Golf: Inexperienced side for interprovincial event

A relatively inexperienced Otago team will tee off in the first round against North Harbour this morning in the New Zealand women's interprovincial tournament on the Riverside Golf Club's Lochiel course.

The team is managed by former Southland No 1 Lisa Joyce, who will provide valuable advice for a team that includes schoolgirls Abigael Crawford and Annabel Evans.

Joyce said the course had large greens and was well groomed for New Zealand's premier women's tournament.

''Accuracy off the tee and good club selection will be crucial if we are to perform well on this course,'' she said.

''We are in a rebuilding phase but the players will hopefully grow their self-belief and cause a few upsets along the way.''

The Otago team is led by Jo Hicks-Beach at No 1 with Sally Shaw at No 2.

Columba College pupil Crawford will play at No 3, one place lower than when she made her debut last year.

Rachel Lissaman and Robyn Chambers complete the top quintet while the youngest member is the team reserve, Evans.

Auckland will start as the favourite with several of the same players who won the title at St Clair two years ago.

The team is led by Munchin Key with her sister, Wengung, at No 2.

As the men's team found last week, Waikato could be hard to bowl on its home turf.

Wellington and Canterbury will also be tough, while Southland is again led by Robyn Pullar with Kerry Mariu at No 4.

The Otago campaign begins with North Harbour this morning and neighbour Southland this afternoon.

Otago will have a tough day tomorrow, fronting up against Northland in the morning and Auckland in the afternoon.

On Thursday, Otago meets Tasman in the morning and has a bye in the afternoon.

In the final section round on Friday morning, Otago will play a strong Wellington line-up.

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