World Cup Golf In Italy

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 15

World Cup Golf In Italy

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ROME. The Olgata course, near Rome, where the world professional golf championship will begin tomorrow, has impressed the New Zealand team of R. J. Charles and W. J. Godfrey, who finished second in Mexico last year. Charles, putting particu- , larly well in practice, has benefited from a four-week [ rest [ “I went to South Africa for a spell and just swam ;and played tennis. After I had tried my hand with a j racket 1 realised that golf was my game,” Charles said. Godfrey made the 10,000mile trip from Sydney. When [he arrived he said he was [beginning to feel tlfe effects [of having played 12 months [continuous golf, but that he [was determined to do well m [ Rome. ■ A man in a hurry was the

South African, G. Player. Within an hour of arriving he was playing his first practice round. Player, who beat P. Townsend (Britain) in a play-off for the Masters event in Sydney at the week-end, caught tournament officials by surprise. He motored straight from Rome airport to the Olgiata course and was in action before any of the other competitors arrived at the course. His South African partner, C. Legrange, had to race to catch up with him. Player, the British Open champion, said: “I have just flown 10,000 miles and made a seven-hour time change. 1

just had to play right away because I will be whacked by this afternoon.” So far 42 countries have arrived in Rome, including the United States Open champion, Le Trevino, and the P.G.A. title-holder, J. Boros. They will be defending the trophy won by A. Palmer and J. Nieklaus last year. The Sydney golfers, C. Johnston and E. W. Dunk, will represent Australia. They completed 18 holes of the tree-lined course but confessed afterwards to feeling a little tired. The Australian pair, who are replacing P. W. Thomson and B. Devlin—the original choice—were happy with their game and are confident about their chances in the event. Dunk has done well in the recent Australian circuit, but said: “That doesn’t mean that there is no room for improvement in my game.” I It is his second visit to Europe—but his last trip lasted only two days. “It was so cold when I landed in London last time I just flew out again as quickly as I could for Florida,” he said.