Interview with Te Rongopai Clay

I caught up with Te Rongopai for an interview at her home club, Titahi Bay GC:

Congratulations on being selected for your first NZ team. You’ve always been strong at match play, how important was winning the NZ U19 Championship, a stroke play event, to you?

It was really good, I’ve never felt as confident at stroke play as match play so winning gave me a lot of confidence...Playing the final round with Julianne (Alvarez) helped me...I turned it into match play against her

Do you think that win was a major contributor to your selection?

Definitely...it definitely boosted my chances

What do you put your improvements in stroke play this year down to?

I’ve improved my short game a lot...I don’t get as mad at having bad holes as much as I used to, I just focus on making birdies to get it back now...my focus has definitely improved

What are you looking forward to most about playing in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival?

Playing in a different country, on a different course and with different people...Playing for NZ is pretty cool too!

The Women’s Interprovincials are coming up, how are you feeling about the team’s chances?

Good! The team has been working really hard, everyone’s really excited to get going...We just want to win...everyone in the team wants to win

You’ve managed to move up from number 5 in the team 2 years ago to number 2 this year; does this add more pressure for you?

Nah, not in match play...if you play badly you can lose at 5 as easily as at 2...Playing higher you just need to play consistently and be more patient

What are your plans between now and the interprovincials?

Exams! Most are next week so I have been studying and going to the gym this week. Once my exams finish I’ll have plenty of time to practice every day before we go

With the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in mid January, does it mean more practice and less partying over Christmas?

I’m going to Whakatane with family. I’ve joined a club up there so I can practice and I will play 2 events while I’m there, including the Maori Nationals...have to win my title back!

Thanks TR. Best of luck for all your upcoming golf. I know you’ll do yourself and Wellington proud.