Paterson’s ‘purple patch’

Press, 1 December 1983, Page 35

Paterson’s ‘purple patch’

The outstanding golf run of Brent Paterson continued when he scored a four-shot victory in the recent Omanu invitation classic at Tauranga. Paterson has enjoyed a purple patch in the last three months, representing New Zealand against Australia in an international match between under-26 teams, finishing runner-up in the Australian amateur championship; and being selected as the Canterbury Freyberg No. 1 for the first time. He lost only one match as Canterbury won the Freyberg Ros€bowl by a record margin. At Tauranga, Paterson and his Canterbury team-mate, John Williamson, who was the second-best amateur in the New Zealand Open, were selected for the national team to meet Oklahoma University at Chisholm Park, Dunedin, in January.

The "Omanu classic, now in its fifth year, attracts a quality field of leading amateurs, including national representatives and Freyberg players. It offers attractive prizes.

Although the course, described by Paterson as "a pitch and putt one," is not long, it has its trouble spots. Paterson played extremely consistently, finished eight under par on 280, and had 12 birdies in the four rounds. After 36 holes, Paterson shared the lead with the Bay of Plenty champion of champions, Sloan Morpeth. Morpeth and the 1982 national amateur champion, lan Peters, also of Bay of Plenty, were one shot in arrears of Paterson starting the final 18 holes, but the Canterbury No. 1 proved the steadiest under pressure. Tied for second were the former national representative, Paul Hartstone (Waikato), Morpeth, and Peters.