Golf: Rain doesn't put dampener on North Island champs

North Island Amateur Stroke-play champions Rose Zheng and Jake Meerhorst.

As rain cancelled the final round on Saturday afternoon, tensions were high in the third round of the North Island Amateur Stroke Play Championships at Waitangi Golf Club.

Local Taylor Gill held a one-shot lead after the second round of the Men's Championships on Friday, from Titirangi's Johnny Tynan (Titirangi), with Jake Meenhorst of Huapai sitting another stroke back.

With 10 players within seven strokes of the lead the final two rounds were expected to be tight on Saturday, however heavy rain late in the morning caused the final afternoon round to be cancelled. The final groups were advised as they played the 13th and 14th holes of the third round, leading to a tense battle over the final holes.

Excellent golf from Jake Meenhorst with a 71 in difficult conditions enabled him to move ahead of Gill and Tynan to win the trophy and gold medal with a total 212, four under par.

The round of the day on Saturday went to Chang Gi Lee (Pupuke) moving him into second to take the silver medal with a total score of 214, two under par.

Johnny Tynan held on for third, despite a final round 76 to win the bronze medal with a total of 216, level par and one stroke ahead of Taylor Gill and Sul Im (Huapai)

Jake Meenhorst joins the ranks of past winners of the Men's North Island Stroke Play Champions, which include Danny Lee in 2008 and Ryan Fox in 2011.

In the Women's Championships, Pakuranga's Rose Zheng had a two-shot lead after two rounds and maintained her position as all three players in the last Women's group shot 76 in the final round.

Zheng won the title and gold medal with a three-round score of 221. Brittney Dryland of Titirangi finished second on 223 to win silver. Gulf Harbour's Ela Grimwood won the bronze on 224.

Despite the weather-affected finish the event was a great success with 69 players, their families and friends coming to the Bay of Islands for the three days. Waitangi Golf Club is proud to have hosted the 2015 and 2016 Championships and recognises the hard work of all members who volunteered as starters and spotters. NZ Golf has confirmed their confidence with the club being appointed to host the 2017 North Island Men's and Women's Stroke Play Championships, which are scheduled from September 14-17.