Golf.

Southland Times, Issue 18816, 8 May 1920, Page 9

Golf.

(By “dock”.) Tfo» Qdhdb’b Pork Golf Chib opened its eemeeax on Wedneeday under ideal conditions. The fairway was in good order aad the gram playing well. These was a pud attendance of pfeyeo, over 80 tummg eat, bim hiding players foam other chibo. The first mixed foursome got away well ob time but no phenomenal cards were retained, os toe majority of those playing had not been over the new holes and tost no doubt accounted for the ab*aw of good cords. The mixed foursome was played over 12 boles, and the best card was returned by Mrs Rowe aad C B Topfey, who handed in a cord reading 89 -10-59, the next best bring banded in by Mrs J. Mrtebrfl and T. D. Pearce, and Mrs Hodjr* and M. Tangsey. Ail the players in the foursome returned to the Golf houae well satisfied with the afternoon’s gams and those who bad not been over the new holes stated that they provided a mote sporting course than the old iinka. The ladies’ driving competition was a great Hacceaa although some of the strongest drivers were unable to keep the three baQs upon the fairway. The competition w» won by Mrs Haggitt, whose three drives totaftid 260 yards, and although of no great length were well placed on the fairway. The longest drive was one by Mas Dwyer who covered 139 with a good bail, her second ball was also a good one, but with her third she failed to find the fairway and missed. Mrs Masters also drove two good balls one reaching .127 yards, but she made toe same error as Mias Dwyer xnd had to retire. The ladies' putting competition was keenly contested and resulted in a tie between Mrs Haggitt xnd Hr* Masters after a good struggle. The men’s driving competition was won by A. Masters with a total length of 455 yards, and he got away three nice balls from toe tee. R Wilson sliced his first ball badly, but had the honour of driving tin longest ball of the competition it travelling 206 yards. The thanks of toe chib are doe to those who donated prises »nd especially to Mr C. & Yates, who came to the rescue when interest was beginning to wane while awsiting the photographer, and donated two Silver Kings for a putting competition among the ladies, and to the lady captain also for the enjoyable. ..afternoon tea that, made a fitting raiding- to an enjoyable" afternoon. Caretaker Dnffe must have pot in a eoagafombla amount of work in preparing, the finks for toe opening day, and all the ’ player* were unanimous in their praise of the good coocfituMi toe links were m. The fairways wm in good order sad the greens playing fast and true. Ur Duffe takes a great interest in his links and nothing is too much for him to do to improve the playing condition of the ground under his care. Mr G. Forrest, the coach, had the handling of the foursome, and got the players away well oa time and without any confusion. The success of the club is due greatly to his keen interest in the game aad he is always ready to assist beginners along the right road. The fixture card for the Otatara links for the 1920 season is now in the hands of the Invercargill Qub members.... The procedure inaugurated last season of playing on Wednesday and Saturday is to be again followed. The distinct competitions for A. and B. grade players is to be retained, but with a view of bringing members closer together and encouraging B grade players, it is intended that the draw should, be made irrespective of grades, tons bringing the different grade players into closer contact. The group photo taken at Otatara on the opening day turned out well and copies of the same may be obtained from the Secretary. The golfer is second to none in enthnsiaan, and competes strongly with the bowlers, who often firriah their games by candle light. In the dusk of Wednesday evening those who passed in the vicinity of the Queen’s Park Golf house were rather astonished to see several enthusiasts around the heme green bolding and putting competition with the aid of a bicycle lamp. Judging by the remarks of the competitors they were thoroughly enjoying the novel experience. To the golfer his eoSection of clubs is ■acred and in many cases represents the labour of many years selection and experimenting. He might sell his home or Mb motor car but he would not dream of parting with his favourite driver or mashie. Haa be not played cute shot* with the latter, landing some dead on the pin. Many members of the Royal Sydney Golf Club ore lamenting the' loss of sets of sticks which were burned when the clubhouse was recently destroyed by fire. The Rose Bay member* have, it is behoved, lost 3000 ctieks, and, apart from sentiment, the material value ia high. Shafts to-day cast as much m the whole stick could be purchased far prior to the war. As a matter of fact, tone clubs cannot be replaced immediately, for there is a world’s shortage of shafts at first-grade quality. TLe demand for hickory has gone past the supply, and so for no Mtwfwimy substitute has been ob- , toioed, notwithstanding many experiments.