Over the years the residents of Golden, like the populations of most small communities, has over the years found some interesting ways to entertain themselves. The Golden Era, dated April 4, 1902, tells of a ping-pong tournament that took place here.
“There has sprung up all over the English-speaking portion of our globe a most sudden, and, to the ordinary observer, inexplicable craze for the game of ping-pong, which is explained by one writer as du tot the impossibility of an Englishman resisting the temptation to handle a round ball.
This writer cites, in support of this theory, the success of Association football, cricket, golf, lacrosse, tennis and lastly, ping-pong.
Golden has fallen into line and the tournament held this week served to show what a hold the new game has taken in the few short weeks since its introduction.
When the draws were made on Monday there were 21 entries in the ladies singles, 44 in the mixed singles and 23 in the gentlemen’s singles.
After playing for three afternoons and evenings there still remained two games to be played, which were left until Thursday evening when the tournament was brought to a successful close.
During the progress of the game there were many surprises, and some who had been looked upon as invincible met defeat, while other who had not been taken into consideration by the knowing ones, developed unexpected strength.
In the ladies singles, Mrs. Gibb, after playing a very close game against Mrs. Aylmer, was defeated by a very narrow margin by Miss Wells, who then won easily from Mrs. Griffith, and secured first place. Mrs. Gibb, though beaten, was congratulated by her friends on the splendid form she showed in her games with Mrs. Aylmer and Miss Wells.
The game between Dr. Taylor and H.G. Parson, in the gentelmen’s singles, was a very keenly contested one, and was watched for nearly two hours by a large number. The final rally in this game was a very long one, the ball passed 97 times over the net. Mr. Parson is credited with having at this command more different “cuts” and “screws” than any other player in town, but the doctor played on the defensive and seldom failed to return the ball from the most difficult positions. The game was not concluded until after midnight on Wednesday.
On Thursday evening there remained only one game to be played – the final in the mixed singles between Dr. Taylor and Mr. T. O’Brien, which was watched with great interest and resulted in a victory for Mr. O’Brien, who thus got satisfaction for the defeat which he sustained at the doctor’s hands in the mixed singles, the score being 6-4, 5-6 and 6-1.
The ladies very kindly provided tea and cake during the afternoon which was much appreciated by all present.
The tournament netted a handsome sum for the funds of St. Paul’s church and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the ping-pongers, and has done much to excite interest in this fascinating game.”
While the Golden Museum has no copies of this or any other ping-pong match in Golden but we do have many (over 5000) photos of interest to people of the area that we are printing for sale at reasonable prices. Come check out what we have, they make great gifts.
