CHARLES FAILS TO QUALIFY

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30576, 20 October 1964, Page 9

CHARLES FAILS TO QUALIFY

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter) LAS VEGAS (Nevada), October 16. K. Sikes was back to normal yesterday after his sensational first round 62 but he fired a creditable even-par 71 to lead the field In the 70,000 dollar Sahara invitation golf tournament with a 36-hole score of 133.

Tied in second place at 136 were A. Gelberger, who shot his second 68 and T. Aaron, who had a 71 after a first-round 65 over the Paradise Valley Country Club course. R. J. Charles, the left-handed New Zealander, had a 73 to go with his first round 75, and his 148 total failed to qualify him for the third round. The cut was at 147.

R. Verwey, of South Africa, who had a 69 for the first round, overslept and was disqualified after snowing up at the tee 15 minutes late.

Charles told reporters he had another bad day on the putting greens. "I made two snort putts of about five feet for birdies on the eighth and 17th holes but I missed so many putts it made me ill. Maybe it’s that I’m lust all tired out from this steady grind. “I had a chance to stay In the tournament but went two over par on the last hole. I missed the green, was plugged in the bunker and could just get out. Then I three-putted for a six,” Charles said.

Charles was due to fly ■to Australia.

Verwey blamed his misfortune on a faulty alarm clock. ”1 was staying in this motel which didn’t have 'phone service until 8 a.m. and my alarm clock didn’t go off, so I overslept. I rushed to the course, but it was too late,” Verwey said.