Golf: Strong start in tournament

Defending champions Auckland and hosts Otago made strong starts to the New Zealand women's interprovincial golf tournament at the St Clair course in Dunedin yesterday.

Both sides had byes on the opening day, with Otago fighting off a tough challenge from neighbours Southland 3 1/2-1 1/2 in the morning while Auckland whitewashed their neighbours, Northland, 5-0 in the afternoon.

Otago, one of five sides never to have won the Honda Cup and the championship, were behind early before finishing strongly with wins at the bottom of the order to Angela Hawkes, Selina Moon and Liz McRae.

New Zealand amateur champion Wendy Hawkes halved her match with Southland No 1 and national selector Robyn Bonniface.

Auckland overcame the difficult opening morning bye in impressive fashion to dominate Northland, with Bridgit Holford fighting back from two down to beat the talented Sharon Bierman at the 18th, while 12-year-old Enu Chung won four of the last five holes to beat Margaret Aston 2 up.

Taranaki, Waikato-King Country and North Harbour led with two wins yesterday but not before being given close fights.

Taranaki overcame South Canterbury 3 1/2-1 1/2 in the morning and Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay 3-2 in the afternoon, with Chris Wilson and Val McEldowney unbeaten at the bottom of the order.

Harbour were more impressive, scoring 4-1 victories over Wellington and South Canterbury, with No 1 Anita Boon, Carolyn Dobbyn, Annie Wairepo and Chanelle Baird all picking up two wins.

Waikato-King Country sneaked past Canterbury 3-2 in the morning, and had three matches that went to the 18th to beat neighbours Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley 4-1 in the afternoon, with Jan Storey, Sarah McDonald and Shannon Pawhau unbeaten.

- NZPA