Northland have a daunting task ahead of them at the annual Toro Men's Interprovincial Tournament in Palmerston North.
A five-strong team (plus reserve) was named at the conclusion of the annual Garrard Shield tournament in Hamilton, where a struggling Northland lost all their rounds to Bay of Plenty, Auckland andWaikato. Brad Bonnington, who will play No1 for Northland, said despite the losses, the Garrard Shield was a good warm-up for the players. "It has given us a taste of what to expect at the interprovincials, and what we can do better there," he said. The Wellsford golfer is at the helm of the relatively inexperienced Northland team. Brett Dormer, of Kaitaia, has been named at No2, Waipu's Tony Mayo at No3, Martin Duff, of Northland Golf Club, at No4, Waiotira's Robin Morgan at No5, and Lee Neumann is the reserve.
Duff, Morgan and Neumann are all new to the side and will make their interprovincials debuts at Manawatu Golf Course tomorrow. Losing Gary John Hill, Northland's former No1, to Auckland this year, had left a gaping hole in the Northland team, Bonnington said, but they were ready to give it their best shot. Hill is the leading amateur from the Charles Tour and is playing No2 for Auckland, a heavyweight in this tournament, with internationals Ryan Fox (No1) and Ben Wallace (No3). Fifteen teams will compete in the matchplay contest, with round robin play in two divisions, culminating in semifinals and final on Saturday. Despite an inexperienced line-up, Bay of Plenty - 2008 winners and title-holders for five of the past seven years - are favoured to progress to the semifinals in division one, along with 2005 champions North Harbour. The other teams include Southland, Canterbury, Northland, Otago, Aorangi and Poverty Bay East Coast.
Last year's runners-up Wellington share the favouritism in division two with Auckland.
Northland have the official practice round today, followed by their first competition rounds tomorrow against Poverty Bay East Coast and Otago. On Wednesday, Northland face North Harbour, then play Aorangi and Southland on Thursday, and Canterbury on Friday.
