A female golfer has been blocked from competing in a men's competition on the North Shore.
Natalie Storck, 24 - a former North Harbour representative who has graduated from Toledo University in Ohio on a golf scholarship - wanted to sharpen her game by playing for a men'steam from the North Shore Club.
But the North Harbour Golf Association refused, saying it could not change the rules at such short notice.
Ms Storck told the Herald she was disappointed by the decision.
"I've proved myself and if I go through the same process as the men [and qualify], then why not?"
The issue of women competing in a men's tournament was sometimes dismissed because men could then equally try to play in a women's tournament.
"But I think that's a really stupid argument," Ms Storck said.
Andrew Leventis, executive officer of the association, said yesterday the interclub pennant competitions were clearly defined in the rules as men's, women's and mixed. It would require an amendment to the rules for women to be eligible and it was not something that could be done at short notice.
"We need to do this right," he said. "We're going to look at it and come back with possible changes for 2009. We want to see our elite players get better, so we haven't ruled it out.
"We're aware of some shortcomings in the women's competition because we don't have off-the-stick [no handicap] any more in pennants but we have matchplay championships at Muriwai in May.
If we need to do more we will certainly look at it. We're still a progressive association."
Ms Storck said she would accept the decision and did not want to make "too much of a fuss".
"I understand their position ... They need to set guidelines ... But I just wanted more regular games, better competition and to make myself a better golfer. That was the ultimate aim."
Steve Hinton, the North Shore Club delegate, said Ms Storck had trialled successfully for the second-level Hibiscus Trophy team, but his club had accepted the decision and was encouraged with undertakings that a change for 2009 would be studied.
