The final of the Junior Interclub Matchplay was hosted at Christchurch Golf Club yesterday pitting the defending champions Templeton against the Russley Girls team. These teams finished the round robin competition in 3rd and 4th places amongst the 9 teams entered but had prevailed against their higher seeded rivals, Russley Boys and Weedons Red in the semi-final.
Christchurch as usual presented a real test of golf, fast greens and punishing rough, for these budding junior golfers ranging in handicap from 2 to 25. The junior interclub matchplay is the steppingstone for the provinces juniors to then enter the senior matchplay competitions, as demonstrated by Cooper Moore the #1 amateur in Canterbury and New Zealand, who last played in the competition 5 years ago.
Templeton #3, Kahil Murta was the first to get a victory against Kayna Panghal, 7&6. The 10 shots he received in handicap was a telling factor as well as constantly hitting fairways and keeping his ball in play. Meanwhile the battle of the #4’s between Lucas Lin and Momoka Hudson was a very close match. Momoka had been unbeaten in the round robin. Lucas was feeling the pressure all square playing the 16th and his tee shot was closer to the rough than the centre of the fairway. The only time Lucas was in the rough was looking for lost golf balls. News then came to the front group that Templeton #2 Hugo Thomson had defeated Angela Sun 5&4, all Templeton needed was a half to secure victory, however the two remaining matches were no certainty. Momoka 1up playing the last ended up shooting a net 68 but Lucas’s par on the 18th was enough to claim a hard-fought half and victory for Templeton. Meanwhile the #1’s Isabella Lin (older sister of Lucas) and Kashvi Panghal (older sister of Kayna) continued to trade birdies and ended their match also square.
A huge shoutout to the courses that hosted this year’s competition, the players who excelled with some great golf, the managers and parents who give their time to support the players.
Well done Templeton 3-1 winners and back to back victories. View the full competition results – HERE.
The prize giving and medal presentation had a guest appearance from Cooper Moore who was practicing before he travels overseas to play in Europe including St Andrews.
