Visitors main golf threat

Press, 3 February 1979, Page 56

Visitors main golf threat

By 808 SCHUMACHER The winners of the three open golf tournaments last week-end. Gary Maw, Mark Street and Fred Poskitt, have all entered for the Canterbury Spalding stroke championships at Waitikiri today and tomorrow, but their main threat is from players outside Christchurch. Ross Murray, from Timaru, and Robbie Bell, from Ashburton, are in the talented field and it would be no surprise if either one of them was to win the 72 hole event.

Waitikiri, in lush condition at present, has treated [ Murray well and the former [international — one of New [Zealand’s finest amateur [golfers — was present last [year to win his sixth Canterbury stroke title.

Although Murray does not play as regularly as before, he is still an outstanding golfer and there is no better player of iron shots. He will not relinquish his title lightly. Bell, a gifted golfer from the Ashburton club, has compiled a creditable record for Mid-South Canterbury in the Freyberg Rose Bowl. He competed in the opens at Shirley and Templeton last week-end and just failed to win the Templeton event. ”"he 18-year-old Harewood player, Mark Street, is one of the province’s most naturally talented players. He was third in the championship last year behind Murray and James Angus. Street has no difficulty in achieving long distances and he has a commendable putting technique.