GOLF.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 1 October 1920, Page 2

GOLF.

THE CHAMPION AT PALMERSTON NORTH. A crowd of about 400 golfing enthusiasts and friends from Manawatu and all adjacent golf clubs were ou the Ilokowhitu links ou Wednesday afternoon to see the exhibition match between Joe Kirkwood (Australasian open champion) and A. Kkstedt (anu tour), and J. A. Clements (professional). both of Palmerston North. Kirkwood played the best hall of the Palmerston men. Wet weather and tiie rapid growth of the spring lias taken a lot of the sting out of the fairways and the greens at. Hokowhitu. A cleanly hit bat! is not flattered by anv distance, and it seemed unlikely that anv sensational scores would be forthcoming. What actually happened was a contradiction of the omens. In spite of an interruption by a thunderstorm for over an hour, Kirkwood looped the loop in 7.3. and was oniy beaten one up by the Palmerston men whose lies! ball was 72. He piaye i brilliant golf throughout, ami was up against it nearly the whole distance. Clements was faulty in his short gams, and Kkstedt rather nervous in the Opening stages. The Palmerston amateur came to light just before the turn, and helped considerably to tile tin' game over the critical stages with a 3 at “Oasis,” a 3 at “Taipo,” and a 3 at “Shotovcr.” Clements also had a 3 at the ninth, which helped eon siderablv. Kirkwood (out) was 145454344 —.37, against Palmerston North’s best ball. 555115333—37, and was all square at the ninth. Clements was 555415343 —38, and Kkstedt 55*1545334 —fit. Coming home Kirkwood was 442655334- —36, against the best ball, 333605334 —35. and was one down jn the match. Kkstedt was 1213655341 —36. and Clements 414655335 players for the whole round was 445444322 —34 (out); 332655334 —32 (home); total, 66. In an enforced interval caused by the thunderstorm, Kirkwood gave an exhibition of nearly every shot in golf, and added a number of freak shots, such as hitting five balls rapidly a few inches apart with an iron; perching three balls on top of one another by means of sand, and knocking out any of them at will; hitting the top ball off without disturbing the others, and to on ad infinitum. He made the game look so simple to the overwrought man who has hugged bis incompetency for rears.—“Manawatu Daily Times.”