GOLF: Battle for the Cup o'wood

Did you know that golf's Greenwood Cup was initially played for like rugby's Ranfurly Shield?
While little is known about Hawke's Bay golf's interclub challenge a closer look at the engravings on the silverware reveals that Hastings Golf Club won it the first time.
One MF Greenwood Esquire donated the trophy in 1926 and Hastings have had their hands on it the most times - 34 to be exact.
The executive officer of Golf Hawke's Bay, Greg Herbert, believes the winning side often had to defend the title at home, which explains why in 1928 teams have engraved their names on the cup about three times in one year.
What's comforting to know is that all eight teams competing in the first round of this year's competition have won the trophy.
Hastings won it last year and in 2003 and will be attempting to nail a hat-trick of titles when they defend the first three rounds - two today and one tomorrow - at the Waipukurau Golf Club.
However, they've had a setback with Murray Andersen withdrawing due to a family bereavement and youngster Merlin Schloemer replacing him.
The other 10-member teams in the strokeplay/matchplay event are Dannevirke, Hawke's Bay, Maraenui, Napier, Ongaonga, Takapau and Waipukurau.
The final four rounds will be played at Napier Golf Club on September 17-18.