Sarah Nicholson will spearhead New Zealand's challenge at the Queen Sirikit Cup amateur women's teams golf event.
Nicholson, 21, of Wellington, was a predictable inclusion in the team named today after winning the Lake Macquarie Invitational near Newcastle in January and the Australian strokeplay championship in Sydney last week.
She
will be joined by Sharon Ahn, 15, and Natasha Krishna, 18, both of Auckland, for the event in Adelaide on April 5-7.
The same combination finished sixth last year in Thailand.
The team will be coached by former touring professional Marnie McGuire, who won the individual title at the Queen Sirikit Cup in 1991.
The Queen Sirikit Cup involves 14 teams from the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
New Zealand have won the teams event three times -- in 1984, 1990 and 1999.
"The fact is they have another year's experience under their belts going into the competition this year so they will be a much stronger and better prepared team," New Zealand Golf high performance manager Gaylene Eyre said.
The New Zealand team for the biennial Junior Tasman Cup also named today include Aucklander Da Som Lee, who recently shot a record-breaking 10-under-par of 62 in the junior under-19 Kaimai Classic at Mt Maunganui.
She will be joined by Sarah Bradley, of Cambridge, Yeon Song Kim, of North Harbour, Nelson's Lisa Wright and Zoe-Beth Brake, of Whakatane, for the event at Hutt Golf Club on April 12-13.
The Australian team include Bree Arthur, Clare Choi, Felicia Eastick, Laura Richards and Kristie Smith.
New Zealand teams:-
Queen Sirikit Cup at Adelaide on April 5-7: Sarah Nicholson (Wellington), Sharon Ahn (Auckland), Natasha Krishna (Auckland). Non-travelling reserve: Da Som Lee (Auckland).
Junior Tasman Cup at Hutt Golf Club on April 12-13: Da Som Lee, Sarah Bradley (Cambridge), Yeon Song Kim (North Harbour), Lisa Wright (Nelson), Zoe-Beth Brake (Whakatane). Non-travelling reserve: Larissa Eruera (Auckland).
- NZPA
