1908 New Zealand Open: Played on 21st and 22nd September in conditions described as “suitable” apparently not “ideal” at the Otago Golf Club, Balmacewen.
Winner, 19-year-old J.A.Clements, was the first New Zealand born professional to become prominent in the development of the game at that time.
Clements won by a narrow one stroke over David Hood whose fortune on day two and three couldn’t have been much more different shooting a 79 and then 91 respectively.
1909 New Zealand Open: Played on 13th and 14th September in fine weather with a moderate breeze. The Auckland Golf Club venue at Cornwall Links had a bogey (par) of 86, including 3 par 6’s in the first nine holes, which had a par of 44.
This venue at One Tree Hill was the second and penultimate home of the club and provided a variety of hazards including stone walls, sheep pens and outcrops of volcanic rock. Being situated on Domains Board and public parkland created unsurmountable difficulties and the club moved to Middlemore soon after this event.
Clements would win by six shots ahead of amateur Bidwell largely thanks to his opening round of 80.
1912 New Zealand Open: Played at the Wellington Golf Club, Heretaunga on September 16th and 17th. The weather became a major factor in this event causing the well-prepared course to become waterlogged.
Gales on the second day may have contributed to a score of 11 on one hole for the Christchurch amateur B.Wood, who could have otherwise caused a major upset after his marvellous first round of 77. Clements would go on to win by three strokes, with A.D.S.Duncan rounding out the top five, 14 shots back.
