S.I. golf titles an N.Z. trial?

Press, 26 February 1982, Page 30

S.I. golf titles an N.Z. trial?

By 808 SCHUMACHER When , John Williamson made the last four in the New Zealand amateur golf championship at Timaru last year it was.widely rumoured that victory in 'that event would clinch a place for him in one' of the national sides that was to be named later that year. However, the. Canterbury captain bowed to Auckland's youthful Philip Aickin in the semi-final and it was Aickin. I even though he was beaten in I the final, who gained a posi- | tion in the New Zealand I team for an international 1 tournament in Taiwan. I But Williamson's name has

i occupied a prominent place ! in the minds of the national

selectors as evident by the fact that he is one of 11 amateurs who will receive financial assistance to compete in the South Island championships at the Nelson Golf Club’s Tahunanui course this week-end.

All 11 players invited by the national association have accepted and the competition in the stroke-play event will be extremely strong. Apart from Williamson, those who will have their expenses partly subsidised are five Aucklanders. Tony Treen. Terry Pulman. Aickin. Michael Barltrop. and the present New Zealand champion. Terry Cochrane. Paul Hartstone, and Colin Taylor (both Waikato). Neil Gaskin

(Manawatu - Wanganui). Michael Atkinson (Otago) and Jim Lapsley, Canterbury's No 1 Freyberg player for the last two years. The South Island championship is virtually a national trial as two' New Zealand sides will be named after the tournament. A four-man team will be selected to make a recipro, cal visit to Japan from April 8 to 18 and another four-man team will be named to play Australia for the Sloan Morpeth Trophy in Palmerston North on April 24 and 25.

"It’s pleasing to be in the race and also to receive a subsidy." Williamson said yesterday. The in-form Canterbury golfer knows the

Tahunanui course well but hopes to be in Nelson todayin time for a practice round.' Williamson, aged 25. recalls a fifth place at Westport and a seventh at St Ciair as his previous best performances in the South Island championships which have been dominated byGeoff Clarke (Otago), a former international who has turned professional.

He considers that attendance at the national clinic in Wellington last month had improved his play. The school was run by' the renowned Australian tutor. Alex Mercer. "The few chats I had with Alex have certainly been beneficial." he said.

Since the clinic. Williamson has won the first Canterbury stroke championship and last Sunday he played 36 holes at Russley in sevenunder par. If he can sustain that form at Nelson. Williamson must be among the front-runners for the title and national selection. But he is not one to get too excited or expectant. "I hope to play well but my altitude is to enjoy my golf and if I play well that's a bonus." he said. Lapsley too. has been on the fringe for national selection for some years and victory in the Southland stroke-play championship at Otatara earlier this month was a timely morale booster.