Golf: Cracker match likely in women's quarters

By BOB PEARCE

Tina Howard and Carlie Butler, two of the favourites for the women's national matchplay golf championships, will meet in the quarter-finals at Huapai this morning.

And it should be a cracker of a match, with both players coming into form at the right time on a course which has improved in Auckland's balmy weather.

Howard, the tall Taupo player who must be ranked as the New Zealand No 1 at the moment, has been striking the ball and setting up chances. But so far the putts have not dropped.

After beating Sandie Jennins (Pupuke) 2 and 1 in the morning, she had a comfortable 5 and 3 win over Brigit Holford (Grange) in the afternoon.

Butler, the blonde, 18-year-old Sydneysider, who reached the semifinals last year, had several three-putts in the qualifying.

But yesterday the putts were dropping and with a stream of birdies she accounted for Chanelle Baird (Whangaparaoa) 6 and 5 and Alison Eather (West Australia) 5 and 4.

The Hawkes twins, top qualifier Angela and last year's champion Wendy, have both made the quarter-finals.

Angela had a great struggle with the Wainuiomata 15-year-old Sarah Nicholson before winning 1 up. Nicholson was much longer off the tee, but Hawkes was magic round the greens.

The par-five 14th was crucial. Nicholson was on the green for two, but missed a short putt to lose the hole and go one down. On the 18th she lost her drive to the right and put her second into a garden as Hawkes completed a regulation par.

Wendy had a tough afternoon opponent in fellow New Zealand representative Hee-Jeong Chun (Miramar), but won 3 and 1.

Last year's beaten finalist, Ai Lian Lim, of Malaysia, was always in control against Christchurch golfer Naomi Wallace. Three up with four to play, she lost a ball on the 15th but still won 2 and 1.

The best game of the day saw Muriwai's Anita Boon beat fellow Tasman Cup player Claire Dury (Manawatu) 2 up.

The powerful Boon was two down at the 11th, but won the 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th with a par and three birdies.

Aucklanders could take pride in the progress of their No 1, La Nahi (Onewhero), into the quarters. She had a nip-and-tuck battle with former Waikato player Joanne Sikkens before winning on the 18th.

The quarter-finals will begin today from 9 am, with the semis from 1.45 pm. The final, over 36 holes, will start at 9 am tomorrow.