Late Golf Selection Is Defended

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 18

Late Golf Selection Is Defended

The practice of choosing the Freyberg Rose Bowl team as close as possible to the playing of the tournament was defended by Messrs S. G. H. Rich and R. E. Clements at a meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association last evening.

They were replying to Mr I. S. Jory (Rangiora), who advocated an earlier announcement of the team, to provide the opportunity for greater preparation for the tournament.

Mr Rich, the acting chairman, said the system followed this year ensured that the players who held their form were chosen.

“This year was exceptional; we could have picked the team four weeks beforehand." said

Mr Clements, one of the two Canterbury selectors. ' Faced with the uncertainty of [selection, players would sustain their form during this vital period, he said. “The five players we sent to Hutt were possibly the most consistent we had, as they had played in all these rounds." Canterbury’s weakness appeared to be its play on and round the greens, said Mr A. D. Russell (Amberley). "Is there any chance of sharpening our play in this respect?” he asked. Match temperament played a big part in this question, said Mr Clements. Players from some other provinces probablv encountered stronger competition in their own areas' than did the Canterbury golfers. In his report as manager of this year’s Canterbury team, Mr Rich said lapses in putting at late stages denied Canterbury a better record at the Rose Bowl tournament. He praised the team spirit of the players, and added a special commendation of J. BBroadhurst, who won six matches and halved the seventh. , "He played the best Rolf I; have seen him play,” he said. Mr Jory, who is soon to take up a position as secretary-

manager of the Akarana Club. Auckland, was bidden farewell I by the members of the manage:ment committee.

In his four years on the committee, Mr Jory had proved himself to be one of the keenest workers for golf in the province. said Mr Rich. Mr Jory would be badly missed in North Canterbury, said Mr Russell.

Mr R. A. Milne, who succeeded Mr Jory as president of the Rangiora club, was elected to (ill the vacancy on the manage ment committee.