GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XVIII, 4 May 1901, Page 827

GOLF NOTES.

(By

“Stymie.")

Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield has won the championship of the Auckland Ladies' Golf Club after a good contest with Mrs. George Bloomfield. It was expected that Miss Gillies would get into the final, but she was put out by Miss Phillips, who on the day was putting more accurately than her opponent.

I see that a golf club has been formed at Otaki, and that already a very fair eleven-hole course has been laid out. The ground has been lent to the club, and they have plenty of room to lay out the full course; moreover- the links are close to the town. Dr. Baldwin is acting as hon. sec.

The three Gillies. Charles, Harry, and Harold, form a very “sultry” trio. I don’t think there is another triplet of brothers in the colony who would like to take them on at the royal and ancient pastime. They are an exemplification of what natural aptitude and consistent practice can do.

Golfers will be very sorry to hear that Scott, the Royal Sydney professional, was recently drowned at Bondi. He was, it appears, very fond of fishing from the rocks, and while so engaged was swept off by a breaker and carried away. A rope was thrown to him, but he could not catch it, and was swept away to his death. Scott was a fine player. A day or two before his death he lowered the Bondi record from 68 to 67.

The new links at One Tree Hill command some of the loveliest of the ™»ny lovely views round Auckland. The greens have been top-dressed, and sown, and by the time they are wantedshould be in first-class order. Some of the holes* are distinctly romantic, and the whole course is undoubtedly a very interesting one.

The last three holes of the. match between Messrs Col beck and Leatham Were very sensational. Both played ptifeet golf, and each hole was won in three. Colbeck’s three for the home hole was a splendid bit of play. His two shots, which left him on the edge Of the green, were simply perfect, but I do not think he could guarantee to bring off the putt three times out of five. Lea tham’s three at the 16th hole was a treat to see. After only a fair drive, he played a wonderful h. assey shot, and lay within three feet of the hole, going out on the putt in three, his opponent taking four.

The most interesting match of the championship round played on Saturday afternoon was undoubtedly that between J. R. Hooper and Harry Gillies. Quite a respectable gallery followed the players round the course, and were rewarded by witnessing some Wy fine golf. The first half of the game was very interesting. Gillies played a fine 3 at the 4th hole, and Hooper a perfect 3 at the gap. At the ninth hole Gillies was two up. From this out it was a determined struggle for supremacy until Hooper had wiped off his deficit, and the game stood all square, and four to go. At the home hole both were on the green in 3, Hooper, putting rather strongly, overran the hole about four feet. Gillies holed out in 5 to Hooper’s six. One up and three to go. Both were on the 16th green in 2, Gillies going out in 4 to Hooper’s 5, and leaving him dormy 8. At the next hole Hooper was on the green in two, Gillies being a trifle short with his second. Hooper holed out in 4 to Gillies’ 5, leaving Gillies dormy 1. It was Hooper's honour now, and he made a magnificent drive of nearly 200 yards, Gillies’ shot being some 20 or 30 yards behind. Gillies played a safe brassey shot across the creek. Hooper, seeing that a half would be. useless to him, risked a long drive straight for the hole. It was a splendid shot, but unfortunately for him hit the bank on the opposite aide of the ereek a few Inches below the edge and, bouncing

up. fell back into the water. Gillies holed out in 5, while Hooper took 7. Gillies thus won by two up. Hooper played splendid golf and, considering the comparatively little practice he gets, his performance against such an experienced antagonist, was full of merit. There can be little doubt that if he could get more frequent practice he would soon have to go a long way behind scratch. Harold Gillies beat Bamford by 6 up and 4 to play. Bamford is a very improving player, but he has not been away from tennis long enough to have a fair chance against his more practised opponent. Sykes takes a bye from A. Walker.

C. Gillies won his match with A. B. Lawrence without much difficulty. Peel played Dr. Reid during the week and won comfortably by 7 up and 6 to play. Teel was playing in good form, but I have seen Dr. Reid playing a much better game.