Canty poses main golf threat

Press, 29 April 1978, Page 52

Canty poses main golf threat

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

It is not being facetious to say that Waitikiri will be dotted with women of all shapes and sizes next week when the Russell Grace inter-provincial teams’ golf championship will be decided. The age difference between the youngest and oldest competitors spans more than 40 years from the callow youth of the 14-year-old Nelson-West Coast-Marlbor-ough player, Debbie Randell, to the veteran representatives from Manawatu-Wa-nganui, Jean Whitehead and Mary Laugesen. But if there is a wide variance in the ages and builds of the players, there is a common factor — their ability to play golf well. Waitikiri will be the scene for many memorable struggles over four days, with Auckland attempting a hat-trick of wins and the home team, Canterbury, posing the main threat. Unfortunately, the two provinces do not meet on this occasion. Last year they had a titanic battle, Auckland prevailing, 3-2. The victorious Auckland quintet from last year remains unchanged although the positioning has altered. Cherry Kingham was the leader last year and behind her were Kaye Maxwell, Alison Eather, Sue Bunt and

Jocelyn Glanfield. Miss Maxwell moves to No 1 this year, deservedly so after her initial success in last year’s New Zealand amateur championship. Miss Eather, a solidly-built and strong player, has headed off Mrs Kingham, a national representative, for the second spot, and Mrs Glanfield and Mrs Bunt have switched positions. The Auckland team is rich in talent and experience. Its hardest matches are likely to be against Waikato-King Country in the fourth round and Wellington in the final round.

Of special significance in the Auckland and WaikatoKing Country encounter will be the rematch between the respective No Is, Miss Maxwell and Heather Ryan. The two young internationals were the finalists in the 1977 New Zealand amateur championship, Miss Maxwell winning the 36-hole final, 1 up. Miss Ryan is the slightly stronger woman of the pair, but Miss Maxwell is a stylish and tenacious golfer. Canterbury boasts two former internationals, Sue Bishop and Sue Boag, in the top positions and they are still highly accomplished players. Mrs Bishop has missed the last two Russell Grace events and her return

strengthens the team considerably. The reliable Vai Cullen ts the middle member of the team and she has compiled a magnificent record for Canterbury in the touma ment. She has played each year since 1970 for 37 wins and four halves from 48 appearances. Sue Haydon, who led the Qualifiers in this year's Canterbury championship, and Judy Davidson, a member at Waitikiri and holder of the course record, complete a formidable five. Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley finished second last year, only one point behind Auckland, but it has since lost Shirley Johnson and the talented'Brenda Ormsby. Their absences will have the combined team finding it hard to hold such a prominent placing. Southland, led by the country’s outstanding woman golfer, Liz Douglas, and with the 1975 national champion, Robyn Low. at No. 2, presents a potent force at the top. Its placing will depend on the success gained by the bottom trio. That has" been Southland's weakness in recent years. Although only twelfth of the 13 teams last year, Nel-son-West Coast-Marlborough should be a force to contend with this year. It will be led again by a powerful 20-year-old, Dianne Woodhouse, who will be playing her fourth Russell Grace tournament. She impressed in the Canterbury championships with her strong irons and sound putting. At two will be the present Canterbury champion. Judith Parkes, whose transfer from Christchurch this year has wakened Canterbury but bolstered the Tasman team. Seasoned players in Daisy Seiringer, Heather Booth and Jill Hanratty are at Wellington’s helm, and the performances of Otago’s teenaged No 1, Melanie Irvine, and the young Waikato-King Country No. 2, Jan Malcolm, will be followed with interest.