Anaru Reedy, Dan Collier, Tony Akroyd and Pete Stewart — the same four who won the 2022 final — once again stepped up on the biggest stage with an emphatic performance against the Bay’s Glenn Morley, Mark Jefferson, Quin McPike and David Situ.
An emotional Reedy spoke on behalf of the team at the prize-giving on a day on which fallen comrade Andrew Higham was prominent in the thoughts of many.
Long-time Poverty Bay-East Coast representative and Te Puia Springs stalwart Higham remains seriously injured in hospital after a car crash the morning after competing in Round 7 and the semifinals of the Oligoi Jug at Mahia Golf Club two weeks ago.
Reedy acknowledged “our mate Andy” and his family.
“Big support and love to you all. It’s really tough to come here and play and not have Andy here because he’s been such a big part of the family, and our love and support goes out to him and his family.”
Higham, a former Poverty Bay Open champion and multiple senior club championship title winner at Te Puia and Poverty Bay, would have been impressed with how Park went about their business of seeing off Poverty Bay — particularly No.2 Collier in his match with Jefferson.
With his late “Papa” Chic Brown watching “from above” and Nana Freida from the sideline for part of the match, Collier crushed Jefferson 12 and 11. It wasn’t that Jefferson was poor, rather Collier was impeccable.
He started with nine straight pars to be 2-up, then threw four birdies at his opponent on the back nine to be 7-up after 18 holes.
“I really wanted to play well for my Papa Chic, who would have been watching for sure.”
No.3 Akroyd carved out an even larger halfway lead against McPike. The pair were
all-square after nine holes but Akroyd won eight of the next nine-holes to be 8-up after 18.
“I holed some bombs on him which always helps,” Akroyd said. He played much better in the arvo. I just had to maintain the lead till the end.”
That came on the 32nd hole.
Stewart got his nose in front against Situ and stayed there. He was only 1-up after 14 holes but won 16 and 18 to be 3-up at lunch.
”It see-sawed in the arvo till I won 12, 13 and then 14. I did what I had to do ,” said Stewart, who shook hands on the 32nd.
Reedy trailed Morley 1-down after 10 holes but said he took advantage of mistakes to be 4-up after 18. He went on to win 8 and 7.
While four of them flew the Park flag in the final, there were others who contributed to their journey to the final — Silas Brown, who played in most of their ties, and Sel Peneha.
Reedy thanked all the Park players for their “wonderful contribution”.
“I’m very proud of the boys and what they have done.”
He also thanked their supporters, the other clubs and Poverty Bay Golf Club for producing a “fantastic” course for the finals.
“The greens were spectacular.”
He made special mention of “our young men” who played over the series — in particular teenagers Zach Rolls (Park 2), Marcus Gray (Park 2) and Auckland-based Glenn Solomann (Waikohu).
“You guys have been absolutely awesome — a breath of fresh air to this competition. I can’t wait to see how you are going to do in the future.”
Patutahi (1) team member and Oligoi organiser Dwayne Russell won the Sportsman Trophy as player of the pennants.
He dedicated the trophy to Higham, who won seven matches in a row — including a Round 1 win over Russell — before losing to Akroyd in the semifinals.
The day also featured positional playoffs among the other Oligoi teams and was the final round of the Endeavour men’s interclub handicap pennants.
Poverty Bay won the Endeavour title in a sudden-death putt-off against Park (1).
