GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue III, 21 July 1900, Page 111

GOLF NOTES.

(By

Bogey.

There is very little to report about local giolf this week. The weather clerk has not been very kind and the course has been wet and sodden. One remarkable stroke, however, was brought to my notice this week. A foursome was in progress aud at Kemuera Hole, which is a very good five at this time of year, or at any other time, one side was almost dead in three. The opponents with their second lay in the ditch at the fence some 50 yards short of the hole. The match was an important one. so there was nothing for the player, whose turn it was to play, but to march into the water, button up his coat collar and play a smashing squashy stroke at the ball, which was lying actually in the water. By one of those marvellous strokes which sometimes occur in golf, the ball landed on the green, and made for the hole with such good effect that it finally took up its abode there. The other side remarked surly and in a somewhat aggrieved tone, that the only thing which spoiled the stroke was the fact that the ball had holed. Now I leave my readers to say whether the fact that the ball holed should deduct from one’s appreciation of the value of an absolutely perfect shot or not.

I give for reference sake a list of the winners of the Amateur Championship of Great Britain: —lBB6 and 1887, Mr H. G. Huchinson: 1888, 1.890, 1892, 1894, 1898, and 1899, Mr J. Ball; 1889 and 1891, Mr J. E. Laidlay; 1893, Mr P. C. Anderson; 1895. Mr L. M. BalfourMelville; 1896, Mr F. G. Tait; 1897, Mr A. J. T. Allan; and 1900. Mr H. H. Hilton.

The Ladies’ Championship of Great Britain was played this year on the grand Westward Ho Links, where the turf is so fine that it is one vast putting green, and the hazards and rush beds are of the most trying description. The championship for 1900 was carried off by Miss Rhona Adair, one of the daughters of Erin. The play of the Misses Whigham was greatly admired. Miss Sybil Whigham recently visited M.aornland with Lady Gore Brown, and played on most of the Southern greens. She is a splendid driver and a grand all-round player.

The much-talked of match between the two Sydney professionals, Scott of the Royal Sydney Golf Club, and Hunter of the Australian Golf Club, came to a conclusion with the match on the Bondi Links. Hunter was four upon the result of the first match, which was played at Botany, but it was thought that Scott's superior knowledge of his home green nt Bondi would equalize matters. Neither mnn played up to anticipated form In the first round, and Hunter ended the round 5 up. Tn the afternoon round some very brilliant play was witnessed. but Hunter’s sterling pb>v, combined with his great lead gave him

victory at the 10th bole by 9 up and 8 to play. Hunter therefore took the first prize. £l4, and Scott the second, £4.

Some of my readers have been making inquiries about the Maponite ball ■nd ask how it is procurable. The ball was to be issued to the public in England in June, and it cannot yet be obtained on this side of the globe.

The Australian Championship meeting has just been held at Adelaide. The weather was very poor, and so, 1 learn from a private correspondent, was the golf. The championship fell to Mr L. Whyte of Geelong, who. it will be remembered, was third to Mr Gillies and Mr H. D. Howden last year. Sydney seems to have been unrepresented. The following are the leading scores for the four rounds of medal play, and they compare very unfavourably with last year’s winning score of 314:— L. Whyte (Geelong). 383; W. G. Carr Riddell (Royal Melbourne), 386; J. D. Howden (Royal Melbourne). 387; F. S. Mann (Warrnarubool), 390; H. Swift (Adelaide), 400.

The ladies’ championship resulted in Miss Calder, of the Royal Melbourne, securing the title of lady champion of Australia, with Miss Bell and Mrs Fairbairn, both of Geelong, next. Miss Calder is said to have shown splendid form throughout the meeting. The Isadfrig scores were: —MJiss Calder, first round 106, second round 103. total. 209; Miss Bell, 123. 109, 232; Mrs Fairbairn, 124, 123, 247; Miss F. Ayers. 138, 134, 272; Mrs Merritt. 152,' 147, 299; Mrs Bragg, 146, 158, 304. ® ® ®