NEW CHAMPION

NZ Truth, Issue 1190, 20 September 1928, Page 14

NEW CHAMPION

Close Game m Golf Final (From "N.Z. Truth's" Palmerston North Rep.) : When it was known that four of •the lowest handicap ladies m the Dominion would be taking part m the Manawatu ladies', open golf tournament at Palmerston North . last week, the golf fans foresaw. some good play. ■yKtEItl expectations were more than 1 fulfilled. Further interest was added to the tournament' by the presence of Mrs. H. Collinson, the Dominion and Manawatu Club lady champion, and Miss E. Culling, the runner-up to Mrs. Collinson last year m "the Dominion final and the holder of ; the Manawatu open title. Many there were who thought that Miss Culling should have defeated Mrs. Collinson last year, and were lOQking forward to another tussle between this pair at £he recent tournament. ••■•,; . :• • ■ Mrs. Collinson, however, was not up to her *est form and succumbed to Miss D. M. Chrystall, • the. Shirley (Christchurch) club champion, 4 and 2, m the semi -final.Another notable lady was Miss S. Acheson, of the Nelson club, the outstanding lady golfer of her province. •'■ Miss- Aoheson took the . trophy for the best gross score (82) at the Palmerston North tournament. ,At the Dominion championships last year Misses Culling ana Acheson, who are both on the one mark, met twice. The latter defeated Miss Culling, 1 up, m the North v. South game, and Miss Culling- turned the tables, 3. and 2, m the second round of the championship. These two excellent golfers met a third time"last week, the rubber going to Miss Culling, who eliminated Miss Acheson m the second semi-final after an,, extra hole had been played. FROM ENGLAND ■ The most consistent player of the tournament was Miss D. M. Chrystall. Away m England when the Dominion championships were being held,. Miss Chrystall came to Palmerston North almost a .stranger to the course, all the other notable competitors having an advantage over her m this respect. • She soon settled down, however, easily winning her way Into the semifinals through to the championship. In all her matches, but particularly against Mrs. Collinson and Miss Culling, did Miss Chrystall display excellent match temperament, and called upon all of her superior championship experience so that she could win the title. After, having led at the first hole and been brought ba&k to all square m her final against Miss Culling, Miss Chrystall was'never m the lead until she sank her second putt on the 18th green to snatch a last-minute victory. Miss Culling, on the other hand, stood one up ' at the sth, Bth, 12th and 16th holes, only to lose her advantage at the 16th, the 17th being halyed. It was on the last three holes of this match that Miss ChrystaU's temperament was the deciding factor; By playing safe, instead of trying to sink a long putt, Miss Culling could have halved the 18th hole and taken her opponent on to ,the next hole, but it was hot to be.

The driving 1 " m this match was well up to championship standard, but Miss Culling's putting left much to be desired.

Miss Culling, however, will have the advantage of playing on ' her home course at the Dominion ladies" championships, which will N shortly be held, at 1 Middlemore, Auckland, arid if she regains her touch at putting should be handy at the finals.

Miss O. Kay, Mrs. Collinson, Miss Chrystall and Miss S. Acheson will also be competing.