Woodward Cup to be changed

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32450, 10 November 1970, Page 20

Woodward Cup to be changed

A recommendation from the match committee that next season the Woodward Cup—the men’s senior inter-club main competition —be played on a stroke basis with the five leading scores of the six players counting in each game, was adopted by the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association’s management committee at its meeting last evening.

Previously the Woodward Cup consisted of eight-man teams with the results decided on match play. Mr D. H. Lawrence, representing the match committee, said that the new format may increase interest generally in the inter-club competition and bring some degree of personal interest in it as well.

He stressed that the Woodward Cup at present was regarded by some as slightly more than a social event whereas its primary function was to find the leading players and leading club. “Stroke play would do just that,” he said.

Mr E. H. M. Richards, a Canterbury golfer himself, considered that stroke play would give the true record of a player’s round and this would be of help to the selectors. Mr M. J. McNally, a Canterbury selector, shared this, opinion.

Mr S. G. H. Rich offered to award a trophy to the golfer achieving the best stroke score throughout the Woodward Cup series. This was gratefully accepted. A letter from the St Asaph Social and Welfare Club stated that it intended to hold a wine and cheese evening at Canterbury Court on February 27, 1971, with the proceeds to be donated to the Comonwealth Games committee.

The club hoped 5000 people would attend, and planned to hold a raffle prior to and on the night of the function. For the major prizes, it had ordered a new car and jet boat, but this had contravened the Gaming Act which stipulates that raffle prizes must not exceed $l5OO in value. The club is to appeal to the Minister of In-

ternal Affairs for a permit, and hoped that the C.P.G.A, would give a letter of support to strengthen the appeal. The committee agreed to write in support of the St Asaph club. Some time within the next 12 months, the C.P.G.A. will stage a golf tournament to assist in fund-raising for the Commonwealth Games.

If it is successful then a tournament will probably be held each year until the Games begin.