Semi-finalists found in match-play golf

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 24

Semi-finalists found in match-play golf

( By

BOB SCHUMACHER)

Form in the qualifying round on Tuesday proved an accurate guide when the semi-finalists for the Canterbury’ women’s match-play golf title were found after two rounds at Shirley yesterday.

Cherry West (Auckland), the top qualifier, made light work of her two opponents, and the Canterbury Russell Grace team leader, Sue Bishop, who qualified second, was not too extended.

Sue Boag (Canterbury), fourth after the qualifying rounds, won through to the final four after a tense battle with her team-mate, Vai Cullen, and the quartet was completed by Liz Douglas, the Southland No 1 last year. Miss West, aged 21. a strong and resourceful player, will oppose Miss Boag, a New Zealand representative, in one semi-final, and Mesdames Bishop and Douglas; .— two very good friends —i meet to decide the other! finalist. i

Mrs Douglas is staying at Mrs Bishop’s home during the tournament.

Sue Whitaker, the promising Canterbury player who clung to an early lead to eliminate Judy Rutherford (Canterbury), was given little chance to recover from a bad start against Miss West. Bunkers cost Mrs Whitaker two of the first three

holes, and a magnificent approach shot at the fourth put Miss West 3 up. Mrs Whitaker conceded a birdie putt to her opponent at the sixth and, although Mrs Whitaker reduced the arrears by one with a 20ft birdie putt at the eighth, the relentless efficiency of her Auckland rival ended their match at the thirteenth.

Mrs Bishop was too consistent. for a Canterbury! team-mate, Jeanette Kin-1 naird, in the first round, but; it took her some time to! gain command over Jill Ban-! nan (Auckland) in the quar-i ter-finals.

The pair matched strokes through the first nine — both holed long birdie putts on the eighth — but a one-

over was sufficient to win the hole for Mrs Bishop at the tenth.

Mrs Bannan’s putter let her down at the thirteenth and fourteenth but she sunk a birdie putt at the next before Mrs Bishop made sure of the match at the next.

Mrs Bishop has yet to win the championship. Last year she was beaten in the final after four extra holes; today [ she is hoping to go one betiter. ; Miss Boag looked in no i danger of losing her quarter-! final when she was 3 up! after 10 against Mrs Cullen, I a former title-holder, but; Mrs Cullen won the! thirteenth and squared the! match on the last hole.

Mrs Cullen three-putt edj on the nineteenth to lose the! game. A promising Auckland; junior, Kay Maxwell, led; Mrs Douglas 3 up with four holes remaining, but her putts failed to drop and Mrs Douglas drew level. Miss Maxwell’s second • bounced into a bunker on the extra hole, and she was unable to match her opponent’s par. IN COMMAND Mrs Douglas was always! in command against Sue Rit-[ chie in the quarter-finals and! won at the thirteenth, when she was one under the card.

First round.—Miss West beat Mrs D Lavery (Canterbury). 3 and 2; Mrs Whitaker beat Miss Rutherford. 2 up; Miss Boag beat Mrs A. J. Knight (South Canterbury). 5 and 3; Mrs Cullen beat Mrs R. Farquhar (Canterbury), 2 and I; Mrs Bishop beat Miss Kinnaird. 4 and 3; Mrs Bannan beat Miss F. Pere (Manor Park), 4 and 3: Miss Ritchie beat Miss R Low (Southland). 2 and 1: Mrs Douglas beat Miss Maxwell. at the nineteenth Quarter-finals. —Miss M est beat Mrs Whitaker. 6 and 5; Miss Boag beat Mrs Cullen, at the nineteenth; Mrs Bishop beat Mrs Bannan. 3 and 2; Mrs Douglas beat Miss Ritchie. 6 and 5.