Strong Field For Provincial Golf

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 17

Strong Field For Provincial Golf

Although one of the principal interests in the Canterbury women’s match-play golf championship which begins at Shirley today will be the probable meeting of the two top contenders for first place in the provincial side, Miss C. Sullivan and Mrs N. D. Cullen, the contest for the Canterbury title is by no means confined to these two.

Even without Misses M. Ensor, S. Boag and J. Davidson, it is a strong field.

In the recent 54-hole championship at Waitikiri, Miss W. Bryant, a New Zealand representative, was much below her best, and a much more convincing performance may be expected from her. If she finds her best form, she will offer a very strong threat to Miss Sullivan and Mrs Ciiflen.

Performances in this tournament must carry considerable weight in the selection of the Canterbury Russell Grace tournament team, and there is therefore an excellent opportunity for several players to improve their claims to places in the provincial team.

Mrs G. Langflale-Hunt, No. 5 last season, was out of touch at Waitikiri, but could well make amends this time, and Miss M. Doherty, a former Russell Grace representative, should also improve. Mrs E. N. Smith finished well at Waitikiri, and Mrs J. Lees (Templeton) is a sound and experienced tournament player. Mrs R. Gopas had a useful performance in the 54-hole event, and Miss P. McDonald (Waitikiri) a stylish young player, had a splendid last round in that fixture. Golf of similar calibre would make her a strong Russell Grace candidate. There will be high hopes that Miss S. Grigg, a former national champion, will qualify well and demonstrate that she is again a Russell Grace candidate. Since a bad acci-

dent a few years ago she has had something of a struggle with her golf—when she has been able to play—but she is a golfer of much courage and determination, and if she could find something approaching her best form, she would strengthen Canterbury’s side considerably.