Canty hoping for repeat golf success

Press, 30 April 1984, Page 34

Canty hoping for repeat golf success

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The last time that the Levels course was the venue for a prestigious national inter-provincial teams’ golf tournament will be fondly recalled by many Canterbury golfers. On that occasion, in 1976, the Canterbury men won the Freyberg Rose Bowl; this week at Timaru, the Canterbury women will be hoping for similar success when they contest the Stylemaster tournament (formerly the Russell Grace tournament).

The championship begins today with the teams which filled the bottom six placings last year drawn in battle this morning. Canterbury, which finished a close and creditable fourth last year, will start this afternoon when it opposes Northland, and it should open its account with a win. After that, Canterbury has a difficult draw. Auckland is its first rival tomorrow morning and that side, which slumped to ninth last year, is much stronger with the return of two

former internationals, Alison Hasey and Kaye Maxwell, to support the New Zealand junior and No. 1 player, Karrin Young. The opposition in the afternoon, Southland, has the outstanding Liz Douglas in the top position, but Canterbury should have the depth to repulse that challenge. Two veterans of the tournament, Daisy Seiringer and Judith Hanratty, are in the Wellington team, which will be Canterbury’s only opponent on Wednesday.

The final day on Thursday will be an acid test if Canterbury is still in a position to take the trophy. In the morning it meets the champion team for the last three years, Bay of PlentyThames Valley, and its last opponent is the formidable Waikato-King Country, the pre-tournament favourite. Although only sixth last year, Waikato-King Country has been strengthened by the return to the province of Brenda Ormsby. Formerly Mrs Rhodes, she will join forces with her New Zealand team-mate,

Jan Arnold, and the talented duo have strong support below them. Apart from having a powerful five, Waikato-King Country also has what appears to be the easiest draw of the fancied teams. Another top choice, Otago, will strike Bay of PlentyThames Valley and Auckland. Otago has two New Zealand players, Jan Scandrett and Shelley Duncan, in the top positions, and Sue Hamilton, a former international and Canterbury No. 1, will be at No. 4.

Mary Sparrow, the Canterbury stroke and matchplay champion, will be the province's No. 1 for the second time in 12 interprovincial appearances. She is a very resolute player. Adrienne Bond has gained the second place ahead of Jeannette Ross, who was Canterbury’s No. 1 last year. But Mrs Bond, a South Canterbury Russell Grace player before coming to Christchurch, will be returning to familiar territory and her knowledge of the course should be to Canterbury’s advantage.

Few players at No. 3 will be as accomplished as Mrs Ross, and the return of the experienced Waitikiri pair, Sue Boag, at No. 4, and Judy Davidson, at No. 5. should add sting to the tail. The course at Levels is in good order but is very hard. The choice of club approaching the greens will be critical. The rough has been extended to make fairways narrower and some greens have rough in front. It should provide a good test.