, between !)r Loursson ancl C. Wood, and a good game should eventuate. Next Saturday at Shirley tho CliristI church Club will hold its monthly medal handi.:ape (stroke play) and the following Saturday the A. 35. GRhodes (mixed four-ball) competition will be played. A homo and home match, played last Saturday between the Hagley and Kaiapoi Clubs, resulted in a decisive victory for the former by games to 5-}. At their home links Hagley players won 6 games and at Kaiapoi p games. The following were the winners for Hagley:— Ollivicr, R. L. Fisher. A- W. Beeves. C. A. Gordon. T. I>. Harman, A. Harris, J. Wvn Irwin, F. W. Hobbs. T- W. Reese. Tho. following halved : —L-. Pegler, W. F. G. Harris and F. W. Freeman. For Kaiapoi tho winners were:—A. Brown, G. 15. Papprill, G. Templeton, R. Malcolm, and those who halved were: J- Martin, F. Rinaldi and L. L. Wilson. The event on the Hagley Club’s programme for next Saturday is the mixed foursome competition for tbe Lewis GTeek. At Richmond Hill next Saturday the first round of the competition for the Ru.wusley Cup will be played. The competition will be continued on June 4 and 25.