If the majority of team results on the day are anything to go by, this could be the tightest pennants for many years.
As the players were tucking into a hākari and 19th-hole thirst-quenchers, Patutahi (1) were sitting atop the points standings . . . just.
They ended the day on 11 points from a 4-all draw with Tolaga Bay and 7-1 defeat of Patutahi (2).
That the Tahi did it without their top two players — Hukanui Brown and Dwayne Russell — and with Poverty Bay premier club rugby-committed Shayde Skudder available for only the morning round, is testament to their depth.
A large chasing pack is hot on their heels.
Tolaga Bay, the Springs and Poverty Bay are all on 10 points while defending champions Electrinet Park (1) are on nine.
Park (2) are in touching distance on seven and Waikohu collected six points.
Patutahi (2) are languishing in wooden spoon territory, their one point coming from No.1 Chris Beattie’s half with Jace Brown in their afternoon derby.
Waka Donnelly made an impressive debut at the top of the order for Poverty Bay. He eased to a 5 and 4 win over Park (2)’s Bailey Matoe in a 4-all team result. Trailing Waikohu’s David Solomann in the afternoon, Donnelly rattled off a string of birdies and went on to win 4 and 3 in a 6-2 team victory.
PB No.4 Quin Pike also had two comfortable wins despite his lack of competitive golf in recent months.
Park (1) No.1 Daniel Collier was the most empathic winner on the day — cruising past Waikohu’s Terry Reeves 7 and 6 and Park (2)’s Anthony Pahina 5 and 4.
Others to rack up two from two were Glenn Solomann (Waikohu), who won the last three holes for a 1-up defeat of PB (1) David Situ; Craig Christophers (Park 2), whose putter was hotter than a branding iron against Park (1)’s Stewart; Eddie Brown Jr (Patutahi 1); and Tolaga Bay top two Lincoln and Bruce Yates, both of whom won their morning and afternoon matches on the 18th.
Rounds 3 and 4 are at Waikohu on April 27.
Results, Round 1 — Electrinet Park (1) 4 Waikohu 4 (Park names first): Daniel Collier def Terry Reeves 7 and 6, Pete Stewart lost to Dave Solomann 5 and 4, Matt Henwood lost to Glenn Solomann 4 and 3, Ian Loffler def Mike Christophers 3 and 2.
Poverty Bay 4 Electrinet Park (2) 4: Waka Donnelly def Bailey Matoe 5 and 4, David Situ lost to Craig Christophers 8 and 6, Mark Jefferson lost to Marcus Gray 2 and 1, Quin McPike def Anthony Pahina 7 and 6.
Patutahi (1) 4 Tolaga Bay 4: Jace Brown lost to Taine Lincoln 1-down, Regan Hindmarsh lost to Bruce Yates 1-down, Shayde Skudder def Tim Adamson 1-up, Edward Brown Jr def Tere Lincoln 4 and 2.
Te Puia Hot Springs 8 Patutahi (2) 0: William Brown def Chris Beattie 2 and 1, Wade Wesche def Rios Moleta 3 and 2, Thomas Donovan def Silas Brown 1-up, John Wyllie def Hamish Harris 4 and 3.
Round 2 — Park (1) 5 Park (2) 3: Daniel Collier def Anthony Pahina 5 and 4, Peter Stewart lost to Craig Christophers 3 and 2, Matt Henwood def Bailey Matoe 5 and 4, Ian Loffler halved with Marcus Gray.
Patutahi (1) 7 Patutahi (2) 1: Jace Brown halved with Chris Beattie, Regan Hindmarsh def Rios Moleta, Edward Brown Jr def BJ Sidney 5 and 4, Jon Priestley def Hamish Harris 1-up.
Poverty Bay 6 Waikohu 2: Waka Donnelly def David Solomann 4 and 3, David Situ lost to Glenn Solomann 1-down, Mark Jefferson def Terry Reeves 5 and 4, Quin McPike def Ethine Reeves 3 and 2.
Tolaga Bay 6 Te Puia Hot Springs 2: Taine Lincoln def William Brown 1-up, Bruce Yates def Wade Wesche 1-up, Tim Adamson halved with Thomas Donovan, Tere Lincoln halved with John Wyllie.
Overall points: Patutahi (1) 11, Tolaga Bay 10, Te Puia Hot Springs 10, Poverty Bay 10, Electrient Park (1) 9, Park (2) 7, Waikohu 6, Patutahi (2) 1.
