U.S. GOLF ‘INVASION’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33988, 31 October 1975, Page 20

U.S. GOLF ‘INVASION’

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. The Americans are after New Zealand’s golfing honours.

Of the. 156 professional entries for the coming New Zealand golf circuit, 47 are Americans.

Bob Gilder, the unknown 23-year-old from Corvallis Oregon, did not realise what he had started when he slotted a birdie putt on the seventy-fifth hole of the 1974 New Zealand Open to take the title. As Gilder jetted around the world, cashing in on the exemptions the title gave him, other Americans began taking notice. And this year the rush is on. Australians — as always — head the list. There will be 57 Australians, 47 Americans, and 45 New Zealanders making up the bulk of the field chasing the .$130,000 available in the first six tournaments. Helping make the circuit more international are one Burmese, two Filipinos, two Japanese, one Canadian, and two British golfers. Maya Aye (Burma) and Ben Arda (Philippines) are consistently near the top of the Asian circuit, and Maurice Bembridge and Norman Wood always feature on the British and European circuits. The Airlines’ Open, at the Grange, beginning on November 13, cannot handle the number who want to play. Neither can St Andrew’s, Hamilton, the site of the 1975 New Zealand Open. The field for both will have to pre-qualify. QUALIFYING

The Airlines field will prequalify at Manukau on Tuesday, November 11; the Open field at St Andrew’s on Tuesday, November 18. For the Open, there could be more than 100 golfers going for about 80 spots, because the entry already numbers more than 160, with the closing date not until Tuesday. Only 10 amateur entries have so far been received, but these could treble by the closing date. With the New Zealand team in South Africa at that time, the amateur field is likely to be headed by the Canterbury No. 1, Paul Hartstone, and the New Zealand team- reserve, Alex Bonnington.

There must always be a certain number of amateurs in the Open field, because the Bledisloe Cup, for the leading amateur over 72 holes, is run concurrently. But only five amateur spots will be available at Auckland. and these go to the Auckland Freyberg Rose Bowl team. It is unfortunate that once again the list for exemptions varies from tournament to tournament.

The »lx major tournaments, In order, *re;—

New Zealand Airlines open, $35,000, The Grange, Auckland, November 13-16. The Fifty-ninth New Zealand Open Championship, $20,000, St Andrew’s, Hamilton. November 20-23.

Otago Charity Golf Classic, $23,000, St Ciair, Dunedin, November 27-30. Garden City Classic, $18,500, Russley, Christchurch, December 4-7.

Southland Charity Golf Classic, $lO,OOO, Otatara, Invercargill, December 11-14. Jubilee P.G.A. championship, $20,000, Tauranga, January 1-4, 1976.