GOLF - Masters finish tournament on winning note after big losses

The Northland Masters golf team finished a disappointing week on a high with a win in their final match at the Freyberg Masters interprovincials in Nelson against Southland yesterday.
They beat Southland 3.5-1.5 in the morning round and were then able to relax in the afternoon while the leading teams fought it out for the title.
It was a well deserved rest as the signs of wear and tear were beginning to show on the golfers. The side completed two rounds every day since Monday, apart from on Wednesday, when they played just 18 holes.
No. 3 Bruce Donaldson was forced to sit out the final round match after a leg injury and team manager Roy Pelsky stepped in to replace him, finishing with a creditable half in his match.
"We're pleased we finished on something of a high note with a win and a half on Thursday and a win yesterday because it sure was tough going early in the week against some very good teams," Pelsky said.
The Northland team had a tough start to the tournament at the Nelson Golf Course, with losses to Taranaki and Wellington on the first day, followed by a 5-0 hammering by Auckland and a 4-1 defeat by North Harbour on Tuesday.
A 1.5-3.5 defeat by Manawatu was Wednesday's result but then their luck turned and they earned their first win on Thursday morning against Hawke's Bay. They halved their afternoon match against Poverty Bay.
No. 1 Bob Shirley was his usual consistent self, with No. 2 Gavin Welsh also picking up a couple of very good wins.
Newcomer to the team this year Jack Winwood finished the tournament in style with four wins in a row at No.3, while Donaldson and Craig Palmer also had their share of success at four and five respectively.