Strong field for N.Z. P.G.A. golf tournament

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 48

Strong field for N.Z. P.G.A. golf tournament

PA Tauranga The difference between this week’s New Zealand P.G.A. golf tournament and previous years is that there has never been a better field, according to the Te Awamutu professional, Dennis Clark.

“This is because we have shifted, the date forward from about New Year’s Day to the end of November. “Still it has been amazing that while the fields have not been produced in the past the scoring has always been phenomenal. “While only a handful of golfers in the past have shot low scores there are potentially 50 or 60 this time who are capable of scoring 65 or lower in a round,” said Clark. Clark, a New Zealand professional attached to the Te Awamutu club, is in a good position to preview the fiftysixth annual tournament being played at Tauranga from tomorrow to Sunday. Last year he was involved in a three-way tie with another New Zealander, John Lister, and the eventual winner, Brian Jones: of New South Wales. Clark is now a director of tournaments on the Australian circuit. In .Australia recently as part of his duties Clark, talked some of their leading players into coming to New Zealand. The over-all result of the changes is that the championship has attracted a full field of 144 professionals, more than 90 of them being from overseas.

“The Tauranga course, a par 70 (35 and 35) course over 5545 metres, is not a long-hitter’s course. It suits a player who keeps the ball in play and shoots left to right; all the trouble is on the left side,” said Clark. “I don't want to stick my neck out and say who might win. Brian Jones, the title holder, is a good little player but there are so many. It’s wide open.” The field is strong but does not contain players such as the Australian, Greg Norman, or the American, Bill Rogers (who is playing in the Shell-Air N.Z. Open at Titirangi the following week). Will they ever be attracted? “No, we don't pay them enough appearance money. We don’t pay them anything. Norman is not worth $15,000 (which is his asking price). “Jack Newton wanted appearance money over the last couple of years. They wouldn’t give him any. He had to enter tournaments anyway because he wasn’t getting any golf. . “He and Bob Shearer are here this year because of the title, and they’re doing the right thing supporting us (the P.G.A.) and making for a better tournament,” said Clark. Also, without the change of

dates and prizemoney, the Irishman. Eamonn Darcy, might not have returned after being the big drawcard last year, Clark said. Fifteen of the top 20 prizemoney winners on the present Australian circuit are confirmed as entries at Tauranga Leading them at present is Billy Dunk, who has won about $40,000. Second is Terry Gale, who has not played in recent N.Z. P.G.A. championships. Roger Davis, tenth on last year’s order of merit, is returning, while other entries include the Australians, Bob Shaw and Ted Ball, and an Englishman, Maurice Bembridge. From New Zealand Simon Owen, Bob Charles and John Lister — all drawcards even when their seasons are not outstandingly successful —- and Alex Bonnington, Richard Coombes and Stuart Reese are again among the entries. There are three Japanese golfers, Shisho Mori, Horishi Suzuki, and Naoki Kotani, the Americans, Mike Krantz and Art Russell, and others from Canada and the United Kingdom. Among other Australians are Vaughan Somers, Peter Croker and lan Stanley.