Raj in-form for Manawatu Wanganui

TWO TIME CHAMP: Manawatu Wanganui No1 Tara Raj was unbeaten after day one of the Women's Toro Interprovincial in New Plymouth on Tuesday and named eagles Golfer of the Year for the second year.

The Manawatu Wanganui golf team opened its account in Women's Toro Interprovincial at Westown Golf Club in New Plymouth on Tuesday with a win and a loss, while its classy young No1 Tara Raj went through unbeaten.

Manawatu Wanganui went down 4 1/2 to 1 1/2 against a strong Wellington side in round one on Tuesday while Raj squared with her opposite number Garbrielle Palado.

Team mates Tania Hook lost to Te Rongopai Clay 9/7, Jill Hall lost to Darae Chung 6/5, Leanne Brown lost to. Shontalia William 6/4 and Mudra Lakhani lost to Alanah Braybrook 2/1.

The round two match in the afternoon against Northland was a totally different story with Manawatu Wanganui bouncing back to post a 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 win. Raj again led from the front beating Northland No1 Kylie Jackoby 1up.

Hook halved with Soktaerodh Sean, Hall lost to Belinda May 5/3, Brown defeated Alayna Cox 5/4 and Lakhani beat Racheal Williams 2/1.

Manawatu Wanganui had the bye yesterday morning before taking on Tasman in the afternoon. The results of that clash were not available at deadline last night.
The defending champions Canterbury showed class in their first hit-out with a notable 4-1 victory over Otago following a round one bye on Tuesday.

A noticeable theme on day one was the youth that has embarked on the Westown Golf Club. Many sides are clearly breeding talent and even making a position for a Jordie Barrett-like apprentice.

This includes exciting talents such as Raj, Belinda May (Northland), Carmen Lim (Auckland), Darae Chung (Wellington) and Lizzie Neale (Tasman).

Meanwhile, for the second year on end Raj's talents were recognised by the Eagles Golf Society at a function in Whanganui on Tuesday night.

The 13-year-old Wanganui Collegiate Year 9 student was named Manawatu Wanganui Eagles Golfer of the Year, a title she also won last year.

Eagles committeeman Peter Follows said the Golfer of the Year title was open for under 17 golfers only in the Manawatu Wanganui region.

"Unfortunately Tara was unable to attend last night because she is, of course, playing in the Toro Interprovincial with her mother Arlene as caddy. Her father Dilan was on hand to accept the award," Follows said.

"During his speech out Eagles president said our branch would love to put Tara's name forward before she reaches 17 to be named Eagles national Golfer of the Year, she is a huge talent."