GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XIX, 4 November 1899, Page 818

GOLF NOTES.

(By

BOGEY.

1 follow up the course of my notes of last week by giving what I consider the “Par” score of the Auckland Golf Links, allowing as before the necessary number of strokes, a firstclass player would require to reach a hole and two putts.

Total—s3Bo yards, 76 strokes.

This “Par” score has never yet been equalled, but has been very closely approached by the splendid* score of 77 made last May. and which will prol»ably stand as the record for the links for a very long time. The score tnaile on that occasion was as follows: — 35424544 4—35 out 55554553 5—42 in.

It will be noted that I have given the -‘Par" of the Forest Hole as 5. As it is practically an impossibility to reach the green in 2 strokes owing to the high second over the trees, I have allowed three strokes as the number necessary to reach the green.

On Thursday, 9th November, the Committee of the Auckland Golf Chib has determined to have an “At Home” day on the Links. In the morning an approaching and putting handicap competition will take place, and also a handicap driving competition. A caddies’ match will also be played. In the approaching and putting competition the Committee has resolved to keep to the lines of last competition, viz., each competitor to hole a ball from each of four distances, viz., 20, 50, 80 and 120 yards from the hole. Handicaps will be limited to four strokes, and such a liberal allowance should induce the longest handicap men to compete.

At the last competition held on these lines four players tied with 11 strokes each, and on playing off the tie the winner returned a. score of 10. In the afternoon a mixed foursomes handicap will be held over an eleven hole course, viz., the ladies nine holes with the addition of the Polo and Upolo holes.

Owing to the tremendous growth of spring grass at holes 4. 5,6, 7, 8 and 9, the Committee has notified the Club that these holes are to be considered as closed for play. This will not, however, preclude any ardent players from playing, or rather grasscutting those particular holes if thev so desire. The Committee will endeavour to keep the old nine hole course in a fit state for play. I should very much like to see the" Committee get some sort of a horse cutter to work on the links so as to keep a track, say a chain and a-half wide, in good order. This is done on many inland greens in England with mostexcellent results, but most of the. Clubs in this part of the world are not wealthy enough to keep a horse-cut-ter at work in a proper manner. Most Ifriks in- New Zealand become more or less unplayable while the strong spring growth of grass is on, especially the courses in the North Island. Gisborne becomes quite unplayable, and Auckland, in spite of heavy stocking, is in a bad state during October and November. Wanganui and Miramar have practically closed their season by this time, but Dunedin is in ; the fortunate position of never suffering from too much grass.

I have been informed that the Otago Club is seriously talking of holding the next New Zealand Championship Sleeting in May. Of this course I thoroughly approve. In New Zealand there is no time so-pleasant as the autumn for golf. The weather is more settled, -there is less wind and rain, and the various links are in their best order for play; For some time past the tournament has been held either in the winter or the early spring, and that time of the year the weather is notoriously capricious. Nothing spoils a meeting so much as bad weather, and it is a pity to subject what is practically our only meeting to the chances of the most unsettled season.

It may be urged that next May is too near hist championship meeting, but it is far better to err on the near than on the far side. After the Otago Club hold the meeting in 1900’ it is Auckland’s turn in 1901. and the Auckland Club would certainly wish to have their course in perfect order for the meeting, and the only time for doing so is in the autumn. Christmas is not altogether a suitable time for the big golf meeting, but I should be very pleased to see Easter looked on as the regular time for the meeting, and the time for the keen golfer to take his annual holiday. ® ® ® WELLINGTON. We are approaching the end of the golfing season, the grass is getting long, and there are other attractions, such as yachting and fishing. There will probably be one .more. “Putter” competition for the ladies and another “Cleek” competition for the men. The Hutt Golf Club are having a mixed

foursome competition on Saturday, the 28th. Last Saturday was given up to sending off the contingent. Two of our members. Major Madocks and Captain Ward, went to the war. We hope to hear of their playing golf in Johannesburg with Kruger as a caddie.

CHRISTCHURCH, October 26.

Things are very quiet here in golfing circles at present. The Hagley Park Links have been practically unplayable for the past three weeks, owing to the strong growth of grass, and Saturday next will see the end of the season for that course, when it is proposed, if possible, to hold a caddies' match. The greens on the Russley course proper are for the time being closed to members, and will probably remain so for another month. An exceedingly attractive nine-hole course, however (quite apart from the original one), has been marked out for the convenience of members, and in. spite of the roughness of the natural “greens,” a most enjoyable game can be obtained. Mr J. R. Scott, of Dunedin, who is a recognised authority on golfing matters, visited the links a few days ago and expressed the opinion that it was the finest golfing country he has seen in New Zealand. The greens at present are somewhat rough, and will require a good deal of money expended on them before they are first-class, as the soil is very dry and sandy, and the nor’westers, with their scorching heat, burn up the grass in the summer. However, the committee intend to take the question of constant watering into earnest consideration, and with the large membership which the club now possesses, ample funds should be available for all necesssary improvements. It is an expensive matter to keep two courses going, but here it is necessary, owing to the distance of Russley from town, and the lack of a regular coach service. But Rome was not built in a day, and it is hoped that in the future regular communication will be established. The road to the links is an excellent one for bicyclists, and the distance can be covered easily in half an hour. The majority of members adopt this mode of locomotion. The golf house is now finished, and thoughsmall it is very comfortable. The secretary has had a large plan of the links prepared, which has been framed and hung up in the house. The plan is very complete, giving lengths of holes and all the principal 'hazards. Reduced copies have been issued by him, .j. understand, to the secretaries of the New Zealand and Australian Clubs for their information. The small plans are very neat indeed. Though this is the “off” season members are still coming in, five more being up for election at the next meeting of the committee.

NIBLICK.

Holes Length Score. 1 320 4 2 270 4 3 230 4 4 215 4 5 320 4 6 300 5 7 265 4 8 220 4 9 175 Q 10 370 5 11 435 5 12 440 5 13 320 4 14 100 Q 15 420 5 16 320 4 17 240 4 18 420 5