GOLF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XIV, 5 October 1901, Page 639

GOLF NOTES.

(By

“Stymie.”)

AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB. The opening- of the Auckland Golf Club’s new club house at the Cornwall Park Links was a great success. Prior to the ceremony Dr. Lewis, captain of the club, in a happy little speech, presented to Mr Timins, who has attended so well to the creature comforts of golfers at Greenlane, a handsome marble clock. Dr. Campbell then declared the club house open. A large number of golfers and their friends assembled to witness the function, and afterwards wended their way to the home green, where Dr. Campbell addressed a few words to them, and then declared the links open for play, and played the first official putt on the links, holing out in response to repeated calls in three. It was a pleasant sight to see the venerable gentleman climbing the slopes of picturesque Maungakiekie, wEich stands guard over his noble gift of Cornwall Park, in his desire to secure a good position from which to watch the exhibition game of golf. At the conclusion of the ceremony three hearty cheers were given for Dr. Campbell.

The . exhibition game between Messrs C. E. S. Gillies and Wilder, and A. Duncan and Scott did not produce any phenomenal golf. Gillies’ first tee shot was a fine drive, but Duncan foozled his. The first taste which Duncan gave the gallery was at the ninth hole, where, with a splendid drive, he lay on the edge of the green. At the Pah he was driving into the teeth of half a gale, yet with a grand drive of almost perfect direction he landed on the far side of the green. His approach shots were not too good, but somehow in a match of this description one does not expect too much. Some of his putts were very fine and I look forward with a deal of pleasure to teeing him when it is business. Mr James Kirker very generously provided afternoon tea on the occasion of the opening of the new club house. The clock which he presented to the Auckland Golf Club some time ago has been placed in the northern end of the club house, and will prove a great convenience to players. Sport generally in Auckland would be all the better if we had a few more Kirkers. Mr C. Arnold was the recipient of many congratulations on Saturday afternoon. Our Southern visitors were loud in their praises of the Auckland Golf Club's fine club house. The house is built in the Swiss %tyle, and forms quite a landmark for miles around, standing as it does in a most commanding position. The internal arrangements are quite in keeping with outward appearances, and no pains have been spared to make everything pleasant for visitors and members. The committee of the Auckland Golf Club deserve every credit for the condition in which the course is. There are, of course, many improvements which will come in time, but considering the backward state of the course some few weeks ago it is very pleasing to see that they are so well prepared to carry out the important meeting which takes place this week. I have no doubt our visitors will carry away with them pleasant recollections of their week spent on the grassy slope* of Maungakiekie. It is almost a certainty that Duncan and C. E. 8. Gillies will fight out the final for the championship, and if this is so it should be a match worth a longer journey than to Cornwall Park to witness. Peel hns been playing very well lately. He had a bye in the first round, but it was bad luck for him drawing C. E. 8- Gillies in the second.

The driving competition takes place down the amphitheatre. 1 should not be surprised if Duncan finds the plantation if the day is calm or the wind favourable.

In the Men’s Tournament, New Plymouth, Wright (scr.) played Morrison (21), just winning by 1 up. Johnson (21) played Paton (21), winning by 2 up. Wright (scr.) therefore will play Johnson (21), and the match should be very interesting, as both men are very good players. In the semi-final round of the Ladies’ Tournament Miss G. Stanford (sec,) played Miss McKellar (12), winning by 4 up and 2 to play. Miss Skeet (5) beat Miss Standish (9) by 2 up. Miss G. Stanford (scr.) plays Miss Skeet (5). A nine hole course has been temporarily laid out on Mr Standish’s property, and is now open to the members. THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. The championship meeting was opened on Monday in fine weather, although the players would have been satisfied with less wind. There were twenty-three contestants, at the outset, and that number stood reduced to eight on Tuesday morning. On this (Wednesday) afternoon the semifinals are being played, and the final, which consists of 3G holes, comes off on Friday. To-day (Wednesday) there is an approaching and putting competition, and a driving competition, on Thursday bogey foursomes handicap and a bogey handicap match, and on Saturday the meeting concludes with a medal play handicap, and the contest for the interclub challenge bowl between the Auckland and Wellington Clubs. Proceedings commenced with the first round of the men’s championship. Sykes scratched to Colbeck, and Saunders to Kurupo Tareha. Howden also won by default. The play cannot be described as first-class. Duncan is by no means at the top of his game, but I hope to see a big difference in his form before the end of the week. C. E. S. Gillies was not in exceptionally good buckle, as he took 83 to complete the 16 holes he played against Peel. Peel was not driving well. Had he been he would have made the finish even closer than it was. He deserves every credit for his plucky play. Gillies was driving and approaching very fairly, some of his tee shots being admirable pieced. A. B. Laurence, who always playa a consistent game, defeated H. Piercy (Wellington) by 3 up and one to play. A. Duncan, the present champion, beat J. B. Kidd by 9 up and 8 to play. Kidd has had practically no play for a very long time, but notwithstanding this his long game was very good, but he was weak in approaching and putting. Pare Keiha (Poverty Bay) beat Hodson (Wellington) after a very close game at the 19th hole, which took the native 10 to hole out in. Higginson beat K. Dunean by 3 up and 2 to play. Duncan was one up at the 19th hole, but as the 16th hole had been played by Higginson under a protest, which was afterwards sustained, the bole was re-played, Higginson winning. As he was 2 up at the 15th hole he thus won as above. K. Duncan plays a nice game, and bids fair to follow in the footsteps of his brother.

The second round was started in the afternoon, with the following result!

Wilder beat Stronach 5 up and 4 to ptay. Bull beat Burness 4 up and 2 to play. Keiha beat Higginson 6 up and 4 to play. A. Duncan beat Laurence 5 up and 4 to play. Colbeck beat Howden 7 up and 6 to play. Tareha beat Pearce 8 up and 6 to play. C. E. 8. Gillies beat Peel 3 up and 2 to play. 11. T. Gillies beat O’Rorke 8 up and 7 to play.

The best golf of the day was sh<fwn by Kurupo Tareha. In his match against Pearce be put up the following good score for 12 holes: 6,4, 4, 5,4, 5,5, 4,4, 4,4, 5. If he can keep this going he will give sonic of our players an interesting time of it.. His match with Colbeek will prove ah interesting game. I think. The meeting between Messrs. H. T. and C. E. S. Gillies should also be an interesting picture. lam informed that the latter’s wrist is still troubling him a little. I earnestly hope that it will not. seriously interfere with his play. The new club-house stands 400 feet above the sea level, and commands a most magnificent view over the country. It is two stories high. On the main floor there is a clubroom, 30ft by 18ft, with two 12ft bay-windows. There are men's dressing-rooms, 25ft by 16ft and 15ft by 12ft, and ladies’ clubroom 16ft by 15ft, and dressing- . room 16ft by 10ft. There is also accommodation for the caretaker, and a roomy verandah runs round three sides of the building. The upper story contains clubrooms and dormitories, in which members or strangers can stay over-night. The house is erected on freehold land, the club having purchased some three acres for clubhouse and lawns.