courtesy of Riversdale Golf Club Reigning Riversdale Cup champion Ashlee Dewhurst will take on the future stars of Australian women’s golf when the talented field gets underway at Riversdale, Melbourne on February 21-24. More than 30 players with handicaps below 3 are in the field of 80 golfers to tee off in the 52nd Cup, which is a national and state selection and Karrie Webb championship event. Current Srixon Australian Amateur Champion Justine Lee will push the defending champion to retain her title, having recently beaten her on the 38th hole to take the NSW State title at Macquarie Links. However, the Tasmanian Dewhurst has been one of the key women players throughout 2009 winning the Tasmanian Amateur Championship and the Riversdale Cup, as well as narrowly missing the Queensland Match Play Championship and the South Australian Stroke Play Championship. The in-form South Australian Emma Ash goes into the event with the recent SA Junior Amateur title to her name, along with fellow national squad member Jessica Speechley of WA. Sixteen-year-old sensation Chantal Hodson, of Bathurst, along with national girls team members Bree Elliott (Vic) and Ashley Ona (Qld) are also in the field, being members of the Trans Tasman Cup team to defend their title against New Zealand on March 29-30 in NZ. Two Riversdale players Lee Park, off 1, and Arizona Chin (4) will also tee-up, along with Riversdale s Pro. Shop retail sales representative, Jess Parker (1.7) who is hoping to use her local course knowledge to her advantage. Chin will be attending Idaho University in August and aspires to represent the college as their No.1 player. The 18-hole Riversdale lay-out is in peak condition with lush fairways, thick rough and fast greens living up to their reputation for bring out the best in players looking to enter the professional ranks. In a two months of championship of golf Riversdale will also host the Women’s Australian Amateur Foursomes on 19 February, the Australian Men’sAmateur Foursome Championship on 3 March, and the nation s second oldest national championship, the 115th Men’sRiversdale Cup, over 72 holes from 5-8 March. In line with its elite position on the amateur golfing ladder, the historic Riversdale Club house is currently undergoing extensive renovations to enlarge its facilities and enhance its appeal to members and visitors.