1976 Southland Golf team going to Freyberg Rosebowl Tournament

Southland Golf team of Paul Adams, Jim Lapsley, Kevin Downie, John Creedy, and Neville Hunt travelled to Timaru in 1976 for the Freyburg Rosebowl Tournament.

Southland was placed 2nd in 1975 and the year before they really hit their stride and showed the opponents that they would be a force to be reckoned with.  In 1974 it was fourth and in 1975 second so there is no reason that they cannot win the tournament.
The only change from last year is the Neville Hunt (Nightcaps)  comes in to replace Ron Wilson.
In preparation for the tournament the Southland team have played North Otago and Otago in Timaru to get use to the course. Southland were strong against Otago and at one stage it looked like they were going to win it but went down 9-7 and it was the afternoon session that was the problem with them only winning 1.5 game.
Paul Adams was in top form by beating New Zealand representative Geoff Clarke and the opposition were taking notes to watch out for him in the tournament.  It was great to see him in such good shape mentally and physically.  Jim Lapsley, although beaten twice in the Otago game managed good wins over Ronnie Johnston and Kevin Downie.  and he did manage to get one under the card on every round.
John Creedy played at number four and had a mixed bag and followers will be hoping for a more consistent play if this team is to win. 
Neville Hunt, since selected seemed to go into a decline and was  not playing the golf that we all knew he could.  He was disappointed with himself as well and if he just relaxes and get his head around being selected for Southland we were sure that he would get over this hurdle.  It is quite daunting to go from a club player into this sort of environment and he has the stamina and toughness to overcome this.
The following for the Southland team was great with many supporters travelling to Timaru to give the team the encouragement.
The draw was important as with being second last year their first up was Gisborne who finished last, but the second round saw Northland, who like Southland is improving every year and was a bit of a dark horse. 
Once they get through these rounds it will be tough as they have Auckland, winners from last year, Otago, who on recent performances look like they would be the favoured to win and Waikato always a top team.