The weight has been lifted from the young shoulders of Whanagnui golfer Tara Raj with the return of Levin's Brydie Hodges to the Manawatu-Wanganui representative fold.
Hodge, who has just returned from a year studying in the USA, has replaced 14-year-old Raj as the Manawatu-Wanganui No 1 for the season. Playing No 2, however, is hardly a demotion for Raj given that both she and Hodge will continue to face off with opposition No 1 and No 2 players at representative tournaments.
On Raj's watch as No 1 the Manawatu-Wanganui team won three, drew two and lost one.
She was also No 1 at last year's Toro tournament where the team finished down the track, while Raj went through unbeaten until the final days.
The Year 10 Wanganui Collegiate student was the only ray of light in an otherwise dismal day for Manawatu-Wanganui against Wellington in Otaki (switched from Levin) last weekend where the senior women got smashed 12.5 to 3.5.
The Whanganui youngster had two wins, beating Darae Chung 3 and 2 in the morning, then Erika Cui 1up in the afternoon.