Golf: Southland and Northland on top

Southland and Northland had perfect starts on day one at the 2015 Toro Interprovincials. Photo: BWMedia

Southland not only delivered a stunning day of weather at Otatara Golf Club, but they delivered on the course as well by winning both of their opening fixtures at the 2015 Toro Interprovincials on Tuesday.

The host team is not alone however. Northland also won two from two and lead their division after day one. Northland and Southland showed they have potential to go all the way, taking down some of the big names to sit at the top of each division.

In the afternoon, Southland toppled Canterbury in a dramatic win that came down to the final hole. Jeremy Hall was the stand out as he recorded a 6&5 victory over Oscar Cadenhead.

His emotions and final comment were pretty simple after being asked how he felt.

"Pretty mint," smiled Hall.

"You don't get too many chances to play a home Toro so it's very nice to be here. We have a good bunch of boys in the team and everyone has a good head on their shoulders."

Debutants Sam Brisdon and Tegan Proudfoot also recorded superb wins as they helped Southland come away with the chocolates.

The Northland team spearheaded by Luke Brown who played magnificently to record to wins is joined by Kadin Neho, Alex Neely, Taylor Gill and Sheldon Kearns who defeated an impressive Wellington team in the morning round 3/2 and then backed it up in the afternoon to beat a solid Auckland outfit by an even better margin of 4/1.

Northland Manager, Brad Bonnington was pleased with the day but was measured in his assessment of the significance of being the early leader.

"You can't win it on day one, but you can certainly put yourself back in the pack."

It is very early in a long week and two of the hot favourites left a statement this afternoon in their only round of the day.

The 2014 defending champions, Waikato have announced themselves yet again as a big threat with a clean sweep over Poverty Bay.

Waikato's top two of Luke Twoomey and Nick Voke featured in dominant wins of 6&5 and 5&4 respectively. These two have travelled the world throughout 2015 and have brought that experience to the floor here in Southland.

"Obviously it's a different feeling being defending champs, there may be a target on our back but it doesn't bother us, we just have to get on with the job at hand," said a determined Nick Voke.

Joining Waikato and fresh off a win at the SBS Invitational, Otago showed their most recent result was no fluke. The experienced line up made light work of Taranaki in the afternoon claiming four of the five points on offer, continuing from where they left off two weeks ago.

Ryan Chisnall has taken a liking to the Otatara Golf Course, finishing as the strokeplay champion at the SBS Invitational. Chisnall backed that up yesterday with two dominant wins for his Tasman team who finished with a win and a loss.

From day one at the 2015 Interprovincials, one thing we can confirm is that this week will only get better. Otatara has been graced with some of the best golfers in the country and they have already lived up to that billing.

Round two will commence today at 7:30am.