Knotty problems for golf selectors

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31653, 13 April 1968, Page 11

Knotty problems for golf selectors

rpHE reduction in size of x Freyberg Rose Bowl teams from six men to five and the return to Christchurch of the outstanding New Zealand representative, R. C. Murray, has caused greater interest than usual in the selection of this year’s Canterbury representative golf side. The provincial selectors (Messrs S. G. H. Rich and C. J. Ward) have been carefully assessing the form of candidates during the last few months and they will announce their team after the Easter tournament at Shirley this week-end. Some indication of the selectors’ thinking was given by their choice of players for the South Island interprovincial tournament in February. The top five players in the order were Murray, E. H. M. Richards, J. R. Broadhurst, D. R. Hope and R. K. Atkinson, although Richards subsequently withdrew through illness and R. M. Farrant gained fifth place. Murray, who has averaged 71.33 a round in open tournaments this year, is an ob-

vious choice, but probably the only other player certain of selection is Atkinson, who has been of great worth at No. 4 or 5 in Rose Bowl matches. He won all his matches in the South Island contest. The venue of this year’s Freyberg contest, Ngamotu, New Plymouth, will be a factor in determining which players are to be sent north. A hilly, seaside course, Ngamotu makes great demands on accuracy as well as distance, so Atkinson’s impeccable Iron play would be to the side’s advantage. But when the wind blows from the direction of Mt Egmont, strong hitters with powerful physiques, like Richards and Broadhurst, would be at an advantage. The Canterbury match play champion, Hope, was an aggressive No. 2 at St Clair last year and won four of his matches. His form in stroke tournaments this year has not been consistent but his approach to match play, allied to his considerable ability, should ensure his selection. Richards has had the best record of the Canterbury

players in each of the last two Rose Bowls, and if the selectors are satisfied as to his fitness there should he no doubt about his retention. In five Freybergs, he has achieved a 58 per cent record of success—a figure surpassed only by Murray. The heady J. F. Logie, who has played in the last two Freyberg contests, Broadhurst and Farrant have the best credentials of the other candidates. But I. D. Dobson cannot be left out of calculations, and R. B. Townsend, J. A. Ort and R. H. Bradley have all had moments of success in the last month or two. M. R. Blank, with his four consecutive wins in the South Island tournament, A. K. Hynd and A. T. Baxendine are all golfers of character and B. C. Taylor and R. E. Hobbs, if they are not in the front rank this year, have shown a heartening advance in standard. R. E. Clements last year’s Canterbury captain, has not reproduced the form which gave him a 54 per cent record in 13 Freybergs. This is a pity, for his knowledge and experience would have been of immense benefit to the team. Broadhurst is probably playing better golf this year than when he first gained selection in 1966. His Canterbury stroke play title was the forerunner of a series of pleasing performances, and his current form argues his retention in the side. Logie has a reputation as a steady player down the order and if his putting is good this week-end he could find favour again. The most intriguing question is whether or not the selectors will pick Farrant for the first time. A player of undoubted talents, Farrant made a good impression in the South Island tournament and his defeat of Murray in the first round of this year’s inter-club competition was a great blow in his favour. If the selectors are thinking of building up a strong team for the future, the selection of Farrant would be a wise move.