Turner defends golf title

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33455, 9 February 1974, Page 46

Turner defends golf title

The defending Canterbury stroke and match-play golf champion last year, I). N. Turner, will take the first step towards retaining his titles when the provincial stroke championship is decided at Waitikiri this week-end.

Turner, the Canterbury Freyberg Rose Bowl No 1 player, won the championship (which was also at Waitikiri) last year by seven strokes with a four-round total of 286. Waitikiri requires accuracy rather than distance off the tees, and the course ideally suits Turner’s precise game. G. C. Saunders, second in the championship last year, will be hoping for a good showing to retain his place in the Freyberg team, but I the opposition is formidable. HOME COURSE B. C. Taylor, the province’s No 1 until displaced by Turner, always commands respect, and D. R, Griffith, playing on his Ihome course, might surprise if he is able to steer his drives away from trouble. Griffith finished equal third in the stroke championship last year and; reached the final of the! match-play event. P. Hartstone, the Canterbury No. 3, an exciting player and confident player, is capable of spectacular scoring, as is E. : H. M. Richards, who won several open tournament last year. A most impressive winner of the Christchurch club’s annual Christmas tournament, J. M. Angus, the slightly-built Russley golfer.

pnd the promising W. I, Tucker must also be considered. i The South Island under-21 ■ championship will be held in Iconjunction with the Canterbury event. J. 11. Lapsley (Southland) and R, J. Johnston (Otago), both New Zealand junior representatives, will lead their provinces and Saunders and S. S. Robinson head the Canterbury challenge.