The 32nd SBS Bank Golf Invitational stroke play team’s championship at Invercargill Golf Club Otatara, gets underway tomorrow and local district Southland will be looking to make it a trio of wins in the provincial tournament.
Southland have taken the title on two occasions, firstly in the Inaugural tournament in 1977 and the next in 1985.
With four players returning from the team that made the semi finals at the Toro in Nelson at the end of 2008, Southland will be hoping to end the 24 year drought. They will be further boosted by Liam Balneaves in the number one spot despite missing the experience of Toro Team member Tyler Mclean.
Auckland are the defending champions and have won the tournament a total of eight times. Their 2008 triumph was built on a fine team effort in the final round led by Van Wright with a one-under 71, 74 to Leighton James and Seve Ha and 75 to Ryan Fox. However due to some key players missing due to representative duties the 2009 team has a brand new look but will be fiercely defending Auckland’s title.
Wellington again look strong with New Zealand Amateur and Strokeplay champions Thomas Spearman Burn and James Betts. A new look Bay of Plenty team will enter a provincial championship without stalwart Mark Smith for the first time in many years.
Tournament Director Dave Mangan is preparing for a tournament that he believes is all to play for in this weekend,
"The title is really up for grabs this year, with many new look teams. The locals Southland will be very strong and I’m sure will want to back up from their solid showing at the Toro on familiar grounds here down in Invercargill.
“Wellington have had a good run of late and will be spearheaded by Tom Spearman Burn and James Betts who performed so well at last years Amateurs.
“North Harbour and Waikato have pretty much unchanged teams from the Toro, they will be tough, and I'm sure Auckland will have aspirations to go back to back."
Preparations for the SBS Bank Golf Invitational Tournament are almost compete and Mangan is more than impressed with the Invercargill course,
"The Invercargill Golf Course is a great test of golf and is in superb condition.
“The fairways can’t be faulted and the greens are running true. It should make for another wonderful championship.”
Each district in New Zealand sends a five man team to compete over four rounds of stroke play. With 36 holes played each day at the tough Invercargill Golf Club, the team that wins this event are crowned champions. The four best scores are counted each day.
Players had their first look at the course today when they competed in an Am Am event.
Rounds one and two will be played on Saturday 7th March 2009.
Rounds three and four will be played on Sunday 8th March 2009.
