Auckland defeat Harbour 4-1 in Womens interprovincial
Interprovincial glory beyond reach.
The superior depth of Auckland, who went undefeated all week, came to the fore in the final to secure their 20th title in the competition. They extend their lead at the top of the standings to four wins ahead of Bay of Plenty.
Auckland number five Eruera, returning for her first Interprovincial in three years after studying on a golf scholarship in the States, got the 2009 champions off the perfect start when she beat Rebekah Brownlee 4 and 3.
Her team-mate Wen Yung Keh, who went undefeated all week playing number four for Auckland, followed suit with a 5 and 4 demolition of Harbour’s Faye-Amy Nickson.
The number two from Auckland Jesse Hamilton, who won the title for Auckland back in 2009 when she beat Nickson as a 14-year-old in the playoff, secured the win again with an impressive 4 and 3 win over Kristin Farrell.
“It was really special to sink that putt to win it, ” said the 16-year-old from the Maungakiekie Golf Club.
“There was a lot less pressure than the last time [in the playoff] but it was nice to get it done and a really good feeling to win this trophy again.
“Our teamwork was the key to this win. It was really hard to make the team and that helped because we were used to the competition. We were happy with how we played all week to make the final and win the way we did was really pleasing. To win it for a second time is just as sweet.”
Eruera, who was the youngest New Zealand Amateur champion when she won in 2006, rated her first Interprovincial win up there with the best moments in her amateur career.
“It’s pretty highly ranked on your golfing resume because it shows you can win a Match Play event where you have to fight for your team,” said the 19-year-old from the Aviation Golf Club.
“I am really proud of what we have achieved this week. We showed a lot of character. There are those moments when your manager says ‘We are down and we need your point’ and we stood up when we needed to.
“I didn’t have much fun in the States golf wise so it is great to be back home and enjoying my golf again. I’ll look back on this week in Whakatane as a pretty special week and I am pleased we could give Cecilia the right send-off.”
Munchin Keh finished off the Auckland rout when she defeated Julitta Lam at the 17th.
Even though it had no bearing on the outcome the feature match between the World No.1 Ko and World No.2 Cho was brilliant golf to watch.
The pair, who met in the New Zealand Amateur Final for the youngest final in the championship history, enjoyed another classic battle which Ko won again but the result was already gone.
It was a case of déjà vu for North Harbour as they came up short to Auckland and missed the opportunity to be the first team to win back to back titles since Bay of Plenty in 2006 - 2007.
But Auckland could be proud of their week as they gave the perfect sendoff to their number one Cecilia Cho who plans to turn professional in March and attempt the join the Korean Tour.
“I am really going to miss this tournament,” said the 17-year-old Cho.
“I love this week with all my friends and the Toro tournament. Even though I was down against Lydia this afternoon I was smiling so much because I was having a good time.
“I think Lydia showed why she is the World Number One today. She had a bogey free round and made a lot of birdies so she full deserved to win. But it is a team event and we showed that we have great depth across our team and that is what got us home. Winning is the best way to leave playing for Auckland.”
Ko, who managed eight wins and a half at Whakatane to be undefeated after returning from wrist surgery, was awarded the Player of the Tournament honour.
“I played good this week and I am proud to win player of the tournament again,” said the 14-year-old.
“There were a lot of great players here this week so it was a real honour.”
In the earlier playoffs Hawkes Bay overcame Wellington to finish fifth, Northland halved with Otago but claimed 7th place as the higher ranked team, Canterbury defeated Manawatu Wanganui for ninth place, Southland claimed
11th ahead of Taranaki and Aorangi finished in 13th ahead of Tasman.
But the 2011 Toro Women’s Interprovincial will be remembered for being an even where a gritty Auckland team dominated at the Whakatane Golf Club and won the title for a 20th time.
Posted: Sat 10 Dec 2011
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