Top U.S. woman golfer in Chch

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 30

Top U.S. woman golfer in Chch

In terms of women’s golf, the name of Miss Marilynn Smith and the title of “the First Lady of the Links” are synonomous.

The popular American woman professional from the Yacht and Country Chib in Stuart, Florida, was in Christchurch yesterday on her third visit to New Zealand. But, whereas the previous two occasions were for coaching and exhibition purposes, this time it is purely for a holiday. "I love New Zealand, and had to come back," she said. Miss Smith has been a professional for 22 years, and has twice been the president of the United States Ladies’ Professional Golf Association. She is at present the fourth-best money winner on the circuit. While the women’s circuit was gradually increasing and the prize money becoming higher, it was still substantially behind the men’s circuit, Miss Smith said. The women would play for a tenth of the men’s stakes, she said.

But 1972 looked more promising. Miss Smith said there would be 28 tournaments for the 70 players next year—an increase of seven on

1971 and the prize money should almost reach slm compared with $700,000. The largest tournament this year had a stake of $60,000, but there was a planned tournament worth $llO,OOO on the 1972 programme. Miss Smith was hopeful that some New Zealanders might play the circuit Last year there were

players from Japan, Australia, and -Canada. With the appointment of a new directing executive two years ago, Miss Smith feels that there has been an improvement in public relations. “We need this to show how good the girls really are—we play off the

men’s tees, you know,” she said. After an operation in December last year, Miss Smith did not enjoy such a successful year as normal, but she said she was determined to be ready for the first tournament in Miami next month. She intends to teach at her home club on her return to the United States. With such a genial personality and sense of humour, it Is not surprising that she is the “Miss Personality” of American golf and always attracts a big gallery. Of her future, Miss Smith said: “I love competition and travelling, and while I have the enthusiasm and my health is good, I intend to remain on the circuit.”