New Zealand Strokeplay champion Mark Hutson capped a top year when North Harbour beat Auckland in the final of the Interprovincial’s Championship.
Hutson headed the North Harbour team which was unbeaten in eight games of the Interprovincials held at the Mangawhai Golf Club in North Auckland last month. It was the 10th year Toro had sponsored the tournament.
Hutson, who has been in the North Harbour team for four years, said being part of a winning team was a rare feeling in golf.
“It feels really cool to be part of a team, golf is such an individual sport — so to do this with all my mates feels great,” Hutson said.
“It’s pretty awesome, the boys have done a fantastic job and haven’t lost a game all week. I couldn’t be more happy for them.”
Hutson had won the New Zealand Strokeplay at Hastings in March, when he led from start to finish, and also been one of the New Zealand representatives in the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Wellington in October.
“It’s been a busy year and I have played a lot of golf. It’s been an awesome ride to be honest and after a few career highlights, I am looking forward to a little rest.”
The final of the Interprovincial became a battle of the bridge with Auckland being North Harbour’s opponent.

North Harbour beat Auckland 3-2 and a feature of the winning side was the record of Jake Lee, playing at No 5, who was beaten only once in the week-long event. In the final Lee cruised to a 5 and 4 win after being an incredible seven under par through 14 holes.
In addition to Lee’s win, North Harbour’s other two winning points in the final came from Hutson and Kevin Koong.
Results from the semi-finals and final were:
FINAL
North Harbour 3 def Auckland 2
Mark Hutson def Johnny Tynan 3&2, Kit Bittle lost to Jared Edwards 3&2, Kevin Koong def Mason Lee 2&1, James Hydes lost to Matty Tiplady 5&4, Jake Lee def Jang Hyun Lee 5&4).
SEMI FINALS
North Harbour 3 defeat Waikato 2
Mark Hutson lost to Charlie Smail 2&1, Kit Bittle def Chris Charlton 5&3, Kevin Koong def Jason Boobyer 4&3, James Hydes def Tyler Wood 3&2, Jake Lee lost to Jordan Woodall 2&1.
Auckland 4 defeat Hawkes Bay 1
Johnny Tynan def Ben Swinburne 3&2, Jared Edwards halved with Mako Thompson, Mason Lee def Adam Winter 1up, Matty Tiplady halved with Tyson Tawera, Jang Hyun lee def Russell Mitchell 1up.