AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7, 14 August 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND.

(Fn m Our Special Correspondent.) The Fnhiie Interest in. Golf. t)T)-r PITERS in English papers of «/l recent date are calling atte’n--111 tion to the large amount of VW space being devoted to reports of golf tournaments. The doings of all the leading amateur and professional plavcrs were chronicled in detail befote the recent open and amateur championship. In one leading daily the amateur meeting was given a column in the news page, while the “Derby” only had a short article in the sporting notes on a back page. One ean trust the editors to know what the readers want, so it looks as if the recent boom in the game is not passing, despite the prognostications of the pessimist. In New Zealand the game is really In its infancy and docs hot get much space in the daily paper, but one cannot complain of the report given of championship tournaments. The “Graphic” is the only paper in the Dominion to give the game adequate attention. In Auckland the devotees of the game are increasing daily,-and it loks as if another club will be needed to prov.de accommodation for the newcomers. The Auckland Club is perilously near the limit of membership, while Maungakiekie is, I hear, quite full. Waitcmata ean accommodate a few more, but not many, as the course is rather short ami -oon gets crowded. A great many of the general publie still look on and scoff, but more and more realise each year that the game is intensely interesting, and to the average player so absorbing that he puts aside all other amusement (and also work) for the - ike of a few holes in the ancient game. 1 hope that 1914 will see the New Zealand Championship held at Middlemore, and have little doubt that it Will result in a great number of converts to the game. Inter-club Matches. There has always been great difllculty in arranging for inter-viub games with dube out-ide A i Island. We are a long ■way from the other big centre*, and find it hard to get a team to travel. I understand that about eight or nine members of the Auckland club are going to Wellington next month, and most, of them to Palmerston. Would it not be po-Mi>le to arrange matches against Manawatu and Wellington during the fortnight or so that our men are in the Foullii I have heard that there is a chance of a private team from Palmer»ton playing here at the end of the month, but nothing definite list !>e*n decided yet. New Zealand Meeting. The programme for the Championship Tournament bar been issued, and is about the -ante as wraal. Amateur Championship, Opta Championship,

Bogey, and Medal Handicaps. and -Bogey Fonrball, comprise the Mst. Entries for all events close on September 7th, ami for the Open and Amateur events are limited to 72. The conditions do not state how the 72 are to be arrived at".

Besides the above-mentioned games, a Professional match and the O’Rorke Vase are to be played. Some Hints from "Golf Illustrated’’ Social distinctions should be disregarded on the links. Every player who regards the etiquette of the game is a gentleman and a golfer. To prevent topping:—Keep your chin on your collar while you follow through. It is not fair to talk “shop” in the presence of people who have never played the game. Wait for a more appreciative audience. One of the Triumvirs has said that in judging distances on a strange course, he is in the habit of walking a few yards ahead in order to view the line from the side. This principle has been found to hold good on the putting green also. Subtle undulations seem to become more apparent when examined from a point apart from the ball or the hole. Second Qualifying Round of the Championship. Conditions were more favourable on Saturday for good scoring, and a few players managed to improve a bit on their previous Saturday’s efforts. The outstanding feature of the play was the 79 put in by Burns. This was the result of very good all-round play, and hut for an indifferent 7 at the 18th would have been better. C'olbeek improved on last week to the extent of 5 strokes, doing SC, while Sharland (88) was the only other to break 90. These three players, with Bamford, McCormick, Dargaville, and Upton, all qualified, while Lusk and Fryer have to play off for eighth place. Lusk, who went out in 43 on Saturday, appeared to have made himself safe, but fell away badly coming in. Fryer was a stroke or two worse than the previous week. The tie will probably be played off on Saturday week in conjunction with the Bloomfield Vase match. In the meantime the draw will probably be made. Waiteniata Club Championship. The final for the club championship, played on Saturday, produced a very • lose game, interest being maintained right up to the eighteenth green. Howden was expected to win, but (Houston, who is always a dangerous player on the Waiteinata course. ju-t managed to beat him. Maungakiekie Championship. The following were the ecores in the qualifying rounds of the Maungakiekie < lab’s cbnmpiou.-bips, played oa Saturday: Senior: A. B. Webster, 93; IL O. Gardener, 66; C*. F. Gardener, 07; E. Hickson, t*; R. H. Wvnyard. 9»t D. Hay, MW; M. Morpeth, 101; D. F. Reid, 103; N. Cb«nne!l«.

HH; O. M. Ferguson, 196; G. D. Thacker, J«8; G. L. Taylor. 111.

Junior.— F. Brabant, 101; A. G. Cooke, 107; R. M George, UJH; D. Morris, KO; A. la> Sieur, 109; R. Coates, 117; M. B. Ward, 118; W. H. Grace, 121; J. A. Peacock, 121. The first eight in each grade qualify.

Major Hotstuffe (to dentist) : “This set of teeth is not quite satisfactory, Jones?” Dentist: “Why, sir ?” Major: “Well, they seem to retard my flow of language on the links!”