GOLF AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 14

GOLF AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLE

KEL NAGLE [LEADS WITH 70

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) BRISBANE, May 26. The Australian professional champion, Kel Nagle, of New South Wales, returned a three under scratch 7Q to take the lead in the first round of the Australian open golf championship at the Gailes course today. Nagle, who was out in 36 and back in 34, had only one putt on each of the last 10 greens. He was one stroke ahead of ttie Queensland player, Peter Davis,* a leading amateur. Doug. Bachli, the British amateur champion, was next, with 72. Next in order came Norman von Nida and Eric Cremin, with 74. Bobby Locke, of South Africa. M. Behringer, of New South Wales, and J. Coogan, of Queensland, scored 75. The title-holder. H. O. Pickworth, and the Australian amateur champion, Peter Toogood, scored 76.

An inch of rain fell and a minor gale blew for part of the day.

Nagle had birdies at the fourteenth and seventeenth. Davis, who plays from scratch at his club, has gone through the interstate amateur series unbeaten in the last two years. He had a phenomenal run today with three birdies at the fourth, fifth, and sixth holes, to go out in 34. His home nine included eight consecutive fours and a scratch five at the last.

Bobby Locke said after today's round that the conditions were the wori-t he had played in during 23 years of golf. He played the final two holes with a stream of water running across the fairway. There is a field of .147 in the championship.

L.G.U. COMPETITIONS

RESULTS FOR DOMINION ANNOUNCED (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, May 26. The annual Ladies’ Golf Union home links competitions for the Coronation medal and Aotearoa Cup were played throughout New Zealand by all clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Ladies’ Golf Union during the first week in May. The Coronation medal, which is for players in the silver division only, with the handicaps of scratch to 18, was won by Miss. Una Higgins, of the Maraenui Club, Napier, with a score of 84, 17—67, seven strokes under the standard scratch score. The runner-up was Mrs H. C. Sallery (Titirangi), 83, 17=i-66. Other good scores were:—Miss L. Leahy (Putarurti), 84, 16—68; Mrs Cranswick (Takapau), 84, 16—68; Miss A. Murray (Christchurch) 83, 16—67.

The Aotearoa Cup competition, which is played in conjunction with the Coronation medal, is open to all members of affilated clubs. The winner was Mrs D. La Trobe (Cambridge), with a score of 89, 35—54. The runner-up was Mrs M. Cowan (Westown, New Plymouth), 88, 30—58. | Other good scores were:—Miss L. McKenzie (Waftahu, Reefton), 87, 25—62; Mrs M. Davison (North Shore, Auckland), 89, 24—65, and Mrs L. Mt Rich (Greendale, Canterbury), 92, 30—62.

ELLESMERE TOURNAMENT The following is the draw for the Ellesmere Women’s tournament on Saturday May 28:—

8.15 a.m.: Miss D. McMillan, Miss B. Murray. Mrs McEwan, Mrs Ireland. 8.20: Mrs Arthur, Miss Norah Chamberlain, Mrs Blackmore, Mrs Bell. 3.25: Mrs Skilling, Mrs Newton, Mrs Fraser, Mrs Frame. 8.30: Miss N. McMillan, Mrs Wright, Mrs Mabin, Gainger. 8.35 : Mrs Brockett, Miss Ramsay, Mrs Williams, Mrs August. 8.40: Mrs Ridgen, Mrs Forrester. Mrs Boon, Mrs Forster. 8.45: Mrs Woods. Mrs Na veil, M>-s Carpinter. Mrs Elliott. 8.50: Mrs Cullen, Mrs Andrews, Mrs Brownlee, Miss Simpson. 8.55: Mrs G. P. Anderson, Mrs Hartnell, Mrs Muirson. Miss Poole.

9 a.m.: Mrs Phillpott, Mrs Groom, Mrs Pepperill, Mrs Boag. 9.5: Mrs Dysart. Mrs Rich, Mrs Rutledge, Mrs Freeman. 9.10: Mrs Mackay, Mrs Cridge, Mrs M. A. Grubb, Mrs Ashworth. 9.15: Mrs Skerton, Miss Dobson, Miss Mona Grubb. Miss Berry. 9.20: Miss Sullivan, Mrs waters, Mrs Saunders, Miss Stevenson ?-25:, Mrs Barclay. Mrs Henderson, Miss Welsh, Miss Woods. 9.30: Mrs L. A. Sinclair, Miss Sowden, Mrs Winchester. There is room for one more player in the morning medal round and a limited number of post entries will be accepted for the afternoon Ring 230 W Leeston. —Advt.