The Otago men's golf team had mixed fortunes on the first day of competition of the Freyberg Masters (over-40) interprovincial which was played in blustery winds on the Chisholm Links yesterday.
Otago made a comfortable start with a 4½ to ½ win over Poverty Bay-East Coast in the morning but went down to a strong Wellington quintet by 1½ to 3½ in the afternoon.
The afternoon match was close all the way with Otago looking in good shape early on the back nine.
But several Otago golfers haemorrhaged holes coming home, giving Wellington golfers the opportunity to snatch valuable wins.
In the morning Otago No 1 Andrew Hobbs had a tough battle with Anaru Reedy in a match which see-sawed throughout the round.
Hobbs trailled by one after 17 holes but made an impressive birdie 3 on the final hole to snatch the half.
Stephen Hitchcox won three of the first five holes against Poverty Bay No 2 Colin Jeffrey but he fought back to get back to square with six holes to play.
Hitchcox put the pressure on, winning three holes in a row to be dormie three ahead and posted a 3 and 2 win when the pair halved the 16th hole.
On debut, Peter Rae had his first masters win playing at No 3 at the expense of Brent Colbert.
He started poorly, losing the first three holes but fought back to be tied at the turn.
Wins on 10, 15 and 17 gave the Chisholm Links golfer a 3 and 1 win to ensure a tie with the Bay. In another tight tussle, John McIntee finished strongly to post a final hole win over Poverty Bay's No 4 Peter Anderson.
Otago No 5 Gary Creedy turned one ahead of Simon Jeune but took control, winning the first three holes on the homeward nine.
He lost the 16th hole but still posted a crucial win on the next green giving Otago four wins and a-half.
In the afternoon Creedy posted his second win at the expense of Wellington reserve John Warrington, who filled in for the regular No 5 Frank Borren.
He was ahead shortly after the turn but Warrington fought back to be square with one hole to play.
Creedy made an impressive birdie 3 on the final hole to give him two wins for the day.
Wellington No 4 Martin Webber won the final two holes sinking a 3m birdie putt on the final green to halve with Otago's Hitchcox.
But that was as good as it got with Peter Rae (No 3) and John McIntee (No 4) both going down on the 17th green.
No 1 Hobbs did some hard work to wind down a deficit and get back to square but he lost the final two holes for Otago's third loss.
Otago cannot get straight back on the horse as the team has a bye this morning before meeting a strong Waikato quintet this afternoon.
