NEW ZEALAND WOMEN'S OPEN ATTRACTS BIG NAMES

FROM THE STUFF.CO.NZ WEBSITE
Defending champion Kristie Smith and English golf legend Laura Davies are returning to Christchurch for the New Zealand Women's Open, which has retained its co-sanctioned status on the Ladies European Tour and Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tours in 2012.
A new title sponsorship deal with the International Sports Promotion Society has been a big boost for the tournament, which will again be played at the Pegasus Golf and Sports Club, about 30 minutes north of Christchurch, as a three-round tournament from February 17-19.

Smith, pictured right, who won the title by three shots this year for her maiden win on the LET, and Davies, who won the championship in 2010, have confirmed they will return to compete in the event.
It is expected that the fourth staging of the championship will attract its best field in 2012, with the timing of the event directly after the Women's Australian Open and Australian Ladies Masters.
''To have household names like Kristie Smith and Laura Davies already confirmed for the event is a good indication of the quality of field we expect for the championship. It should be another great week for Christchurch,'' New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said.
''The LET factor brings down some world-class players to New Zealand. It showcases our country to the world and it exposes our players to the standard of what it takes to be successful as a pro on the international stage.''
Dr Handa said he recognises the importance of events such as the Open continuing on the sporting calendar, to help rebuild and inspire the community of Christchurch.
The New Zealand Women's Open at the Pegasus Golf Club in February should have the strongest field in its four years.

Up to 28 players from the world's leading tour, the US LPGA, will start in the event.
The A$1.1 million (NZ$1.4m) Australian Women's Open will be played the week before the New Zealand Open and next year is co-sanctioned with the LPGA tour.
That spelled good news for the New Zealand Open, said the promoter of the tournament, Bob Tuohy, from Adelaide. "There will be 100 players from the LPGA at the Australian Open and the next week there is an LPGA event in Thailand but it is restricted to 60 players.
"We have already had inquiries from 27 LPGA players wanting to come on to Christchurch for the New Zealand Open," said Tuohy.
The makeup of the tournament would allow entry for 28 LPGA players, said Tuohy.
The 200,000 (NZ$345,000) tournament will have a new sponsor, the International Sports Promotion Society, an organisation founded by a Japanese philanthropist, Dr Haruhisa Handa. The open has been reduced from four days to three, to help save costs, and it is also a requirement of the Ladies European Tour (LET) that tournaments of 200,000 or less should be played over three rounds.
The 2012 tournament, to be known as the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open, will remain a co-sanctioned event between Australian Ladies Professional Golf and the Let.
Ironically, the 2011 tournament finished two days before the February 22 earthquake, and most of the players had left town before the quake. Yesterday's announcement of the 2012 tournament came hours before two further sharp quakes in the region.
The Christchurch City Council's four-year agreement to support the tournament also runs out next year and Tuohy said both his company and NZ Golf were keen to continue the tournament in Christchurch, if the support was there.

E-mail from Aberdeen golfer Jim Hardie who spends every winter in Christchurch:
Colin,

As you will probably have heard, Christchurch got another few big rumbles today with more damage, water everywhere from burst mains, and horrible  liquefaction oozing out of the ground. How my motel is still standing after today,I have simply no idea.
While, as you know, I love New Zealand, I would say that anyone thinking of coming to Christchurch to live, or even on holiday - Change your mind!
The city is simply a mess, and after 40 years  of visiting i am so very upset at what I view.
These shakes will simply wear anyone down, and the  people of Christchurch are all nervous wrecks.
Very, very scary stuff!

Jim Hardie