The Otago masters (over 40) men's golf team had mixed results on the first day of the Freyberg Rosebowl interprovincial on the Ngamotu course in New Plymouth yesterday.
The team went down to Hawkes Bay, winning only one game, but turned the tables in the afternoon, beating Wellington by 3 to 2.
Otago No1 Andrew Hobbs was the star, showing some of his best form in beating Bay's Tony Sutherland with five holes to spare in the morning.
Hobbs turned four ahead and continued his momentum on the homeward run, forging further ahead with a birdie at the 11th hole.
In the afternoon, Hobbs continued his good form, downing Wellington's top player, Malcolm Gullery, by 4 and 3.
At No2, Stephen Hitchcox had a tough match with Hawkes Bay No2 Gary Campbell which was all square at the turn.
But Campbell went ahead early on the homeward nine and when Hitchcox three-putted on the 14th green, Campbell extended his lead to three.
In the afternoon, Hitchcox was 4-under-par, giving Wellington's John Warrington a golf lesson which finished with five holes to spare.
Simon Boland lost his first match on debut to Nick Radonich but came from behind, winning 14, 15 and 16 for a 2 and 1 win over Michael Trass.
Greg Johnson (No4) was one up at the turn in his morning match but David Wilkinson (Hawkes Bay) birdied 10, 12, 14 and 15 to win on the 16th green.
In the afternoon, Johnson turned two ahead but lost four of the next five holes with some wayward driving.
Johnson got back to one down with a birdie at the 15th but Darin Hiroki chipped in for a birdie on the 16th on his way to closing out the game.
Gary Creedy took the early lead over Wellington No 5 Paul Beachen but lost the initiative with four bogeys on the homeward run.
Beachen made pars to win by a margin of two on the final green.
Otago is keen to make it two from three when the team meets Northland this afternoon after sitting out the third round this morning with a bye.
