Golf: Wellington eager to end finals hoodoo in interprovincial champs

Wellington are keen to shrug off their losers' tag in next week's interprovincial golf tournament at Palmerston North.

A strong Wellington side, who have lost in the last two finals, will attempt to become the most successful province in the 58-year-history of the event, building on 12 previous victories.

The tournament comprises 15 teams of five in matchplay competition. They are split into two divisions competing in a round robin from Tuesday to Friday with semifinals and final on Saturday at Manawatu Golf Club.

After dominating the competition throughout the 1990s, winning seven times in 11 years, Wellington have gone winless since their last triumph in 2001 at New Plymouth.

New Zealand's top ranked amateur, Peter Spearman Burn, is keen to get Wellington's name etched on the trophy again next week after losing to Bay of Plenty in the 2007 and 2008 finals.

"It was good that we managed to qualify for the finals," said Spearman Burn, who played in both losses.

"But it sucks losing. We want to win it this year that's for sure."

Wellington have four of last year's team back including Spearman Burn's twin brother, Thomas, who made his international debut at the Southern Cross Cup earlier in the year, the experienced Sean Kells and Adam Church. The big hitting Royal Wellington player Haupai Puha replaces former No 1 Andrew Green who has moved to the professional ranks.

"The team is experienced a bit and knows what it takes. We also remember the feeling in losing and we will be using that for some motivation," said Peter Spearman Burn who has been promoted to No 1 this year.

After a first-up bye, Wellington, playing in division two, meet Taranaki on day one, ahead of a big second day when they take on Auckland in the morning and Tasman in the afternoon. They play hosts Manawatu Wanganui in round five with Hawkes Bay and Waikato completing their round robin play.

Defending champions Bay of Plenty, chasing their sixth win in nine years, head division one with a young and inexperienced team, up against Southland, North Harbour, Canterbury, Northland, Otago, Aorangi and Poverty Bay East Coast.

- NZPA