ATHLETIC SPORTS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XXIV, 13 June 1903, Page 1644

ATHLETIC SPORTS

GOLF NOTES.

(By Stoney Dead.) Those of the members of both clubs who could tear themselves away from the fascinations of Ellerslie enjoyed an extremely nice golfing day last Wednesday. Good weather favoured the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, and most of the members took an all-day outing on the slopes of Maungakickie. Those who had matches to play for Mi- Hanna’s prizes brought them off in the morning,, and all joined in a mixed foursome competition in the afternoon. The greens and course were in very fair condition, considering the large amount of rain that had fallen previously to Wednesday. The handicappers'deserve great praise for their excellent handicapping. To handicap 12 couples to return scores within 5 strokes of the winning score is a very fine performance. A very popular win was made by the captain of the club, Mr J. 11. Sikes, and his partner. Miss 11. Buckland. Mr Sykes has not been fortunate in returning winning scores of late, and I am sure no one in the club would object in the slightest if the handicapping committee paid attention to his handicap and put him in the position of recording a win for himself. The full returns were: —

For Mr Hanna’s prizes many of the matches have now been played off, and the first round is concluded. Those who had not played their matches by Saturday have to mutually decide which of the two is to be scratched. The recognized rule for such a position is for the player to scratch who, irrespective of whose fault it is, has been unable to offer to his opponent what our American cousins call a “date.” In the event of tach player offering a “date” unsuitable to the other, and both being unwilling to withdraw, the fair thing for them to do is to toss, and the winner remains in. In the senior division, the match between Mr C. E. S. Gillies and Mr Iloopjr, about which I wrote Inst week, has been replayed, and resulted in Mr Hooper’s favour by 4 and 3. The match was level till the short hill holes, and here Mr I looper came away with a strong game — these holes are favourites of his—and Mr Gillies never regained his lost gotiftd. f{ ' ■.' ” ? The match between Mr Sykes and Mr H. T. Gillies proved rather a runaway affair. Mr Gillies was playing at bis best, while Mr Sykes was distinctly off colour. Mr Colbeck gave a bye to Mr J. Burns. In the second round of the seniors, Mr Hooper will have a great light with Mr H. T. Gillies. It would be ii very hard matter to pick the winner between them. Mr Peel, who had a bye in the first round, plays Mr J. Burns, and I expect the younger player to come out on top. In the junior division a number of interesting matches have been played. Mr W. W. Bruce met Mr Gilfillan and beat him at the 19th hole. This is as close as it could be, and it is a good sign to see

the loser itching to have another go at his victor. Another good match took place .between Dr. Coates and Mr W. Heather. After in and out play, Mr Heather got a lead at the ninth of one, only to lose it again at the 12th, but from there out he carried all before him by winning 4 holes in succession, and won by 4 up and 2 to play. Mr Pollen caught Mr Rutherford on an off day, and won by the substantial margin, of 7 and 5. The Rev. Air Tisdall met and defeated a redoubtable player in Mr Mair. I fancy Mr Mair is suffering from the golfing paradox known as “io improve one must go backward.” The history of every good player is like the progress of a swimmer when landing on an ocean roller

swept beach. He. goes forward two yards only to be thrown back one, and then again comes along another roller, which carries him forward another two yards, only to go back as before, and so on ami on till he reaches the shore of the scratch mark. Mr Hall won his match against Air Payton. Dr. Gordon, who, I should take it" cannot be at the top of his game owing to want of practice, or, rather, to too much practice (of another and lucrative kind) was beaten by Mr C. Heather bv 4 and 3.

’ The match between Mr E. Anderson and Mr -I. 11. Reed proved very close. They played first on Wednesday and ended up all square. On Saturday they had another go, and Air Reed just managed to win by one up. On Saturday the Grimshaw Memorial was played for. This is a competition for a trophy presented by the members to keep green the memory of a most popular member of the club who died some years ago. “Poor old Grim, ’ as all members who were fortunate enough to know him, reverently speak of the late Air Grimshaw, was a living example of the uselessness of pressing. His memory deserves .to be preserved, not only for his disposition and kindly nature, but also for his perfect swing". The competition was one . against bogey 18 holes. Air Harry Gillies, owing bogey one stroke, returned the good winning score of 4 up on bogey. His round was 83, and that,

too, blemished by taking 7 at the 3rd hole, where he failed to get up with his second. No one ean complain of the state of the course or greens, when a player returns such a score at this time of year. However, I think the handicapping committee might pay a little attention to his handicap, remembering that the next score to his was one down, as well as the fact that Air CL E. S. Gillies, Air Hooper and Air Colbeck did not compete. The following are the complete returns:—H. Gillies, 4 up; W. Heather, 1 down; Dr. Coates, 4 down; J. C. Burns, 4 down; Dr. Lewis, 5 down; C. Heather, 7 down; Al. A. Clark, 7 down: Rev.. C. Tisdall, 8 down; E. Turner, 9 down; J. Sykes, 9 down; L. E. Mair, 10 down; J. 11. Rutherford, 11 down. The ladies are now in the thick of playing off for Mrs. Carrick’s prize. In the first round Mrs W. Heather (30) plays Miss G. Gorrie (121. Miss Buckland (18) plays Airs -I. Reid (20), Alis- M. Cotter (25> plays Alias <l. Draper (10), Alias Gillies (scratch) plays Aliss J. Richmond (lfi),Alis3 Torrance (14) plays Aliss Shuttle worth (12), Aliss Alorrison (20) plays Alias Buller (30), Alias E. Pierce (18) plays Miss A. Stevenson (30), and Mrs Colbeck (14) plays Aliss W. Cotter (30). The following have byes, and play in the second round: Mrs W. Bloomfield (scratch) plays Aliss AL Richmond (11), Aliss E. Gorrie (30) plays Aliss D. Stevenson (30), Aliss B. Gorrie (10) plays Aliss Pierce (30), and Aliss Draper (27) plays Aliss Lewis (scratch). The second round must be completed by Thursday 11th, the third by Thursday 18th, tho semi-finals by T'uirsd.ay 25th, and the final by Thursday 2nd July.

L’p to dale two matches have been played. Aliss Torrance had an easy win over Miss Shuttlewortli. Miss Torrance got a commanding lead early in the game, and won by 5 and 4. Aliss Gillies was beaten by Aliss J. Richmond by 3 and 2. Miss Richmond received 11 strokes, but thoroughly deserves her win. Throughout she played a sound game, especially on the putting green, and gave a display which auguva well for her future game. Aliss Gillies did not putt at all up to her standard, and this lost her ths match.

The many friends of Air Harold Gillies will be pleased to hear of his success at the Royal and Ancient Game. Air Gillies was chosen to play Gth for the Cambridge team in the last Inter-’Var-sity match at Sandwich. The young New Zealander gave a good account of himself by beating his opponent by 4 holes in 30. The class of golf played can be gauged by the faet that he and his opponent halved the morning round in 83, and the record of the course stands at 75. I should consider 83 equal to 79 on our own course.

oss. Hep. Not. J. R. Sykes and Miss Buckland 87 7 So A. Ai t ken a nd Mrs AV . Heather .1. S. Rutherford and Miss 102 21 SI J. Richmond 97 10 81 11. Pollen and Miss Gillies SB 5 S3 AV. H. Colbeek and Mrs O’Rorke 91 7 84 J. Burns and Miss E. Pierce 93 9 84 Rev. Me William and Miss J. Draper n‘. Gillies and Miss Fierce.. 94 13 84 85 W. Heather and Miss M. Richmond 94 9 85 E. Darsraville and Miss Cotter 102 17 85 Dr. Lewis and Miss G. Gorrie 93 8 s.» E. W. Payton and Mrs Carr 103 17 86 J. AV. Hall and Miss E. Gorrie 105 17 88 E. Turner and Miss Turner.. 112 21 91 Rev. Tisdail and Miss Shut14 t ie worth 105 91 Dr. Conies and Miss Torance 102 11 91 AV. AV. Bruce and Miss C. 108 16 92 There were three scores of 9b, two of 97. and the rest were 100 or mor