Golf: Bay shoots for decade of Garrard dominance

BIG CHANCE: Te Puke's Harry Hillier will represent Bay of Plenty on his home course this weekend. Photo / File

This weekend has special significance for the northern provinces of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty with the 60th staging of the Garrard Shield Inter Association Trophy.

Although the size of teams has reduced over the years the format of two-ball matchplay has never changed. Of special significance is the fact that the names of all members of the winning team are engraved on the trophy badges.

Rotorua was the first Bay of Plenty club to host in 1957 and the fixture did not return to the Bay until 1971 when Mount Maunganui played host and the locals gained their first success in a team led by Terry Leech and Mike Nicholson.

That was to be the only success for the Bay until 2002.

Auckland dominated through the 70's and early 80's until 1988 at Remuera, where a youthful Waikato team which included Michael Long, David Smail and Phil Tataurangi claimed the shield.

In 2002, at Waipu Golf Club just south of Whangarei, a youthful Bay of Plenty team claimed their first success in 32 years with Sam Hunt, Josh Geary, Jae An, Terry Hong, George Kinghorn, Matthew Jupp, Jason McIntosh, Ian Rentoul, Jonathon Huntley and led by Mark Smith revealing their potential.

Bay of Plenty retained the shield in 2003 at Ohope but Waikato won in 2004 and 2005. In 2006 the Bay reclaimed the trophy with Jared Pender and Kieran Muir joining the ranks and with Danny Lee's first appearance in 2007, the shield has remained in the Bay of Plenty for nine years.

In this time prominent names to be engraved include Brad Kendall, Peter Lee, Landyn Edwards, Sam Davis, Charlie and Harry Hillier, and William Howard.

With Edwards away in the United States competing in the Speed Golf World Championships, it will be up to team captain Sam Davis, William Howard and Harry Hillier to lead their young team to see if the shield can stay for a decade.

This is the first time that Te Puke Golf Club has hosted such a prestigious event and the course personnel have worked hard to have the links presented in great condition.

As well as the Garrard Shield, teams of four Under-19 players will compete for the Ralph Cup. These players tee off first followed by the Garrard teams.

Spectators are encouraged to see some of New Zealand's finest amateurs in action.