The temperature was not but the scoring was hot at the 2020 Golf Warehouse Canterbury 4BBB Championship held yesterday at Waimairi Beach Golf Club.
The best field ever seen at the tournament did not disappoint and it was a testament to the quality of the course preparation that players were able to prosper in the calm but cool conditions. Greenkeeper Andrew Grimes and his team set some challenging pins to try and mitigate the length of course but because the greens were running pure, the top players were still able to make many putts of length on the undulating greens.
Although a teams championship there were some outstanding individual scores. The men's field was topped by Matt McLean who shot a brilliant nine under 63 with Zach May and Jordon Latter close behind shooting 65. This was matched by Momoka Kobori for the women who also shot 63, closely followed by Amelia Garvey on 64. Momoka shot an astonishing 29 on the front nine.
In the Men's Championship there was a four-way tie for the title at nine under par. It was shared between Jordan Latter and Kris O'Neill, Zach May and Hayato Miya, Matt McLean and Willie Hamilton, and Reid Hilton and Peter Brinsdon. Players scored well on the front nine with the leaders going through the front nine at five and six under par. The back nine proved more challenging, particularly the par three 12th hole where the pin was tucked in a nasty position just over the front bunker. More bogeys than pars were made here, including a couple of the teams that tied for the title.
In the Women's Championship it seemed that Amelia Garvey and Maddie May would be unbeatable and for a long time in the clubhouse after they had finished, their 62 looked like it would street the field. However in the fading light, the last group on the course containing Momoka Kobori and her young partner Zaria Bourne on a 24 handicap came in, and Momoka's 63 came up one shot short of sharing the title. In third place were Canterbury Reps Catherine Bell and Olive Tapu with 67.
In the clubhouse afterwards, there were many tales told of missed putts and bad bounces as acquaintances were renewed amongst our top echelon of golfers. It was also nice to see many of the parents on the course who had raised and guided these top young players. Yesterday was a great reminder of the depth of golfing talent that has been fostered and exists in the Canterbury region.
Thanks to Ritchie Bath and his team at the Golf Warehouse for sponsoring the tournament, and a special thanks to Waimairi Beach and their members for hosting the tournament despite the recent challenges of COVID-19.
Click here to view the results.
