Local amateur Mako Thompson has won the 2017 New Zealand Age Group Championship with a clinical birdie, birdie finish at his secondary course, the Hastings Golf Club. With one hole to play, he was tied with Hiroki Miya before making the decisive birdie to be crowned the under 19 champion. This historic stroke play event was first played in 1962 and Thompson now joins some great names on the trophy. They include the likes of Greg Turner (1981), Michael Campbell (1987), Michael Long (1988), Adam Scott (1996), Steven Bowditch (2000) and Jason Day (2004). Miya was consistant throughout the week with a final round of 70 not quite enough to win the title but a great achievement finishing runner-up. Brother Hayato Miya also had a memorable week winning the under 15 section with consistant rounds of 74, 74, 75, while Kazuma Kobori also had a top finish in the men's under 17 section finishing in third position.
Amelia Garvey had an amazing second round of 67 (7 under par) to put herself in contention for the title but Ayean Cho (Sherwood Park) was at the top of her game to win the championship on 14 under par with Garvey at nine under par for the three rounds. Russley's Juliana Hung finished tied for fourth.
Great performance by Canterbury players at the NZ U19's Championships played this week.
Amelia Garvey 2nd overall finishing on -9 72, 67, 74
Juliana Hung 4th overall 74, 72, 76
Hiroki Miya 2nd overall 71, 74, 70
Hayato Miya 1st U15 74, 74, 75
Kazuma Kobori 3rd U17 82, 71, 70
Click here to view the full men's leaderboard.
Click here to view the full women's leaderboard.
