Bay girls claim first national title

DRIVER: Rotorua golfer Shardae Bulkeley, 18, tees off during the final of the 2013 Girls Inter-Provincial Championship at Rotorua Golf Club. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 111013BF2

IT was a case of third time lucky for Shardae Bulkeley and the Bay of Plenty team who stormed home at the Rotorua Golf Club to claim their first national title.

The 2013 Girls Inter-Provincial Championship ended in exciting fashion yesterday, with the six-girl Bay of Plenty team defeating Canterbury in a rain-soaked final.

It was all hugs and laughter on the 18th green following the match as the Bay side made up for their loss in the final last year.

"We finally won, third year lucky," Bulkeley, 18, said.

The Springfield Golf Club youngster has represented the Bay side in all three championships since the under-21 tournament began in 2011.

She said her personal highlight of the week was helping her team get into the final.

"I didn't think I played well all week but I got a crucial half [point] against Auckland on Thursday which helped get us into the final."

The Bay side defeated Canterbury 4-2 in the matchplay final yesterday, with Taupo's Jazmin Brown and Erikah Wairakei both nailing pressure shots on the 17th hole to take a point each for the Bay.

However, the biggest star for the home team was Tauranga's Alanna Campbell, 15, who was simply too good all week.

Alanna won the Player of the Tournament Award for her overall performance, which ended with a six-under par final round.

Amazingly, she completed only 12 holes in the final round because her lead was too big, securing an important point for the Bay.

"It's my best round ever.

"I was just really excited for the day and it just sort of happened," she said.

She carded birdies on holes 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11.

The final point for the Bay team came from Tauranga's Madison Gartner, who won her match 7/5.

Meanwhile, Canterbury secured their two points through Jazmin Rou, who defeated Bulkeley, and Amelia Garvey who defeated Tyla Kingi from Opotiki.

Bay of Plenty Golf women's executive officer Penny Smith said it was exciting to see local golfers perform so well on a national stage.

She said the Bay also won the 2013 Junior Boys Inter-Provincial Championship last week in Cambridge.

"It is very exciting to win the two titles in the one year," she said.

"I think a lot of these girls will definitely try and make the senior team this year and go on and compete around the country."

She said the event would be staged at the Rotorua Golf Club again next year.

Wellington finished third at the tournament followed by Northland, Taranaki, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, North Harbour, Waikato and Manawatu.