THOMSON TO PLAY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31222, 21 November 1966, Page 3

THOMSON TO PLAY

(N.Z. Press Association) HASTINGS. R. J. Charles is clear favourite for the Watties 1500 golf tournament at Hastings today and tomorrow after his runaway win in the New Zealand Open. The field of 48 professionals and 30 amateurs will play 36 holes each day over the 6475yard, par-70 course. The professionals will be competing for a top prize of £3OO and a special prize of £250 for a hole-in-one at the 153-yard sixteenth. P. W. Thomson, who did not defend his title at Paraparaumu, will lead a strong Australian contingent which includes K. D. G. Nagle, E. A. Ball, B. J. Coxon, and L. Thomas. Other overseas entries Include G. B. Wolstenholme and the big hitting Dutchman, M. Roesink. The field includes two previous winners, the New Zea-

land amateur champion, S. G. Jones, who won last year, and Charles, winner of the first Watties tournament in 1963. “Wilful Violation” Nagle and Thomas have received summonses to a meeting of the New South Wales section of the Australian Professional Golfers’ Association to explain why they played in the New Zealand Open. Nagle and Thomas were denied permission by the Australian P.G.A. to compete in the event but rebelled against the rule and teed off at Paraparaumu on Thursday. The cables said the golfers were required to attend a meeting in Sydney on December 19 to show cause why they should not be dealt with for “wilful violation” of P.G.A. laws. All Nagle would say about the cable was: “I don’t want to make a fuss. All I hope is that good comes out of it and everything straightens out.” Thomas would not say whether he would attend the I special meeting.

“I have not really had much time to think about this yet,” he added. As the seven-event New Zealand golf circuit ends on December 17, two days before the Sydney meeting, there is considered no possible way in which the participation of Nagle and Thomas in the circuit can be affected.