Sports features Country golfers get their chance

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 24

Sports features Country golfers get their chance

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The introduction of teams from North Canterbury and Central Canterbury into the Woodward Cup inter-club golf championship will inject a breath of country air into the premier club team’s competition. For many years, country clubs have felt that their top players have been neglected in Canterbury selections because they have not had the chance to come under such close scrutiny. Country’s victory against Town in the annual fixture last year proved the wealth of playing talent in the outlying clubs. With theWoodward Cup competition now increased from seven rounds to nine to accomodate the extra teams, there should be amplei opportunities for the best country golfers to press their claims. Unfortunately, the North Canterbury team has struck an immediate problem for the opening round at Waimairi Beach on Sunday. On the same day,

a North Canterbury representative team—also of eight playern— meets Marlborough and North Canterbury' has had to divide its strength. The Canterbury representatives, John Allin and Dennis Beggs, and two other prominent players, George Turner and Stephen Hill, will be playing against Marlborough. A similar situation occurs later in the ceason when North Canterbury and South Canterbury have their annual match on the same’day as another Woodward Cup date. Tire presence of the two teams from the subassociations will deprive some of the town sides of low-handicapped members. In pa-st years, several players have joined town clubs in order to compete in the Woodward Cup. They have renewed their country affiliations this season. Christchurch has been a worthy champion for the last four years and has had the trophy in its clubhouse for five of the last

six years. Victory this year would be even more meritorious as it has been one of the hardest-hit of the town clubs through defections. Geoff Saunders, the Canterbury No; 1 and top Christchurch player last season, will be appearing for Central Canterbury; Murray Brown unbeaten in seven matches and joint winner of' the Stan Rich Salver, has returned to his former club, Waitikiri; and Chris Barry has also gone back to his old club, Avondale. Still, Christchurch ' can field a formidable eight and will not relinquish the championship easily. The Canterbury match-play champion, Simon Robinson. will take over the top role, but not for this round as he is playing in the New Zealand amateur. So he will miss a rematch with Saunders, whom he beat in the final of the Canterbury championship. Christchurch is still very strong at the top with John Williamson, Des Turner and Andrew Robinson,

also unbeaten last year, available. If Christchurch is to score a fifth successive win, much will depend on the performances of the bottom four. Entrusted in those positions are Wayne Tucker, John Parlane, lan Dobson and Donald Hope. Waitikiri. second last year, had the lowest handicap aggregate of the 10 teams submitted. Brown’s inclusion will give the team a dependable No. 1 and the in-form Gary Mawl who lost just one of seven matches last year, justifiably is promoted five places. Although Len McKenzie and John McCormick are listed among the reserves, the middle-order remains sound with Bob Farrant, Ross Griffith and Stephen Paterson comprising a capable trio. Griffith, however, will be going overseas midway through the season. The left-handed Jeff McCarthy, who had a good record last season, Malcolm Fry, a former senior champion of the club, and Mike White, a newcomer, complete the team.

Coringa, which has finished in the top four for the last three years, might be hard-pressed to retain its high placings. Allin will be missed and there will be pressure on Nick Mclvor, Brent Paterson, Peter Neal and John Smale in the top order. Coringa had problems in the middle-order last year and. with no notable gains, that weakness might be exposed again. Bruce Taylor’s decision not to play winter golf has deprived Rpssley if its logical No. 1 although the Canterbury stroke-play champion might be available for the final rounds. Russley is no longer the dominant force of a few years ago and the loss of Taylor will only compound its problems. The onus will be on its youthful top players, Paul Atk i n s o n and John Bierwirth, and the experienced and successful Keith Hynd and Neville Griffiths. Supporting them are Roger Sisson, Kim Thomp-

son (from Christchurch), Peter McDonald and Geoff Black Last season, Templeton finished last of the eight teams, but a significant improvement can be expected this year. Joe Gantley, who impressed in the recent Canterbury championship, and Finn Hobbs, a former provincial champion, are valuable gains as is Brian Smythe, from Mid-South Canterbury. Roy Newburn and John Prebble have been loyal members of the team for many years, but the team’s placing might depend on how Gary Kirk, Nigel Hilton and Tony Doherty perform. Last year they won only five of 13 matches. Avondale, after just losing to Christchurch two years ago, slipped to seventh placing last year. It will be without the longserving pair, Frank Roberts and Don Gaudin, and Lindsay McMillan. The

team is a young one, even ’ more so with the inclusion » of Jamie Bowen and John ’ Crawford-Smith, but it has potential and has an ex- i cellent leader in Ricky * Vincent. * When at full strength, • North Canterbury will be I a difficult opponent. Even ’ without the players re- » quired for the match ‘ against Marlborough, it i will have a useful team 4 for the opening round, led | by last year’s Canterbury / Freyberg reserve. lan » Ross. Martin Stanley and * Harley Henderson are two ■ young players who should j serve the side well. ’ After regaining re-ad- ■ mission to the premier ‘ contest two years ago, I Waimairi Beach has yet to '« make much impact al- " though it has caused some 1 upsets. Fred Poskitt, Digby Briggs and Nev Shackley head a seasoned « team with few changes j though one newcomer is I John Gregg, runner-up to $ Poskitt in the club chant- . ; pionship.

Harewood, although ranked lowly on handicaps, is certain to show that assessment wrong. Harewood has been in the top four since 1977 and will be hard to dislodge with the three accomplished Street brothers, Mark, Stephen and Brent, in the top quartet. Paul Shearer and Noel Bain, both of whom compiled good records last season, Barry Smith, David Marks and John Dixon are the other probable team members. Central Canterbury can boast two Freyberg players in Saunders and Toby, Richards. Their presence might inspire the team to fare better than its low rating on handicap. Steve Parker has' previously played Woodward Cup golf for Templeton, and Graham Gunn for Russley, but Bob Pirie, Roger Stoddart, and lan Bourke will be making their debuts on Sunday.