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On the Golf Links
A Railwayman's Victory

(By A.I.M., Locomotive Drawing Office, Wellington.)

During recent months several New Zealand railwaymen have greatly distinguished themselves in various fields of sport, one of their number, Mr. A. J. Cleverley, having the high honour of participation in the Olympic Games. The reputation of members of our staff in these activities has been further enhanced by Mr. J. L. Black, whose achievement on the Balmacewan Golf Links, Dunedin, is the subject of the following article.

”One only thought can enter every head;
The thought of golf, to wit—and that engages
Men of all sizes, tempers, ranks and ages.”
—G. F. Carnegie.

The New Zealand railwayman, Mr. J. L. Black, made golfing history in the New Zealand Championship Tournament held recently on the Balmacewan Links, Dunedin. Mr. Black (who is at present stationed at Frankton Junction) had, by consistent play, won his way through to a place in the final eight, in the contest for the Amateur Championship. As a result he was then called upon to meet Mr. C. B. Wight, the St. Clair Club's representative. The latter, who was acquainted with all the wiles of the Balmacewan course, was expected by many to spring a surprise upon the North Island representative. A good number of spectators assembled at the commencement of the contest in which increasing interest was manifested as it progressed.

From the very outset of the match Mr. Wight commenced to “burn up” the course in a most sensational manner. He holed out in par figures with monotonous regularity, and, despite all that Mr. Black could do (and the golf on his part was good throughout), he was soon trailing far in the rear. At the end of 18 holes Mr. Wight (who had gone round in 67, two strokes less than the uttermost par), was no less than 9 up. No golfer could have stood up to the storm more gallantly than did Mr. Black. He did not weaken; he did not break, but forced the situation with characteristic determination. At this stage the spectators (who were keenly excited), surged round Mr. Wight and showed their appreciation of his wonderful play by cheering him to the echo.

But what of Mr. Black? He was 9 down and completely forgotten. During the adjournment all present discussed the achievement—67—a new course record, though unofficial. The course was at full stretch for championship play. “A great round,” “a wonderful achievement” were typical of the exclamations heard on all sides. When the match was resumed the spectators strolled out in a leisurely manner to see Mr. Black finally annihilated. Surely the thrills were past! Mr. Wight could not possibly do another 67 and his opponent was 9 down. The first hole was halved in 5, 9 down with 17 to go. page 23 Then the railway representative commenced in earnest to set about reducing the leeway. He won the second and fourth, two holes back in four, and was 7 down. Mr. Wight was apparently playing cautiously—a most inadvisable mood to fall into. The next two holes were halved, also the ninth, Mr. Black having won the eighth turned for home 6 down.

The spectators were not now so confident in the certainty of an early victory for Mr. Wight, for the play of his opponent was becoming, at every stroke, more audacious and successful. Truly excited the golfers gathered around the tenth green. No one spoke; the air was tense with excitement, as Black holed a delightful two, and won another hole back. He was now 5 down and 8 to go. The next was halved, and then Mr. Black, continuing his brilliant play, went on to win the next five holes on end to square the match at the thirty-fourth. Who would have thought it? Mr. Wight, however, held on to his game in a gallant manner; he, like Mr. Black in the morning, did not waver, but held on under the greatest strain a golf player can experience. The seventeenth and eighteenth were halved, or the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth of the match. Both players got away excellent drives to the thirty-seventh, and equally good seconds, and as Mr. Black was slightly nearer the pin, it was his opponent's turn to play. His ball rolled gallantly up to the hole, looked in, as it were, and then passed on for some six feet. It was now Mr. Black's turn, everything depended on this 20 yards shot. Carefully he sized up the situation, swung his putter, and sent forth a perfect shot, his ball resting finally a foot from its objective. Mr. Wight missed the return, and, Mr. Black, making no mistake, won the hole in 4 to 5, and, with it, the greatest match ever witnessed by any of those fortunate enough to be present. It was a truly wonderful victory. Words cannot describe the scene at the finish. Mr. Black was carried shoulder high by his admirers into the club house.

He eventually met T. H. Horton in the final, and, after a grim struggle, was defeated at the thirty-sixth hole. He had a great opportunity to add his name to the amateur title roll of honour, but crashed with his second shot at the last hole when the match was square. Of this mistake his opponent took full advantage.

Mr. Black for a number of years has played a prominent part in the N.Z. championship meetings. A few years ago he was runner-up in the “open,” and also, on another occasion, a finalist in the amateur. He has experienced a most successful season to date. He won the championship at the Miramar tournament last New Year, and, quite recently, also annexed the King Country and South Auckland championships. That he may yet win a national title is the wish of his fellow employees in the Railway Service.