Golf: Boys' High seek title double

Whangarei Boys' High School's top young golfers have returned to the World School's Golf Challenge in Thailand to defend the title they won last year.

Boys' High's top eight golfers, who have been split into two teams, tee off today as they complete four rounds of golf, each on a different course, over four days in the southwest Hua Hin region of Thailand.

Last year, Boys' High won the team gross competition in Melbourne and have returned with high hopes of defending their gross title, and looking to snatch up the net prize also.

Whangarei Boys' High School Old Boys' Association secretary Greg Weaver said it would be a tough ask for the boys but thankfully the community had got behind them and helped them on their way.

"To do so [win both disciplines], they will have to cope with teams from as far afield as England and India and also South Africa, Thailand, Zimbabwe and Australia - plus, of courses, several other teams from New Zealand.

"Getting there is no small feat, and one of the biggest hurdles in front of many of these young men has been the funds required to go."

Weaver said that while each student had done their own fundraising, the Old Boys' Association held a golf tournament to help out. A tournament in February raised $8000 for the trip - usually tournament funds raised go back into the association.

Weaver said the success of the tournament was mainly due to the involvement of several local sponsors. The work of Brady Arkle, from Classic Hits, in providing advertising for the event had not gone unappreciated by the team and supporters.

Boys' High is fast becoming a nursery for golf talent in the north. It was last year's top school golf team after winning the NZ Secondary Schools title.

The team is captained by Ben Kennedy, from Houhora Golf Club, joined by Kadin Neho, Sam Purdie, Julian Fowler, Braden Keown, Ben Bowmar, Jackson Arkle and Jahkobi Harris.

Earlier this year, Neho was one of two Northlanders to compete at the prestigious Youth Olympics in Australia as part of the New Zealand golf team.

The team will represent not only Boys' High but also Whangarei and Northland in style after being donated gear from Kamo's Northland Schoolwear and Stitches Embroidery, while casual shirts were provided by Destination Northland and the Whangarei "Love it here' campaign.

The boys will be accompanied on their trip by teacher Neil Smith, coach Quenton Diment, and Old Boys' Association representative Murray Batger.