GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XVI, 14 October 1899, Page 675

GOLF NOTES.

(By BOGEY.)

After a series of six competitions held monthly the matches for the captain’s prize (presented by Mr W. S. Cochrane) came to a conclusion on Saturday last. The conditions for winning the medal were that six handicap medal competitions should be held, the player retrfrning the best average for any four of the six matches to be the winner. The question as to who would prove the winner was practically decided before the last match was played, for Mi- J. R. Hooper’s average for four of his matches was 94}, and this average was nearly 2 points better than that of the nearest player, Mr Grimshaw. In order, therefore, to dispute Mr Hooper’s title Mr Grimshaw would have to return a score many points under his average to tie with the leader’s score. This in the state of the links after the very heavy rains of the week was practically an impossibility. As a matter of fact Mr Hooper was unwell and unable to compete, but his title to the medal was not shaken, and he therefore retains it as his own. His average for the four matches was 94}, and the players who came next to him in order were Mr Grimshaw, Mr Reed and Mr Hogg. The following are the leading averages, the four best scores only being taken out of the six matches played.

J. R. Hooper, 89, 91, 100, 105, 98, absent, equals 378 ; average 94}. T. W. Grimshaw, 94, absent, 99, 101, 94, 96, equals 383 ; average 95J J. R. Reed, 103, 101, 104, 96, 95, 98, equals 390 ; average 97} A. Hogg, 97, 94, 98, 102. 105, —, equals 391 ; average 97J

Saturday’s match was played in beautiful weather but the day was, judging from, the expressed feelings of most of the players, a very “ slack ” one, owing to the warm wind which prevailed. The links were very soft about one o’clock but dried up wonderfully during the course of the afternoon. The scoring as a whole was bad, and very few cards were returned, though there was a large number of players. The following were the cards handed in :

Mr Wilson very kindly presented the club with a box of balls as a prize for.the above match, six balls going to the player with a handicap of less than 10 returning the lowest net score and six balls going to the player with a handicap of ten or more returning the lowest net score. Mr Grimshaw playing from scratch won the balls for first class players, and Mr Peel the six for those with the handicap of 10 or over. The grass on parts of the. links is now becoming troublesome, and if the present growth continues long play will almost be stopped for the next six or seven weeks. In my notes of 30th September there is an excellent contribution from one of my Southern correspondents. Now, that contribution contained a grievous mistake, if I read the paragraph rightly. As I am convinced that ignorance of the finer points of the rules of golf is widespread I printed the paragraph just as it came to me. Not a single golfer has referred to the error, though I have pointedly asked several good golfers if there was anything wrong about the paragraph in question, which reads thus: “Mr had hard luck in his game. When playing the first hole he inadvertently stepped on his ball, of course, losing the hole.” Now, three players, at least, are concerned with the loss of that hole, namely, my correspondent, the player, and his opponent. My correspondent

is a keen golfer of high standing. The player is also a fine golfer, with whom 1 have had many disputes over pdKU>G and whom I considered absolutely sound on his rules. His opponeriP'js probably the most experienced g<filsr in New Zealand, and has held the championship. If the leaders of golf are unsound, what hope is there its the rank and file? The player should not have lost the hole, and the words “of course” are somewhat unfortunately used. Listen to Rule 25: “If tile player when not making a stroke, br his partner, or either of their caddieS I,' 1 ,' touch their side’s ball, except at the tee, so as to move it, or by touching anything, cause it to move, the penalty is one stroke.” The players must have had in their minds the interfering with a moving ball, which, by Rule 24, entails the loss of the hole. It is pleasant to “Bogey” to catch some of his toughest opponents tripping.

® ® ® LADIES’ CLUB. Last Thursday the final match against “Col. Bogey” was set down for competition, but owing to bad weather the Committee wisely postponed the match until the following Thursday. The greens were specially prepared for this event and were in such beautiful order that putting on them would have been a positive pleasure. There is no doubt that golf, with indifferent putting greens, is a very happy-go-lucky affair; but on this score the Auckland players are extremely fortunate and have every reason to be proud of their putting greens. Visitors to our links constantly express their admiration and say they are second to none south of the line. The Beginners’ Match comes off on Thursday, 12th October. ® ® ® NOTES ON THE HAWKE'S BAY TOURNAMENT. The weather was very hot and trying, and made the walking through the sand rather exhausting. The long driving of Baron Wedell (when he fairly got hold of the ball) was a thing to marvel at. The Baron has only been playing a little over 3 or 4 months, and is full of enthusiasm for the game. He is bound to improve, and his great driving power will simply overwhelm a moderate driving opponent, provided he can acquire an accurate short game. Great regret was expressed on all sides at Mr Grimshaw’s inability to play, as he would have had a really good chance for the championship. On the Saturday after the tournament he was well enough to play, and had a round with Arnott, the professional. Mr Grimshaw’s score for the round (45) was not equalled during the tournament, and it is safe to say that he would have made a good fight for the championship had he been able to play.

On the links. Mr G w, from Auckland, on putting green practising. Curious native (who has followed him): “Where you come from?” Mr G w: “From Auckland.” Curious Native: “Ah! Akarana. You know Girrie? Him good player.” Mr G w: “Oh, yes, I know Mr Girrie. Yes; he’s good.” Curious Native: “What you? You any good?” Mr G w (in a dilemma betwixt truth and modesty) : “Me? Ah-um-er. Me? Oh, no.” Conversation dies. Thereupon G w achieves three startling successful putts, and strolls unconcernedly up to the hole after the last putt. Curious native follows stealthily, eyes the striker from boots to cap and back again; draws close to Mr G- - —w, points to the three balls, and with an expression on his dusky countenance of mingled disgust, pity, and admiration, murmurs “Ugh. You Akarana man, me say you te humbug.” ® ® ® PALMERSTON NORTH Mr C. J. Still is evidently coming back to form, for on Saturday, 30t'h September, he played a fine game in the competition for the Captain's Medal. Playing from scratch, he returned the excellent result of five up on Bogey. Mr F. H. Cooke, with a handicap of two strokes, returned a score of two up, and won second place. The first heat of the championship of the Manawatu Golf Chib lias been completed, with the following results; C. J. Still beat F. H. Cooke by 7 up and 6 to play; R. S. Abraham beat C. J. Monro by 3 up and 2 to play; Mr Foy and Dr. VUlson had byes.

The ladies’ monthly medal play handicap was played in two sections: Mrs Still was first of the seniors and Mrs L. Abraham was second, while Miss Ada Maclennan returned the best

fcore of the juniors, and Mrs Pascal was second. . In the ladies* chamuiuaship Mrs Lionel Abraham had a rqost close and interesting match with Miss Johnstone, whom stie finally defeated by 3 up and 2 to play. ,

A reporter, in describing the Amateur Championship at Prestwick, stated that "Tait was the first man to cross the Alps, followed by Gairdner and Hilton.” Where do Hannibal and Napoleon come in? ® ® ® CHRISTCHURCH, October 4. The last competition of the Hagley Park season took place on Saturday last, and took t'he form of a handicap Bogey Match, when there was a fair number of entries. The grass was somewhat long, and, taking this fact into consideration, the winner’s score of 80 was very good indeed. Curiously enough, Mr J. M. Turnbull has won the last match of the season on three consecutive occasions. Mr Turnbull has t'he makings of a fine player, if he would practise his short game more assiduously than he does. He is by far the longest driver in the club, his great height giving him an advantage in this respect, and there is no keener golfer 'here. The result is given below: —

The team which leaves on Saturday next for Dunedin to play the annual match with Otago for the Hamner Challenge Shield will be a fairly strong one. and ought to give a good account of itself. It is to be regretted that neither Messrs Burns, Wardrop, Charlewood, nor Leigh can make the trip, but it is hoped that Messrs Wilder, O’Rorke, Kitto, Gosset, Harman (2), Burton, and another will be able to keep the shield in Christchurch. At any rate, they should extend the Otago men. The match is to be played on the 10th instant, and I shall be able to give you t'he result in my next.

Now that the summer is upon us, a good many of the members of the Christchurch Golf Club who are cricketers. etc., will no doubt be saying good-bye to the game for this season. The majority of the members, howrever, do not play cricket, and in order to eater for these, t'he committee hope to be able to keep the Russley Links open during the summer. It is merely a question of money, and if sufficient funds are available, golfers will be able to indulge in their favourite sport all the year round.—Yours, NIBLICK. ® ® ® THE LUXURIOUS GOLFER. He had a gorgeous coat of red, a knitted worsted vest— To colour which each rainbow hue and others were impressed— His shoes were patent russets fastened up with silken ties; And on his calves some stockings were that dazzled all our eyes. His knickers they were shepherd's plaid; his cap was felt and bold; And on tile collar of his coat were gewgaws done in gold; His caddie bag was ’gator skin; his clubs had ebon shafts; The irons were all solid gold—for he had gold In rafts.

The bails he used were solid balls, and made of silver ore. And on an ivory tablet small was kept this golfer's score. His caddie was a darky boy, a lad of noble mein,

His coat was made of Dutch brocade, his pants of velveteen. And by the caddie’s side there walked a solemn sort of wight— A private scoreman be was called, who footed columns right. Ahead then strode a handsome lad, fleetfooted, lithe and tall, Who also wore a livery and had to lind the ball. The golfer, as the game progressed, ne’er trod the green so fair, But made each round In comfort In a glided Sedan chair. The while his valet—Montmorency Wilkins was his name— A servant true o'er hill and dale did play- his master's game.

Mr Grimshaw 96 scr 96 Mr Reed .. 106 8 98 Mr Leatham .... .. 104 6 98 Mr Caldwell .... ... 105 6 99 Mr Carr . . 104 2 102 Mr Peel .. 114 11 103 Mr Bamford .... .. 115 11 104

Hdcp. J. M. Turn bull .. 6 1 up L. M. Kitto .. scr 1 down W. Harman . . 4 3 down Major Taylor...., .. 10 3 down C. K. Sams .. 15 3 down L. Orbel 8 4 down C. H. Weston . . 10 4 down C. Perry .. 12 4 down W. H. Graham... .. 12 4 down E. D. O’Rorke .. 1 5 down W. Cotterill 9 G down W. H. Burton. ... .. 10 6 down II. H. Loughnan., .. 10 6 down C. J. Millar .. 12 6 down B. H. D. Leigh... 1 7 down T. D. Harman... 8 7 down T. D. Condell.... .. 10 8 down