New South Wales win Intersate Teams Series
BY iseekgolf.com | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2007 Australian Interstate Teams Matches | Round Five | 21 Sep 2007
New South Wales has put on a week-long show of golf to claim a third successive Interstate Series while also taking out honours in the Colts at Launceston and Mowbray Golf Clubs respectively.
The defending champs were pushed all the way, forced to win on Friday’s final day to ensure victory over a determined Queensland side.
New South Wales Team Manager Stuart Cox said, “The boys played very well this week. Their short game was probably the highlight of the week and they have been very well prepared by coach Alex Mercer.”
“We had some nervous moments today but won the morning foursomes 3-1 which made Queensland’s life difficult. The Singles were closer in the afternoon, but we managed to hold on well and win.”
Cox paid special tribute to the course and those behind the scenes that made the event possible.
“The courses used this week have been brought up to an excellent standard and the help from officials and volunteers has been tremendous. The boys played the competition in excellent spirit and we have loved every moment.”
New South Wales entered the day narrowly ahead of Queensland and knew that a win would be enough to seal victory. The boys set about the job at hand with enthusiasm and had all but wrapped it up after taking a 3-1 advantage into the afternoon session.
Despite the best efforts of Queensland to halt their opponents, New South Wales wrapped it up with Tim Stewart and Rohan Blizard putting the icing on the cake in their respective singles matches.
Queensland remained in second place despite the loss while South Australia snatched third position with a narrow win over Tasmania. The South Australians went ahead 3-1 after the morning foursomes and held on resiliently as the hosts brought the fight to them. Remarkably, five of the seven singles matches were squared which highlights what an evenly matched contest it was.
Western Australia managed to hold on to fourth spot after a thrilling final day battle with Victoria. The boys from the west were dominant in the foursomes and had to withstand a late charge from Victoria which balanced the ledge at five and a half points each.
Rick Kulacz and Matt Jager recorded valuable wins for Western Australia while Tom Prowse was most dominant in his 5&3 victory over Brody Ninyette, but despite the thrilling climax to the contest, both teams would be disappointed they were not playing off for a higher position.
New South Wales was just as emphatic over Queensland in the Colts, running out winners by five matches. The champs got off to a solid start in the foursomes before claiming four of the five singles matches to stamp their authority on the event and wrest the title from rivals Victoria.
The Vics would be disappointed with their fifth placed finish after losing to Western Australia on the final day. Despite not taking an advantage in the morning session, Western Australia was ruthless in the singles, taking four of the five matches to finish in second place overall, just half a contest behind the winners.
South Australia meanwhile sealed third spot with a final day win over host state Tasmania, equal on contests with Western Australia but three matches behind.
Source – Golf Australia
