N.Z. GOLF TEAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 703, 1 July 1929, Page 13

N.Z. GOLF TEAM

WILL DUNCAN AND ROSS BE AVAILABLE THE AUSTRALIAN TRIP (From Our Oxen Correspondent} With the news this week of the possible defection of Dr. Ross, of Dunedin, owing to illness in his family, the strength of the New Zealand golf team to visit Australia shortly to try and win back the Kirk-Windeyer Cup comes up once more for consideration.

Dr. Boss is the outstanding golfer of the South Island and he is equally steady under the most trying conditions. That he should be unable to make the journey, must, of necessity, weaken the team, already reduced in strength because of the possible loss of Arthur Duncan, and will make New Zealand’s task all the harder when it comes to tho cup series. The indications are that Australia will do its best to retain the trophy, and New Zealand will be called upon to face a very strong team no matter which four of the six chosen by New South Wales or Victoria takes the field on the day of the match. The New

Zealand selectors certainly did their best when they selected Sloan Morpeth. T. H. Horton, Kenneth Ross, and Arthur Duncan in the first case, and it is probable that the team was further strengthened by the inclusion of J. L. Black as fifth man, with a big

likelihood that he would have a ~>lace in the team when it came to the match, because Duncan had intimated he might be unable to make the journey. The four men chosen in the first case have shown that they are capable of brilliance in tight corners, while Black has equally demonstrated his imperturbability and steadiness in many a hard match. The possible defection of Duncan and Ross, however, puts an entirely different complexion on New Zealand’s chances in Australia, which may be all i the worse if one of its players happens I to be off his game on the day of the I match. The gift of the Kirk-Windeyer Cup has caused New Zealand to take stock of its leading golfers, and it has been found that there are quite a number of players of sterling quality, while there are distinct possibilities among its youngsters. The fixture has aroused considerable interest in Australia, which is all the keener because there is a likelihood of an English visit to the Commonwealth. Of course, the English team is not touring because of the Kirk-Windeyer Cup, but the chief interest lies in the fact that the team will be in Australia when the cup is being contested, and should the New Zealanders make a good showing in the series it will make it extremely difficult to leave the Dominion out of any competitive golf between Britain and Australasia.

In fact, should New Zealand win the cup in the face of Australia’s best golfers it should be the first step to an interchange of visits between England and New Zealand. For this reason alone it will be unfortunate if New Zealand is unable to send its strongest team to the Commonwealth.

The possible defection of Ross means that the selectors will have to look round once again, but whether their choice will be from the South Island or the North Island is at prest t somewhat difficult to forecast. The Southerners are of the opinion that the next man to the five already mentioned is A. G. Sime, of Westport, but, with Leo

Quin rapidly coming back to his frame, it may be somewhat difficult to single out the West Coaster. Other golfers will also have to come under review, and it may be that the South Island will lose its place in the team in favour of a North Islander. At the same time it does not do to cross the stream before reaching it, as it may be found that both Itoss and Duncan will be able to make the journey when it comes to the time to deport for Australia. In which case New Zealand will be able to field its strongest team in the Kirk-Windeyer contest.