Golf: Debut player comes to aid of Auckland

By BOB PEARCE

Tristan Ellis, in his first national interprovincial tournament, was the calm amid the storm as Auckland lived dangerously at Sherwood Park yesterday.

Playing at No 5, Ellis had two comfortable wins as the Aucklanders beat Taranaki and Southland to join North Harbour and Bay of Plenty with two victories on the opening day of the Tower tournament.

In the morning, Auckland made hard work of their 3-2 victory over Taranaki, needing No 1 Logan Holzer to hole a tricky putt on the last to seal the win.

Ellis and Chris Saunoa had good wins, but Geoff Sisson ran foul of seven birdies from Troy Ropiha, and Franz Schwanner struggled.

The 3 1/2-1 1/2 result over Southland looks comfortable, but Saunoa won his game with a bogey on the last when his opponent had four putts.

North Harbour were comfortable winners over Poverty Bay in the morning, with former national champion Chris Johns the only loser.

But they needed Johns to make a comeback in the afternoon as they struggled for a while against Tasman. At one stage he was two down against Duncan Marfell, but finally won 2 and 1.

Joshua Carmichael and young Andrew Park both won for a second time and James Davis won the last for a half with Corey Taylor.

Bay of Plenty scored a notable win in the first round against Otago, who were semifinalists last year at New Plymouth, with their only loser being Jason McIntosh at No 5.

Mark Smith accounted for Bay refugee Nick Davey 6 and 5.

It was 4-1 again in the afternoon against Taranaki, with Jae An falling foul of the in-form Ropiha.

Northland beat Tasman 3-2 in the morning thanks to a three-metre downhill birdie putt by Stuart Beren on the last. In the afternoon they led for much of the way against Waikato before fading to lose 4-1.

Winners for Waikato were Brad Shilton, Scott Pickett and David Jackson, who needed only bogeys to win the last two holes against Michael Perrin.

Glenn Millin halved with Reuben Inglis and Mathew Holten halved with Dale Clarke.

Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Canterbury won their only matches of the day, with defending champions Wellington impressive 4-1 winners over Poverty Bay.

Hawkes Bay, beaten in the final last year and fielding the same team, beat Aorangi 3-2.

A better measure of Wellington's form will come this morning when they play Northland from 7.30. Hawkes Bay and Auckland meet at 1.18pm.