The Otago men's masters (over-40) golf team had a forgettable start to this year's Freyberg Rosebowl tournament, going down to Tasman 1-4 yesterday morning.
The team needed a good start as its afternoon opponent, Bay of Plenty, is one of the strongest teams, winning the event in 2013 and 2015.
Otago managed only a single half against the Bay quintet, leaving the team with no points and 1.5 games.
Recent incessant rain in Auckland has left the 6146m par 71 Whitford Park course with sodden fairways invoking an unprecedented one club placing from tee to green, although the greens remained fast rating at 12 on the Stimpmeter.
Otago No1 Andrew Hobbs was the only player to post a win, beating Tasman identity Glen Drummond 3 and 2.
At No2, Stephen Hitchcox had some loose tee shots which proved costly and he lost to Craig Newman on the 16th green.
Simon Hollyer (No3) was up early in the afternoon but turned square before missing the final green and failing to get up and down, losing to Blair Bavin.
Ken Shaw (No4) was also square at the turn, but had tree trouble on the homeward nine and lost on the penultimate green.
At No5, Gary Creedy had a tough start, losing three balls before going down to John Murray 6 and 5.
In the afternoon, Hollyer made a good start which the Bay's Steve Heberley pegged back before slotting a 2m putt on the final green to halve to contest.
Hobbs, Hitchcox, Shaw and Creedy all lost their afternoon matches, leaving Otago with some work to do today against North Harbour and Manawatu-Whanganui
It will play defending champion Auckland tomorrow morning.
