Golf in the Rain

Whatever faults they might have found in the weather for the New Zealand Women's Golf Championships held at the Poverty Bay links last month, competitors had nothing but high praise for Gisborne's management of the tournament, and for the course over which they played. The weather was certainly not up to Gisborne's usual standard, but there were some fair intervals. The gruelling final, over 36 holes, was played in intermittent showers.

The morning round saw the two finalists, Miss Una Wickham (Tauranga) and Mrs W. J. Mangan (Palmerston North) finish up all square. In the afternoon round Miss Wickham, playing a tightly controlled game, gradually established an ascendancy over her opponent and won the title at the 32nd hole, 5 and 4.

Umbrellas add piquant touch as spectators watch Miss Wickham putt at the 24th

The new champion plays fine bunker shot at the 20th

Mrs Mangan watches as her opponent prepares to putt

The size of the gallery was reduced by the state of the weather during the afternoon round.

Mrs Mangan drives from the edge of the rough on the 23rd. At this stage she was one-down.

By the time the players had reached the 27th green, the rain had set in fairly heavily. Here oilskins and umbrellas frame the view as Miss Wickham takes a short putt to halve the hole. It was in her green play that the new champion established a steady superiority.

Here are some of the tournament's leading contestants and winners of the main secondary titles.

Mrs H. J. Topliss, of Nelson (left) who defeated Miss M. Knight, of Rotorua (right) for the Waddell Rose Bowl Flight.

Mrs R. Garriek, Mr. Maunganui, winner of the Waddell Rose Bowl.

Miss Marion Stubbs, the 18-year-old Waipukurau player, won the N. Z. Plate Final. For her caddy she had Mrs H. C. McDiamid, one of the tournament's top players, who beat the champion of last year. Miss Nicki Campbell (Nelson).

Runner-up in the N. Z. Plate was Miss B. Murray, Christchurch (left).

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 65 : November 13, 1959

Golf in the Rain