Second win to McDonald at women’s national interprovincial golf champs

Tessa McDonald chips on to a green at the Waikanae course on Day 1 of the women’s national interprovincial golf championship. The Gisborne golfer, playing No.2 for Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay, had won two of her three matches heading into today’s play. Picture by Dave Lintott/lintottphoto

Gisborne’s Tessa McDonald powered to victory as Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay racked up a second team win at the women’s national interprovincial yesterday.

McDonald, at No.2 in the HBPB side, cruised to a 6 and 4 defeat of Shardae Bulkely in a 3-2 defeat of Northland on the Paraparaumu Beach course.

HBPB No.1 Kayla Van De Ven had a 6 and 5 win while team matriarch Janie Field, at No.3, provided the other victory.

The team success consolidated HBPB’s second-placed position in their section.

They headed into today on two team points and 6½ match points.

Waikato led on three team points and 11½ match points.

HBPB faced third-placed Aorangi in Round 5 action today.

Defending champions Bay of Plenty flexed their muscle against Tairāwhiti in Round 4 of the men’s national interprovincial yesterday on the Waikanae course.

BoP won 4½-½.

It was a tough introduction for national interprovincial debutant Marcus Gray.

The 14-year-old lost 6 and 5 to former pro Trent Munn at No.4 in the team but fought  hard, and this week is predominantly a learning experience for the Gisborne Boys’ High School student.

No.1 William Brown saved Tairāwhiti from the whitewash, halving his match with Mitchell Kale.

No.2 Dan Collier lost 4 and 3 to Shaun Campbell, No.3 Hukanui Brown, after winning his opening two matches, was beaten 6 and 5 by Nathan Clark, and No.5 Shayde Skudder fell 3 and 1 to Jordan Golding.

It dropped Tairāwhiti to bottom of the table in their section on no team points and 3½ match points.

Heading into today’s two rounds, Wellington led Section 1 and Southland were surprise leaders in Section 2.

The men were back at the Paraparaumu Beach course for Round 5 today. Tairāwhiti faced Tasman.