GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 70, 14 June 1927, Page 9

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

LADIES AT MIDDLEMORE

“BREAKING THE ICE” SOUTHERNERS IN THE LEAD ’’PHEORETICALLY and practically the lady golfers were breaking the ice at Middlemore this morning. They played the first qualifying: round for the ladies’ provincial golf championship, and the first players desiring to use the tee boxes had to break away the ice. There was a hard frost last night, and the day following is brilliant. The greens were brushed early in the morning, but t took most of the players until the second half to get down to scoring. Ninety per cent of the cardss howed bad scoring going out and very good results on the way home. Considering recent weather conditions, the course was in excellent order, and the greens were faster lhan most of the players anticipated. On this morning's result Auckland will have a difficult tasfc to repel the southern invasion Four of the leading players this morning came from the South. Miss Chrystall (Christchurch) finished the morning in a leading position with a score of 83. But for having taken three putts on several greens, she would have been in the seventies. Her long game and her mashie pitches left nothing to be desired. She was playing in her best style, and if she continues in this strain the probabilities are that she will take the cup back to Christchurch with her. Her card this morning Out—4 5 5 5 6 5 3 3 5—43. In—3 4 5 3 4 6 5 6 6—42. Mrs. S. Weston, who finished in second position, was out in 45 and home in 43. Miss M. Ward (Wellington) played considerably below her handicap of 10, and after taking 48 to go out, was home in 41, giving her the best net morning score n the senior grade, o 79. Mrs. R.ussell Grace took 50 to go out, and then came home in 10 strokes better. . Mrs. Du Faur also took 50 to go out, including two B’s and a 7. She came home in nine strokes beter, starting off with 3,3, 5, 3. Miss Culling, the defender of the championship, appeared to be more on her game than she has been recntly, ler trouble for some weeks being an inability to pivot. She started away with a little more confidence this morning, but then reached the crowning disaster of her recent bad spell, taking a 10, including a lost ball, at the fifth —a hole which has cost many good, players many strokes. FIRST ROUND TTie leading scores in the first round this morning were as follows: Miss Chrystall (Christchurch) .. .. 8o Mrs. Weston (Wellington), SS Miss N. Ward (Wellington) S 3 Mrs. Russell Grace (Wanganui) .... 90 Mrs. R. Hu Faur (Titirangi) 91 Miss E. Culling (Middlemore) .. .. 91 Mrs. Marshall (Middlemore) 92 Miss D. Horton (Titirangi) 93 Mrs. Dedghton (Titirangi) 94 Miss F. Hamlin (Middlemore) .. .. 95 Miss T. Bayly (Middlemore) 95 For the first time a second qualifying round is being played and this is taking place this afternoon. The entries for tap-day’s play totalled 86.