Superb Charles, 66 And Six Up

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 19

Superb Charles, 66 And Six Up

(By

R. T. BRITTEN DEN)

DUNEDIN. Putting of the quality which first brought him fame gave R. J. Charles a record-breaking round of 66 at Balmacewen yesterday, when his four-match series with the great American player, A. Palmer, began.

Palmer’s presence gave the occasion glamour: Charles provided most of the thrills for a sensation-hungry crowd of 3500. Twice he dropped strokes, but he scored an eagle and six birdies, to finish six under the card, and establish a lead of six strokes over his eminent opponent.

Perhaps some of the spectators were a little disappointed that Palmer could not produce something better than a par round. But the cold figures bear no relation to the I quality of his woods i and irons. He bit many magnificent and memorable shots; it was only on the greens that he looked fallible. At the start of the round he was twice short with his putts. After that, his assessment of pace was sadly astray. Cup And Lip Eight times he found what seemed the right line to the hole, only to see the ball hit the cup and run on. Two or , three times, he left himself ■ return putts of awkward I length. > But it was a wonderful display, by both players.

Charles had far more assets 'than an ability to charm the ball into the hole from vast distances—he sank five putts 'from 12 to 35 feet in length —but he played fluently and easily from tee to green. He hit many splendid drives, winning distances he would hardly have dreamed of achieving a few years ago. His irons were well con-

trolled. He missed only three greens, and then only by a little, compared with six times by Palmer. Best Putting Charles chipped safely, if without the magical touch he has often displayed. But it was the very fact that he left himself putts of considerable length fairly often that provided him with what he later described as his best putting round all this year. He had 29 putts in the round, Palmer 35. Balmacewen, except in one or two places, looked glorious, and the game was played out in brilliant sunshine with a fresh breeze from the south.

When Palmer’s putting difficulties are remembered, it was a remarkable effort to match the card, for he played the course, as the golfers say, cold. There was no opportunity for him to look it over before he and Charles began hitting balls off the practice tee.

There can not be much doubt that before he leaves New Zealand, Palmer will turn in some startling scores. Yesterday, his results were moderate, but he made a tremendous impression. For one thing, he drove the green at the ninth, the 388yard "Glen” of fearsome reputation, he played many other magnificently bold blows, and the relaxed personality of television was very much in evidence. The crowd control was admirable. There was a small army of stewards, and when they assembled for instruction before dispersal they looked, with their canes, rather like the first rehearsal of an amateur production of “Ben Hur.” But they were efficient.

The day was made the more enjoyable, too, with the friendly and co-operative attitude of both players. Palmer and Charles both signed dozens of autographs during the match, with - every evidence of willingness.