IV. S. W. Golfers Second; Shadow Test Team Last

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 13

IV. S. W. Golfers Second; Shadow Test Team Last

It was a rather embarrassing day for the New Zealand junior women golfers at Russley yesterday when they met a team of New South Wales juniors starting a week of golf in Christchurch.

The shadow New Zealand team for the test match on

Saturday finished last of four teams in a stroke handicap aggregate match, played in singles and foursomes. The contest was won by the New Zealand second team, which beat New South Wales by two strokes. The New Zealand reserves were third, 14 strokes further back, but they finished 28 strokes in front of the New Zealand number one team.

The New South Wales team arrived in Christchurch only last night and was not expected to perform particularly well, but all four girls hinted that at the end of the week they should be a strong combination. One of the Australians, Rhys Wright, an 18-year-old shop assistant, was the only player to break 80 on the 5787-yard Russley course, which was made the more difficult by a cold southerly wind. The second-best round was an 81 by the New South Wales captain, Elizabeth Blackmore, who has just turned 21 and who is a stenographer. She finished her round superbly with a fine long drive, an iron which never left the right line, and a four-foot putt for a birdie. The Canterbury girl, Heather Ballantyne, was the Only player in the 16 to play to her handicap. She is on 11 and had a round of 85.

The youngest of the New Zealanders, Susan Caldwell of Masterton, is only 15, but she made a good impression, except with her short game, where lack of control cost her heavily. Miss Caldwell will be back in Christchurch later in the month—for the New Zealand junior tennis championships. Although slightly built, Miss Wright hit the ball a long way. She has a short, controlled back swing but hit through the ball vigorously and timed it well. The other Australians, Robyn Bennett, aged 18, and Gayle Robson, aged 20, combined satisfactorily in the foursomes, their 83 being the best score. Solid Round Helen Mowat of Marton must have strengthened her claims to a place in New Zealand’s four for Saturday’s match. She had a solid round in the morning, although her putting sometimes let her down, and in the foursomes she played particularly well. Tomorrow all 16 players who competed today will meet in a match play contest, with a draw seeded on handicap, at Waitikiri. This competition will end on Wednesday. Results: NEW ZEALAND No. 2 Singles D. Fitzgerald, 92, 10—82: S. Caldwell, 97. 10—87; H. Mowat.

83, 8 —75: H. Ballantyne, 85, 11— 74. Total, 318. Foursomes Mowat and Caldwell, 86. 9 77; Ballantyne and Fitzgerald. 88, 10—78; Total, 155. Grand total: 473. NEW SOUTH WALES Singles R. Bennett, 89. 5—84; E. Blackmore, 81, 5—76; R. Wright, 79, 4—75: G. Robson, 87. 7—Bo. Total, 315. Foursomes Blackmore and Wright, 88, 5 83; Bennett and Robson. 83, 6 77. Total, 160. Grand total: 475. N.Z. RESERVES Singles S. Reeves, 96, 12—84; S. Blssett, 93, 13—80; J. Lister, 100, 14—86; L. Walker, 91, 16—75. Total, 325. Foursomes Reeves and Lister, 93, 13—80; Bissett and Walker, 99, 15—84. Total, 164. Grand total: 489. NEW ZEALAND No. 1 Singles M. Ensor, 86, 3—83; A. August, 91, 5 —86; B. McTaggart. 91. 6 85: D. Hames, 104, 7—97. Total, 351. Foursomes Ensor and McTaggart, 86, 5 81; August and Hames. 90, 6 84. Total, 165. Grand total: 517.