New Zealand golf's two leading women are shaping up to trade shots next month.
Officials are close to confirming a four-match exhibition series between touring professionals Marnie McGuire and Lynnette Brooky.
The series is the brainchild of Women's Golf New Zealand executive director Anne Fitzpatrick, who believes the presence of McGuire and Brooky at four centres late next month will help promote the women's game.
Brooky and McGuire have agreed to participate in the matches, probably restricted to nine holes, in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland.
Fitzpatrick needs to talk further to McGuire before confirming the dates although it is planned to start the series in Christchurch on January 20, a day after the South Island under-23 women's championships finish in nearby Rangiora.
The two players will also conduct coaching clinics at each of the four venues.
McGuire, 33, returned home this week from the United States, where her campaign this year ended with her in 63rd spot on the LPGA Tour's moneylist with earnings of US$123,869 ($251,971).
Brooky, 34, is fresh from her best season in Europe where she won the French Open this year on the way to finishing 11th on the Evian Tour's order of merit with tournament income of €111,786 ($227,531).
Brooky is confident of being fit for the series after breaking her elbow in an accident in October.
Fitzpatrick said Brooky was pleased with her recovery.
Fitzpatrick is close to sewing up the necessary financing for the series.
McGuire and Brooky are providing their services free, but travel, accommodation and promotional costs are expected to be about $30,000.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick is still working on plans to start a New Zealand Open women's tournament in February 2004.
She sees the exhibition series as an appetiser to give a taste of the professional women's game.
- NZPA
Golf: Top women poised to square off
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