Golf: Anger over ban on woman player

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Penny Newbrook will continue playing men's interclub pennants if New Zealand Golf can persuade the Bay of Plenty association to reverse its decision to throw her out.

At a meeting of the association this week, executive members, in a split vote, defeated a motion which would have allowed Newbrook to continue playing in the Springfield Club's second team in the top grade of the competition.

New Zealand Golf chief executive Peter Dale came out swinging yesterday saying he wanted the Bay of Plenty association to reconsider the decision, which would stop one of New Zealand's best golfers from playing.

Dale said he believed the decision was not in the best interests of the player or the game.

"Here's a fine young player who can't get the level of competition in her region to improve her game as an international golfer," said Dale. "The men's pennant competition was a means to achieve that."

New Zealand Golf has already ruled in a similar case when, two years ago, it supported Rangitoto College, which included Bobea Park in its winning team at the national secondary school's championship.

"We believe that was good for her and our game," said Dale. "I am especially saddened this comes at a time when we are working more closely with Women's Golf New Zealand.

"After all, it is 2004, not 1904."

Asked whether he thought his executive members had seen the matter as a "storm in a teacup", Bay of Plenty association chief executive Chris McAlpine said: "If they felt that way, it would be wrong."

Newbrook's father, Craig, a member of the team in which his daughter played against Omanu on February 8, said any decision on taking the matter further would be up to Penny when she returned today from Australia, where she has been representing New Zealand.

"She is an adult and will make her own decision," he said.

"I can't imagine her wanting to cause any trouble."

There is nothing in the association's rules which precludes Newbrook, or any other female golfer, from playing pennants.

"If the club had applied for an exemption we could have granted it," said McAlpine, who said the association had a legal opinion which supported its decision.

The club insist they were never told of any need for an exemption.

"The vote was made by a democratically elected forum. If the clubs are not happy, they can have their say at the next election [in February next year]," said McAlpine.

"If New Zealand Golf gave a directive we would seriously consider it. I'm for it. I can have an opinion even if I don't have a vote."

Newbrook qualified for the Springfield team by finishing fourth in a club trial where she fired a par round from the blue (championship) tees.

In her match against Omanu's Jason Rasmussen she led one up after six holes.

They then halved the next 11 holes before Rasmussen won the last to finish all square.

Springfield general manager Dennis Rollinson said the club would support Newbrook in any decision she made. He was not ruling out an appeal to Sport and Recreation New Zealand's Sports Dispute Tribunal.