Young Golfers Show Much Promise

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 11

Young Golfers Show Much Promise

PWO course records made last week-end a memorable one for P. K. Cleland, the 17-yearold schoolboy who was runner-up in the Canterbury under 21 championship at Avondale, and the following day won an open tournament at Tai Tapu. At Avondale, Cleland had a round of 67, three under par, and that is the best score there since two new holes were put in. At Tai Tapu, his best score was 71, which also beat any other performance since some changes were made to the course. Cleland’s successes pre-, sented further evidence of the way the province’s young golfen are getting to the top. The imperturbable youngster—known to his admiring school friends as ’ice man”—played an extraordinary round at Avondale, find-

ing 17. greens to regulation figures, but succeeding only three times with birdie putts which nearly always finished just past the hole. At Tai Tapu, the runnerup to Cleland was P. J. Amos, another young player who may yet make his mark in the highest provincial company. University studies have not allowed Amos all the golf he needs, but he has much ability, and some notable successes. Leading the forward march of young players is D. R. Hope, for two years a Freyberg Rose-bowl representative, although now only 20 years old. Hope must have a chance of winning a place in the New Zealand team to compete in Canada later this year, although he will need a really good performance to the North Island championship to press his claims.

At Avondale, B. C. Taylor made a vivid impression with - his power and precision. Others who are advancing steadily are R. Farrant a Canterbury reserve this year, and an exciting, attacking golfer, and J. A Orr, another powerful hitter of great potential. Of the younger players, the most -likely to be next into Freyberg competition is R. H. Bradley, now greenkeeper at Amberley. He is another aggressive player, full of confidence, with a wide range of shots, and a touch on the greens which almost anyone would, envy. Recent events must have brought rich reward to those who wotk for the advancement of Canterbury’s young golfers—at the Harewood Young People’s Club, in the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association, and to coaching and Organising. The field erf youngsters at the Avondale tournament produced some great golf, and the promise of even better things to the next few