Golf: Eyeing the hat-trick

With the world's fifth-best amateur playing at No 2, Bay of Plenty must be rated overwhelming favourites to retain their interprovincial team title at Napier next week.

The Bay won the title for the first time at Sherwood Park, Whangarei, in 2002 and beat Waikato in the final to retain their crown at Coringa, Christchurch, last year.

There is only one change to that winning team. Josh Geary, who was the fifth best individual at the world amateur team championships in Puerto Rico last month, replaces George Kinghorn and will play at number two behind Mark Smith.

It is a measure of Geary's stunning rise in the New Zealand ranks that he was only the reserve for the Bay 12 months ago.

Wellington in 1990-91-92 were the last province to score a hat-trick of wins and with Jason McIntosh, Jae An and Terry Hong supporting Smith and Geary, the Bay look likely to be the next.

Waikato might beg to differ. They beat Bay of Plenty to win the 10-man Garrard Shield at Remuera last month and Brad Shilton, Mark Purser and Mathew Holten are a formidable top trio. Richard Wright is a newcomer this year, while lefthander Guy Penrose returns after reaching the final three years ago with Hawkes Bay.

Waikato, led by the redoubtable Ted McDougall, won this tournament when it was last held at Napier in 1972.

And they have vivid memories of what can happen to tournament favourites. In 1989 Waikato fielded a side including Michael Long, Steve Alker and Phil Tataurangi with former national champion Colin Taylor at No 5. But they were beaten in the final by a Canterbury side led by Tony Christie.

Last year's beaten semifinalists were Canterbury and Manawatu-Wanganui. Canterbury's No 1 from that team, Ryan Haywood, has made a successful transfer to the professional ranks, winning the Taranaki Open. Brad Stuart will top the order this time.

Manawatu-Wanganui were beaten only 3-2 at Coringa and return with an unchanged lineup, led by New Zealand representative Riki Kauika.

Auckland's fate could well be decided in their first match on Tuesday when they play Canterbury.

Eisenhower representative Kevin Chun is at No 1 ahead of Logan Holzer and Rosco Valentine. Chris Saunoa and Matthew Cormack replace Travis O'Connell and Richard Hislop.

North Harbour were buoyed by victory in a quadrangular with Wellington, Canterbury and Tasman, but next week they will be without Bevan Dennison, preparing for a shot at the pro ranks, and Sam Shin, sitting school exams.

The Hawkes Bay team will have home advantage and had had a promising season, until they were beaten by Auckland this month.

The Waiohiki course was battered by storms early this year, which uprooted 60 trees. But its 6025m layout with lengthy rough will offer a good test to the country's best amateurs.

Should they need any professional help, they will be able to call on the expertise of one of the country's most enduring dynasties. Ernie Southerden came to Napier in 1950 and son Kim succeeded him as club pro. He is still in charge.

The interprovincial tournament begins on Tuesday with all 15 teams playing six matches before the four best-performed proceed to the semifinals on Saturday morning. The final will be played in the afternoon.