Brown only recently turned 30. This was his third KotC title; the first coming in 2020 when he joined the elite group to have won all three of Poverty Bay-East Coast’s “majors” — the East Coast Open, King of the Coast and Poverty Bay Open.
It was also fitting that in clocking up number three, Brown equalled fellow long-time Poverty Bay-East Coast representative and friend Andrew Higham, who continues his recovery from a serious car accident in Māhia in May.
Only two other players have won more than three KotC titles since the inaugural winner Billy Hill in 1971.
Ross Bignell did it in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1990.
The king of kings, however, is Coast legend the late Peter Rouse who owned this tournament, winning his first KotC in 1974 and his 11th and final one 25 years later.
He is also the only player to have won it three consecutive years — 1984 to 1986 — an achievement Brown will be aiming to emulate when he tees off in the 2024 edition.
The other players to have successfully defended the crown over the years are Waka Donnelly (1987-88) and Pete Bremner
(2009-10).
How many more are in Brown is anyone’s guess. He is young, is striking the ball better than he ever has and has the complete game — a package that is likely to see him at No.1 for Poverty Bay-East Coast at this year’s national interprovincial.
It will not be a surprise if Collier is alongside him. Collier’s performance in his first time at the KotC, while not a shock, proved he has what it takes to compete at the higher level.
And he is keen to be part of the rep scene.
Collier was in the PBEC Interprovincial team at an interprovincial quadrangular in Gisborne two weeks ago and added to his credentials with a couple of major scalps at Tolaga Bay.
His 2 and 1 semifinal win over Patutahi’s Hukanui Brown was particularly satisfying.
“We go back to school days . . . and in the Oligoi (interclub pennants), he has gotten the better of me. It was a good grudge match,” said Collier, a member of the 2023 Oligoi Jug pennants-winning Park team.
Brown started his KotC title defence with a 3 and 2 win over Jason Devery (Electrinet Park), followed by an 18th-hole quarterfinal victory against Tony Akroyd (Park).
He beat 2022 NZ Golf Community Coach of the Year Micky Huriwaka (Ōpōtiki) 2 and 1 in the semifinals.
Collier’s scalps en route to the final were all Patutahi players — Regan Hindmarsh 5 and 4, Dwayne Russell 4 and 3 and Hukanui Brown.
The Tolaga Bay course drew high praise from everyone.
Bruce Yates and his team of volunteers did an outstanding job to present such a playable track considering what the Coast has been through this year.
There was still a lot of water and many a ball went missing, presumably plugged, on and off the fairway, but that was par for the wetness of the course. And the greens were impressively presented.
Coast hospitality was once again at its finest. Abundant crayfish never ceases to amaze the visitors.
A Saturday night auction of a signed Warriors jersey made $520 for the TP Strong 4 Andy fundraiser (for Andrew Higham and his whānau).
King of the Coast
Championship 16 results
Round 1: William Brown (Waikohu) def Jason Devery (Electrinet Park) 3 and 2; Tony Akroyd (Park) def Jace Brown (Patutahi) 2 and 1; Hukanui Brown (Pat) def Terry Reeves (Waikohu) 8 and 6; John Wyllie (Te Puia Springs) def Tuakana August (Kawerau) 6 and 5; Micky Huriwaka (Ōpōtiki) def Neil Hansen (Tolaga Bay) on the 19th; Quin McPike won by walkover; Dwayne Russell def Matt Henwood (Park) 3 and 2; Dan Collier def Regan Hindmarsh 5 and 4.
Quarterfinals: H Brown def Wyllie 5 and 4; Collier def Russell 4 and 3; Huriwaka def McPike 2 and 1; W Brown def Akroyd 1-up.
Semifinals: Collier def H Brown 2 and 1; W Brown def Huriwaka 2 and 1.
Final: W Brown def Collier 2 and 1.
