Golf: Haka practice for winning team

9.00 am - By CRAIG TIRIANA

Rotorua Boys' High School's winning World Team Intercollegiate Championship golfers were practising the haka today after successfully defending their title at Berkshire, England.

They planned to perform the haka at this morning's (NZ time) official prizegiving.

"We're doing it as loud as we can," 16-year-old golfing ace Sam Hunt said. "We want everyone to hear it."

An excited and proud Rotorua Boys' golf master, Ian Woon, said his side showed tremendous talent and heart to hold on after nearest rivals, Melbourne's St Bedes College, narrowed the gap in the final round at Berkshire Golf Club.

"I need some heart pills - it was close. Australia closed to just two shots with three to holes to go," Woon said from the team's hotel this morning (NZ time).

Hunt (67), Mathew Holten (72) and Bradley Iles (75) combined to shoot a two-under-par total and head St Bedes by just four shots - almost a photo finish after their incredible 28-shot winning margin in Ireland a year ago.

Hunt provided the impetus with a special five-under-par 67 round to become the first player in the event's 21-year history to take out back-to-back individual titles.

"It probably feels better than last year. To do it two times in a row is very special," Hunt said after shooting six birdies and one bogey.

Watched by his mother Ann and about 10 other Kiwi supporters who urged the young campaigners on, Hunt hit 18 greens in regulation, a three-putt bogey on the opening hole his only blemish.

"He's (Sam) just got something special," Woon said. "He just wins the big ones."

As in Ireland in 2000, Hunt headed a team mate - this time Holten - in the individual standings.

Holten drew to within two shots of Hunt with two holes to play but a cruel five-putt double bogey on the reachable par five 17th gave Hunt the repeat.

Going into the second day Rotorua held a five shot lead over St Bedes who actually beat the Kiwis by one shot in the final round.

Winning the team title for the second time is a huge feat but Rotorua Boys' have a long way to go to catch a French School which won five in a row.

Hunt is already thinking ahead to next year. He will still be at Rotorua Boys' to head a 2002 charge, but they have to win three qualifying tournaments in New Zealand to earn the right to return and defend their title.

There will be little time to sit back and enjoy their second world title with the first qualifying tournament, the Bay of Plenty regional, in Te Puke next Friday.

The victorious Rotorua team returns to New Zealand on Sunday, flying home via Bangkok.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)