MURRAY LEADS CANDIDATES FOR N.Z. GOLF TEAM

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31083, 11 June 1966, Page 15

MURRAY LEADS CANDIDATES FOR N.Z. GOLF TEAM

VO serious candidate has X yet arisen to challenge R. C. Murray’s prospects of playing No. 1 in the New Zealand Eisenhower Trophy team later this year and his performances at the recent Freyberg Rose Bowl tournament further enhanced his chances of leading the team in the world’s premier amateur team golf championship.

Murray, who played much of his rose bowl golf for Canterbury but was the captain of the Otago team at the Grange course this year, was the most successful No. 1 player at the rose bowl. la 10 rounds, six in match play and four in practice, he was a total of 13 strokes under par. It was the second consecutive year in which he finished the rose bowl undefeated, giving him a two-record of 10 wins and two halves. Since he first entered rose bowl competition in 1954, Murray has had a wonderful record. He has played in 78 matches but his losses have stilt to reach double figures. This year he shot successive rounds of 70, 71, 72, and 73 before match play began. lie was one under in defeating G. Lumis (BullerWestland - Nelson - Marlborough) 2 and 1; two under in halving with T. S. Leech (Bay of Plenty): five under in defeating R. L. Pease (Taranaki) 6 and 5; and one under to beat B. Vezich (Auckland) one up. On Saturday he had his only round over par, but although two over he still beat J. P. Means (Manawa tu-Wanganui) one up. In his final round he defeated J. D. Durry (Wellington), the New Zealand amateur champion, finishing four under par and winning two up.

His performances this year were a tribute to his determination as much as his golfing ability. Both he and Mrs Murray have had glandular fever in the last four months and this placed severe restrictions on the time he could devote to practice. His position as Eisenhower Trophy captain seems assured.