Three-way finish to Vardon Trophy

Press, 24 October 1980, Page 24

Three-way finish to Vardon Trophy

By 808 SCHUMACHER A three-way battle has developed to find the first winner of the Canterbury Golf Association’s P.G.F. Vardon Trophy. The cancellation of the 36hole. Waitikiri-Windsor open tournaments this week-end through lack of entries has left the Tai Tapu open on November 2 as the last event for players to improve their positions. Only a decimal point separates the top trio: Geoff Saunders is the present leader with the lowest stroke average of 74.83, John Wil-

liamson has 74.90, and Stephen Street has 75.00. To be eligible for the new award, all players must have competed in a minimum of 20 rounds. Street and Williamson have met that requirement, but Saunders has played only 18 rounds and must play in the 36-hole Tai Tapu tournament. He confirmed yesterday that he would be playing. It was just as well that Williamson, who has competed in 22 rounds, had reached the required number as he will be representing Canterbury against Welling-

ton on the same day as the Tai Tapu open. To stay ahead of Williamson, Saunders, with the adjustment of. scores to bring the course rating to the standard 72, will need to score 143 or better. The pressure will be even more on Street. The talented Harewood player, who has won the Kaiapoi and Rangiora opens and finished run-ner-up in the Ellesmere and Harewood, events, will have to score 139 or better to head off Williamson and hope that Saunders fails to better 143.