BRILLIANT GOLF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 5

BRILLIANT GOLF

LADIES” CHAMPIONSHIP MISS O. KAY BREAKS RECORD. MRS. COOK WINS INNES CUP. [ Per Press Association. ] ROTORUA, Oct. 13. To-day was a day of successes for Miss O. Kay, New Zealand lady golf champion, for in addition to breaking the Rotorua course record of 73, going round, in 71, she gained the distinction of being the first lady player in New Zealand to reduce the score from scratch, and also won the Donnelly Cup, a stroke handicap trophy, the Mellsop Cup for the competitor returning the best aggregate scratch score over three rounds of stroke play, and the trophy for the best gross score returned in connection with the Donnelly Cup competition. Playing a flawless round, which includd hree birdies on the return journey, Miss Kay returned a card of 71 which read as follows: Out: 5,3, 3,4, 6,3, 5,4, 4 —37. In: 5,4, 3,3, 4,4, 4, 3 4—34. She was a stroke under bogey at the third, 10th., 15th., and 18th., and only over bogey at the first and ninth. Although she put up one of the outstanding performances of New Zealand golfing history, this i s the first occasion her play was not followed by a large gallery, only three spectators witnessing the record round. She played without a mistake, her putting being particularly outstanding, and also her remarkable length from the tees.

The championship has now reached the semi-final stage and to-morrow Miss Kay meets Miss E. M. Upton (Auckland), while Miss B. Gaisford (Marton), who is the other favoured finalist, meets Airs. Guy Williams (Masterton). Present indications are for a Kay-Gais-ford contest in the final. Both are playing excellent golf and a great finish is promised. Weather conditions at present are ideal and the course is first class, although the greens, as a result of the recent rain, are somewhat tricky. The provincial teams match played during the afternoon in conjunction with the Donnelly Cup was won by Munawatu A with a gross 336. The winning team consisted of Miss Gaisford, Mrs. E. Cook (Castlecliff), Mrs. H. Collinson (Manawatu) and Mrs. Russell Grace (Wanganui). Mrs. Cook returned the best gross score of 80, thus holding the Innes Cup for the year. Wellington A with a gross 349 were runners-up. With a score of 70 net Miss O. Kay won the Donnelly Cup, the 18 holes stroke handicap trophy. The runner-up was Miss F. Rathbone (Auckland) Mrs. K. S. Browne (Cambridge) 87— 12—75 and Miss L. Dyer (Wellington), 88—13—75 returned the best cards in the opposite division for players of 11 to 18 handicap. Mrs. Browne won the trophy in this division, taking her score for the last nine holos. The Mellsop Cup, for the competitor returning the best aggregate scratch score over three rounds of stroke play was won by Miss O. Kay with a gross 227, the scores making up the total being 78 in the Coronation Medal Match 78 in the L.G.U. Challenge Bowl and 71 in the Donnelly Cup. The runner-up was Mrs. Guy Williams (Masterton) with a gross 245. The first semi-final in the ladies’ championship was played in fine weather. Miss Upton beat Miss Lughnan, 3 and 1. Miss Kay beat Mrs. Cook, 4 and 3; Airs. Guy Williams beat Miss Hocking, 3 and 1; Mis s Gaisford beat Airs. Stout, 3 and 2. The game between Miss Kay and Airs. Cook was very even to the ninth when Aliss Kay, playing her best, gained the upper hand. Though Airs. Cool, won the thirteenth the issue was never in doubt.