Tessa first won it in 2012, was runner-up in 2013, champion in 2018 and runner-up last year. Karen won it in 2014 and 2017, and was runner-up in 2015 and 2016.
The pair have never met in the final.And that may never happen if McDonald junior and Ball continue to play in it, and produce the form appreciated by the gallery in yesterday's final.
McDonald ended the match in style, banging a 5-iron on to the par-5 17th for two to set up birdie and victory.
But after enjoying an early 3-up advantage, she was made to work for victory by her ever-improving Gisborne Girls' High opponent.
McDonald won the first hole and slotted a 10-foot par putt on the sixth, which Ball three-putted, to go 2-up.
McDonald holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the eighth to increase her advantage to 3-up and the pair halved the next four holes.
A birdie from Ball on the 13th put her on the comeback trail but she was unable to eat further into McDonald's advantage, and conceded on 17.
McDonald praised her young opponent and fellow Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay representative.
“She got better as the match went on and came back at me.”
Ball's efforts were also testament to the huge amount of work she has put into her game. A year ago she was on a 13.8 handicap index. Today she is 6.2.
McDonald was happy with her game, noting her improvement and extra distance since getting new Titleist clubs before the Covid-19 lockdown.
She has, however, been battling a “heavy draw”, and was heading back to professional Dave Keown today to work on that.
McDonald has an upcoming representative fixture and intends to be part of the HBPB team at the women's national interprovincial. But her main focus this year is the New Zealand Amateur being held at Poverty Bay in November.
The Poverty Bay women's open attracted a field of 64 players, including excellent outside support.
There was high praise for the presentation of the course by course superintendent Jimmy Walker and his team. McDonald described the greens as “perfect”.
