By Graham Skellern
American university student Pam Sowden, playing solid golf back at home, took an important step towards a recall to the New Zealand women's team at the North Shore club.
Anchoring the No 1 singles match for Oregon University, the 23-year-old Sowden had a superb 2 and 1 victory over current New Zealand representative Tina Howard, also on a United States golf scholarlship at the Louisiana State University.
"I needed that (win) to try and get in the Commonwealth team," said Sowden, a former Auckland and North Harbour representative who has played three full internationals for New Zealand including the Commonwealth Cup in Sydney four years ago.
The New Zealand Titleist Squad, however, gained an overall 20 points to 10 lead over Oregon with the reverse matches to be played today at Muriwai. New Zealand yesterday won four of the five foursomes and five of the 10 singles with two matches halved.
Sowden took the early initiative in her "trial match" against Howard, who starred in New Zealand's Queen Sirikit Cup-winning side in March.
Sowden won two early holes, going 2 up with a seven-metre birdie putt on the par-three fourth - after Howard hit closer but missed her 1.5m putt.
A determined Sowden never let up. She was still two ahead after nine holes, they swapped holes between the 13th and 15th and the match ended when Sowden won the par-four17th.
Sowden, who learnt her golf on the nearby Pupuke course, was only shot over par - a good day's work that should see her selected next week in the latest five-strong New Zealand team to contest the Commonwealth Cup in Vancouver from August 30 to September 3.
The other Kiwi in the Oregon side, North Harbour's Kylie Wilson - also chasing a New Zealand spot - combined with Jerilyn White to give the visitors their only foursomes victory, a convincing 4 and 2 over Lisa Aldridge and Wendy Hawkes.
But Wilson's swing was slightly out of synch in the afternoon when losing 5 and 4 to Aldridge, another Queen Sirikit Cup winner. Wilson, who has lately concentrated more on studies than tournament play, will be looking to step up a gear against Howard today in the reverse singles on her home course at Muriwai.
Another Muriwai player Anita Boon and Methven's Catherine Knight, returning to top form, did their New Zealand chances no harm. They combined to win their foursomes 2 and 1 over Scot Claire Hunter and American Angie Rizzo.
Boon went three up after nine holes, including two birdies, against Canadian Dawn Berry and eventually won her singles 2 and 1. Knight matched the power hitting of White and they shook hands on the 18th green all square.
Golf: Sowden enjoys perfect homecoming
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