Tairāwhiti beaten in NZ Masters opener

Weather better suited for the ducks greeted the players on Day 1 of the Freyberg Masters men’s interprovincial golf tournament on the Awapuni Links course here today. Watching the progress of his shot into the ninth hole is Manawatu Wanganui player Lance Knowles as his side took on hometown hopefuls Tairāwhiti. Picture by Paul Rickard

Host province Tairāwhiti fell to Manawatu Wanganui in the opening round of the Freyberg Masters  (over-40s) men’s interprovincial golf tournament on the Awapuni Links course this morning.

Players first off had to endure heavy rain before it eased although more showers are forecast.

Officially playing under the Tairāwhiti banner for the first time, the Tairāwhiti five-man side were beaten 4-1 by Manawatu Wanganui.

No.2 Tony Akroyd provided their only victory — 1-up over Tony Chettleburgh, who won all eight of his matches in  a player of the tournament performance when the Freyberg Masters was held in Gisborne in 2008.

Tairāwhiti No.1 Anaru Reedy lost 3 and 2 to Junior Tatana, No.3 David Solomann lost on the 18th to Geoff Beaumont, No.4 Pete Stewart also lost on the 18th to Ross Geary and No.5 Jace Brown was beaten 2 and 1 by Lance Knowles.

Tairāwhiti faced top seeds Wellington this afternoon. The Capital side are vying for a third consecutive title.