Atkinson 5-Stroke Winner Of Rangiora Open Title

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 14

Atkinson 5-Stroke Winner Of Rangiora Open Title

The Canterbury representative golfer, R. K. Atkinson, now ap. proaching his peak in readiness for the New Zealand amateur championsh; > to be held at Russley in Christchurch in two weeks’ time, yesterday won the Rangiora open in fine style.

With rounds of 73 and 70, he was a clear winner by five strokes from his fellow Canterbury representative, E. H. M. Richards. R. H. Bradley was a further two strokes behind in third place. . Atkinson's play was the essence of consistency. His tee shots were rarely off line and his iron play was such that he was putting for birdies on numerous occasions. The greens at Rangiora lent themselves to good putting and it was only the early morning frost which prevented Atkinson from holing more of his birdie putts. His afternoon round started quietly but after covering the first nine holes in one over the card, he had an eagle three on the 472-yard eleventh. At this stage he was

well clear of the remainder of the field.

on and about the green lo«t him any chance of winning Results were: Senior Gre**.—R. K. Atkinson, 73. 70—143: E. H. M. Rich ard*. 74, 74—148; R. H Brad ley. 75. 75—150. Senior 36 Holes Net.—N Ryan. 71. 73—144. Runner-up B. Rus sell. 73, 73—146. A.M. net: I. Dobson. 74. 3—71. P.M. net: D. Beggs. 72. plus 1—73. Intermediate Gross.—F B. Leech. SO. SO—l6o. Runner-up M. Ruddentelan. SO. 82—162. 36 Hole Net.—M. J. Hodgk’nson, 70, T 5—145. Runner-up: J. GimMett, 74. 73—147. A.M. net: B. Reid. 82. 11—71. P.M net: C. Croy. 82. 12—70. Teams Match.—l. Dobson. R K. Atkinson. R. Grey. R. Bradley. Junior A Championship—B Thornton. 172, on a eount-baek from J. Gibbs. Junior A 36 Net Winner.—J. D. Taylor, 143. Runner-up: W. Jelly. 146 A Medal—C. R. Smith. 72: S. Thomson, 68. Junior B Championship.—K. Rodgers, 180. Runner-up: C. Ashman. 181. 36 Hole Net Winner.—M. Brawn 142. Runner-up: B. Jordan. 147 A.M medal: A. Popham. 72. P.M. medal: G. Southam. 70.

Atkinson never appeared in danger of being overhauled. His score was par after he misjudged the speed of the green at the long sixteenth and three putted. At the eighteenth hole, a well bunkered 190-yard par three. Atkinson played a delightful four wood to within 15ft of the pin. He holed his putt to complete the round in one under par. Richards, after encountering some problems with his tee shots early in the day. settled down to play steady golf. If more of his putts from four to 10ft had fallen his score would have been improved. Bradley played good golf throughout the day but errors