Teenage Napier Golfer – recent handicap +3.3
023. Refreshed and ready to start again. This year it starts at Centennial GC in Taupo. Started with a solid 69 and got better with each round. Finished 16 under par after 54 holes winning by 14 shots. 69. 66. 65. Very very proud of my effort this week and ran away with a big win in the end.
Dad and I went over to Queensland in September and I played in the above tournament 16-17 age bracket. At Pacific Golf Club – Brisbane 20th/21st I had rounds of 71 and 68 to be one under par and alone in 3rd place going into the final round.
Final round was delayed a day due to rain so on Friday 23rd, got off to a bad start being 6 over after 8 holes before an eagle and a couple of birdies and bogeys to finish with 74 and tied 3rd.
Great experience traveling and playing overseas. Not the result I wanted but learnt a lot. Hit the ball nicely for 2 days and struggled a little on those big grainy greens.
Played at Tieke Golf Estate in a top field. Opened with a 70 that included 5 birdies and a terrible triple bogey on the par 3 13th. Lying 2nd one off the lead. Second round played really solid and had the best round of the afternoon in awful conditions for 69 to carry a two shot lead into round 3.
Next day in the third round lost my way somewhat when a couple of guys went low, I stumbled with 4 bogeys to shoot 73. Not the worst but not good and I was now two shots behind the leader. Final round and found my swing again. Putted pretty well throughout. With a birdie 2 on 15, I was leading the tournament by 2 shots with three holes to play. Second placed Dale birdied 16 and 17 so we were tied playing the last par 5 – in the near dark. Good tee shot and second to be greenside. Chipped to 7 feet and holed the putt – birdie – and to win the tournament by a shot! Yeah boi.
First attempt at this tournament at a tough course – Wainui Golf Club – and with the new clubs too. Everything came right and I hit the ball really well. I managed 10 birdies and had 3 three putt bogeys on those large undulating greens for a 65 to open a 6 shot lead on a pretty good field. All the birdies were around the 5-10 feet range.
Second round I played just as good with 7 birdies, an eagle and a double bogey for another 65 to win the tournament by 9 shots. Great result – played awesome -love the clubs.
Another local tournament this weekend. OOM even for HB Mens and Junior selections so hoping for some stiff competition. Had a 68 for the first 18, two eagles 3 birdies. Bit unlucky to have a lost ball, another competitor found it later in the day plugged in the middle of the fairway. Had the lead by one shot after 18 so good to feel a bit of pressure. Took control with another eagle and two birdies in the next 9 holes to win by 6 shots at 8 under par.
Onga Onga golf clubs 27 hole tournament. Won this one last year with 65 and a 37 so wanted to try and better that. Very happy with my day shot rounds of 64 and 34 – 8 under total tying the course record with my 64. Won the event 9 shots clear of the field.
Kaimai Classic in Tauranga. Great to get away and play some good courses. Been working hard on course management and had a productive practice round with a few members who were very knowledgeable and very helpful. Had a really good first round at Omanu GC. Did just about everything I wanted to do including sinking some really nice putts for a solid 67. Handy 2 shot lead heading into Sunday. Second round at Mount Manganui GC. Started with a birdie and finished with an eagle. Very happy with my round of 65, even happier that I was able to back up my 67 from the previous day. Won the tournament by 10 shots, happy days and the hard work definitely paid off.
South island Under 19’s at the Russley GC in Christchurch this week. First year in the under 19 division. Tough course, hard and fast undulated greens. Overall, happy with most of my game this week. 73, 70, 73. Hit the ball well, putted well. I’d like 3 or 4 holes back but very proud of the 4 birdies I made in the last 7 holes to take second place. ‘Don’t ever give up. Fight all the way to the end’
First ever Adidas U19 junior 6s held at Royal Wellington GC. What a amazing course and facility. I’d love one of those here in Hawkes Bay. 54 holes then the top two play off for a spot in the Australian finals. Had rounds of 71, 76 and 70 in really wet/rainy conditions. Finished 3rd place in the boys. Pretty disappointed with my week. I played a lot of great golf but made too many simple mistakes which cost me the W. Got to play golf on one of the toughest and prettiest courses that I’ve played so far and I’ll remember the positives and while I don’t really appreciate the negatives it drives me to get better.
Hastings open last week. Went into the tournament feeling good hoping to improve on my 3rd place finish last year.
Ended up a disappointing 6th place. Tee to green I was really happy but struggled reading the greens this week. Hit alot of good putts and had alot of lip outs but they just wouldn’t drop.
Always good to have work ons. Bring on the next tourament