Battle of Bays in build-up to nationals

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

GOLF by Chris Taewa

THE days of regular interprovincial fixtures for Poverty Bay-East Coast men’s golfers are gone.

That makes this weekend’s matchplay competition against Hawke’s Bay at Gisborne’s city courses that much more important in the build-up to two national representative tournaments.

Combined senior and masters 10-man sides will face off at Electrinet Gisborne Park tomorrow (from 12.30pm) and Poverty Bay on Sunday (8.30am).

It will be valuable higher-level experience for players and a good indication for selectors as they consider their choices for the Freyberg Masters at Timaru from November 4 to 8, and the Toro national inteprovincial at Hastings’ Bridge Pa from November 26 to 30.

For many of the PBEC side, it is also an excellent lead-in to the Poverty Bay Open at Poverty Bay next week.

PBEC players these days get by on scraps when it comes to the rep scene. Good old days featured several interprovincial fixtures — from the Southland Invitational strokeplay in Invercargill to the Central North Island quadrangular in Taupo.

The demise of these were to the detriment, experience- and development-wise, for PBEC players although they have consistently proved their matchplay abilities at the national events.

This weekend should be no different, particularly on home fairways, although only one of tomorrow’s line-up — Brad Reynolds — is a Park member.

Hawke’s Bay will welcome the fact the PBEC side for tomorrow’s tie features the top six players in the district — Anaru Reedy (Poverty Bay), Peter Kerekere (PB), William Brown (PB), Hukanui Brown (Patutahi/PB), Andrew Higham (Te Puia Springs/PB) and Pete Anderson (PB).

Reedy has made himself available for the Freyberg Masters and Toro this year, while Pete Anderson is also a potential double rep.

Kerekere, William Brown and Higham all have vast representative experience while Hukanui Brown has tasted the Toro on more than one occasion.

The rest of the side are Tony Akroyd (Pat), himself a long-time rep at senior and masters level, Jace Brown (Pat), Peter Clayton (PB) and Reynolds.

Another seasoned rep, Simon Jeune (PB), and Pete Stewart (PB) will be brought in for the Sunday fixture.

Hawke’s Bay have a strong side led by former first-class Central Districts cricketer Stu Duff.

Tyson Tawera will also be familiar to local golfers. He won the 2017 King of the Coast at Tolaga Bay.

The remainder of the side are Jeff Tuoro, Dylan Bagley, Adam Winter, Ben Swinburne, Zack Swanwickm, Brad Truesdale, Killian Heather and Steffan Hepburn.