5 Peat- Auckland Women win the New Zealand Interprovincials

Auckland continue their dominance at the New Zealand Women’s Interprovincials, winning their fifth title in a row at Akarana Golf Club.

They faced a valiant Canterbury outfit in the final but were too good for the southerners who were looking to replicate the Canterbury men’s victory last week.

They beat Canterbury 5 – 0 in a fairly lopsided final.

The hometown champions have now won nine of the last 10 New Zealand Women’s Interprovincials, creating all kinds of history at the event in the process.

Co-captain and Auckland number three Carmen Lim says it’s never easy winning this event, so to win five in a row feels really special.

“This feels really good. I’m really proud of the way we played all week, I had a lot of fun and I know the rest of the team did as well,” she says.

They got out of the blocks quickly with their number five Grace Jung making the turn at 4up. She had plenty of back-up behind her with co-captain Lim also being 4up, and number two and reigning New Zealand Amateur champion Fiona Xu also being 4up through nine.

That left Canterbury a mountain to climb if they were to turn things around and win the title.

Canterbury number four Catherine Bell was playing her part for the visitors being 1up over Caryn Khoo who was sharing leadership duties with Lim for the Auckland side. Canterbury number one Momoka Kobori also made the turn at 2up to give Canterbury a glimmer of hope.

However, today was Auckland’s day as those matches quickly swung around in Auckland’s favour.

After Jung recorded a 6&5 win, Lim winning 4&3, and Xu winning 6&5 the tournament was already theirs. Khoo swung her match around to win 2&1 and number one Vivian Lu won her final hole to win 1up over Kobori.

Co-captain Khoo says the unique team aspect of this event seems to lift the Aucklanders up every year.

“We feel so supported by the team when we are out there. There is plenty of good energy and it’s easy to lift for your teammates when we are all competing for the same trophy.

“We gel as a team really well. Throughout the year we all play individually, and this is one of a few chances we get to play as a team and I think we come together really well,” Khoo says.

Auckland number one Vivian Lu was awarded Player of the Tournament honours as she won six of eight games in the top spot.