Dannevirke preparation has Bay golfers on course

The Hawke's Bay interprovincial trial teams, in their new team shirts, played Manawatu/Whanganui at the Dannevirke Golf Course on Saturday. Photo / Christine McKay

The Dannevirke Golf Course was the perfect spot to test the readiness of the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu/Whanganui representative teams for their upcoming interprovincial series.

Saturday's weather was perfect and Max Charmley of the Dannevirke Golf Club said despite the inclement weather the week before, greenkeepers had worked hard to have the course in good condition.

"It's good for these teams to play in a different environment and it's good for Dannevirke to see top players here," he said.

Both associations had teams of six juniors and six seniors.

The Manawatu/Whanganui golfers, with junior manager, Dave Giddens, left and senior manager, Boy Manunui right.

Allen Forrest (Forrie), Hawke's Bay Golf president who was named the winner of the Holden Volunteer of the Year Award in Christchurch in March, said both teams were using the day as a trial for the interprovincials.

With five of the six in the Hawke's Bay senior team playing on Saturday, Forrest said they were taking things seriously.

"The juniors may struggle a little," he said prior to tee-off.

At the end of the day, the Hawke's Bay seniors were up 5-1/2 over their opposition on 1-1/2.

"It was a step up for the boys," Forrest said.

The Hawke's Bay juniors went down to Manawatu/Whanganui 2-1/2 to 3-1/2.

"The boys played really well on the back nine, after being down or even at the turn," Forrest said.

"We had one who had a half and he was four down at the turn. Both he and his opposition made birdies."

Forrest said Dannevirke was a good match-play course and although it was reasonably heavy, that was to be expected at the time of year.

Dave Giddens, in charge of the Manawatu/Whanganui junior team, told the Dannevirke News he had high hopes for the trial.

"It's good to be playing this before the interprovincials in Cambridge in October," he said.

Manawatu/Whanganui senior manager Boy Manunui had rested a couple of his seniors.

"This month and next are full on, so we've drafted in three juniors to play with the seniors," he said.