Youngest team yet for Freyberg golf

Press, 9 October 1979, Page 32

Youngest team yet for Freyberg golf

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

I Canterbury will field its [youngest team in 29 years of Freyberg Rose Bowl competition at this year’s national inter-associations' golf championship at Nelson from November 7 to 10. Four years ago, Geoff Saunders was the youngest member of the Canterbury Freyberg team at Wanganui. Now, at 25 years, he is the veteran of the side with Mark Street the youngster at 19.

The team selected by Messrs M. J. McNally, H. V. Reid and B. V. Glubb and approved at the Canterbury association's management committee last evening is, in playing order: Saunders (captain). Street, Simon Robinson, John Williamson and Murray Brown. Reserve: lan Ross. The manager is Mr B. V. Glubb.

Saunders will be making his seventh successive appearance, Street his second and Robinson his fourth. But Williamson and Brown will be making their debuts, although both have previously been reserve for the five-man team.

Missing from the side that finished seventh at 1 aupo last vear is the No. 1, Des Turner, who declared himself not available, and the No. 4, Stephen Street, whose six months suspension from Canterbury association controlled events earlier this year denied him the opportunity to impress the selec-

tors. Two other older and experienced Freyberg players, Bruce Taylor and Dennis Beggs, were in the Canterbury eight-man team that proved a little disappointing in the South Island teams’ event at the week-end. In previous representative matches this season, the Canterbury team has varied from eight to 16 players. In reducing the size of the side to five, somebody had to be unlucky. Williamson was the unfortunate last year, Ricky Vincent the luckless candidate on this occasion.

A month ago, Vincent appeared to have the inside running on Brown at least. He had been unbeaten in four Woodward appearances at No. 1 for Avondale, had defeated Saunders when playing for Town against

Country, and had won the Amberley open by five strokes.

However, since then he suffered two losses in the final rounds of the Woodward Cup. was eliminated by Robinson in the Christchurch club's championship, and managed only a 50 per cent record at the South Island event.

Brown, who has played consistently well throughout the year, beat Vincent in the Canterbury match-play semifinals before losing to Saunders in the final. Although playing at four, Brown had seven straight wins in the Woodward Cup and his record of three wins and a half at the South Island event was the best of the Canterbury team. That performance could have influenced the vote in his favour.

In spite of three losses at the week-end. Saunders has been Canterbury’s outstanding player this year and deserves the honour of playing No. 1 at the Freyberg for the first time. Street, a powerful striker of the ball, had the creditable record of three wins, three halves and one loss in his Freyberg debut last year. He has moved up three places, but that should prove no deterrent to the accomplished Harewood No. 1.

Robinson's representative results have not been very impressive this season; eight matches for three wins, a half and four losses. But he is a man for the occasion and has one of the best records of any Canterbury Freyberg player. From 21 matches, he has won 13 and halved two. After several years of trying. Williamson has deservedly made the breakthrough. The tall Christchurch player has a professional’s approach and an equable temperament. He has competed regularly and succsssfully in many tournaments since the start of the season.

Ross has made a spectacular advance this season. He made his Canterbury debut against Buller-Westland, won both matches, and has gone from strength to strength. His consistency has been recognised with his selection as travelling reserve.