PAR BEATEN ON 84 OCCASIONS Many outstanding rounds in Garden City Golf Classic

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33092, 6 December 1972, Page 16

PAR BEATEN ON 84 OCCASIONS Many outstanding rounds in Garden City Golf Classic

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

If the financial outcome of the Garden City Golf Classic was a disappointment to the organisers, the contributing factors to the decline in support need not necessarily affect the prospects of the Classic next year or the years after. The organisers — the Christchurch Lions Club and the Canterbury Round Tables—deserved the warmest commendation for their efforts. But they could not do much about the cold weather which prevailed for most of the tournament and undoubtedly kept people away. Nor could they have done more than they did to find a strong field for the major golf event of the year in Christchurch. But the Classic this year suffered, without question, from the lack of a Heard or a Weiskopf—both of them dynamic golfing personalities. The only top-ranking American was Rod Funseth, who was unable to do himself justice. He finished thirteenth equal. Weiskopf in 1970, Heard in 1971 made an impact on the Classics of those years, but it was remarkable that they should find top form almost the moment after their arrival in a strange country. Funseth was not at his best. On Sunday morning he was asked if he proposed to play the big ball or the small one; he had varied between them in the earlier rounds. “It doesn’t seem to make much difference—perhaps I should have a basketball or even a Rugby ball,” he said. Funseth was disappointed that he did not find his best form and that he should be only two under par at the finish. Funseth, a likeable man, and clearly a very capable performer, did not meet expectations. But he was not to blame for that. And the organising committee was wise to refrain from any attempt to offer guarantees to overseas stars. Any administration indulging in that practice is likely to

run foul of the N.Z.P.G.A. and the Australian contingent in future. Christchurch has had Heard, Weiskopf and Funseth because they had holidays arranged for them in Canterbury. Suggestions that the Otago organisers have paid large sums to import players have been denied. It may be significant, however, that notwithstand- . ing the ready sale of spon- i sorship, the Otago event last year made a profit of | only $4OOO. It is completely unfair to j the many good tournament i professionals who come to i New Zealand regularly that they should have to pay their own expenses and face the probability of losing top prize money to players assured of a handsome return from their visits. There are many talented professionals on the circuit. Inevitably, at Russley and elsewhere, the galleries follow only two or three bestknown players. They miss a lot of good golf. At Russley, there were 84 sub-par rounds—and even if Russley’s par is an . inflated one, that is an impressive total. But 48 of them were played by competitors who failed to finish in the first 12 places. A typical example on the last day was the young Australian, B. Jones. He won the Indian Open this year, he hits a long ball, and plays his irons with particular accuracy. But he found his putting touch only in the final round, when he scored a five-under 68, with five birdies going out. two coming home. There are many such efforts. But they were not all success stories. K. D. G. Nagle was not quite himself this time—a little stiffer, it seemed, perhaps because of back trouble, and certainly not in his greatest putting form. He finished the third round on Saturday with a fne birdie putt. “All I need now is five winners at Addington,” he said, as he

came off the green. Alas, he had only two—and “gave it all back.” Nor did he manage the charge which, from three shots behind the leaders, seemed very possible on Sunday afternoon. G. V. Marsh was another who disappointed. The young Australians say he is the best they have. Often,

he looked superb. But it may well be that the intense concentration he Brings into his game is almost as much a hindrance as it is a help. It seems to drain his resources. W. J. Godfrey did wonderfully well to finish seventh equal. He was badly troubled by his sore hand, yet he had three sub-par rounds; in stroke-making, and his short game, he looked outstandingly good. It was as well, in a way, that little Sukree Onshams’s final round did not quite take him to the top. It would have been something of an

embarrassment, for one of the traditions of the tournament is the presentation to the winner of the green Classic blazer: and there was not one available which would not have been overcoat length for Onsham. Canterbury resident professionals failed to win any prize money, but several of them played very well. The best of them was the young

unattached G. D. Smart, an Australian who has married and settled here. He is an impressive golfer, with tournament success in Australia, and a cheerful, unassuming personality. He finished only two strokes off the prize list. C. W. Caldwell was four shots further back, with an indifferent last round. But for one who plays so little competitive golf, he looked very good indeed; his technique compared favourably with the best. T. F. Kelso also had two very good rounds, but one shocking

putting patch cost him his chance. The leading amateur was C. H. Alldred, of Otago, a most talented player who will represent New Zealand soon. At first, it looked like being a terrible tournament for those members of the Canterbury Freyberg, Rosebowl team who- competed. While G. L. Titmus was scoring 86, J. F. Logie 81 and B. C. Taylor 80, the Canterbury selectors were shdwing the way — E. H. M. Richards with 72, T. M. Stout with 74. But things improved. Richards and F. Whitaker (Otago) shared second amateur place, a stroke behind Alldred, but Taylor, whose last three rounds were 74, 72,- 72, was only two shots behind. There was some great golf at Russley, the course was in near-perfect order, and the tournament committee should not have too many fears about the future. Perhaps it will be a struggle next year, but once the Commonwealth Games are over, the Classic should take its place firmly and finally in the scheme of sporting affairs.