CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 22, 29 May 1912, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) At Shirley. Golf at Shirley at present is played under difficulties. Several of the fairways have been treated elaborately, topdressed, manured and sown, and despite a local rule (temporary) allowing a ball on the top-dressing to be teed, good scoring is a matter of difficulty. It is unfortunate that such work must be done in the autumn to secure the best results, but it is hoped that the results will amply compensate for a temporary inconvenience. Given suitable weather, the fairways should recover in a few weeks, though the slow-growing poa pratensis may be longer in appearing. The old grass coming through, and the feseue in the mixture should, however, provide a sward until the poa does appear. The Greens and Their Treatment. One does not properly appreciate the Shirley green until one plays on other courses. The immense advantage that the excellent water-supply confers on Shirley is, of course, admitted, but st 11 there can be no doubt that a more scientific treatment of greens would secure better results. The Dunedin greens are so caked as to be extremely awkward; the Napier greens are suffering from prolonged dry weather: the Wellington greens, though good, are uneven; and most of the Auckland greens are temporary only. Tlie new greens at Auckland are admirable, carrying a good sole of grass. The hummocky green just sown will, I think, be excellent, and will provide variety in putting which will add to the interest of the game. The chief danger I see to the greens, both at Auckland and Wellington, is overrolling. It is a common mistake everywhere in New Zealand, and one which does a lot of damage. A recent “ Field” contains some admirable matter on the subject of the treatment of greens, and I will quote a passage or two. “ The lawn should be left to itself from October to February’ (answering to May to August here). Sweeping and rolling must be discontinued. There are more lawns ruined by the frequent use of the roller in winter than by any other cause. The grasses require air at the roots, and they are deprived of this if the surface of the soil is rolled into a cake. . . . Our advice is to put the roller under lock and chain for the winter, so far, that is, as lawns are concerned. This applies with special force to putting greens, which, of course, must be used in winter. No roller, no more sweeping than is absolutely necessary, and that only for the removal of debris; let the surface soil be kept as opan as possible, and should it cake with treading, apply a "ood dressing of coarse sand, which the rains will soon distribute evenly.” This from a paper of the standing of the ” Field ” deserves close attention. The

same writer disposes of the belief that! earthworms are good for greens. Hq says:—"ln these days the green-kcepetf who docs not keep- his putting-greed free from worm-casts by the application of a worm-killing preparation is nob worth his place.” At Napier. I noticed, when at Napier, the other! day, that the course had been altered to some extent. The old Oasis hole is now played to the return green, making it a good two-shot hole, though the approach needs some attention. Then the "Terrace” hole is converted into a drlvq and pitch hole —an improvement considering the extretra difficulty of the Terrace green. The “ Retur* ” is now played to a new gr.-en on the higher level, but is rather short, and the Pah hole is about as before, though played along the higher levels. The changes are, I think, an improvement. The green are suffering from want of rain, but when the weather is more favourable they wilt doubtless soon recover. Napier possesses some excellent holes, but personally I like the Bunker and the Ridge best. I was glad to see some men at work grubbing rat-tail. I have, on more than one occasion smashed a shaft in the rat-tail here. Stewart, late of Gisborne, is now professional at Napier, and Simpson is with him. At Timaru. There is every reason to believe that the Timaru Golf Club has a bright future before it. Tire club has recently purchased another fij acres of land, primarily to improve the entrance to the links, but the extra acreage will enable the committee to lay out a better course. It is hoped that the permanent course w:ll be ready next season, when Timaru will have one of the best courses outside the Metropolitan elubs in New Zealand. The May medal and bogey handicaps have been played. The medal was won by W. D. Revell, who, with a handicap of IE had a net score of 79. F. L. Barber and E. Leister tied for second place with a net score of 81. Barber also had the best gross score, S 3. For the bogey handicap three players tied with 1 up, C. A. Seymour (2), C. Neville (11), and T. Y. Lusk (15). Barber was again well up to the list with 1 down. The Standard Ball. The question of standardising golfballs is one which is creating a great stir at Home at present, and it is of importance to us in New Zealand. The improvement in golf balls—if it is art improvement—has certainly spoiled the lengths of the holes on many of our courses. It is not so long ago that 350 yards was a very fair two-shot hole under normal conditions. Nowadays one does it with a drive and a mashie. Muggeridge’s at Shirley used to be a threeshot hole, but now it is a rather long two shot. A long driver such as B. B. Wood frequently gets to Muggeridge’a and even Land’s End in two, and playa most of the two-shot holes with drive and mashie or iron. On such a course aa Shirley, which never gets wet or soft, the two-shot holes have to be made at least 400 yards to make them an adequate length. The peculiar contours ofi

the Inner paddock makes this very awkward, as the distance from the hill across the centre to the road on the north is only about 380 yards. Under the proposed new plan the holes across this part are to be laid out diagonally, which will make them still better lengths. With the old gutty ball 360 yards was a good two-shot length, and even with a floating cored-ball 380 yards was sufficient, but with the heavy junior balls 420 is more the thing. It is to be hoped no further “improvements'* will be made, or wo may have to make our two-shot boles 500 yards or so. The reference of the question to the leading amateurs, carried out by “ Golf Ilustrated,'* showed an immense majority in favour of standardisation, and I think most players ot standing in New Zealand would support the idea. It teems with difficulties, but some practical solution should be possible. We don’t want the solid ball again—it is too hard on the club—but the floating test might do. Other games played with balls have standard balls —■ standard in size, weight and shape—and why not golf? Borthwick Vase. The first round of the play-off for the Borthwick Vase handicap was decided at Shirley last Saturday, the various matches .resulting as follows: — 11. E. Wright and S. K. Sleigh, all square; 11. H. Loughnan beat M. H. Godby, 2 up; G. Lees beat J. Anderson, 6 and 5; E. Macfarlane beat W. O. Campbell, 4 and 3. General Notes. The Christchurch Golf Club has decided to support September 9th as the date for the N.Z. championships. It is felt that the chance of better weather conditions does not compensate for the inevitable cutting out of many prominent players. The club championship is due to commence on June Ist. There should be a good struggle as there are several backmarkers who are very possible winners. Wood. Lusk. Wright and have all held the championship, and will probably all be competing this year. Several of the willows that line the creek at Shirley look very unhealthy. It is to be hoped that the remarks of players in trouble are not the cause. TE AROHA. The committee of the golf club met on Thursday evening. The question of improving the links was fully discussed, and it was agreed to proceed with the work. The improvements to be effected will absorb the whole of the funds at the disposal of the committee. A letter was received from the Thames Golf Club suggesting that matches be arranged with the Te Aroha club. It was decided to fall in with the idea, and to propose that the first match be played either on the 3rd or the 22nd June. The bogey score was amended, and reduced from 39 to 38 for the nine-hole course; that for the second hole was reduced to four; that for the third to 3; whilst that for the fourth was raised to 5. The following are the handicaps made by the club for this year Simpson, 10; Morpeth, 10; J. Kenny, 10; Hanna, 11; Hunt, 11; Fawcett, 12; Scott, 12; Lamb, 14; Dransfield, 14; Richardson, 14; Clarke, 14; Burton, 14; Rowe, 14; Parker, 14; Inder, 14; Wells-Smailes, 14; Hawken, 15; Darby, 16; Currie, 20; Kerby, 20. Ladies:—Miss Bossons, 10; Miss Edwards. 11; Mrs. Edwards, 11; Mrs. Lamb, 13; Miss A. Fawcett, 13; Miss L. Fawcett, 14; Miss Jennings, 14; Mrs. Goldwater, 16; Mrs. Montgomery, 18; Miss Fitz Gerald, 18; Mrs. Burton, 20; Miss Barnard, 20; Mrs. Kenny, 20. The first monthly medal competition of the club has been completed. In the ladies’ section Miss Bossons was the winner with a gross score of 60, handicap 10, net score 50, Mrs. Goldwater and Miss Edwards being second with a net score of 62. Mr. J. Kenny was the winner in the men’s section with a net score of 36. Mr. Hunt and Mr. Hanna being second with net scores of 37. On Monday, 3rd June (King's Birthday), a team of Thames golfers will visit Te Aroha. Probably the team will comprise 6 ladies and 10 men.