GOLF NOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue I, 7 July 1900, Page 15

GOLF NOTES

(By

Bogey.)

On Saturday the second of the three matches for the Captain’s prize (presented by Mr E. Turner) was played. The weather was broken and showery, and the general opinion was that no good scores would be returned, seeing that the links were extremely soft, owing to the heavy rains we have lately been having at night. There has been no steady drying wind, and, under the circumstances, it is not to be wondered that, the course is in such bad order. The scores returned were poor, and many were the grumbles about bad lies being responsible for much trouble. The. following were some of the scores returned:—Mr H. D. Bamford, 106 less 12 —®4; Mr ,1. R. Hooper, 95, scr. —95; Mr A. Hogg. 100 less 4—96; Mr K. A. Carr, 100 less 3—97; Dr.,Gordon, 112 less 15—97; Dr. Stuart B. Reid, 107 less 8—99; Mr D. R. Caldwell, 106 less 6— 100; Mr J. R. Leatham, 106, less 6— 100; Mr A. Peel, 106 less 6—100; Mr C. E. S. Gillies, 92 plus 8—100; Mr H. G. Kissling, 110 less 9—101; Mr W. B. Colbeck, 103, scr.—lo3; Mr J. B. Kyd, 103, scr. —103; Mr H. B. Norton, 119 less 16— 103; and Mr A. Walker, 113, less 10— 103.

Mr Bamford returned a very regular card, which was somewhat marred by a 9 at the last hole. He is one of the numerous number of young and rising golfers who should within a short time tie somewhere near the scratch mark. The lowest gross score was that of Mr Gillies, with 92, a larger total than he has sent in for a very long time. Mr Hooper, from scratch, returned 95, but the condition of the links gave the scratch men a very poor show. Mr Caldwell, the winner of the first match, returned a net 100.

The third match will be played next Saturday, and the result is still a very open question. The leading results so far for two rounds are:—Mr Caldwell, 91 and 100— 191; Mr Hooper, 9G and 95—191; Dr. Gordon, 98 and 97—195; Mr Hogg, 100 and 96—196.

Many players, however, have one good round only, and should they return u good round next Saturday it will be very hard to pick the winner. One of the players last Saturday was heard grumbling at. the number of seagulls on the ground, which, he said, caused him to take his eye off the ball. What next?

Several visiting golfers have been enjoying the use of the links during the past week, notably Mr. J. S. Wilson, of Christchurch, a well-kuows player at the New Zealand championship meetings, and Mr. Francis, an English player, who was living in Dunedin in May, and took part in the last championship meeting.

Several officers of the Royal Arthur and the Mohawk have also been most enthusiastic golfers, despite the weather.

The amateur championship of Great Britain has just been played for on the famous links of the St. George’s Club at Sandwich. With |X>or Freddy Tate among the great majority, and John Ball (junr.) on service in South Africa, it was felt that. Harold Hilton Would make a great bid for the coveted honour despite the fact- that Messrs Maxwell and Robb, the pick of the Scottish' representatives, were in great form. It seemed as though Mr. Hilton was destined by an unkind fate never to win the amateur championship, though he has twice secured the greater honour of the title of open champion, and has been in the final of the amateur championship three times, but this year his brilliant play was not to be denied, and the amateur championship has fallen to his lot. The amateur championship is played for on the same basis as the New Zealand amateur championship, viz.: Match play, IS holes; 36 holes being played in the final round. The open championship, i.e., open to professionals as well as amateurs, is played on the same lines as the championship of Australia, viz.: Cour rounds of medal play. Mr. Hilton has won this event twice, and he now shares with Mr. John Ball (junr.) alone the unique distinction of having won both the. amateur and open championship. The greatest feature of his play is its deadly accuracy and his thorough knowledge of every club and stroke. It is said that this year he has to a large extent given up his special and unique stroke of laying his ball very much in the neighbourhood of the hole with a half-brassey stroke. His putting throughout the meeting is said to have been almost, perfect. A curious circumstance is that he is never without a cigarette in his mouth when playing. Mr. Robb, his opponent in the final, is a rising player, whose merit may be known from the fact. that, he has twice been in the final of the- championship, but in his match with Mr. Hilton he played below his true form, and Mr. Hilton had matters all his own way, winning by the comfortable margin of 8 up and 7 to play on 36 holes.

Several very elose matches were played throughout the tournament, which were much more exciting than the final, which, however, always has its own particular interest. In the first round, owing to the luck of the draw, many players of the very first class were pitted against each other. Mr. Robb beait. Mr. Bly th by 2 and 1. Mr. Laidlay beat Mr. Horace Hutchinson by 4 and 3. Mr. Whigham created a surprise by beating Mr. .Silis by 3 and I. A very fine match between Messrs J. L. Low and Angus McDonald was won by the former by the narrow margin of 1 up. Mr. Hutchings beat America’s sole, representative, Mr. Hamilton, by 8 up and 7. On the second day Mr. Balfour-Mel-ville was unexpectedly beaten by Mr. Booth by 3 and 2. Mr. Hutchings, after l>eing 6 down at the 10th, made a gallant fight, only to >«' beaten on the 19th by Mr. Gray, of Musselburgh. Mr. Fry had a great, fight with Mr. Hillyard, the famous lawn tennis player, and only won at the 18th. A splendid match was that between Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Hilton, but the Scottish representative had to acknowledge defeat by 4 and 3. Mr. Hilton playing faultlessly. The match lietween Messrs. Robb and Laidlay is described as “another of those internecine struggles of which the early stages of this year's championship showed so many lamentable examples.” Both players played perfect golf, and Mr. Robb, holing his pitch across the bunker at the 14th, stood 1 up for the first time, aud finally won by 1 up at. the 18th. Mr. Eric Ilambro, with a very sensational round of 74, beat tlic Hon. Mr. Finch Hatton by 4 and 3. Lord Winchelsea, playing in grand form, defeated Mr. Low by 2 up and 1.

In .lie fifth round Mr. Robb won his match against Mr. Pease by 3 and 2.

Another very close match lietween two players whose, chances were greatly fancied was that between Mr. Eric Hambro and Mr. Hrauiston. both of whom are phenomenal drivers. The match resulted in Mr. Braniston's favour by 3 raid 2. In the semi-finals Mr. Robb only won lus match against Mr. Braniston by 3 and 1, after n magnificent struggle. Mr. Hilton, who, 1,.” veral rounds, had easy mutches, disposed of Mr. Graham, who was off his game. In the final of 36 holes, Mr. Hilton won comfortably by 8 anil 7, the general opinion being that Mr. Uobb was somewhat fatigued by the desperate matches he had to play throughout the tournament. Hilton holed his lirassey second at Hie first hole, a very depressing start for his opponent. .The N’gainotii Links, New Plymouth, now present a very animated and crowded appearance on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. The new pavilion has been completed, and. although quite unpretentious in design, it gives great convenience for the dispensation of afternoon tea. kindly undertaken by the Ladies* Committee. The following amusing and appropriate names have been given to the holes: I, The Crow's Nest; 2. The Hoad; 3, Tiseh's; 4. The Mission; 5, Spion Kop; 6, The Gully; 7. The Willows; 8, The Plateau; 9, The Trap; 10, The Pines; It, The Cottage; 12. Moturoa; 13, Westward Ho; It, Dicky Barrett; 1.1, The Bunkers; 16. Sandy Ho; 17, Jacob'* Ladder; IS, Home. The second round <if matches is now under way, and so far tile best series have been made by Miss O. Stanford ( —3), 86 (12 holes), and Mr A. Stanford (4), 95 (IS holes). The handicaps for the continued tournament have now been declared, and the first round is to be played on or before July 13th. The Club has now been reinforced by the. honorary members, and Mr and Mrs Stanley Shaw have been made life members. CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. The monthly bogey match was (flayed on Haglev Park on Satur.l.iy last, when there was a large num’iei of entries, the course again being uncomfortably crowded. Mr F. M. 11. Fisher, witli a limit handicap of IS, was the winner, being 6 up on the Colonel. Mr A. Boyle came in second with 2 up. The greens were in fairly good order, aud it was generally anticipated that there would lie some low scoring, but this was not the case, the best score returned being 87. The adjourned special general meeting to consider the advisability of abandoning Kussley, and moving on to new links at Shirley, about three miles from town, and on the tram line to New Brighton, was held in Hie Clarendon Hotel last night, when there was a good attendance of members. Mr T. D. Condell occupied the chair. The sub-committee made a further statement in connection with the position in regard to leasing, and or purchasing the property, from which it appeared that it would be possible to secure a five years' lease of most of the land with purchasing clause. The balance of the land could not be. dealt with for about two months, owing to affairs being complicated through the sudden death of tire owner. However, there was every reason to believe that at the end of that time matters could be satisfactorily arranged in regard to that piece also. After a prolonged discussion on the subject, Mr T. D. Harman moved, and Mr Kitto seconded, that the Club should accept the available leases, and treat for the balance of the land as soon as possible. This was carried by a large majority. Mr Graham then moved that a call of 10/ per member be made to defray the initial expenses in connection with the moving, and this was carried unanimously. The meeting then closed. No time will be lost in getting the ground into order, and 1 hope shortly to lie able to inform you that the Club is in ful’l swing on the new course. NIBLICK.