On the Golf Links

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 16, 16 October 1912, Page 6

On the Golf Links

This paper has been appointed the official organ of the Ladies’ Golf Union, JTeic Zealand branch.

Secretaries of ladies’ golf clubs are incited to forward official notices, handicaps and alterations, results of competitions and other matters of interest, to reach the publishing office not later than the Saturday prior to the date of publication.

AUCKLAND.

(Special Correspondent.) THE club fixtures of the Auckland Golf Club are nearly at an end for this season, but it seems highly probable that a number of members will be found playing all through the summer. I understand the course is to be kept cut all the summer, and, judging by the good work done by the pony-mower up to date, conditions should be splendid. Players will also find that straightness will be necessary, as the fairway is only being cut 21 chains wide, and the grass will get very rank outside the line of cutting. Summer golf at Middlemore is most enjoyable. It is a good thing to start rather later than the usual w inter time and play late, catching the second train to town after tea at the clubhouse. I hope quite a number of members will be regular attendants this year, as they are bound to feel the benefit of the extra practice when next season's matches start. While on the subject of matches, I think the Auckland Club would do well to play their championship earlier in the season. It is very late, to be playing a final half way through October. All-day Match. A 36-hole Medal handicap is to be played on Labour Day, October 28, for a trophy presented by Jlr Downes. Players arrange their partners. This is, I think, the first occasion on which the club has tried an all-day match. One hopes the field will be large. I have heard of several other trophies which are to be played for after the regular matches are over. This should help to encourage the summer player. The New Greens. The new greens, which were played on for the first time last week, are a great success. A few players object to the hummocks, hut nearly every player on Saturday last was very complimentary. Visiting golfers from Southern clubs will find more variety on the Auckland Club greens than on any others in New’ Zealand. Most clubs believe in the severely level surface, but my ow n opinion is that a little variety in I he way of hummocks is a good thing-, always supposing the Burface is good, ami the surface of Ute new greens at Middlemore is splendid. Verdon's Ambition. It is freely stated that Harry \ ardon is special!v keen on winning the championship of Franco and the News of the World Tournaihent, the two big professional events in which he lias not been successful up to this season, lie made a great effort to win both this year, and only lost the French event by one stroke, while the cable tells us that the News of the World event is his at last, he having beaten Ray <m the last green in the final, which was played at Sunningdale on the 4Lli of this month. Auckland Club Championship Final. Tn playing the final of the Auckland Championship last year Burns and Col beck put up a very fine game, the golf was good, and the finish as close as could be desired. Inspired by the memory of this line game, quite a large number of enthusiasts turned out on Saturday to follow this year's final between the same players. I nfoitiuiabdy the spectators were badly treated, as. though tin* game went io the last grien before Burns won, the play was not as good as expected. The morning round was specially poor. Neither plnyer was sure in any part of the game. The morning's play does not need a full description. Colbeek started oil' by w inning the first two holes. Burns won the third, and I hen at Isith the 4th and sth missed easy putts in each ease for the win. The 6th Burns got a good four, and squared the game. At the 7th Burns got three to t'olbeek’s four, but the hole was not well played. The Sth

was halved in six. Burns drove into the swamp, and Colbeek was short. An easy win for Colbeek should have been the result, but a simple putt was missed, and a-half resulted. Burns won the 9th, five to six’, and turned 2 up. This lead he increased to 3 up at the 11th, getting 3 to Colbeek's 4. The next three holes went to Colbeek with three fives, and the game was square again. A good four at the loth put Colbeek 1 up, only to lose his h ad by bad play on the green at the 16th. Burns took the next two holes in 4, and was 2 up at the adjournment. Second Round.—Though the wind had increased in force when the second round started, the play was decidedly better. As in the morning, Colbeek won both the first two holes, and the match w’as square again. The 3rd and 4th were halved in 5, Colbeek's putt at the 4th running round the hole. The sth saw Burns the victim of a dead stymie, and he lost the hole. The 6th was halved in 4. At the 7th both got good balls, but Colbeek’s approach was weak, and Burns won with a 3 to 4—all square. The Sth saw: Burns in the ditch again, and after playing 3 he picked up, and Colbeek was 1 up. The 9th was halved in 6, after poor short play. The short 10th seemed to trouble both players, and it was once more halved in 5. The 11th saw both get good threes. The hedge at the 12th caught Colbeek's drive, and Burns squared the game. The 13th and 14th both went to Burns in fives to Colbeek’s sixes. The 15th was practically the deciding hole of the match. Colbeek lay dead in 3, and Burns holed a splendid putt of 8 feet for the half. The 16th saw another poor tee shot from Burns, and Colbeek reduced the lead to 1. The 17th halved in 5, after Colbeek played a poor approach, running practically through the green. Dormy one. Colbeek got the longest ball at the 18th, but after the seconds had been played they were about equal as to position. Colbeek was short with bis approach, while Burns was on the green. Two putts by each player, and a-half in 5 was the result, and Burns was once nnne ehampion. This is his fourth successive win. The course was in splendid order for the match, and one cannot find excuses for the standard of play. Burns has been much below his form for some time now. but Colbeek has been playing well, ami was expected to win.

WELLINGTON.

t Special Correspondent.) October 9th. There is a bachelor's establishment in Wellington, when* golf has eaten in like a eanker. One has golf with porridge in the morning, and restless souls toss about at night, muttering in their sleep concerning missed putts, sliced drives and fearful " bogies.” The house in question has now to its credit two out of the three club championships of Wellington. 11. R. IT. Balneavis won the Hutt one, and on Saturday last M. W. Horton won the Miramar championship from R. L. D. Kidston by 6 up and 5 to play These three players are all in the same house, ami there are soft whispers that they'll go eyes out for the Wellington championship at Heretaunga" to complete the hat-trick. Horton finished the morning round two up on his opponent, and in the afternoon he increased it and won by six up. Horton won the same championship three years ago, ami it is quite probable that he will hold it again. The Tuson cup goes to him for one year, and he gets a prize presented by the club captain, Mr. I’. C. I’reeble. It will be remembered that it was Horton who put up such a battle with “Boston” Keimaday in the N.Z. Championship. His name is in the American book of golf ns the holder of the record for the longest drive. Under ordinary conditions, and without any wind, he drove 340 yards. The figures are indeed astonish ing, but I took occasion to pace out a drive of his cn the Wellington course,

and it was roughly 310 long paces—approximately yards. And this with not more than six yards run for the ground was absolutely Malden. He quaintly explained that he held the record for U.S.A, for some years until “ some fellow came along and beat me on frozen ground with a 348 yards hit.” Kennaday is now farming at Nelson, and up to the time he eame to Wellington last month, he had not hail more than half a dozen rounds of golf in about four years —since he left Boston.

CHRISTCHURCH.

i Special Correspondent.) Shirley. Medal handicaps were played at Shirley on Saturday, resulting as follows: E. T. Shores (4) 82, C. H. Hewlett (13) 82, H. H. Knight (9) 82, C. T. Clarke (21) 82. Shores and Knight play off for the senior medal, ami Clarke and Hewlett for the junior. The number of competitors was fewer than usual, a good many players having turned their attention to other pursuits. The scores were not good, as, under ordinary conditions, 77 will hardly win a medal at Shirley. The weather was warm, a light N.W. wind blowing steadily all day. The high scores may partly be attributed to the long grass which now abounds. The growth has been tremendous, and though the fairways have been cut by the new machine it is very easy to find the long grass. The course at present is admirably bunkered by the long grass, and hardly one crooked shot can escape the penalty. This is as it should be, but it is rather a nuisance looking for (and often not finding) one's ball. The Committee has decided, on the recommendation of the Greens Committee, to start play on the new course in about four weeks. It will be impossible to play the permanent course in full before next autumn, but one closely approximating to it can be laid out. It will involve., one or two crossings and one temporary green, but this matters little, being only a temporary inconvenience. The final course will follow Soutar’s plan to the 15th hole, but the last three holes will differ essentially. At least it will be laid on a scientific basis, and will hot be a collection of haphazard holes. Subscriptions. The Committee has decided to call a general meeting of the Club at the end of this month to consider the question of raising the subscription to 5 guineas. It will also be proposed that a penalty for non-payment in three months from duo date be inflicted. In making the suggested increase the Club will only be following the example of Auckland. Wellington, and, I think, Dunedin, all all of which clubs have found that 4 guineas is too low. Of course, it cannot bo denied that it is possible to have golf for the lower subscription, but it has been found impossible to give golf of a first-class order and make ends meet. The question resolves itself into the simple one, Do members prefer to save a guinea a year, or to have firstclass links to play’on? I hope the proposal will be carried. As to the other point of inflicting a penalty for non-

payment of subscriptions by a given date, I feel sorry that such a proposal should be necessary. Members who do not pay until the* year is almost over show little consideration for those who are managing the affairs of the Club. It would do some of them good to try it on in a big English or Australian club. I was in the office of the secretary of the Royal Sydney Golf Club one January, about the 4th or sth of the month. The cheques simply littered his desk, and he told me that more than half had already come in, and he expected the rest during the month. This is not superior virtue on the part of the Sydney players, but result of a system which merely considers the question of whether a man’s subscription is paid or not by a fixed date. In most places they don’t fine; they suspend and even strike off the name of the non-payer. Richmond Hill. The final of the Richmond Hill Club Championship, played over 36 holes, was won by A. C. Fryer, who beat C. 11. Seymour by 3 and 2". The final for the Rawnsley Cicek resulted in a win for G. K. Webber and Miss D. Meares. New Brighton. The favourable season experienced this year has hail an excellent effect at New Brighton. The greens, which were top-dressed, have done very well, ami the course gives great promise of future excellence. It is a pity it is so short, for the country is all that could be de-

sired. One advantage New Brighton will have over Richmond Hill and Hagley ig that the links can easily and inexpensively be kept fit for summer play. Growth is not usually very fierce in pure sand. Professional Golf. Clements has gone to Palmerston to fill a short engagement. On the way he played a match at Miramar with >Simpson, whom he defeated. A wire this week informs us that he has put up n new record for the Palmerston links—--74. He is certainly in fine form just now. Hood is doing some coaching at the new Lyttelton Club’s links.

CAMBRIDGE.

The final of the Men's “15" Championship was played this week, and resulted in a win for E. Fraser from W. J. Murphy by 1 up at the 19th. W. J. Murphy assumed the lead early, being 3up going to the sth. From this onward Fraser continued to hold his own, but at the 14th was still 3 down. Playing an uphill game with great determination, he won the 15th, halved the 16th, and annexing the next two, squared the match on the 18th green. The deciding hole was played indifferently by both players, and' a six enabled Fraser to win the match and championship.

A “ladder" match between M. Wells (challenger) and R. Muir, played on Thursday, was halved after a close game.

STRATFORD

The September Bogey Competition was von by Mr. Vernon Crawshaw. The following cards were returned: —V. Crawchaw 8, 1 down ; >S. Spence. 9, 5 ; L. Curtis 22, 6 ; C. 11. Wright 8, 7 ; N. F. Dunlop 20, 7 ; F. W. Wake 14, 10 ; E. B. Anderson 16, 11 : F. N. Fussell 9, 12 ; F. P. Uniacke 9, 15 ; 8. Macalister 24, 15. Tlie ladies' competition was won by Airs. Budge. . The four best, cards returned were:—Mrs. Budge 10, 3 down; Miss Fussell (>, 4 ; Aliss F. Orbell 0, 6 ; Miss Wake 6, 9.

The mixed foursomes were won by Aliss Orbell and l“. Wright. Results : — Miss Orbell and P. -Wright, 84, 4, 80;

Miss Fussell and G. Wright 86, 4, 82 ; Miss O'Brien and C. Wright 93, .4. 89 ; Miss F. Orbell and V. Crawshaw’9o, 0, 90 ; Mrs. Robinson and S. Spence 103, 4, 99; Miss F. Wake and 1A N. Fussell 110, 4, 106.

HAWERA

Tn the driving and approaching competitions fourteen players competed. The driving was non by O'Callaghan, •who drove 191 yards. Page was second with 182 yards. The driving was done against the wind, which explains the comparatively short distances reached. In the approaching and putting competitions, distances 40, GO, and 80 yards, Cardale and O’Callaghan lied with 9 strokes. In the >day-ofT O’Callaghan won. Last week a return match against Waverlcy was played, Hawera winning by 9 matches to 1. Following were the results:—Coghill 1 v. Eliott 0; Muir 0 v. O'Callaghan 1; Cave 0 v. Gillies 1; Jones 0 v. Ryan 1; C. Johnston 0 v. Treweek 1; L. Aiken 0 v. Sutton 1; G. Howie 0 v. Tarrant 1; Merriman 0 v. Tonka 1; Riddel 0 v. Page 1; F. Johnston 0 v. Barley 1. Six Hawera ladies journeyed to Manaia, and were defeated by 3 mat'hes to 1. Results of play were:—Miss G en, iMrs Foyster, and Mrs Clampbell lost, Misses Capleu (2) halved, and Miss A. Acting scored a win.

NEW PLYMOUTH,

The final for the men’s championship o[ the'New Plymout h Club between A. Bewley and P. I). McCord was played at Nga Motu last week, in ideal weather. It had been mutually agreed to play 27 instead of 36 owing to the impossibility of playing 18 boles in the morning. Bewley started the last round with a lead of 2 up, and maintaining his lead won by 5 up and 3 to play. •Following is a list of the winners of the championship to date: — 1903— Dr. E. A. Walker. 1904— G. E. Mannering. 1905— TL If. Ward. 1906— if. |f. Ward. 1907— R. Addenbrooke.

1908— R. G. Scott. 1909— J. Paton. 1910— H. C. Wright 1911— A. Bewley. 1912— A. Bewlev.

NAPIER.

A handicap bogey competition was played on the Waiohiki links last week, and was won by W. G. Wood. The following are the best scores handed in:—W. G. Wood (handicap 4). 2 down: N. Kettle (8), 3 down; A. O. Russell (8), 3 down; R. Natusch (17). 4 down: V. Kettle (7). 5 down; A M. Retemeyer (8), 5 down; W. Mclntosh (9), 5 down: E. Davis (14), 5 down.

HASTINGS.

The Hastings Golf Club completed several competitions during last week. Mr J. F. Gordon’s trophy for the best, aggregate score in three stroke matches was won by N. 11. Beatson. Mr R. 1). A : limie’s trophy for competition amongst those who did not qualify for the championship was won by W. IL Maitland. In the semi-final for the club championship D. Banks beat 11. Symons, and N. H. Beatson beat W. A. Kiely. In the final over 36 holes, Banks beat Beatson.

MASTERTON.

The first qualifying round of Hie senioi •and junior championships (men) was played last week. The following cards were handed in: — Senior.—V. Donah! 84, F. H. Elcoate 87, A. R. Sclanders 87, A. H. Alagson 87, AV. 11. Booth 88, A. B. Lawrence 89, E. P. Fenton 89, N. James 90, W. 11. Robieson 90, C. Perry 92, G. G. Aitkin 92, Al. Foley 93, R. Messenger 96, J. Steele 96, C. Bennett 97, H. 11. Donald 100, H. W. Bish worth 101, J. Hirschberg 104. Junior.—A. D. Gillies 101, A. Caselberg 107, D. Caselberg 108, I’. L. Boilings 108, AV. AV. Gabites 109, J. Milne 117, J. G. Bee 118, C. Laßoche 122, E. Perry 125.

ST. CLAIR

A bogey match was played at St. Clair Links last week. The following arc the best cards handed in: — Gold Medal Handicap.—D. Alacfarlane (7), 1 down; L. Jardine (3), 2 down; W. D. McCarthy (5), 2 down; B. R. Stock (9), 5 down; I. Drake (3). 5 down. Silver Aled'al Handicap.—ll. D. Brewer (13), 1 down; F. T. Anderson (18), 2 down; G. Astiil (11), 3 down; F. Leonard (18), 3 down; 11. W. Bundle (14), 4 down.

TARAHUA.

The final of the men’s championship of the Tarahua Club was played between G. Grey and W. IL Broome, Grey winning by 2up and Ito play. Last year the championship was won by R. 11. Bailey.

LADIES' GOLF.

AUCKLAND. The season is drawing to a close, an t the monthly medal handicap match, postponed from last week on account of wet weather, and the Captain v. Secretary’s match, arranged for Thursday, finishes the list of fixtures. On Saturday, 26 th, mixed foursomes between teams chosen by the Captain and Secretary <>f the men’s Club are to be played, the day to wind up with a social reunion and the prize-giving. The October medal was played on Monday in ideal weather conditions, the course being in fine order, and the new greens playing \vell. Miss Airini Carr 101, handicap 23, net 78, was the winner of the senior medal; Miss Marjory Towle 103—21—82, second. The junior medal resulted in a tie between Misses L. Gorric, M. Rice, and Una Saunders, with a net score of 86. Manngaklekie. A medal round of 12 holes was played by the members of the above club for a Trophy presented by Miss Souter, and resulted us follows: —Miss Minnie Steele, 75 —13—52; Miss Kathleen Holmes, 77— 23—54; Miss Murray, 81—27—54; Miss Gordon, 0(1—11—55; Miss Scott, 81-24 —57; Miss Petrie, 80—27 —5 V.

TAURANGA,

The matches for the ladies* championship, which have frequently been postponed owing to the inclemency of the weather, are at last concluded. In the first round the results were as follows: —Miss Kirk beat Aliss AL Al'rigley. 2 up and 1 to play: Aliss I). Samuel beat Aliss Norris, 6 up and 2 to play; Aliss Samuel beat Aliss E. AVrigley, 7 up and 5 to play; Aliss Litten won by default. The second round resulted:—Aliss I». Samuel beat Aliss Kirk. 6 up and 5 to play; Aliss Samuel beat Aliss Litten. 9 up and 7 to play. The final round gave the victory to Aliss Samuel, who defeated her sister, 9 up and 7 to play.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

In the bogey match played on October 8 for a prize presented by Aliss Read. Airs, Paton proved the winner with the good score of 3 up on the “ Colonel." Following were the scores : —Airs. Paton 14, 3 up ; Aliss Rundle 18, 1 up ; Aliss Brewster 8, 3 down ; Airs Johns 16, 3 ; Airs AVlietter 27, 3 ; Aloss Blundell 21, 5 ; Aliss Glasgow 21, 5.

DANNEVIRKE.

'lhe final round for the Knight cup was played on September 7. To ascerta’n the winner the aggregate score of the best four rounds is taken and this resulted in Aliss Hartgill winning the cup this season with a score of 365, also the silver medal ; Aliss Tansley 392. bronze medal ; Aliss B. Robertson 395. In 'the Scptemls'i' round for 'the Capitain’s medal Miiss llartgill's score was it he best—97. 9, 88. Junior Stroke Handicap. Miss Drummond. Senior Stroke Handicap. Miss H i i t. gill. In the first round for the championship Aliss Tansley beat Airs, laiwford ; V.i a

llartgill beat Aliss Baker; Miss Buck hurst beat Airs. N.vuiand ; Airs. McDowell a bye. Second round : Alisa Tansley beat Airs. McDowell : Aliss llartgill beat Aliss Buckhurst. The final is ito be played between Miss llartgill and Aliss Tansley. The final of the ladies’ championship was won by Aliss llartgill, who defeated Alias AT. Tansley by 2 up.

HASTINGS.

Several competitions for trophies presented by Airs W. J. Douglas were played last week, with the following results: — Stroke Handicap (18 holes). —Miss Al. Bairl, gross 115, handicap 30, net 85; Airs Alaedonald, 146—56—90. Bogey Handicap.—Seniors ; Aliss D. Wellwood (hep 16), 4 down) ; Airs Alurray (10), 5 down. Juniors: Aliss Lanauze (5), 12 down; Aliss Danvers (8), 12 down. Drive 'and Approach.—Aliss Brath waite, sft 9Jin; Miss Lanauze, 6ft. Pulling.—Mrs McKibbin, l>; Miss It. Wellwood, 12; Airs Rainbow, 12.