SOUTH KOREAN LADY AMATEURS SURGE 15 SHOTS AHEAD OF AUSTRALIA IN SINGAPORE

FROM THE STUFF.CO.NZ WEBSITE
New Zealand is in a dogfight for the runners-up spot in the final round of the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Asia-Pacific women's amateur golf team championship, in Singapore.
Defending champions South Korea, looking for the sixth win in a row, raced away from the field in the second round.
New Zealand will start the third and final round in fourth place on seven-over par 295, only three shots behind second-placed Australia.
Kim Hyo-Joo fired a seven-under 65 to push South Korea to a superb nine-under par total for the two best counting scores to move to 11-under par after two rounds.
They are now 15 shots ahead of Australia, who in turn are two shots ahead of Philippines with New Zealand one shot further back.

World No 1 ranked Lydia Ko, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, leads the way for New Zealand, with a one-over par 73 to be on two-under 142 after 36 holes. She is in a share of second place on the individual rankings with Australian Whitney Hillier.
Chantelle Cassidy shot a four-over 76 in the second round while Emily Perry shot New Zealand's non-counting 78.
(New Zealand's world ranked No 2 amateur Cecilia Cho turned pro before the event, rather than wait until after it).
Hyo-Joo, the world No 17, has a runaway lead in the individual race on 10-under par 134 after 36 holes, as South Korea streak towards their sixth consecutive Queen Sirikit Cup victory, having won 14 times over the event's 34-year history.
South Korea, led by a red-hot Hyo-Joo, managed the windy but sunny conditions superbly at the Tanah Merah Country Club Garden course.
But they are not getting ahead of themselves.
''We don't care so much about the huge lead, as things could change within a round. We will continue to play better,'' Hyo-Joo said.
Lydia Ko, who had her 15th birthday this week, struggled with her putting in the second round.
''I was trying to play my normal game, but I noticed I was short on a number of putts. I realised I was actually playing more conservatively compared with Wednesday,'' Ko said.
''On a positive note, I started well, managed to birdie the third hole, but it was all average after that. I actually lost some confidence especially when the wind picked up. On Friday, my game plan is to be more aggressive again, give it another go.''

LEADING SECOND-ROUND TEAM TOTALS
(best two of three individual scores each round count toward team total):
Par 288 (4x72)
277 South Korea 142 135
292 Australia 145 147
294 Philippines 147 147
295 New Zealand 146 149 (Lydia Ko 69 73, Chantelle Cassidy 77 76, Emily
Perry 79 78)

300 India 152 148

301 Indonesia 151 150, China 152 149, Malaysia 147 154
303 Thailand 157 146
305 Japan 152 153
307 Chinese Taipei 154 153
310 Hong Kong 152 158
317 Singapore 160 157

LEADING INDIVIDUALS
Par 144 (2x72)
134 Kim Hy-Joo (S Korea) 69 65
142 Lydia Ko (NZ) 69 73, Whitney Hillier (Australia) 70 72
145 Kyu-Jung Baek (S Korea) 73 72.
146 Chae-Yoon Park (S Korea) 76 70
147 Dottie Ardina (Philippines) 76 71, Shi Yuting (China) 74 73, Jayuie Agojo (Philippines) 71 76.

WORLD NO 2 FEMALE AMATEUR CECILIA CHO (NZ) TURNS PRO

FROM THE NZHERALD.CO.NZ WEBSITE
By DYLAN CLEAVER
One half of the outstanding amateur duo that New Zealand Golf hoped would propel them to glory on professional tours has switched allegiance.
Cecilia Cho has recently started on the Korean professional tour, playing under the Korean flag. Cho had dual citizenship and has opted to play the Korean tour as a Korean.
Unless she has a change of heart, her swansong as a New Zealander was the New Zealand Women's Golf Open at Pegasus in February, where she finished top amateur.
NZ Golf talent and coach development manager Gregg Thorpe was philosophical about Cho's decision.
"It was exciting having Cecilia as part of our programme and watching her develop over the years," Thorpe said. "As far as we're concerned, she holds dual citizenship and dual nationality so she decided it was in her best interests to take that first [pro] step as a Korean."
Cho moved to New Zealand with her parents when she was eight years old  and quickly become one of the top amateur golfers in the country.
A source told the Herald that Cho, 17, who now plays under her Korean name of Jeongmin, was keen to continue playing under the New Zealand flag but her parents wanted to switch her allegiance to Korea.

"She still has family back in Auckland and I know she intends to come back here around Christmas time after she's had her first go of it in Korea," Thorpe said.
"Long term there's nothing to say she won't play under the New Zealand flag again."

Cho won the NZ Women's National Amateur in 2009, beating the now World No 1 female amateur, Lydia Ko (also born in South Korea before her family moved to New Zealand) in the final.
The following year she won the Australian Strokeplay Championship, becoming the youngest to accomplish that feat, before losing in the final of the Australian Amateur Championship, a match-play event.
By March last year Cho had established herself as the No 1-ranked female amateur in the world before Ko overhauled her. This week she is still ranked No 2 behind Lydia Ko on the RandA website.
Now Cho will attempt to make her fortune on the professional circuit.
Nobody will begrudge her that, but it once more raises the question of how many resources NZ Golf should pour into Korean-born players without guarantees of professional allegiance.
When Sharon Ahn did something similar in 2007, her decision was met with dismay in golfing quarters. Peter Williams, who became a director at NZ Golf Inc, wrote a column in the Herald on Sunday castigating her.
"Sharon Ahn has exploited this country and is ungrateful for the benefits she's had ... She was granted citizenship with help from the former Women's Golf New Zealand, making her eligible for national teams where she was part of the taxpayer-funded, high-performance programme which paid for coaching and tournament expenses ..."
It's an argument that doesn't sit well with Thorpe.
"Once a person is a New Zealander and a citizen of New Zealand, they're entitled to as much support as any other New Zealander is," he said.
The practice of "using" New Zealand before recommitting to their birthplace was not widespread and he cited the example of Danny Lee continuing to play professionally as a New Zealander as an example.
Thorpe said Cho had communicated with NZ Golf and they were not blindsided by the move.
There will be some anxiety as to the future movements of Lydia Ko who had her 15th birthday this week. She is rated even higher than Cho, becoming the youngest player to win a professional golf tour event at the New South Wales Open in January.
At this week's Herald Future Stars awards ceremony, Ko said she was proud to wear the silver fern on her chest - a positive indicator for future allegiance, perhaps.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Charley Hull was No 4 in the World Women's Amateur Rankings until the news of Cecilia Ko turning professional filtered through to Europe. Stand by for Charley moving up to No 3. 

ROZ ADAMS THROUGH AT 19th INTO ENGLISH SENIOR SEMI-FINALS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLAND GOLF
Surrey’s Roz Adams won a ding-dong battle of the internationals to claim her place in tomorrow’s semi-finals of the English women’s senior championship at Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire.
She eagled the 18th to square her quarter-final against fellow senior international Janet Melville – and then parred the 19th to claim her place in the final four.
Roz, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, will play Berkshire’s Linda Hunt, who is playing in the event for the first time. The other semi-final will be contested by three-times champion Chris Quinn of Hampshire and Dorset’s Carol Cass
The competitors had to contend with rain, mainly in the morning, and increasingly strong winds which became very blustery in the afternoon. But they replied with plenty of fine golf.
Roz Adams (Addington Court Ladies) came through two tight matches, first beating Joan Pullen (Basingstoke) on the 18th before taking on Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest).
Roz appeared to have the upper hand after three consecutive birdies took her to the turn two up. But Janet pulled her back and won the 17th to go one up, before losing the 18th to that eagle.  
“After those three birdies I thought all I had to do was par in, but Janet just kept going, she never lets you go,” said Roz.
Linda Hunt (Newbury & Crookham) has played only one other senior event and is making a quick impact, having finished 10th in last year’s English senior stroke play championship. She played level par golf this morning to beat Yorkshire’s Pat Wrightson and then took on Somerset champion Amanda Mayne, who was making her senior debut.
Their quarter final was very tight, with only two holes changing hands on the outward half. Linda critically moved one up with a birdie at 14 and then won the 15th to go two up. Two halved holes were enough to take her through to the next round.
Chris Quinn (Hockley) made short work of her morning match, which she won on the 13th, and looked to be heading to another big-margin win in the afternoon against Lulu Housman (Highgate).
Chris, who had a chip-in birdie and an eagle in the front nine, was five up after 12. But Lulu narrowed the gap to three with a fine short game display on the next two holes, before Chris won the 15th to take the match.
Carol Cass (Broadstone) takes her place in the quarter-finals after defeating Jeannie O’Keeffe (Hankley Common) 2 and 1. Carol had a walkover in the first round after her opponent withdrew. Jeannie won her first round match on the 19th.
In Flight Two, two former English senior champions are through to the last four. The 2006 champion, Christine Watson Beaconsfield) will play Karen Lobb (Northamptonshire County), while 2010 champion Caroline Berry (formerly Marron, of Bromborough) will play Barbara Laird (Sandiway).
The shot of the day was played by Oxfordshire county captain Annie Gowing (Frilford Heath) who had a hole in one on the 11th in her first round match in Flight Two. She won the game but was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Karen Lobb.
The consolation Stableford for players who did not reach the match-play stages was won by Jill Edwardes (Newbury and Crookham), who scored 34 points. The 73-year-old is playing only her second senior event and joked “The old girl done good!”
TODAY'S RESULTS

Championship flight
First round
Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest) bt  Pat West (Spalding) 6 and 5.
Roz Adams (Addington Court Ladies) bt  Joan Pullen (Basingstoke) 1 hole
Linda Hunt (Newbury and Crookham) bt Pat Wrightson (Huddersfield) 4 and 3.
Amanda Mayne (Saltford) bt Carol Duncumb (Rothley Park) 6 and 5.
Lulu Housman (Highgate) bt Gillian Curley (Northamptonshire County) 5 and 4. 
Chris Quinn (Hockley) bt Elaine Barrow (Brokenhurst Manor) 6 and 5
Jeannie O'Keeffe (Hankley Common) bt Sarah Arnold (Henley) at 19th
Carol Cass (Broadstone) wo Jane Bennett (Lee-on-the-Solent) scr

Quarter-finals
Adams bt Melville at 19th
Hunt bt Mayne 2 and 1
Quinn bt Housman 4 and 3.
Cass beat O’Keeffe 2 and 1.

Semi-finals
Adams v Hunt
Quinn v Cass
Flight two
First round
Christine Watson (Beaconsfield) bt Alison Blackmore (Newbury and Crookham) 1 hole
Airlie Dyson (Batchworth Park) bt Jackie Barraclough (East Bierley) 4 and 2. 
Annie Gowing (Frilford Heath) bt Debbie Richards (Burhill) 6 and 5.
Karen Lobb (Northamptonshire Co) bt Sandra Paul (Huddersfield) 5 and 4.
Sandra Moses (Knebworth) bt Jane Shergold (Blackmoor) 1 hole.
Caroline Berry (Bromborough) bt Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) 4 and 3.
Jayne Long (Tidworth Garrison) bt Beverley Moss (Camberley Heath) 1 hole.
Barbara Laird (Sandiway) bt Judie Lewis (Hockley) 4 and 2.

Quarter-finals
Watson bt  Dyson 6 and 5.
Lobb bt Gowing 4 and 3.
Berry bt Moses 6 and 5.
Laird bt Long 5 and 3. 

Semi-finals
Watson v Lobb
Berry v Laird



Lyndsey HewisonPress Officer
England Golf
https://mail.ntlworld.com/mail/h/1ihhxae2j0kdt/?&v=b&cs=wh&to=lyndsey.hewison@ntlworld.com

NEXT JANUARY'S ORANGE BLOSSOM TOUR EVENTS IN FLORIDA

NEWS FROM CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON

I have updated the Harder Hall website for the most part http://www.harderhallwomens.com/

There may be a few minor changes  between now and autumn, but the dates are correct for the 2013 Orange Blossom Tournaments. 

Thanks to Kirkwoodgolf  for ongoing efforts to promote travel to the Florida women's amateur tournaments in January. 

I am going to talk with a couple of people from the USGA to see how they might feel about an “Order of Merit” for the three tournaments (suggested by Kirkwoodgolf!). 

 I will let you know what reaction I get.

  Hope to see you all at Nairn in June for the Curtis Cup Match. 

Best,

Carol Semple Thompson 

The Stirling University women's squad are taken to play on three events on the Orange Blossom Tour every January. Sports Performance Manager Raleigh Gowrie has made a very generous offer to take any British/Irish player into his squad arrangements if they want to make the trip.
Here is what Raleigh says:

It would be great if more players from the UK could attend the Orange Blossom Tour. The standard of competition is very strong and it is a fantastic learning experience. In addition, it helps players gain a competitive edge prior to the UK competitive season commencing in spring.

Moreover, University of Stirling staff are happy to act as chaperones if this helps and to co-ordinate travel within the USA. For example, Holly Clyburn linked in with us last year and travelled and stayed with the Stirling girls.

I can give you pretty accurate costs:

Return flights either to Miami or Orlando

£450 per person

Wk 1 Harder Hall Invitational, Sebring

Entry fee: $250 = £170

This covers 1 practice round; 4 competitive rounds; entry gift; continental breakfast on each of the competitive days and 2 dinners.

Host family accommodation is available on request

Wk 2: South Atlantic Championship, Ormond Beach

Entry fee: $300 = £210

This covers 1 practice round; entry to Members/competitors event; 4 competitive rounds;entry gift; breakfast on each of the competitive days and 4 dinners; unlimited access to excellent practice facilities.

Host family accommodation is available on request

Wk 3: Doherty Championship, Ft Lauderdale

Entry fee: $300 = £210

This covers 1 x practice round; entry to tournament which is 1 qualifying round then into matchplay flights: entry gift; continental breakfast and lunch on each of the competitive days and 2 dinners; unlimited access to excellent practice facilities.

Host family accommodation is available on request.

Car hire is required. This works out at approx. £50 per day per vehicle.

My estimated cost per person for this 3 week trip is somewhere in the region of £1600 all in.

I’m happy for you to offer my name and contact details if any person wants further information about the tour.

RALEIGH N GOWRIE

Sports Performance Manager

University of Stirling

r.n.gowrie@stir.ac.uk

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Making a decision about playing on the 2013 Orange Blossom Tour in Florida should not be delayed until November or December.
If you want to take up Raleigh Gowrie's offer on behalf of the University of Stirling, you really should make up your mind by the summer at the latest to give Raleigh a chance to co-ordinate travel and accommodation efforts on behalf of the whole party.
The offer is open to national organisations as well as individuals.

ABOYNE'S DANIEL THOMPSETT FRESHMAN OF YEAR IN MONTANA

Aboyne's Daniel Thompsett, a first-year student at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, has been named Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year and also awarded a place in the All-Conference First Team, a line-up of the best players in the league in the opinion of the coaches.  Rocky Mountain College, the top seeds, were beaten 593-583 by Carroll College in a stroke-play play-off for the conference title at Larchmont golf course, Missoula, Montana. Thompsett, last year's North-east boys' champion, top scored for RMC with two rounds of 73 for 146 but Carroll College had more strength in depth. Rocky Mountain College had been expected to win and go forward to the NAIA national championships. contested by conference champions. Thompson averaged 73 over nine competitive rounds and came fourth in the conference individual standings. "Daniel is pretty disappointed not to be going to the Nationals but overall is happy with his first year in the United States," said his mother Jeni.

CACTUS LADIES PRO TOUR, ARIZONA SCOREBOARD

PENNY PULZ ACADEMY OPEN

PALMBROOKE CC

FINAL TOTALS (April 25)

1 SHANNON FISH -              70-74-67—211    $1900
2 CHRISTY YUN -                74-70-68—212    $1300
T3 JENNI JENQ (am) -          73-70-72—215    $100 GIFT CARD
T3 MONET FLORES (am) -     72-74-69—215    $100 GIFT CARD
5 CANDRA SUMEDHATIP -     71-71-74—216    $1100
T6 CHANDRA ALEXANDER -   75-70-74—219    $600
T6 KATE MACHADO -            75-71-73—219    $600
T8 BRITTANY JOHNSTON -    71-74-75--220
T8 McKENZIE JACKSON -      75-75-70--220
T10 AMANDA ROBERTSON -  72-74-75--221
T10 KYLA INABA(am) -        76-71-74--221
12 SHELLY MARTINEZ -        72-78-73--223
13 LAUREN SULLIVAN (am) -73-75-76--224
14 NATALIE GUIDRY -          77-75-74--226
15 EILEEN KELLY (am) -       84-77-75--236
16 KYLEE DUEDE (am) -       83-80-78--241
17 ERICA DECHOWITZ (am)  89-80-78--247
18 CHANET FIORINA (am) -   86-87-79--252

TO ACCESS THE CACTUS LADIES PRO TOUR WEBSITE
CLICK HERE

TO ACCESS THE CANADIAN WOMEN'S TOUR
CLICK HERE

MORE INFO ABOUT THE CACTUS LADIES TOUR

• THE CACTUS TOUR IS A PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR FOR WOMEN ONLY.
• ALL EVENTS ARE PLAYED IN THE GREATER PHOENIX, ARIZONA AREA.
• THE TOURNAMENT SEASON BEGINS AT THE START OF FEBRUARY AND RUNS THRU NOVEMBER
• THERE IS A FULL SCHEDULE WITH 20 TO 25 EVENTS, WITH A ROTATION OF THREE WEEKS PLAYING AND ONE WEEK OFF (UNLESS SCHEDULING CONFLICTS).
• LESS TRAVEL EXPENSE, PLAYERS CAN STAY IN ONE LOCATION AND PLAY IN EVERY EVENT.
• TOURNAMENTS ARE OVER 54 HOLES WITH NO CUT.
• AT LEAST ONE HALF (50%) OF THE FIELD AND TIES ARE PAID ON THE FINAL DAY AFTER COMPLETION OF PLAY.
• DATES OF TOURNAMENTS DO NOT CONFLICT WITH TOUR SCHOOLS AND US OPEN QUALIFIERS.
• THE CACTUS TOUR IS A PLAYER-FRIENDLY TOUR WHERE YOUR IDEAS AND OPINIONS WILL BE LISTENED TO