Spectacular Scoring

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30934, 15 December 1965, Page 23

Spectacular Scoring

Everything at Russley yesterday the weather, the course and the competitors—pointed to the tournament producing some of the most spectacular scoring of the New Zealand circuit. The biscuit brown of the rough measures the warmth of the recent weather, and even the emerald green fairways are beginning to yield considerable run. They will not be watered again this week. But the beautifully-prepared greens will be, so there is every prospect of the well-struck shot hitting and holding. Aggressive Outlook The scoring at practice yesterday was extraordinary, in most cases. In the still of the summer day, four young men of aggressive golfing outlook went out to play a best ball match, and one in Canada Cup style. Among them, they achieved 28 birdies in a remarkable display of power and precision. The players were the South African, C. Amm, and the Australians, C. McGregor, E. A. Ball and A. A. Murray. Ball, if no stylist, beats the ball vigorously. But he slipped a stroke here and there coming home, and finished with a round of 74, one over the card. Amm also faltered a little, through inaccurate tee shots towards the end of the round, but this personable young man was round in 68, five under. Sensational M Murray, seven under Just before the end, closed with 67. McGregor, slim and tall as R. J. Charles, and with the same high lift on the back swing, scored a sensational 66. It was a remarkable game—but Murray, six under, was on the losing side, and could not see much Justice in that. Richards had a scratch round id company with B. J. Coxon, of Australia, who was three under. One shot better, and happy with their form were the young New Zealanders, Newdick and W. J. Godfrey. The greatest personality in the story of New Zealand golf, Thomson, played in the morning with Wolstenholme and Woiveridge. They played several balls at some of the holes, but even

in this friendly atmosphere there was everything to admire in Thomson's relaxed golf; he has a remarkable eye for distance. Later in the day Charles strode off, after a period of practising quite sharply drawn irons, and although the magnificent putting touch for which he is known was not quite there, he played beautiful golf and scored seven birdies in his round.

Charles today dona Mt lack distance, but he »nf eases to having to struggle more, now, for accuracy—tho very antithesis of his game earlier. Yesterday, the holes were all well forward on the greens, and Chartea was nearly always behind them with his irons, for he consistently tries for the shot to the safest put of the green. He used a 2-wood or 3-wood off the teas he has not carried a driver for eeme time. And it woe obvious that distance does Mt worry him at aIL Paet the Ha

He was past the pia at the 468-yard second hole with a 2-wood and a 34ron; at the fifth. 425 yards, it was a 3wood and an 8-iron. and he was 25 foot past the hole. But his most spectacular hole was the sixteenth. Just before he played it, a northwest wind sprang up. Thia hole, 528 yards, is tho longest on the course. But Chariot put down two balls, hitting om with a 2wood, the other with his spoon. Ho then hit 8-irons, finishing at the back, of tho green with om ball, pin high at the side with the other. Some of the top players have not yet practised at Russley. K. D. G. Nagle is one of them, and so is tho long-hitting Dutchman, M. Roesink. It is almost certain that there will be a full muster for the final day of practice today. But on Thuraday Ufa will bo really grim and really earnest And it is highly unlikely that Ball and Murray will again march down tho eleventh fairway staging Tor Me and My Gal” in creditable concert