Golf glory for Ngahinapouri

HEADING FOR THE TOP: Waikato division two pennant winners Ngahinapouri, from left, front row: Hayden Jones, Drew Ridley, Justin Morris; back row: Aaron Beal, Bevan Jones, Matt Veen. Absent from photo: Squad members Ken Veen, Martin Reid. Photo supplied.

‘Baby ‘of team rips in eagle putt to clinch country club’s promotion to division one

By Colin Thorsen

History was created at Ngahinapouri Golf Club on Sunday when the host team won promotion into Waikato division I pennant for the first time next season.

The Ngahinapouri team, with an average age of just 18, could well be the youngest side to ever enter division one. It will also be the first time in the club’s 76-year history that it has had a team in the top pennant division.

It took a herculean effort by captain Drew Ridley (22), Hayden Jones (15), Justin Morris (16), Aaron Beal (21), Matt Veen (17) and Bevan Jones (18) to beat Hamilton II 5-4 in the division two final. The match had all the excitement and intensity expected.

The outcome went down to the wire with the last two players playing the 18th hole. Ngahinapouri needed a half to clinch the team win, or face another play-off which they had to do a fortnight ago at Tokoroa, also against Hamilton.

Hayden Jones was one down going into the 18th and needed to win the hole to gain the required half. Both players were short of the green with their second shots on the par five hole. The Hamilton player chipped first, leaving himself less than a two metre birdie putt for the win.

But, with a full gallery watching, and managers and convenors preparing for a playoff, youngest Ngahinapouri team member Hayden Jones took his time. There was absolute silence as he played his shot, then a thunderous roar from team members and supporters as slowly but surely the ball went into the hole for an eagle, and a team win.

Waikato Golf executive officer Robin Fulton was lavish in his praise of the achievement by the host team.

“They’re mainly home grown products, who learned their golf at Ngahinapouri. It’s not that long ago that they were all in junior pennant ranks.”

Mr Fulton says it is a tribute to the club’s excellent junior programmes over the past few years, headed by Kam Sanders and her husband Brian, that the team has progressed to finally reach division one.

“They will probably struggle, in their first year up in division one, against the top clubs but should be competitive with those in the bottom half of the competition. Give them two or three years in the top grade and they will be formidable opposition.”