Golf: Tate steers Harbour to interprovincial title

Teenager Stacey Tate produced some excellent golf to lead North Harbour to victory in the national women's interprovincial teams championship at Invercargill.

Tate, 18, carded six birdies in the opening nine holes before going on to beat Jessica Park, 14, six and five as North Harbour edged out Auckland 3-2 in the final on the Otatara course.

North Harbour also won the title in New Plymouth last year.

It was their third interprovincial crown since the country's newest golf association was formed in 1995.

Tate responded to the challenge of replacing former New Zealand representative Anita Boon at No 1 this year, with her only loss being to Bay of Plenty-Thames Valley's BoBae Kim.

She saved her best until last with a stunning performance in the final.

Tate bagged birdies at the first, third, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes to make the turn six under the card.

She bogeyed the 10th, but wrapped up the match with another birdie at the par-five 13th for the individual round of the tournament.

As well as Tate, North Harbour secured wins through Catherine Mitchell and Annece Choi, 16, while Auckland's two wins were recorded by Enu Chung and Natasha Krishna, both 15.

Mitchell was four up on Brigit Holford at the turn and although the Aucklander made a late run to close the gap, she ran out of real estate.

Choi had a tough battle against La Nahi and they were all square at the turn before successive birdies gave Choi the winning edge.

Krishna was always in front against Natalie Storck, leading three up after 10 holes. Storck closed the margin to one hole before Krishna recovered with two late birdies.

Chung had an exciting clash with Bobea Park, ahead one up at the turn before Park squared the match at the 15th. She won the 16th with a par and made a superb birdie to take the match on the 17th.

Choi, Krishna and New Zealand representative Chung finished the tournament unbeaten.

Earlier, North Harbour and Auckland had 5-0 clean sweeps over Canterbury and Southland, respectively, in the semifinals.

- NZPA