POWER PACK: Diminutive Wanganui golfer Tara Raj is proving a powerhouse on the circuit adding the Horowhenua Women's Open title to her growing list of achievements.
POWER PACK: Diminutive Wanganui golfer Tara Raj is proving a powerhouse on the circuit adding the Horowhenua Women's Open title to her growing list of achievements.
Wanganui women's open champion Tara Raj showed she is far from a one trick pony by adding the Horowhenua Open to her rapidly expanding CV.
In torrential rain and gusty winds on Sunday, the 13-year-old Wanganui Collegiate Year 9 student won the Horowhenua Open, 5 shots clear of Marton's JennyRitchie. Tony Chettleburgh won the men's division on count back from Junior Tatana of Foxton Golf Club.
The weather was so bad that the organisers called the players in after the first 18 holes concerned about player safety.
Raj scrambled her way back to contention after a shaky first nine to do enough to win the women's division. Wellington's scratch golfer, Gabrielle Palado struggled with the blistery conditions and finished 7 shots off the lead.
She has been selected for the Manawatu/Wanganui women's team to play against Wellington early August. She will defend her Wanganui Open title and compete in the NZ U19 (Nelson) in late August followed by the Challenge Cup in September.
Meanwhile, Wanganui's Stu Gillespie, Rick Harding, Justin Newlands and Keith Johnson have been selected in the Men's Masters team to play Wellington. The Junior team is yet to be announced.
