GOLF

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 351, 15 April 1897, Page 6

GOLF

The best time for golf in Auckland is now coming on. Ihe grass, which has been exceptionally heavy this year, is now fast becoming eaten down by the stock on the links, and the greens are getting into very good order. A lot of work is now being carried out on the links with a view of having them in apple-pie order for the forthcoming New Zealand Championship, which commences on Tuesday, 18th May. The boats from the South suit the Southern golfers excellently, and a large number of visitors are expected. Local players have been putting in a large amount of practice, and Auckland should make a good bid for the championship, especially in view of the advan'age which their own green should give to local players. The course finally decided upon by the green committee is one of 15 holes, the first, second, and last holes being played over again to complete the 18. The holes repeated are all very good holes, and it was felt that it would be distinctly better to use them twice than to form three fresh holes with inferior greens. The tournament for Messrs Porter and Co.’s trophy just concluded has been very interesting, chiefly because of the improved play of several of the long handicap men. The tournament was played on the principle of the Calcutta Cup at St. Andrew’s, each man receiving a handicap, receiving so many holes start from the scratch man. Mr Kyd won the first prize and Mr M. Clark the second. The following entries for the Club Championship were received: — Walker (bye), Burness (bye), Col beck (bye), Gillies, Cuff, Flint, Carr, Turner (bye), Caldwell (bye), Kyd (bye). The following matches have already been played: — Mr Gillies beat Mr Cuff, who retired at the 10th hole ; Mr Flint beat Mr Carr by 3 up and 1 to play; Mr Kyd beat Mr Caldwell by 5 up and 4to play; Mr Walker, after a very hard match, defeated Mr Burness by 2up and Ito play. Mr Gillies now plays Mr Colbeck, and Mr Flint plays Mr Turner. From Golf we get the followidg connundrum and its answer :—“ In the absence of the regular golf editor, the following question from a beginner was referred to the turf editor for an answer : ‘ Tn a game of golf, is it right to fuzzle yout put, or is it better to fetter on the tee ? ’ The turf editor set his teeth firmly, stared hard at the wall in front of him a few moments, and wrote the following reply : ‘ln case a player snaggles his iron it is permissible for him to fuzzle his put ; but a better plan would be for him to drop his guppy into the pringle and snoodle it out with a niblick.’ ”