Sportsman’s Notebook STRONG FIELD TO COMPETE IN EASTER GOLF TOURNEY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29178, 12 April 1960, Page 9

Sportsman’s Notebook STRONG FIELD TO COMPETE IN EASTER GOLF TOURNEY

A strong field of Canterbury’s best golfers will compete In the Christchurch Club's annual Easter tournament, which will begin at Shiirley on Saturday. The Canterbury team to compete in the Freyberg Rosebowl tournament at Auckland in May will be announced next week, and this tournament offers candidates their last opportunity of advancing their claims. The tournament will be an especially important one, also, for R. J. Charles and R. C. Murray, both of whom have excellent chances of selection in the New Zealand team to compete in the world amateur teams’ championship in Philadelphia later in the year. Charles is almost certain to be selected, and Murray, now on a handicap of plus one, must have a fine chance of winning a place in the four-man team.

There will be two rounds of stroke play on Saturday, and the match will be held on Sunday and Monday. Charles, on plus two, is the lowest-handicapped player in the field, and there are three plus one players—C. W. Caldwell, K. D. Foxton, and Murray. R. E. Clements is on scratch. There are many other capable low-handicap players competing. Among them are A. W. Robinson, I. B. Cromb, C. J. Ward, R. K. A/tkinson, W. M. Murdoch, A. Browne. D. M. Murdoch, D. M. Robertson, &. P. Vesty, B. L. Clegg, J. G. Scott, .J. Moore, B. A. Colquhoun, H. J. G*osset, M. J. McNally, E. H. Richards, and W. J. McGavock. Although he is at present on a handicap of four, J. Broadhurst, of Russley, is a particularly interesting entrant At Templeton on Sunday, in an inter-club match, he was round in 70, three under scratch, and two better than the official course record, which is held by Foxton. ♦ ♦ Sj« Rugby Referees The standard of refereeing in New Zealand compared more than favourably with that in Britain, particularly in the lower grades, said Mr D. O. C. Williams, a former Wellington Rugby player and referee who is now in England, in a letter. It was very difficult to assess the standard of Rugby in London because teams varied so much in personnel, said the letter. "Players appear by invitation and play in fixtures arranged independently by clubs. You will find former internationals playing in second fifteens just for the run and some other games are quite like senior championship fixtures at home. Imagine the shock in New Zealand if All Blacks played in lower grades for the fun of it Internationals do in England because there are no competitions for them,” said the letter. • ♦ ♦ Women’s Golf The next month will be a busy and important one for women golfers in Canterbury. On April 26, 27 and 28, the Canterbury women’s chimpionships will be held at Shirley, with two qualifying rounds on the first day and match play to follow. A strong field is expected to take part, including the New Zealand representative from Wellington, Mrs V. S. LandL On May 11, 12, and 13, the South Island section of the Russell Grace Cup will be played at Russley. Canterbury has two teams in the contest, the other competitors being Southland, Otago, South Canterbury, and Nelson-West Coast-Marlborough. The South Island winner will meet the North Island winner later in the season. • * * Rugby Programme Canterbury’s representative Rugby programme this year is a particularly heavy one. Seventeen matches will be played by the A team (10 of them away) and a further two have been arranged for the B team. As well, Canterbury will act as host to the interisland teams and to a New South Wales Country team which is to play Country. Two North Island unions, Hawke’s Bay and WangaVu* 1 - visit Canterbury during their tours. Canterbury’s representative programme this season is: June, 4, v. Buller at Westport; June 6, v. West Coast at Greymouth; June 6, Canterbury XV v. Mid-Canterbury at Christchurch; June 11, v. New Zealand Universities at Christchurch; July 9, v. Wellington at Christchurch; August 3, v. South Canterbury at Timaru; August 10, v. North AuckJand at Whangarei; August 10, Country v . N.S.W, Country at Christchurch; August 13/ v Counties at Papakura; Aucust Jo V ‘ aikato , at Hamilton; August 20, v. Taranaki at New PlymouthAugust 20, Canterbury XV v. Bulwln 1 £ hrist^ hurch : August 27, v. Wellington at Wellington; August rh’nr V, c a^ ke ? at Christv% f Sh S ? em ? r ?' North !sland kJ 1 l and at Christchurch; S ep tember 7, v. Mid-Canterbury at Ashburton; September 10, v West Coast; September 14 v Wanganui at Christchurch; tember 17, v. Southland at Christchurch; September 24, v. Otago at Chnstchurch; September 28 v lenge) and (Ranfurly Shi eld chai-