Garvey gains NZ selection
Teenage Canterbury golfer Amelia Garvey finished second at the Faldo Asia grand final in Vietnam, but was still able to smile at the finish.
The 16-year-old Kaiapoi club member discovered during her final round she had been selected to represent New Zealand in the three-strong senior women’s team for the Queen Sirikit Cup.
She will debut for New Zealand at the 39th edition of the Queen Sirikit Cup to be played in China from May 10-12, where she will be joined by team-mates Alanna Campbell (Bay of Plenty) and Rose Zheng (Auckland).
Garvey finished runner-up in the under-16 girls section at the Faldo Asia grand final last week finishing on the same score [216 over three rounds] as Japanese winner Minori Nagano.
Another Kiwi, Cambridge’s Jordan Woodall finished second in the boys’ under-18 field.
A series of uncharacteristic mistakes, coupled with a lost ball penalty (from which she made birdie with her second ball) meant Garvey came to the last hole needing a par or better to secure the under-16 title.
If Garvey had won the title, it would also have secured her a trip to the Faldo Series Asia European finals later this year.
Her second shot found a ridiculous lie resulting in a pulled approach to the par-five, which had the assembled Vietnamese caddies scrambling for cover.
Her chip onto the green was one of her best of the tournament, but she wasn’t able to make the return putt.
For Garvey, the tournament is one of many international events she is participating in. She was philosophical about the result.
‘‘I came here wanting to win the overall girls title and was really annoyed with my finishing holes, but that is part of my learning.’’
Being selected for the New Zealand side was a huge thrill and something she has been working towards for a long time.
‘‘This has been a big goal for me to make the New Zealand senior team, to be able to represent your country at such a big event will be an unreal experience.
‘‘I can’t wait to go to China. My aim will be to perform up to the standard that is needed for this world event’’. Canterbury Golf’s development manager Rachel Thow said they were justifiably proud of Garvey’s achievements and said it was reward for her commitment and talent.
‘‘It’s exciting to see the doors that have opened for Amelia with considerable international exposure over the past 18 months.’’