Neho repels older rivals again

Returning champion Kadin Neho defended his title at Waitangi Golf Club's annual Explore NZ Golf Northland Matchplay 72- hole tournament, to claim the James Busby Plate convincingly.

The weekend tournament featured Northland's top golfers with Whangarei 15-year-old Neho, looking to repeat his feats from a year ago against an impressive field.

Strong winds and rain made for very challenging conditions and the players also enjoyed the challenge of the newly extended 11th hole, now a par five with the green at the water's edge.

It proved to be a monster hitting into the wind but it was praised by the players.

Local knowledge played a part as Waitangi members won four of the five divisions, but it was Neho who took the major prize.

In the James Busby Plate final, the Whangarei Boys High School student took on older and more experienced golfers. He went up against former champion Michael Perrin of Bay of Islands Golf Club, but the youngster was too good and managed to hold off Perrin on the final hole with a par.

The Tamati Waka Nene final pitted Waitangi's Evan Thompson against Sherwood Park's Ethan O'Shea and the match also went the distance, with Thompson getting up and down on the last to seal a one-up victory.

Local Australian import Wayne Flood met Paul Truscott, who recently flew back from Perth, in the third division final. Flood earned his first major, with a two and one win.

The 55+ divisions saw Robert Hawkins beat Kaikohe's Eddie Prime four and three for the Hobson Trophy, and Dave Winslow beat Houhora's Len Crewther two and one to win the Nine Pin Trophy.

The tournament was a fundraiser, with funds generated going directly into growing junior golf programmes.

With funding from Sport and Recreation New Zealand and KiwiSport, Waitangi GC would purchase equipment and provide coaching for local youth, Scott said.

This weekend is the City of Whangarei Classic at Sherwood Park, and after it concludes on Sunday, the Golf Northland senior team will be named for the Northern Region Interdistrict Quadrangular against Auckland, Waikato and Taranaki at Waitomo Golf Club on October 15-16.