Murray Again Wins Open Title At Kaiapoi

Press, Volume C, Issue 29627, 25 September 1961, Page 15

Murray Again Wins Open Title At Kaiapoi

A very strong south-west wind, frequent rain, at times very heavy, and later in the day some severe hail storms, marred the senior day of the Kaiapoi Golf Club’s open tournament yesterday. The usually reliable early spring weather—one of several reasons why the Kaiapoi event has become one of the most popular annual tournaments for Canterbury golfers—prevailed only for Saturday, wnen the junior section was held. The New Zealand representative, R. C. Murray, with rounds of 70 and 71, convincingly retained his title, with a young Kaiapoi player, T. Monk, second, four Strokes behind. Murray's aggregate of 141 (three under scratch) under, standably did not quite equal his performance of 12 months ago, but it repretented first-class golf, and he showed that he will again be very hard to beat whop he attempts hi* fourth suecegsive win in the South Island championships at Waitfkiri next week-end Murray showed again that, without R. J. Charles to contend with, he is easily th* outstanding golfer in Canterbury. His gam* appears to be under firm control; in the morning, firm, well-placed drives were followed by crisp irons and sound putting. In th* afternoon his long gam* was not quit* so convincing, and h» struggled a little for his figures, but he was able to demonstrate fully his ability at recovery, wjth an artistic exhibition of chipping from off the green and pitching to th* flag from ewkward positions. He always had the situation well in hand, particularly after R. E. Clements and K D Foxton. who had contributed much to a splendid contest last year, had started badly. After the first round he led by three strokes from Monk, a margin he increased by one. with B A Colquhoun (1511 and the other Canterbury representatives well beaten. Monk Impressive It is unfortunate that Monk, one of the Kaiapoi club's leading players, does not compete more often in open events, for he appeals as a natural golfer and is young enough to improve. Last year he was fourth in this event with rounds of 75 and 76. and although he never really appeared likely to beat Murray he played some of the soundest golf of the day. His I*s. only one over scratch in the atrocious conditions, was a particularly fine performance and his net aggregate of 137 won th* 36-ho!e net aggregate event In tne morning Monk was two under scratch before he had his only realty bad hole of the day. a 7 at the par * fifth, and he could easily have been level with Murray starting the final 18 holes The feature of his morning round was his splendid putting, but in the afternoon his entire game impressed. particularly his ability to find th* greens in regula. tion figures. He started by dropping *hots at the first two holes, but immediately recovered with two birdies, and he putted for birdes on 15 greens in his final round ample evidence of his fine iron olay in the strong wind.

Foxtan. Clements Th* full merit of Monk’s performance was emphasised by

’ il®‘ !ur c of players et the calibre of Foxton and Clements, I six-stroke margin over . Colquhoun for second place Colquhoun played quite steadily 1 , without luck on th* greens, but , r oxton and Clements were far , i from their best. Foxton in the ■ j morning and for most of the .; afternoon could not control a ! te " d «noy t» hook his long shots, | and this trouble even prevailed on the greens. He took an in- ; credible 41 putts for the 18 ' holes. I B. Cromb wes another whose putting touch deserted him. He has been in very good I form recently and. a s usual he hit some beautifully long drives and irons. But although he finished fourth, his total of 153 was a long way behind Murray, Results were:— i Senior Championship.—R. c. , I Murray. 70, 71—1*1; T. Monk. ' Colquhoun. 75. 76—10 j; I, B Cromb. 76, 77 133; R E- Clements 76 80—156’ L, Morris. 78 78—156. Hicks Memorial Cup (36 hole net aggregate I.—T Monk. 69 *8 ; —137; R. Strahl. 70, 75—1*5, ' I I Intermediate Chamnionship ' ii. J p , airata ’9. '<6—lss; S. T. , Midgley. 79. 81—160. [JuHior A Championship.—G. -Palmer 80. 77—157: J. D. Cap- - stick. 85. 85—170. I Junior B Championship,—M. (|G. O’Sullivan. 88 82—168; F. W [Shipston. 88 89—177. Junior 36-hole Net Aggregate —P. Thompson 72. 66—138; E G . Ware 70. 68—138 Stroke Rounds Senior—Morning: D G Me- : 76 - «-’<>; I. B Cromb. <®■ 2—74. Afternoon: W. Cant. , 73. 3—70; J. H. Rich. 77 *—73 Intermediate.—Morning: M R Duncan. 78 9-69; L. G. Baker. 81. 11—70. Afternoon: A. Law--8* n n-73 10 ~ 7I: os ’ C,rtin * r junior A.—Morning: J H ( Greenwood. 83. 15—68: R. Moses. B*. 15—69. Afternoon: T C. J Reese 85, 15—70; L. A. Wi!»on. 85. 14—71. Junior B Morning: R. Roiton 89. 23-66; E. E- King. 89. 23 —66. Afternoon: B. J. Peters 85. 18—67; C. J. Schroder, 87. 13—69.