Rep call-up a shock for teen Tessa

TEENAGER Tessa McDonald is set to add her name to an elite list of Gisborne players to compete at the national interprovincial women’s tournament.
The 16-year-old was this week named as travelling reserve for the six-woman Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay squad for the week-long matchplay event at Whakatane Golf Club from December 6-10.
If she gets to play — and that is more likely than not — she will be the first Gisborne golfer to swing a club at the nationals since Aimee Keelan and Karen Hay in 2001.
Gisborne Girls’ High student McDonald said she was “shocked” at her call-up which comes just a few weeks after making her senior provincial debut at the Sybil Green Salver in Stratford.
Two wins from her three matches at No. 8 in the team convinced selector/manager Anne Coles she was worthy of her sudden elevation to the biggest women’s amateur teams’ event on the New Zealand domestic golf calendar.
“We have been monitoring her progress,” Coles said. “Her performance impressed us very much.”
It was natural to show a few nerves first time out but Coles said there were no signs of that.
Coles can bring Tessa into the playing five at any time during the tournament.
“I can’t say for sure if I will — it will depend on a lot of factors — but it would be good to give her an opportunity.”
McDonald, who plays off an eight handicap at Gisborne Park, is easily the youngest in a squad featuring Janie Field (Napier) — a veteran of many national interprovincial tournaments.
Golf will be her diet over the next few weeks. Coach Dave Keown has put together a training schedule aimed at having her as prepared as possible.
Gisborne players in the HBPB team have been few and far between in recent decades but have made their mark when given the chance.
Keelan had a superb record of six wins and a loss at No. 5 in 2001 while Hay had three wins, a half and three losses.
The 2011 HBPB squad are Kate Chadwick (Napier), Jamie McIvor (Maraenui), Angela Jones (Waipawa), Field (Napier), Lynne Roberts (Hastings), McDonald (travelling reserve) and Kathy Olsen (Maraenui, non-travelling reserve).
They face Aorangi, Otago, Southland, Waikato, Auckland and Canterbury in their group. The top two from each of the two groups qualify for the semifinals.
HBPB were seventh overall last year.