Golf: High hopes for Bay Masters golf

Mark Hughes will make his debut for Bay of Plenty in the Freyberg Masters at Whitford Park next week. Photo/File

Bay of Plenty's masters golf team may need gumboots as much as golf shoes at the Freyberg Masters interprovincial tournament that begins next Monday.

A winter of almost non-stop rain has meant Whitford Park Golf Club in Auckland's eastern suburbs will be heavy underfoot, adding even more difficulty playing the lengthy course.

But the good news is the greens are reputed to be in excellent condition, which is what players of all ages rate golf courses on.

Bay of Plenty won the over-40 match play event at New Plymouth in 2015 and were well in the race to win back-to-back titles at the Chisholm Links Golf Club in Dunedin last year, before they were knocked out of the final three as Auckland won their first title in 13 years.

Experienced Bay of Plenty manager Ross Fowler has selected a consistent team dominated by Omokoroa club members.

Darryn Lowans (Omokoroa) will play at No 1, Simon Wright (Omokoroa) at 2, captain Steve Heberley (Whakatane) at 3, a new player to the team in Mark Hughes (Mount Maunganui) is at 4 and Jason Madden (Omokoroa) plays at 5.

"Darryn has been No 1 for the last three campaigns, is really consistent and works really hard at his game. Simon could easily play 1 but is 2 again as he was last year when he only had one loss and had a good tournament," Fowler said.

"Steve has been our most consistent performer for the last three years. His game has really come on and, as captain, [he] has earned the respect of all the players. In the last three years he may have lost only two games.

"Mark has just turned 40 and is itching to go. A good player and hits the ball long, which is what you need to do at Whitford. He has worked really hard to be in the team and will be a genuine asset for sure. Jason is the rock of the team really and more often than not gets us off to a good solid start.

"Plus we are taking a sixth player because he has earned it through his performances through the year in Andries Cloete (Omanu/Tauranga). They have all been working hard with Mike (Campbell) at Bay of Plenty Golf and Jay Carter, a New Zealand coach."

Fowler says the conditions will be challenging, but the players have spent some time on the course in recent weeks.

"The boys are familiar with the course. They have been up for a look and unfortunately like most of the country it has really suffered from the wet. It was really, really tough when the boys played there. It is a long course anyway.

"My understanding is they have had some wind and fine weather in the last week and a half that has dried it off a bit. We are not so sure what to expect really but with the addition of Mark and the way Steve has become a more consistent player I think our chances are very good."