I. S. Harvey Returns To Form

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 5

I. S. Harvey Returns To Form

CANTERBURY golf followers who were at Shirley during the Easter tourament must have felt more than satisfied at the standard of golf produced by R- JCharles. R. C. Murray and others, but it >is evident that other leading New Zealand amateurs were also in top form in the North Island. W. J. Godfrey scored his most important success since his surprise win in the New Zealand amateur championship in 1958 when he took the Auckland provincial title, and the new Wellington title-holder is the former Timaru and Canterbury player I. S. Harvey. Godfrey must have improved considerably his chances of selection in the New Zealand team for America this year by his splendid golf at Titirangi. He was prevented from finishing at the top of the qualifiers by incurring a two-stroke penalty for picking his ball up from an area he wrongly regarded as ground under repair. He went on to finish only one stroke behind B. Vezich with the New Zealand representative R. R. Newdick a further stroke behind. Newdick is a strong candidate for Philadelphia but Godfrey must be regarded as a near cer-

tainty after beating Newdick in the semi-final. Although two down at the turn Godfrey won convincingly 3 and 1 producing a terrific burst of scoring from the 10th. In the final he was in magnificent form to defeat the experienced W. W. Smith 4 and 3. Godfrey’s golf was near perfec-

tion; he was on every green In regulation figures except two par five holes, on both of which he scored birdies. He made only one mistake in the match, threeputting one green and that was the only hole Smith won. Harvey’s win at Wellington will be of comlderablu interest to Canterbury golfers. He now seems to have overcome his distressing Uncertainties on and around the greens. Hie top qualifier was P. Creighton the young golfer from Paraparaumu Beach, who will be remembered for his excellent win in the Canterbury Championship at Russley last year. Harvey, the New Zealand representative J. D. Durry, and S. A. McDonald each scored 72, 74 (146) to be. equal second three strokes behind Creighton who was beaten in the second round of the match play. Harvey putted beautifully in the semifinal and final, winning a fine match with Durry at the 20th and beating a very promising youngster I. D. Woodbury 1 up in the final. Harvey’s success in, winning this title is one of the most important of his career and must give him much confidence for the future. Now that he appears to be playing much sounder golf on and around the greens, Harvey may yet fulfil his early promise. He has so much natural ability that there is really no limit to his possibilites in New Zealand golf.