CLASH OF GOLF

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32120, 16 October 1969, Page 15

CLASH OF GOLF

Because of the counter-at-: traction of the Charles* Player match at Shirley on November 6, Canterbury golfers will not have the opportunity of participating in one of the tournaments featuring the most famous of athletes, Jesse Owens. The sponsors of Owen’s visit[ to New Zealand, Benson: and Hedges, have agreed to a proposal to raise further funds for the Murray Halberg Trust for Crippled Children by arranging appearances by the former Olympic gold medallist and world record-holder at one-day golf tournaments. Owens, who is to be a guest speaker at the “Sportsman of the Year” dinner' —which is organised by the trust—is a staunch golfing enthusiast. Tournaments will be held at Auckland, Hamilton and Whangarei; the players taking part will pay $lO each, and the money will go to the trust Further funds will be raised at sportsmen’s dinners and luncheons, one of which will be held at Nelson on November 6. A Christchurch appearance on this day would have fitted into Owens's itinerary. But this, unfortunately, is the day on which R. J. Charles and G. Player will play at Shir- • ley as part of their 72hole “Dominion-Sunday Times” challenge series. Consequently, his only time in Christchurch will be a short stop-over on November 2, on the way from Auckland to Mount Cook. During his two weeks in New Zealand he will: meet the Governor-; General (Sir Arthur Por-'l ritt). attend a race meeting in Hastings and try h his hand at deep sea fish- : ing off Waitangi.