GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXI, 26 May 1900, Page 974

GOLF NOTES.

(By Bogey.)

For the second year in succession Mr ■Arthur Duncan of Wellington has won the Championship of New Zealand. He is to be heartily congratulated on his win, as I am inclined to think the very best of New Zealand golfers were gathered together at Dunedin last week vieing the one with the other for the coveted title of Champion of New Zealand. All our hopes were centred in Mr Gillies, and although the Auckland crack went down. I am inclined to think that honours were very evenly divided, as far as the respective merits of the two players are concerned. This fact is evidenced by the manner in which the two players fought for the honours in the Bogey match, both finishing 5 up on Bogey. When they played off they apparently played against each other instead of against a Bogey score. The result again was a tie after a brilliant performance on either side.

I am very pleased to note that the Championship meeting for next year will be held in Auckland.

Mr ,1. Sykes’ win in the handicap match was very popular, both here and in Dunedin. He went round the links in 95 in bad weather, which is presumably a very creditable score, yet I fancy “Joe" could have reduced this had he not had compassion on the handicappers. They gave him 10! The information that we have had in regard to the tournament week is somewhat scanty, but we hope to have further details when our representatives return. There have been no matches on our local links since the Bogey match for Dr. Reid's prize, but the attendance on the links is excellent, and some two or three of our players are coming on very fast

On Monday In spite of the blinding showers of rain the first round of the Auckland Ladies’ Golf Club Championship was played, Mrs Colbeck beating Miss Shuttleworth by 3 up and 1 to play, and Miss I. Gillies beating Miss M. Wilkins by 6 np and 4 to play. This t was somewhat of a surprise, . Miss Winkins had previously been playing such a good game that her handicap had been brought down to scratch, while Miss L. Gillies had been so off her game that she had been raised from 2 to 6. The weather on Tuesday was also very bad. In the championship second round Miss L. Gillies beat Mrs Colbeck, who was quite off her usual game, by 6 lip and 5 to play; Miss Gillies beat Miss Barstow by 6 up and 4 to play; and Miss Philips beat Mrs J. Reid by 3 up and 2 to play. Airs G. Bloomfield again got a bye. At 2.30 an approaching and putting competition was held, which resulted in a win for Miss Barstow, Mrs J. It. Reed coming second. Wednesday was an ideal golfing day and the play in the semi-final was correspondingly good. Miss Gillies beat Miss Philips by 8 up and .6 to play, and Miss L. Gillies beat Mrs G. Bloomfield by 2 up and 1 to play. This was certainly the best match of the week, the play throughout being of the very best quality. Miss L. Gillies was 1. up at the 14th hole, and she also won the 15th, Mrs G. Bloomfield getting into trouble at the creek. Both cleared the long wall with splendid drives, but Mrs Bloomfield won the hole with a perfectly played 5. This left the match Miss L. Gillies 1 up and 2 to play. At the 17th hole Mrs Bloomfield’s drive was not up. while Miss L. Gillies’ lay almost on the green. Mrs Bloomfield here had a piece of very bad luck. Her 2nd, though a beautiful little approach, struck a stone and bounced back into the creek. This gave Miss L. Gillies the hole and the match. The handicap foursomes (18 holes) were played on Thursday and resulted in an easy win for Mrs G. Bloomfield and Miss Gillies. On Friday morning Miss L. Gillies beat her sister in the championship final by 4 up and 2 to play. The first round was played hole for hole, Miss L. Gillies being 1 up at the turn, which lead she increased to 3 up at the 11th. The 12th fell to Miss Gillies with a good 5. but foozling her drive at the 13th Miss L. Gillies won the hole. The 14th also fell to Miss L. Gillies, her opponent's ball lipping the hole. This left Miss L. Gillies dormy 4. Bull's run fell to Miss Gillies, but her driving again failed her at the long wall, and Miss L. Gillies won the hole and the match. At two o'clock a putting competition took place, Miss Barstow gaining

the first, prize and Miss M. Wilkina the second. This wm followed by * driving competition, which was won by Mrs G. Bloomfield with a drive of 110 yards, Miss Russell being second with 98 yards. There was absolutely no run on the ground where the driving competition was held. Then followed the presentation of prizes by Mrs Street, the president of the club, Dr. Lewis making a short but suitable speech. Afternoon tea at the club house then brought a most successful week’s golfing to an end.

WANGANUI.

It was disappointing that the Manawatu Club was able to muster, only three players for the match against the Wanganui Club on May 12th. The weather was somewhat boisterous, but improved as the afternoon wore on. The course and greens were in capital order, thanks to the care and attention of Mr D. Murchison, the greenkeeper; the Club is fortunate in having a man so interested in his work. The match resulted in a decisive win for the local club by 19 holes to 0. The only match of interest was between Mesrs A. Strang and T. Harold, which resulted in a win for the latter by 1 hole. They were all square when they met two years ago here. Harold’s win was sensational. Strang had a lead of 2 holes at the eighth, and ding-dong play succeeded to the seventeenth, when they were all square. Both made good drives with the wind for the “Encampment,” the 18th hole, and Harold was able to approach with his second from about 140 or 150 yards, Strang having played three. On arrival at the green, Harold's ball was found to be in the hole—down in 2. The weather has been broken for the last three weeks, but there is now a fair prospect of good weather. The tournament begins on Wednesday, 23rd, with Ladies’ matches, and Thursday and Friday will be devoted entirely to Men’s matches. It is expected that there will be several entries from the Palmerston and Maroro Clubs, and we hope to see some players from Auckland. FOOZLER.