Mother, daughter make history

FAMILY AFFAIR: Ashburton's Catherine (left) and Pauline Bell can lay claim to a history-making move in Aorangi South Canterbury's women's golf.

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Pauline and Catherine Bell have made history as the first mother and daughter to represent Aorangi South Canterbury at a women's Interprovincial Golf Championships.

Pauline has represented the province on a number of occasions but 15-year-old Catherine will be on debut at the The Grange, in Auckland early next month.

Catherine Knight has been named at number one with Janelle Amalfitano at two and Jenny Kellahan at three, Pauline Bell will play at four with Catherine at five while Ginny Boldeston is the travelling reserve.

There are three changes from last year's lineup, with two of Timaru's top golfers, Kyla Welsh and Amber Boyce, opting out of serious golf.

Both elected to play hockey and turned out winning premier team St Andrews, while Anita Lawson has left the district.

The Aorangi South Canterbury selectors appear to have followed the men's lead looking for new blood and plumped for a young golfer with potential.

Their side of the draw appears to be the easier of the two and Aorangi South Canterbury will be targeting Otago, Southland and Hawke's Bay as teams they can topple.

They started brilliantly last year but faded to 11th so the 2009 team will be looking to improve on that result.

Auckland, on the other side of the draw, start as favourites at home.

The injection of young Bell appears to have been well thought out, with her mother able to ensure she is well mentored in her first major tournament. Catherine, who has played golf for three years, hits off an eight handicap.

She is looking forward to the challenge.

The matchplay format will suit her. She has just been crowned champion at the Ashburton Golf Club, where she beat her mother on the 36th hole with a birdie.

Catherine had been three down at the turn but fought her way back with some good golf.

In fact it turned out to be something of a family affair at the Ashburton Golf Club with Catherine's father Robbie taking out the men's title.

Robbie has been a regular fixture in both interprovincial and masters team for Aorangi over several decades.

- © Fairfax NZ News