"I'm really excited but I guess a little nervous because I'll be playing all the New Zealand representatives," she said - but she stuck to the mantra of controlling the controllables.
They play Auckland, whose field include a rash of oriental names such as Zheng, Keh, Lim and Jung but it doesn't daunt the 25-year-old Royston Hospital nurse, who lived in
Auckland for a almost two years and interacted with elite golfers there.
"I've had a lot of mental coaching from Brian Doyle [Hastings PGA professional] who said, 'Everyone at this tournament can play good golf'."
That's what she felt HBPB had to be mindful of, adding: "The putts go in, they go in. If they don't there's always another hole."
Beating themselves up, she said, wasn't the answer - although it often was the way.
"Anyone can beat anyone on their day," said Jones, suspecting the Aucklanders probably had more self-induced pressure because of their lofty expectations.
"We only need three wins so we've got them with positive thinking going forward."
In the afternoon, the women from Middle Earth face the best from the bottom of the country, Southland.
A jovial Jones, of Hastings Golf club, was blissfully oblivious to the Southerners' pedigree but comfortable in the knowledge veteran Field knows everyone.
Their toughest challenge will come tomorrow against defending champions Canterbury and Waikato.
"They have arms and legs and a nervous systemjust like we do," she reiterated.
Today the forecast is a cloudy 19C but tomorrow and Thursday rain will be a factor on a course that offers blind tee shots and runaway firm greens.
Jones agreed inclement weather could be a leveller but againfell back on the mantra of controlling controllables.
Her parents, Sheree and Bruce Jones, of Otane, and McIvor's mother will be among the little army of fans from today. McDonald's mother and grandparents from Gisborne will be the team cooks while the stay in an apartment.
Unlike the Bay men, who struggled last week, the women have a relatively strong team that co-selectors Field and Kathy Olsen have picked.
In October they lifted the Sybil Green Salver for the first time since 2008 with wins against Wellington, Manawatu-Whanganui and Taranaki as well as claiming the Judy Pearson Salver three weeks later against Manawatu-Whanganui.
Former No 1 Kate Chadwick lives and works in Australia so Jones and McDonald will have to lift their games against NZ reps.
"But this will be very good for their golf and if they play to their ability they have got the game to win," said Field who, with Maraenui Golf Club member McIvor, has experience.
Field described the No 3 position of fellow Napier clubmate Deam as "a hard swing position".
"But Sara is playing her best golf this year and had a very successful club season taking out the senior club championships for the first time and many other trophies.
"Sara's game has matured, her course management is much better for matchplay, she has the game and deserves to be at No 3," she said.
Teenager Aluni, of St Joseph's Girls' College, hasn't been playing golf as a Napier club member.
