Captain Cane: Interprovincials the reason I came back to playing golf

Jonathan Cane has been part of four winning teams at the New Zealand Interprovincials Championship.
That in itself is an amazing feat, especially when it is spread over 15 years. So when Cane says the Interprovincials are one of the pinnacles of amateur golf in New Zealand, he is simply not making polite comment.
Cane was the captain of the Wellington team that won the Interprovincials at Ngamotu in New Plymouth last month. Ironically it was at the same course in 2001 where Cane won his first Interprovincial and there was no hiding of his emotions at the latest win.
“It’s an amazing feeling,’’ Cane said.
“Fifteen years to the dot since I first started playing (the tournament) and 2010 since Wellington last won it. I can’t really describe it.”
The Interprovincials provide the rare opportunity for golfers to be part of a team instead of playing as an individual. Cane said that simply magnifies the delight of victory.
“Everyone here has put in the utmost effort and deserve every bit, from the management to the reserves and family,’’ he said.
“We had to play some of the best golf of our life to do it against some great sides so it feels pretty special.”
Cane had more than a decade away from the game before his return a few years ago. The camaraderie of the Interprovincials was one of the reasons he came back to game, he said.
“To be honest this is the reason I came back playing. I had 12 or 13 years off and the thing I missed the most was the Wellington teams.
“I have played for New Zealand and it’s amazing, but you don’t forget these moments. This is my fourth win and it means no less than the other three, so it’s pretty special.’’
Wellington played Otago in the final but it turned out a one-sided affair. Wellington crushed Otago 5-0.
Elton Nicholson, playing at No 3 for Wellington, was the first to log a win in the final after he defeated Inia Logan 5 and 4.
Wellington’s second win came when No 5 Kerry Mountcastle, who had been in top form throughout the week, defeated Chris Snow 3 and 2.

With Cane and Wellington No 4 Ben Slaven also holding handy advantages, it was just going to be just a matter of time before the win was declared as the players approached the last holes.
That proved to be the case with No 1 Daniel Hillier not required to end his match against Fraser MacLachlan. Hillier was two up as they played the 15th hole when it was confirmed Cane and Slaven had won their matches.
Earlier in the day, Otago had caused a minor upset when they ousted two-time defending Interprovincial champions Waikato in the semi-finals. Wellington had beaten North Harbour in the other semi-final.
Waikato had been unbeaten through the week and were the favourites to take out a third successive title. But three halved matches at the top of the order and two Otago wins at No 4 and No 5 saw Otago prevail 3-1/2 to 1-1/2.
Results:-
Semi-finals: Wellington beat North Harbour 3-2: Daniel Hillier beat Jason Gulasekharam 4 and 3, Jonathan Cane halved with Cameron Jones, Elton Nicholson beat Chang-Gi Lee 4 and 3, Ben Slaven lost to Mark Hutson 5 and 4, Kerry Mountcastle halved with Jake Meenhorst.
Otago beat Waikato 3-1/2 to 1-1/2: Fraser MacLachlan halved with Luke Toomey, Brendon Hodgson halved with Nick Coxon, Inia Logan halved with Matt Morris, Michael Smith beat Charlie Smail 1up, Chris Snow beat Chris Charlton 3 and 1.
Final: Wellington 5 Otago 0: Hillier beat MacLachlan, Cane beat Hodgson 4 and 3, Nicholson beat Logan 5 and 4, Slaven beat Smith 2 and 1, Mountcastle beat Snow 3 and 2.