New Zealand Golf has announced a team it hopes will be capable of sweeping aside its rivals from the other side of the Tasman and go on to enjoy further international success as a group. Encouragingly for the development of the sport north of the Bombay Hills, two members of
the six-strong line-up ? picked to compete against Australia in the Clare Higson Trophy next month ? belong to Auckland clubs. The main figure in the team is Rotorua prodigy Danny Lee, who is making his first international appearance for New Zealand after only recently receiving residency. But the form of Auckland duo Ben Wallace and Samuel Shin looks likely to be just as important to the Kiwi cause. Auckland Grammar student Wallace is no stranger to donning the silver fern on the green. Earlier this year, the 17-year-old represented his country at under-19 level when he competed in the Aaron Baddeley world junior championships in China. He also travelled to Queensland with the under-18 New Zealand team to take part in the Australian junior championships in April. North Harbour player Shin has been learning his trade on the Gulf Harbour course. His efforts and potential were recognised last year when the teen was shortlisted for the Harbour Sport junior sportsman of the year award. New Zealand Golf convenor of men's selectors John Marsden must be pleased to have the talented Auckland pair on board. He says it bodes well that the team contains five players who performed admirably at the Australian juniors. ''These players are all part of New Zealand Golf's future development. I believe we will be looking at some of these players when it comes to selecting the Eisenhower Trophy team in 2008.'' To qualify for the clash, players must have been aged under 18 when they competed in the Australian juniors. The Kiwis will be out for revenge as Australia has won the last five contests. The event takes place at Hamilton Golf Club on September 26-27. -By Daniel Markham
