Suitable golf excuse ...

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 27

Suitable golf excuse ...

Robbie Bradley would surely have excused his father for being late home for the final part of his twenty-first birthday celebrations yesterday. Bradley’s father, Bob, the convener of the Canterbury golf selection panel, was competing in the Canterbury Freyberg Masters trial for players over 40 years at Shirley as well as keeping his eye on likely candidates for the provincial side to play in the national event in Auckland next month. Bradley had requested an early start so he could rejoin his family and friends in festivities, but he played so well in the second round that he became a prospect for the winner’s prize in the Spalding-sponsored tournament. In fact, he was one of the

players in a three-way tie for the best 36-hole gross on 153, along with last year’s title-holder, John McCormick, and Roy Newburn.

The count-back was taken on the last nine holes and that suited Bradley admirably. He played his best golf at the end and, with birdies at 16 and 18, came the homeward half in 35, twounder par. That was three

shots better than Newburn and six better than McCormick, who had the tournament in safe keeping until he dropped shots at 17 and 18 in the afternoon. A former Canterbury No. 1, Des Turner, proved he has not lost his edge. Leading scores:— 153 — R. H. A. Bradley, 80, 73; W. J. McCormick, 76, 77;

R. P. Newburn, 78, 75. 154— D. N. Turner, 77, 77. 155 — R. W. Pirie, 77, 78. 157 — J. G. McCarthy, 80, 77; B. M., Walsh, 78, 78; A. Bailey, 78, 79. 158 — P. Cunningham, 75, 83.

159 — W. I. Tucker, 81, 78; M. D. Palmer, 81, 78; G. H. Turner, 78, 81. 161 — F. Golden, 82, 79; A. M. Pemberton, 78, 83.