GOLF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2277, 24 August 1908, Page 3

GOLF.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETI-

Local golfers had a field day on Saturday afternoon, when tlic hist round of the championship competition was commenced. The handicap competition for Mr Guthrie-Smith's gold medal was played simultaneously, so that the average players had an interest in the afternoon’s play as well as the cracks. A sharp shower set in at 1 o’clock, and the weather looked threatening for the afternoon; but luckily rain ceased at 2 and for the rest of the day ideal golf weather prevailed. It is hard to account for the indifferent given during the first round. None of the cracks were at the top of tlieir game by any means, and this will be understood when Pare Keihx and fill. Bull tied for lowest- gross score for tho afternoon with 94 each. Traill had to content himself with 98. Geolf Willock made a fine outward journey of 4G, but got into trouble on the homeward voyago and took 55, which made liis total one over the hundred. W. It. Barker took 102 and J. Howie 105. Several competitors started out well and had glorious visions of securing the blue riband of golf for the 1908 season, but-, alas, these ambitious hopes lie buried in the ditch at that disastrous thirteenth hole, where many of them lost not only their balls but tlieir cards as well.

A good deal of interest centred in the meeting of Pare Iveiha. tho holder of tho championship, and F. H. AV. Traill, who played round together. Alany thought that the local champion would not he able to retain the honor, as he has not been seen out on the links frequently this season. But youngsters who were out at cockcrow in the morning getting in the cows brought in tidings that a demon golfer was often to be seen in the dawn’s early light making marvellous drives, unerring approaches, and deadly putts, and tho boys persisted in declaring that his style was identical with that of Pare Keiha. Be that as it may, the present holder of the title was four strokes to the good at the end of the first round, good over his opponent at the end of the first round. There is no more enthusiastic devotee of the ancient game in the district than the popular captain of the club, J. H. Bull. He never misses an opportunity of getting in a round, and it was only to be' expected that such a steady player would be well up for the championship. He had a chance of beating Keiha’s score at the last hole, as he was oh the green in three, and just failed by tile narrowest of margins with his putt. Traill was expected to do better, as he has been playing consistently well all through the” season. He started off with a five and a four, hut got into trouble going to the third green and took eight for the hole, A seven for the ninth hole gavo him 48 for the outward journey. An eight at the thirteenth arid two sevens at the “all-blit” arid eighteenth holes made his homeward total as high as 51, which is a good way below his usual performances. Luttrell took 49 each way, and was erratic at times; but if he strikes form on Saturday next lie may do a good round, as he only Jacks the steadiness begotten of experience to make him a good golfer. Geolf. AA’illock, AV. R. Barker and J. Howie were also off their game, and it is pretty certain they will all do much better in the second round.The following were the cards:— P. Keiha : Out 045035376 —15. In 653866564—49. Total 94. F. H. AV. Traill: Out 548546457 48. In 554856477—51. Total 99. J. H. Bull : Out 764536446—45. In 555656575—49. Total 94. Dr. Sampson : Out 875580457 —55. In 654976675 —55. Total 110. G. AA’illock : Out 055535566—40. 11l 56510 56576—55. Total 101. J. Howie: Out 765646455 —48. In 664 10 56576—57. Total 105. AV. It. Barker: Out 565457655 —49. In 554756597 —53. Total 102. AV. F. J. Anderson: Out 77(L56157 —53. In 663765776—53. Total 106. AA’. A r . R. Luttrell: Out 865531456 —49. In 444875665—49. Total 9S. AV. A. J. Gibson : Out 406757567 — 53. In 68411 50495—58. Total 111. L. F. Brown: Out 957548556 —54. In 954776487 —57. Total 111. H. Barker: Out 10 66557579—00. In 64514 97687—60. Total 126. It will thus be seen that Pare Keiha, the present champion, and J. H. Bull, the captain of the Club, tied for best More in the' first roil rill with 94. A great deal of interest should attach to the' second round on Saturday next, as Traill, Luttrell, G. AV block, AA’. R. Barker, and Howie are all within striking distanco, and any one of the players mentioned mar yet annex the coveted honor. (the second round for Mr GuthrieSmith’s gold medal will also be played

next Saturday. Dr Sampson ends at present with a not score ot 90, with Brown close up with 91, while J. H. Bull and Luttrell follow with 92 each. . . Other players out on Saturday wore G. Grant, K. U. Burke, J. fe. Barton, I l '. W. Nolan, W. 41. Vf illock, AV. A. O’Meura, S. Murray, E. A. Adair, A. E. N. Smith, P. Barker, G. Bradloy-Smith, and A. J. Coleman. There wore a fair number of ladies out on the links, hut they considerately left the field clear so as not to interfere with play in the championship. Misses Schumacher and AgnoivBrown gave afternoon tea.

MR GUTHRIE-SMITH’S MEDAL.

Tho following were tlic results ot the handicap competition lor the above modal, which was played simultaneously with tho championship Dr. Sampson 110 —20 —90; L. J). Brown HI —-20 —91; J. .11. Bull 91 2 —92; Luttrell 98— G—92; Anderson 10G— —94; Howie 105—10—95; Gjbson 111 —16 —95; G. Willock 101 —5 90; M. Barker 126—80—90; P. Koiha -94—plus 2—90; Traill 99—scr. —99. LADIES’ CLUB. On Friday afternoon last tho members of tho Ladies’ Club hold aU interesting ono-club competition for Mr Fenwick’s trophy. There were a large number of entries. The favorite club chosen was the lolting-iron, while a few used decks and one fair competitor went round with a brassey. It was a handicap competition, and tho winner turned up in Miss L. Barker, who used a lotting-iron, and went round in a gross scoro of 87. Tho best cards handed in were: Miss L. Barker (lofter) 87 —30 —57. Miss F. Adams (brnssey) GO —scr. —(>O. Miss de Lautour (loiter) 09 —o—o 3. Miss Sweet (lofter) 05 —2 —63. Mrs O’Meara (lofter) GB4—G 4. Other players out were Mesilames Traill, Morgan, W. R. Barker, Stephenson, Bull, Cole, Barlow, Rees, Misses'Nolan, E. Barker, Beore, Tucker (2), Black, and Bright. Tho scoring round for tho L.G.A. medal may he played any day this week. On Thursday afternoon a match, Captain versus Secretary, will bo played. Players will bo drawn for oil the ground at 2 p.m. sharp.