Legrange, Thomson Late Entries For Open Golf

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30893, 28 October 1965, Page 17

Legrange, Thomson Late Entries For Open Golf

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

Only minutes before entries were due to close last night for the 1965 New Zealand Open golf championship, a cable was received from South Africa’s 22-year-old player, Cobie Legrange.

Earlier in the day signs of panic had been developing among New Zealand Golf Council officials when it was found that entries had not been received from the British Open champion, Peter Thomson, and Legrange.

The tension relaxed somewhat when a cable from Thomson arrived from Australia. Then, only a short while before the close of entries at 5 p.m., there came another cable, this time from Legrange.

Legrange has entered all the sponsored circuit tournaments. He played the 1964 circuit with conspicuous success; •

The Open, which begins the 1965 golf circuit, is being played at Middlemore, Auckland from November 18-20. Thirteen amateurs will be ballotted out of this year’s championship. When entries

Closed, 113 golfers had entered—6l professionals, including 25 from overseas, and 52 amateurs.

The field is headed by R. J. Charles, the Australians. Thompson, Kel Nagle, Ted Ball and Colin Johnston, and Legrange.

Nagle is the defending titleholder. He has been New Zealand Open champion four times. Thomson is seven times winner of the event and five times winner of the British Open. The bulk of the overseas professionals entered are Australians. Bob Stanton, the 19-year-old Sydney golfer, who is being hailed as one of Australian’s most promising prospects, is in his first year as a tournament golfer. Colin McGregor, Dennis [Sullivan and Francis Connal|lir are three others whose names are new to New Zealand golf. Return Visit Legrange is the second South African in the field. Cedric Amm, who was also in New Zealand last year, has entered, and another to make a return visit is the tall Englishman, Guy Wolstenholme. Another Englishman is Peter Green, who played for Britain in the Eisenhower Trophy before turning professional. Another entrant is the Dutchman M. Roesink, who played in the Canada Cup last year and who, in one of two appearances in New Zealand, impressed everyone by the stupendous distance of his driving. New Zealand’s two young professionals, W. J. Godfrey and R. R. Newdick will compete. Godfrey will be eligible to represent New Zealand in next year’s Canada Cup coni test.

A solid sprinkling of club professionals from various parts of New Zealand have entered, including M. Wolveridge (Russley), E. Southerden (Napier) and F. Buckler (Lochiel). T. Brady, who ends his term as Miramar professional in a matter of days, will play, and B. Coxon, the Australian who was professional at Manawatu and was originally selec-

ted for the Canada Cup, but then stood down for Charles, will compete. Competition for the Bledisloe Cup—for the top amateur in the Open—will be fierce. The four members of the 1964 Eisenhower Trophy team—S. G. Jones, E. J. McDougall, J. D. Durry and R. C. Murray—have all entered. P. C. Rankin, the holder of the Bledisloe Cup, will play at Middlemore, along with other top amateurs, B. T. Boys, G. W. Horne, and B. L. Silk, who won the cup at Wanganui two years ago. Missing from the amateur field are three internationals —T. S. Leech, J. P. Means and I. D. W'oodbury.