Golf: Win fires up Kevin Billington

Kevin Billington is a well-known name in golfing circles, having represented Northland since he was 18, but now he has a new challenge on his horizon.

The 57-year-old has given many years of his life to golf in the region, but now he's had a taste of the New Zealand senior golf team he wants more.

Last week Billington was part of the Kiwi team that produced a stunning comeback to retain the Sanctuary Cove Trophy, making it a hat-trick of wins, against the Australians.

Billington said while their win wasn't considered a surprise, it was quite the spirited fight back. "To come from 5.5-6.5 down on the Tuesday to then win the singles 9-3 was good," he said, adding that conditions at Muriwai weren't easy. "The Aussies stacked their team with their best players going out first against theoretically a weaker New Zealand team."

After being part of the win, Billington has said he wants to be selected next year and will be making himself available.

"I tried to back out of representative golf about 15 years ago, and I did for two seasons but I really missed it.

"I honestly just got sick of it, I debuted for northland at 18 and here I am at 57 ... I lost that fire.

"[But now], by having had a taste of it, it's a slightly different feel than provincial golf so I plan on being available [for New Zealand seniors] in future."

Billington's attitude is everything that competitive and representative sport is all about, winning, and he is taking that to the national senior team.

"I don't do failing very well," Billington commented. "I really enjoy the competitive environment when you go away and compete [with the seniors]. I enjoy that but you've got to have a bit of game too, because you don't want to turn up and fail.

"You have your own level and if you don't achieve it and you don't get it as far as I'm concerned you've failed.

"There's a big difference between losing and getting beaten, I don't mind getting beaten but I hate losing. Losing when you play badly doesn't sit good with me."

Billington added that it was refreshing to see players like Kadin Neho coming through the ranks in Northland.

He said Neho was a genuine nice guy, and that he could play.

"It's nice to see some of the guys come through," he said of the up-and-coming Northland golfers.

"Golf is a pretty selfish sport, it doesn't really involve much team work and you see some brats come up through it but Kadin's not like that - he's just a really nice guy."