GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 23

GOLF NOTES.

(By

Bogey.)

Owing to the spell of fine windyweather the links are now dry anil firm, and the turf is crisp and short. The daisy fiend is showing his head rather much for the player who cannot tell within fifty yards where his ball will lie. On some links, where the daisies are very bad, players resort to the expedient of painting their ball red, blue, yellow, or some other striking colour. The best colour in my opinion for neutralising the effect of daisies is a light blue. Golfers will be glad to hear that Mr Grimshaw has so far recovered from his recent indisposition as to be able to walk round the links on Saturday. The great New Zealand golfing event of the year is nowin progress, and by the time of our next issue the championship for 1899 will have been decided. The meeting now being held by the Wellington Golf Club at Miramar promises to be the finest meeting that has yet been held. Golfers from all parts of New Zealand are present, and a more representative meeting could not be wished for. With one or two exceptions the meeting is thoroughly representative. As I write, one particularly hard case forces itself upon me. Mr Spencer Gollan, who cabled his entry from Hobart, has just arrived by the Papanui, which is four days late on the voyage from Hobart to Auckland. Had he arrived two hours earlier he would have been in time to reach Wellington for the N.Z. Championship, as he had drawn a bye in the firstround. As matters now stand he cannot even reach Miramar in time for the open championship, which is played on Wednesday-, and he has had to abandon the idea of being present at the meeting. I am glad to hear from a club-mate that the Miramar course is in fine order, and that there is only one thing he does not like about the links, namely, the very trappy nature of some of the ditches, which are so numerous on the flat country. At Bondi during the playing- of the Australian Championship this year the unfairness of an unfair trappy ditch at the 9th hole was obviated by allowing the player if within a certain boundary to lift his ball from the ditch without penalty. The draw for the N.Z. has just reached me by telegraph, and from this I see that Dunedin is represented by 7 players, Oamaru, 2, Timaru 1, Christchurch 3, Wellington 15, Manawatu 1, Wanganui 2, Napier 3, Auckland 5; total players 39. The following matches take place in the first round:—Kyd—McEwin, K. Duncan —W. R. Darling, W. Pryde —E. S. Pearce, E. D. O’Rorke—G. W. Palmer, R. M. Kitto —H.D. Stronach, W. T. Harman —Baron Wedill, Geo. Todd—D. B. Bowden. In the second round the winner of Kyd or McEwan plays D. Brown; K. Duncan or Darling plays C. R. Bowden; W. Pryde or Pearce plays D. Pryde; O’Rorke or Palmer plays J. Harold; Kitto or Stronach plays L. H. Tripp: Harman or Wedill plays N. F. Perston; Todd or D. B. Howdcn plays Dr. Purdy.

The stiffest matches in the first round promise to be those between Wilder and A. Duncan, Colbeck and Scott, O’Rorke and Palmer. In the second round W. Pryde, if he beats E. S. Pearce, will have to meet his brother, D. Pryde, and this should furnish a splendid match. Local golfers are awaiting the results of the matches with, keen interest.

At Melbourne, playing for Sargood's trophy, our old club mate, Mr L. A. Cuff, had a great game with Mr Balfour Melville, who was giving him 6 strokes. The result (says "Badger”

in the "Australasian") was most peculiar. Mr Cuff went off strongly atnl was three ahead at the turn, which lead he increased to 4 up at the 11th with 7 to play. Mr Balfour Melville then got into form and did the next five holes in 19, winning everyone of them. This put him 1 up and 2 to play. At the 17th hole Mr Cuff shaped very badly and had played four more than bis opponent before reaching the green, where his opponent was lying in two. In playing his next shot however the ball accidentally jumped up and hit Mr Balfour Melville’s club, thus losing him the hole and a certain victory. MiCuff had a stroke at the next hole, played it splendidly, and won the match by one hole. The rule by which a player loses the hole if his elub hit the ball twice is everywhere considered a very severe one. as the player gets no advantage by it, and his shot is spoiled. In the new rules about to be introduced the penalty is reduced to 1 stroke. Even this is severe, but better than the present laws, which in the above case meant 5 or 6 strokes.

My own experience of hitting the ball twice, or the double stroke as I think it should more properly be called, is that only the best and most punctillious players know when a ball is struck twice with the same swing of the club. The average player cannot recognise that he has struck the ball twice unless the incident is very plainly marked. The first competition for the Captain’s Prize, presented by Mrs Arch. Clark, was played on Thursday last. The links were in good order, and the weather all that could be desired. Miss A. Barstow proved the winner with a net score of til. Mrs W. Bloomfield being next best with a G2. The following are the scores handed in: — Miss A. Barstow, 67, 6, 61; Mrs W. Bloomfield, 62, scr., 62; Mrs G. Bloomfield, 69, 4, 65; Miss L. Gillies, 68, 2, 66; Mrs Baldwin. 85, 18, 67; Mrs W. B. Colbeck, 85, 16, 69; Miss Gillies, 74, 4, 70; Miss M. Wilkins, 74, 2, 72; Miss Shuttleworth, 83, 3, SO; Mrs J. 11. Reed. 95, 14. 81. ® ® ® WANGANUI. The return match between the Manawatu and Wanganui Golf dubs was played at Balgowrie on August 13th in perfect weather. Greenkeeper Murchison had the course and putting greens in good order. Play began at 1 o'clock on the old course, to enable the visitors to catch the afternoon train to Palmerston. Manawatu was without the services of Dr. Wilson and Mr A. Strang, but had sent up a team of seven, practically the same as Wanganui had beaten in May by two holes. As Wanganui had a full team it was thought likely that the local players would win. but the most sanguine could not have expected to complete a victory, for Wanganui won by 33 holes to 1. No doubt the difference in the links is largely accountable for this. The Palmerston links present no great difficulty- to strangers used to hills and sand bunkers, and punishment for nearly every foozled drive. Cooke and Palmer had a close fight, Cooke alone of the visitors beating his man. The veterans J. S. Wilson and S. T. Fitzherbert had, as usual, an interesting match, being level at the 16 tee; but Fitzherbert won the last three holes. Mr Wilson was not quite at his best, but his approaching was as clever as ever. R. S. Abraham established a lead of 3 on Greville Saunders in the first round, but it was of no avail, for he was unable to win another hole. All the other matches resulted in very easy- wins for Wanganui. Harold drove excellently, but his short work was not good; he has not been seen at his best for several weeks. It is hoped that a couple more matches will be played this season between the two clubs. The next will be played in Palmerston early in September. It is matter for regret that both the Napier and Palmerston tournaments are to be allowed to lapse this year. The following are the scores: — MANAWATU. WANGANUI. J. S. Wilson ...... 0 8. F. Fltsberbert 3 J. Still O J. Harold 5 F. H. Cooke 1 A. W. Palmer .... 0 <.’. Monro 0 D. Meldrmu C A. Foy 0 H. B .Watson.,,, 6 11. S. Abraham... 0 11. Saunders 6 E. N. Barraud.... 0 I. Saunders 7 1 33 We were glad to see Messrs Turner and Colbeck (Auckland) on the links on their way to the Wellington meeting. Mr Turner was one of the first secretaries of the Club.

POVERTY BAY. There was a large gathering on (he links on Saturday last, when the seecni! mixed foursomes match was played. The lady members turned out eighteen strong, but, as happened in the funner match, a number of them could not join io the match, because only twelve men were available. Thl» seems an unsatisfactory state of things, but it was unavoidable on thia occasion. Business engagements kept some of the most regular players away, and o-!y a few country members were in town. The match was over a thirteen-hole course, those omitted being the eighth to the twelfth inclusive. When the results were made up. it was found that Mrs H. Bull and Mr Cuthbert had tied with Mrs King and Mr Morgan for first place, while Miss Crawford anil Mr R. Barker were third. It was decided to duplicate the first prize, and to present a club to both Mrs Bull and Mrs King. Afternoon tea was provided by the Misses Barker. The full scores were:—Mrs 11. Bull and Mr Cuthbert, 96—ser—96; Mrs King and Mr Morgan, 102—<5—96; Miss Crawford and Mr R. Barker, 110—12—98; Miss Rees and Mr Chrisp, 111—9—102; Miss Staite and Mr H. Bull, 103—sir—103; Mrs Morgan and Mr Fuller, 111—6—105; Miss Matheson and Mr Faram, 113—6—107; Miss E. Barker and Mr E. Rees 118— 9—109; Miss L. Barker and Mr Staite, 118—9—109; Miss Willis and Mr Hutchison. 111 -ser —111: Miss Bennett and Mr Willock, 113—16—97; and Miss Nixon and Mr A. Rees, 135—16—119. On August 26 th a match Town v. Country will be played The teams will be ten a side, and if the country can bring’ its strongest team, the town will have its work cut out to win. The town representatives will he chosen at noon on the day of the match.

On the invitation of Mr W. Hutcheson, of Puhotikotiko, about a dozen members had last week an enjoyable two days’ golf on his links. They are about twenty-two miles from town. At present there are only nine holes, but the players found them very sporting. The ground was not uncomfortably wet. but here and there some results of the continuous rain were seen. They should be very fine links after a week’s fine weather.

A handsome aluminium Brassey, presented by Mr G. Maclean (the president) to the ladies, was made the prize in a tournament, the final round of which was played last week. Miss F. Adams proved the winner.

® L> ® CHRISTCHURCH, August 16, 1899.

The third Bogey Competition of the season was playd on the Hagley Park Links on Saturday last, for a prize of six balls, presented by Mr W. Harman, resulting in a win for Mr C. 11. Weston, who has 6 up on the “Colonel.” Mr Weston is a new player, who is very “keen,” and as he has been practising asisduously of late, his win is but a just reward, although the handicappers may have been somewhat lenient with him. Personally I am always glad to see these prizes falling to beginners, even though their handicaps may be very large, as it must spur them on to fresh efforts. There are golfers (of the old school) who will tell you that there should be no competitions in golf at all; that it is a game which should be played forlove only. This is all very well (for the old golfers), but how are the young players to be got to take an interest in the game unless you give them something to play for? There must always be competition so long as the characteristics of the British race endure, and in my humble opinion, the “Bogey” competition in golf is one of the very best we have. Following are the scores:—C. 11. Weston, gross score, 107—handicap 30—net score 77 6 up on bogey; L. Orbell 95—12—83 1 up OH bogey; E. O’Rorke 85—2—83 all square; W. G. Cotterill 95—12—83 all square: W. H. Burton 100—14—86 all square; W. Reid 111—20—91 all square; W. Harman 91—6—85 1 down; Major Taylor 97—12 —85 1 down; T. V. Wardrop 94—8 —86 2 down; Dr. Fenwick 106—16 —90 2 down; J. W. 11. Wood 93—6—87 3 down; 11. 11. Lougbnau 105—16—89 3 down; W. C. Weston 129 —30 —99 4 down; R. L M. Kitto 89— scr —89 5 down; J. M. Turnbull 95— 6—89 5 down—W. H. Graham 104 — 15—89 6 down; Dr. Jennings 109—18— 91 6 down.

The inter-club match between teams representing the Christchurch and Timaru Golf Clubs was played yesterday on the Russley Links and

resulted m 1 win for Christchurch by 21 holes. The visitors arrived by the early train and were driven out to the Linka, where lunch was partaken of, after which the business of the day was begun. The only really close games were those between Messrs Kitto and I‘erston and Wilder and Somerville. Kitto anil Sotninerville winning their respective games by two holes. Mr Wilder made a plucky fight, sis at the thirteenth hole Mr Sommerville was •’dormy” 5.s His opponent then won the next four holes, but lost the last one, the game ending as stated above. The visitors expressed themselves as very much pleased with the Links, the sporting character of which evidently impressed them. At the end of the match afternon tea was served, and the Titnaru men were then driven back to town to catch the evening train home. The scores were as follows: —• fURISTCHfIKII. TIM All U. Kitto 2 I’erston o Wilder o Summerville 2 Ilariiuui s Jefferson 0 <’liarlewood IO i-'ergnson o Mood 7 McLaren <> Campbell •> Stewart 4 27 6 ins Excellency the Governor is, T understand, going out to the Russley Links to have a game on Friday next. The ladies who will compose the team to represent the Christchurch Ladies’ Golf Chib at the forthcoming Championship Meeting have been going out to Kussley pretty regularly, as their energetic captain (Mrs Boyle) recognises that those Links afford much better practice than Hagley Park, and f understand she is anxious that the team should at least know how to play out of a bunker after having got into it. It was impossible to learn this on Hagley Park, where bunkers are non-existent. NIBLICK. © © © NAPIER. The third of the series of matches for the vice-president’s prize was played at Waiohiki on Saturday, the result being as under:- Hata. gross 99. handicap 10. nett 89; Tuahine, 101, I:.‘, 89: W. J. Tabuteau, 113. 18, 95; G. ' M. Morris, 115, 16, 99; Kawhi. 103, 3. 100: Kiirupo.. 101. se, 101; J. F. Jardine, 117. 15. 102: A. C. Bennett, 108, 5. 103; R. B. Mathias, 116. 10, 106: C. D. Kennedy. 117. 10, 107; A. A. Kennedy. 117. 7. 110; Tari, Ils. 4. lit; Tohi, 127. 13, 114: Joe. 121. 5. 116. Several others also played. The result of the Ladies’ Bogey tnateh is as follows:—Miss L. Davis. .2 down; Mrs Kurnpo. 5 down: Mrs Jardine. 6 down: Mrs Kawhi. 6 down: Miss Davis, 7 down. Twelve others played. Next Saturday the fourth of the men’s matches for the president’s medal will be played instead of the match Napier v. Wharerangi. which will take place on Saturday. 26th Aug. © © © WHARERANGI V. PETANE. In the match Wharerangi v. Petane. played at Petane. the Wharerangi suffered a severe defeat. Scores: — WHARERANGI. PETANE. XV. I. Peacock.... 0 Mihaeri 3 11. Peacock 0 XVeteiie 2 Tan i) Wat cue 2 Ngawaka 0 Tehema 0 ilapi o Anaru 5 Moses 0 XViiikau 0 Wi Xtikii o Kapi 7 U. Cato <) Adam Pohio 1 0 20