Von Nida, On 137, Leads British Open Qualifiers

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27396, 8 July 1954, Page 13

Von Nida, On 137, Leads British Open Qualifiers

GOLF

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, July 6. Eight Australians and one New Zealander, headed by the Australian professional, Norman von Nida, qualified today for the British open golf championship at Birkdale, Lancashire. Von Nida headed the qualifying field of 97 who will compete tomorrow and on Friday to decide the final 50 players who will fight out the final two rounds on Saturday. Von Nida, as the leading qualifier, received £25. His play yesterday and today enhanced his chances for the title. His approach shots were perfect, and he sank several long putts. The young Victorian professional, Peter Thomson, with an aggregate of 144, was well among the leaders. The British amateur titleholder, Doug Bachli, of Victoria, just managed to qualify with an aggregate of 151—the lowest aggregate qualifying score in the history of the open. Only one New Zealander, A. R. Timms, qualified. The other Australians to qualify were Peter Heard (New South Wales), Peter Toogood (Tasmania), W. Shephard (Victoria), Bob Stevens (South Australia), and J. Coogan (Queensland). Two of the eight Australians are professionals. Peter Thomson’s tee shots today gave him trouble early in the round. Fast greens also troubled him at times. The favourite for the title, the South African, Bobby Locke, had an aggregate of 143, while the 52-year-old American, Gene Sarazen, with 141, shared qualifying honours with his fellow American, Frank Stranahan, and the British professional, R. P. Mills.

Among those who failed to qualify were three British Ryder Cup players, Arthur Lees, Eric Brown and Reg Horne, and Britain’s number one amateur, Ronnie White. Timins Plays Well

Only Timms of the New Zealand contingent of six today finished happy in the knowledge that he had qualified for the open. Three knew their chances definitely were gone—Tom Jeffery, Tony Gibbs, and Stuart Jones —whilst Bryan Silk and Tim Woon spent some hours of doubt on the borderline total of 152, which eventually proved just too many, as 151 was the final qualifying aggregate. Timms had one of the best outward halves at the more difficult 6887 yards Birkdale course. He was out in 33, sinking chip shots at the first hole and at the short fourth for a birdie two. A three-foot putt for a birdie three at the fifth was followed three holes later by a 20ft putt for a birdie 3 at the 434 yards eighth. Although he did not maintain his standard in the inward half, he finished in 72 for a total of 149. Woon took 75 at Birkdale to total 152. The black spot of his round was at the 427 yards second, where he lost the ball after driving into the rough.

However, he was out in 39 and back in»36, in spite of missing short putts at the thirteenth, fourteenth, and sixteenth.

Silk, too, had a bad start at Birkdale with three putts that cost six at the first, and trouble in the rough at the second that finally produced seven. His 42 out included a birdie 2 at the short sixth, where he laid his tee shot 6in from the pin. He came home in 36, sinking a 20ft nutt for two at the seventeenth, and a* 4ft putt for three

at the eighteenth in a spectacular finish. Jeffrey followed his 78 at Hillside yesterday with 78 at Birkdale. He took 40 out, having twice visited bunkers and twice three-putted. Gibbs also had a bad start at Hill-

side, where 78 gave him a total of 155. He had a seven as early as the second hole, where a pushed-out drive hit a post near the sixteenth tee, and rebounded back down the fairway.

Jones did better at Hillside with 75, but his 81 at Birkdale left him no loophole, and he totalled 156. He turned in 38, and went four over fours with a six at the tricky tenth. He improved towards the end of the round.

The Berkshire assistant professional, Tony Harman, broke the 19-year-old Birkdale course record by one stroke today with a sparkling 69. The Irishman, John McGonigle, after yesterday’s record-breaking 65 on the easier Hillside course, suffered one misfortune after ’ another over the last five holes on the Birkdale course today. After going out in 38 he had three sixes oh the homeward stretch,, and finished with an 80.

Leading qualifiers were:— 137, von Nida (Australia), 70. 67. 141, F. V. Stranahan (United States), 69 72; R. P. Mills. 72, 69; G. Sarazen (United States), 67. 74. 142, A. J. Harman, 73, 69; H. N. Bradshaw, 71, 71; J. Burton, 72. 70. 143, C. O’Conner, 73, 70; A. D. Locke (South Africa), 69, 74. 144, P. W. Thomson (Australia), 74, C. S. Denny. 74, 70; W. Lees, 73, 71; F. Bullock, 73. 71; T. B. Haliburton. 76, 68. . 145. J. McGonigle, 65, 80; J. Hitchcock. 77, 68; A. Angelorri (Italy), 77, 68; J. Panton, 68. 77; M. Faulkner, 75. 70; P. Alliss, 72. 73; U. Grapposonnl (Italy), 72, 73; R. L. Gamer. 72. 73; H. Cotton, 74. 71; K. F. Dodsworth, 71, 74. 146, W. J. Hendersoa, 75, 71; C. Kane, 74, 72; D. J. Rees. 73 73; H. Weetman, 74, 72; R. N. Brews (South Africa), 72, 74; L. Topping, 72. 74; R. F. Stevens (Australia). 75, 71.

WAITIKIRI LADIES’ CLUB.—L.G.U. match—Silver division: Mrs E. Mclntyre, 91, 17—74; Miss L. Hillis, 83. 7—76; Mrs J.

Potts. 92, 15—77. Bronze division; Mrs K. Symington, 104, 30—74: Miss M. Ramsay, 95, 20—75; Miss J. Mahar, 109. 34—75; Stroke round—C grade: Mrs J. Buchan.

WAIMAIRI BEACH LADIES’ CLUB.— Sealed hole match—A grade: Mrs A. Hendy, 49, 11—38; Mrs J. Dawson, 49, 10— 39; Mrs L. Clegg, 50, 9—41; Mrs R. WTiitehead, 52. 11—41. B grade: Mrs M. Hall, 57. 15—42; Mrs M. Williams. 60, 17—43; Mrs G. Deakin. 61, 18—43. LINCOLN LADIES’ CLUB.—Bisque bogey: Miss E. Lilburne, 2 up; Mrs T. Riddolls, 1 up; Mrs M. Brown, all square; Miss K. Henley, all square.

TEMPLETON LADIES’ CLUB.—L.G.U. match—Silver division: Mrs G. E. Sinclair, 81, 8—73; Mrs C. Ridgen, 97. 15—82; Mrs F. H. Muirson. 100, 18—82. Bronze division: Mrs W. Freeman, 100, 36—64; Mrs E. Tyrrell, 103, 30—73; Mrs C. Skerten, 106, 31—75.

RAWHITI LADIES’ CLUB.—Bisque bogey—A grade: Miss N. Ryan, 3 up; Mrs H. Whitford, 2 up: Mrs P. Hobson. 1 down; Mrs E. Uhrbom, 1 down. B grade: Mrs A. Brooke-Taylor, 4 up; Mrs R. Hooker, 2 up; Mrs P. Cotton, 1 up.

AVONDALE LADIES’ CLUB.—L.G.U. match—Silver division: Mrs A. H. Mangin, 90, 18—72. Bronze division: Mrs J. Brooke Taylor. 92, 22—70; Mrs M. Rogers, 102, 30—72; Mrs Z. Sowden, 94, 19—74; Miss I. Robson. 96, 22—74. Stroke: Mrs E. Clay don, 89, 23—66; Miss E. Dick, 99. 29—70; Miss A. Chapman, U 5, 24—71. Aranui Cup flight—Semi-final: Mrs A. Herdman beat Mrs N. V. Ching, 6 and 5; Mrs J. Bissett beat Mrs D. Watt, 1 up. Final: Mrs J. Bissett beat Mrs U. Herdman, 2 up. Canadian foursome: Mesdames J. H. Logie and Y. Bell. 90, 16—74.

KAIAPOI LADIES* CLUB.—Members’ foursomes—Mor.iing medal, senior: Mrs N. Wylie. 93. 18—75; Mrs J. Dempster, 93, 12—81. Junior: Mrs G. Holden, 101. 29—72; Mrs M. Bootten, 110, 36—74. C grade (nine holes): Miss N. Dixon, 57, 18— 39. Putting: Mrs G. Smith. Afternoon foursome: Mesdames Oastler and Craze. CHRISTCHURCH LADIES’ CLUB.— Ladies’ Golf Union—Silver division: Mrs E. G. Mitchell, 86, 13—73; Miss B. Coop, 90, 16—74; Miss G. Boag, 89, 14—75; Miss J. Burt, 90, 15—75. Bronze division: Miss J. Wilson, 97, 28—69; Mrs G. Guy, 96, 25 —7l; Mrs E. J. Corcoran, 100, 25—75; Mrs W. J. Mac Gibbon, 105, 30—75; Mrs S. Hunter, 111, 36—75.