Golf: NZ tough it out to beat Canada

By JULIE ASH

New Zealand No 1 Sarah Nicholson always knew her team were in for a tough day at the office in yesterday's opening day of the Commonwealth women's tournament in Auckland.

Not only were the young New Zealand team up against a vastly-experienced Canadian side, they also had to battle torrential rain and howling south-westerly winds which ripped through the Remuera course.

"It was pretty tough," Nicholson said.

"You had holes where you had to aim right out on the opposite treeline or fairway."

But regardless of the conditions the New Zealand team, with an average age of just 17, made the best possible start to the five-day tournament, beating Canada 5-1.

In the foursomes, the New Zealand pairing of Nicholson and Jenny Park finished square with the Canadian combination of Veronique Drouin and Laura Matthews, to earn their teams half a point each.

The second New Zealand pairing of Penny Newbrook and the baby of the team, 15-year-old Enu Chung, followed up with a 1 up win in their match against Eom-Ji Park and Mary Ann Lapointe.

But it was in the singles where New Zealand really made their mark.

New Zealand No 4 Stacey Tate led from go to whoa in her match, finishing 2 up against Matthews.

Penny Newbrook had a slightly tougher battle with Canadian No 3 Terrill Samuel.

After a fairly even start the New Zealander went 1 up at the 10th hole and never looked back, winning by a shot.

It took 15-year-old Chung until the 10th hole to square against her 43-year-old opponent, Mary Ann Lapointe.

Lapointe regained her composure and led by one going into the last hole, but Chung saved her best for last, finishing with a birdie to square the match.

Nicholson's match with Park was just as nerve-racking for New Zealand supporters.

Park was ahead at 12 of the 18 holes, but Nicholson levelled the score at the 17th before a birdie on the last hole won her the match.

In the other match yesterday, defending champions Australia beat South Africa by 4 1/2 points to 1 1/2.

New Zealand have a bye today. Great Britain face Australia and South Africa meet Canada.