No 1 Sumin Kang only player from last year in Otago team

THE Otago women’s team is aiming to do better than last year at next month’s championships in Auckland.

Otago has named an almost completely different team to the side which played in Hawke’s Bay last year.

The only player returning is Sumin Kang, the Queenstown youngster again named as No 1.

She will be followed in the order by fellow Queenstown youngster Yoonae Jeong who, at just 12, is playing in her first national tournament.

Abigael Crawford has returned to the team after missing last year because of other commitments.

She will play at No 3 while Kathryn Baker, of Taieri Lakes, will play at No 4.

Rebecca Calder will lead the team out at No 5.

No reserve has been named.

Experienced Wanaka player Liz McRae will be with the team and will play if needed.

The team finished ninth last year and is looking to do as well, if not better, this year.

The side has managed to avoid Auckland and Canterbury in its pool although it still has to face North Harbour and Waikato.

It will also play Aorangi, Tasman, Taranaki and Waikato.

The tournament will be played at the Akarana Golf Club, near Auckland Airport.

It is sure to test players with its allround course and nice layout.

The championships start on December 1, a week after the men’s tournament, which will be played at Whitford City, also in Auckland.

Of last year’s team, Danielle Bailey was unavailable while Tracey Storer and Amy Johns have not been selected.

Susan Greig was unavailable.

Meanwhile, at the national masters tournament in Hamilton, Otago had a 32 win over Hawke’s Bay in its only game yesterday.

Travis Cook won 3 and 1, John McIntee won 3 and 2 and Steve Horn had a 2 and 1 victory.

Otago is ninth on the ladder with Southland sixth.

Bay of Plenty, Wellington and ManawatuWanganui are tied for the lead.