R. C. Murray Takes Avondale Open

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31150, 29 August 1966, Page 12

R. C. Murray Takes Avondale Open

The New Zealand and former Canterbury golfer, R. C. Murray, won the Avondale open tournament at the week-end, after a play-off with R. K. Atkinson.

Murray, now living in Dunedin, came to Christchurch for the Rugby test and took the opportunity yesterday of illustrating that he will be in top form for the New Zealand amateur championships next week.

With a morning round of 70 Atkinson was two strokes clear of his next rivals, D. Gaudin and W. Wyatt on 72. with J. Broadhurst, Murray and T. Hanton on 73. Clear Lead After 12 holes in the afternoon Atkinson had established a clear lead on the rest of the field. He played the first nine holes In a two under par 33. With a further birdie on the par 3 twelfth hole Atkinson was four shots clear of Murray who was at the head of the rest of the field.

Atkinson was playing confidently and at this stage appeared certain to win the title.

The last six holes at Avondale. generally recognised as tough finishing holes, took their toll on Atkinson. With a series of dropped shots he was dismayed to find his score slump

from three under to three over in the space of six holes. Meanwhile Murray with his customary long, accurate tee shots and well executed Irons had been rapidly overhauling Atkinson. Putting lapses on the seventeenth and eighteenth holes were expensive for Murray and he finished his round in par 70.

Quick Decision The play off to decide the winner was over on the first hole. Murray's long drive left him yards short of the 285 yard bogey four hole and after a chip to within inches of the hole he required only a tap in for his birdie 3. Atkinson after a pulled drive played a good wedge shot to the green. His putt of 16 feet for his birdie three rimmed the hole.

Scores: — » _ „ Senior. —36-hole gross: R. < . Murray. 73, 70—143: runner-up. R. K. Atkinson. 70. 73—143. Mon on sudden death play-off. 36-hole net: C. B. Henderson, 67. 68—135: runner-up, S. Dickson, 68, 71—139. A.M. gross: W. Wyatt on count-back from D. Gaudin, 72. A.M. net: T. Emery, 67. P.M. gross: D. R. Hope on count-back from B. L. Clegg, 71. P.M. net: T. Gibson, 69. Intermediate.—36-hole gross: R. G. Pool. 77, 75—152: runnerup, M. K. Rodger, 82, 75 —157. 36-hole net: G. Guy, 70. 65—135; runner-up, P. Brady. 73. 67—140. a.m. gross: P. Mott on countback from K. South and R. D. Mitchell, 79. a.m. net: R. D. Mitchell on count-back from K. E. South, 70. p.m. gross: W. Pitcalthly. 78. p.m. net: W. E. Bull on count-back from A. H. Sibley, 68. Junior A.—36-hole gross: B. Day. 84, 86—170; runer up. R. H. Kirkpatrick, 90. 81—171. 36-hole net: J. Tonkin, 74, 64—138: run-ner-up, G. Edmonds. 71, 70—141. a.m. gross: S. Leigh. SI. a.m. net: J. Pierce. 83, 18 —65. p.m. gross: G. Tltmus, 86 on countback from R. Ford. p.m. net: T. D. Griffiths, 85, 16—69.

Junior B. —36-hole gross: M. Smith, 89, 94—183; runner-up. C. J. C. Simpson, 92, 91—183. 36hole net: A. A. Bills, 71. 69—140, on count-back: runner-up, C. J. MacDonald. 71, 69—140. a.m. gross: K. Rogers. 89. am. net: L. Crozier, 92 . 23—69, on countback. p.m. gross: K. Gopperth, 86. p.m. net: G. Mclntosh, 90. 21 —69.

Teams’ match (net): M. Smith 69, A. Hood 73, R. Cowan 71, J. Pierce 65—278.