It was a perfect starts for the NSW Blues Men’s Team with back to back wins on the opening day of the Australian Interstate Teams Matches at Tasmania Golf Club.
Earlier this morning, the Blues made short work of the Northern Territory with a six matches to one win to kick things off in a bright start to their 2019 campaign.
Debutants Jye Pickin (2&1) and James Conran (3 & 1) got their interstate careers off to the best start with sound wins, before Jordie Garner, Blake Windred and Josh Armstrong ensured the points.
Win of the morning undoubtedly belonged to the St. Michael’s tyro, Harrison Crowe who accounted for NT opponent 8&7.
The Blues afternoon match, however, was a far tougher affair against last years’ finalists, Queensland. It was a hard-fought affair which didn’t disappoint with NSW winning 4 1/2 to 2 1/2.
Debutants
New South Wales third debutant, Lucas Higgins, came into the team for the first time against his former state.
Higgins fought hard all the way, and except for a miscued tee shot on his penultimate hole, it would have been a dream start to his time in blue.
Crowe, who led the NSW Boys Team to interstate glory just under a month ago, put another mark in the win column beside his name, accounting for Joel Stahlhut.
A string of four birdies in a row was too much for his opponent, and he recorded a decisive 6&4 win.
THE Duntryleague and Pymble Golf Club representative looks like a golfer who belongs at this level.
Jordie Garner was unlucky to finish with a half in his match after encountering an errant piece of wood on his final hole. Unable to get club on the ball, he could do little more than try and bump it towards the edge of the green. The bogey left him rueing the opportunity.
Fightback
The all-important point was secured with by turn-around wins from Nathan Barbieri and team co-captain, Blake Windred.
The pair, who were both well down early, fought back to grab a pair of satisfying wins.
WIndred, who was two down after six holes, and Barbieri, who for most of the afternoon looked out of sorts, recorded wins of 3&2 and two up at the end to endure the ideal day one start for NSW.
Windred was a relieved man after his match, saying he had to dig deep.
“It feels pretty awesome. We made a few birdies and a couple of eagles.
“I was telling the boys that against Queensland we needed to fire up, and we did.
“It was our first big win for the week, so I’m sure we will go onto some bigger and better things.”
