Thomson Shows Up In Last Practice

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 8

Thomson Shows Up In Last Practice

(New Zealand Press Assy-nation) DUNEDIN, September 11. A steady drying wind today made officials confident that Balmacewen, scene of the Roslyn £l5OO golf tournament tomorrow, will be nearly in peak condition for the opening rounds. ,

After being cut, the greens were much faster today, and although tile fairways were still “holding,” they had lost most of their surface water.

Many of the 52 competitors —25 professionals and 27 amateurs—played at least a few holes today before the course was closed.

P. W. Thomson, after concentrating on some short chipping, covered the 18 holes in par figures. A long putt ail the, fourth and a fine ap-

preach shot at the fifth, both bogey four holes, gave him successive birdies. A. A. Murray and C. J. Davis, both from New South Wales, also hit the ball cleanly. The left-handed Davis gained impressive length with has tee shots, but failed with one or two putts from close range. Murray, too, lacked accuracy with several of his short approaches and putts. The sole Japanese making the New Zealand tour. H. Sugimoto, teamed up with Australians. F. Phillips and D. Welch. Phillips had some useful length in his drives and scored a notable birdie at the 564-yard ninth—the longest hole on the course. Another Australian, R. S. Brown, whose earnings so far are £172 10s, carded 7 73 He was accompanied by the New Zealand professionals, N Hayden, F. X. Buckler, E. Southerden and W. White all of whom were in the 70’s. Among the others to pracwere R. Howell (United States) W. Dunk (New South Wales), L Thomas (West Australia) and W. J. Godfrey (New Zea. land).