Bay of Plenty thrills hometown support in men’s Interprovincials

Caption: The Bay of Plenty team from left to right: Hayden White, Mike Campbell (manager), Mitchell Kale, Jordan Golding (captain with trophy), Shaun Campbell, Nathan Clark, Wilson Simmonds. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Bay of Plenty won its first New Zealand Men’s Interprovincial title in a decade in front of hundreds of it's home supporters at Omanu Golf Club in Tauranga last month.

The last time a Bay of Plenty side won the national matchplay competition was in 2012 at Otago Golf Club. Since then, it has developed a brand new team and returned to their winning ways at home, defeating Auckland in a tense final that came down to the wire.

Bay of Plenty won 3.5-1.5, but the match was decided on the final hole between the number one’s Mitchell Kale of Bay of Plenty and Auckland’s Joshua Bai.

Bay of Plenty had already locked up 2.5 points following 4 & 3 victories from it's captain and No 5, Jordan Golding, and No 4, Hayden White, while No 2 Shaun Campbell secured a vital half. Kale needed a half against Bai to secure a victory but went one better, winning the final hole and secure an emotional victory for one of the most successful teams in the competition history.

Golding said it was incredible feeling to win in front of it's home crowd.

“We are absolutely stoked,’’ Golding said.

``It was amazing to see all the support out there, and it’s probably the biggest crowd I’ve seen around Omanu. It feels amazing to do it in front of them.

“It’s different playing in front of your home supporters. We felt an extra bit of pressure all week, which we tried to convert into positive energy. I think that certainly helped us get over the line today. It was tight, and thankfully, we were able to do it for them.”

The past decade has been tough for Bay of Plenty which hadn’t made a final since 2013.

Golding hopes the victory repaid all those who have helped the province get back to it's winning ways.

“It’s been a long ten years for the district,’’ Golding added.

``We were dominant in this event for several years and since then, we have been rebuilding. Over the last couple of years, we felt we’d finally got a group of guys that would be around for a little while. It’s awesome to get over the line and pay back what a lot of people in the district have done for us over the many years, and it was extra special that we were able to do it at home.''

The player of the tournament went to Shaun Campbell, who went through the tournament undefeated at No 2 for Bay of Plenty, winning seven and a half out of eight matches. The record of the tournament went to Mitchell Kale who won seven out of eight at No 1 for Bay of Plenty.

The New Zealand men’s and women’s Interprovincials returns to Wellington next year, with the two events being staged at Paraparaumu Beach and Waikanae.