Auckland continued their dominance of the New Zealand Women’s Interprovincials by winning their fifth title in a row at Akarana Golf Club on Saturday.
Facing a valiant Canterbury outfit in the final, Auckland was too good for the southerners defeating them 5 – 0 in a lopsided final.
The hometown champions have now won nine of the last 10 New Zealand Women’s Interprovincials, creating all kinds of history in the process.
Co-captain Caryn Khoo said the unique team aspect of this event lifts the Aucklanders up every year.
“We feel so supported by the team when we are out there,” Khoo said.
“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.”
Fellow Co-captain and Auckland number three Carmen Lim said 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,” Lim said.
Auckland 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 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 Khoo.
Canterbury number one Momoka Kobori also made the turn at 2up to give Canterbury a glimmer of hope.
However, it 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.
Auckland number one Vivian Lu was awarded Player of the Tournament as she won six of eight games in the top spot.
Auckland went through the tournament with a perfect undefeated recorded, with their last loss coming at the hands of Manawatu-Whanganui in 2019.
2020 NZ Women’s Interprovincial Championships
Semi-finals
Auckland defeated North Harbour 3/2
Canterbury defeated Bay of Plenty 3.5/1.5
Final
Auckland defeated Canterbury 5/0
