Golf: Auckland chasing unique golf treble

By GRAHAM SKELLERN

Auckland golf has plenty to shout about this year.

But there will not be complete satisfaction unless the men's amateur side do the business in the interprovincial teams championship this week.

Auckland, seeded fifth for the 49th Tower tournament at St Andrews in Hamilton, are chasing a unique treble, with the women's and masters teams having already won their interprovincial events.

The Auckland men also won the Garrard Shield for the ninth time in 10 years and beat strong rivals Wellington in the annual representative clash.

"Traditionally, Auckland have taken a pretty quiet approach to the tournament," said national representative Chris Johns. "But it's hard to come in quiet this time, with the masters and women having swept all before them.

"There is a positive feeling in the team, but because of this year's record there is also a bit of pressure on us. We expect a lot of people will be travelling down to give us support," said Johns, a former Canterbury representative who is making his first interprovincial tournament appearance for Auckland.

He missed last year's tournament because he was representing New Zealand in the world Eisenhower Trophy teams event, but takes over the No 1 position from the consistent Logan Scott, who will be a strong force in the engineroom at No 3.

Brad Heaven, at No 2, and Blair Dibley, No 4, are back again to give Auckland plenty of experience and striking power. Pakuranga's Geoff Sisson, having his best season, makes his debut in the No 5 position.

"It's the best team we have fielded for a while. Our goal is to make the playoffs and then take it from there," said the 18-year-old Heaven, who has quickly become one of the country's top amateurs.

Auckland, who last won in 1995 at Manor Park, will be seeking their 13th title since the tournament began in 1951. Their strongest opposition should come from 10-times champions Wellington and the top-seeded Canterbury, who won their eighth national title last year at North Shore.

But Auckland will have to move quickly into full stride in the first round this morning against the home side, Waikato, led by New Zealand junior representative Brad Shilton.

Johns said: "Waikato are another team with a good chance. They are capable of going through at the expense of Auckland or Canterbury."

Waikato play Canterbury in the fifth round on Thursday.

Canterbury, who have a first-round bye, field a formidable team, with New Zealand representatives Carl Brooking, Isaac Randall and Karl Kitchingham, and young dynamo Eddie Lee at No 4 and the experienced David Rattray dropping two places to No 5.

The other dangerous side are the youthful but talented Bay of Plenty, whose chances of making Saturday's semifinals for the second year running should be dictated by their clash with Wellington this morning.

The Bay, who have a favourable draw after meeting the strong Wellington side with national reps Reon Sayer, Gareth Paddison and Jonathan Cane, will be hoping their New Zealand representative and No 1 Eddie Burgess returns to top form at just the right time.

North Harbour, who reached the semifinals last year on their home course at North Shore, might struggle this time, with their former No 1, Steve Gordon, having turned professional and highly promising 15-year-old Matthew Bray carrying the responsibility of playing at No 1 after being promoted from No 4.

North Harbour, too, have tough encounters against Waikato tomorrow and Auckland and Canterbury over the final three rounds.