Nagle dominates last day with record 63

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32479, 14 December 1970, Page 36

Nagle dominates last day with record 63

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN. The veteran Australian, K. D. G. Nagle, brought the Otago Charity Golf Classic to a thrilling climax at St Clair yesterday when he broke the course record with a nine-under-par 63 and took the first prize of $2500.

Nagle had a fourround total of 272 (16 under par) and led the second plate-getter, his fellow countryman, V. Bennetts, by two strokes. R. J. Charles and the Thai, Sukree Onsham, were equal third, on 278. After Saturday’s third round, Bennetts and the Englishman, M. Bembridge, led the 61 qualifiers, with Nagle in third place. But it was the 49-year-oid Australian’s day yesterday as he overhauled the leaders with magnificently consistent golf. He was out in 33 and home in 30, and his round comprised seven birdies, an eagle at the third, and 10 pars. His putting was superb and it owed nothing to luck. He could well have been even further under par had several other putts dropped instead of the ball resting tantalisingly on the edge of the hole. Nagle sunk a 10ft putt for a birdie on the first hole and he continued to putt beautifully for the rest of the round, his other birdies coming at the fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and fourteenth. Bennetts also played finely for his 67, and this young Australian was unfortunate to strike Nagle in such a devastating mood. In the three previous tournaments on the New Zealand

circuit this season, Nagle has not found true form, finishing twenty-fourth equal, eighth equal and fourteenth equal respectively. Yesterday the gallery of 3500 saw him at his greatest. There was a strong northeast wind on Saturday and only one player—the Australian, G. V. Marsh, with a fourunder 68 —scored in the 60s, although 14 bettered or equalled par. But as Nagle became “hotter” on the howeward nine, Bennetts “cooled” down, taking another 36 strokes. After a 70 on Saturday, Charles came into his own yesterday with a six-under 66. He was out in an incredible 29 and, if he had continued in that mood, he would have made Nagle's 63 look pale in comparison. But the New Zealander lost touch on the homeward half, which he did in 37. He bird-

ied seven of the first nine holes but only one of the second nine. He had oneovers on the tenth and twelfth. The leading scores were: 272—K. D. G. Nagle (Australia), 89, 68, 72, 63—52500. 274—V. Bennetts (Australia), 66, 71, 70, 67—51900. 278 R. J. Charles (New Zealand), 69, 73, 70, 66; Sukee Onsham (Thailand), 65, 72, 73, 67 $1250 each. 279 Bembridge (Britain), 67, 71, 70, 71; P. W. Thomson (Australia), 67, 71, 72, 69—5825 each. 281—J. M. Lister (New Zealand). 68, 70, 72, 71; G. V. Marsh (Australia), 69, 74, 68, 70— $7OO each. 283—W. J. Godfrey (New Zealand), 71, 68, 74, 70—5600. 285 B. T. Boyes (New Zealand), 67, 76, 71, 71; J. Stolhand (United States), 74, 73, 70, 78—5525 each. 286 P. A. Harvey (Australia), 70. 70, 74, 72; T. Nettles (United States), 68, 75, 70, 73; A. J. Palmer (New Zealand), 73, 69, 74, 70; F. Phillips (Australia), 68, 74, 73, 71; L. Sharp (Australia), 69, 69, 76, 72; D. Welch (Australia), 69, 74, 74, 69—5325 each. 288— T. Woolbank (Australia), 68, 74, 74, 72—5150. 289 B. Coxon (Australia), 69, 77. 72, 71; C. R. Risch (United States), 66, 72, 77, 74; G. B. Wolstenholme (Australia), 72, 71, 75, 71—5130 eaph. 290 J. Boyle (Australia), 74, 78, 71, 87: P. Murray —(Australia), 69, 75, 73, 83; R. Vines (Australia), 70, 76, 71, 73 $lO3 each. 291 R. Howell (United States), 69, 75, 74, 73-1100. 292 T. C. Kendal (New Zealand), 73, 77, 72, 70—$100; *E. J. McDougall (New Zealand), 77, 75, 71, 71; A. Snape (New Zealand), 72, 77, 73, 72-$BO each. ("Denotes amateurs.)