Golf: Pikari and Khoo claim South Island stroke play titles

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Compton Pikari hopes he gets a mention in school assembly this week at St Peters College in Cambridge.

The 16-year-old won his first senior national title, shooting a two under par 70 at the Christchurch Golf Club to beat defending champion Vaughan McCall by five shots and claim the South Island stroke play.

The Waikato representative, who won three junior titles coming into the event, continued his good form in the opening nine holes when he made the turn at four under.

It was a stretch of golf that put the title beyond doubt. He wobbled a bit coming home with successive bogeys on 14 and 15 but it didn't matter and he held on for a comfortable win.

Pikari was as relieved as he was excited about claiming his first senior title.

"I hit it solid the whole round really," he said. "I was pretty happy with how I putted. I felt really in control today I dropped a few shots coming home but, that is okay, I got the job done."

"I am flying home tonight and I have school tomorrow, the guys at school will think this is pretty cool and I hope I get a mention in assembly tomorrow, that'd be awesome."

Pikari has been working hard for the past two-and-a-half months with his coach Reon Sayer at the New Zealand golf academy at St Peters in Cambridge.

"It is just good to know that all of my hard work is paying off. I have been working hard on all parts of my game and I feel like I am really improving. Reon will be stoked with this."

Pikari will play in the SBS Invitational in Invercargill next week before making his international debut when he represents New Zealand in the Junior Tasman Cup.

He has shown that he is up to the challenge as he outshone a field of top quality amateurs including New Zealand No 1 Ben Campbell, McCall, Daniel Pearce, Blair Riordan and Mathew Perry.

"I think this shows that age doesn't really matter too much. If you are good enough you can compete with the older guys and I am looking forward to kicking on from here and trying to beat them again.

Meantime Auckland representative Celyn Khoo also secured her first senior national title when she defeated Mun Chin Keh by one shot to claim the women's honours. The Pakuranga golfer shot a three under par 71 in the final round, that included five birdies and two bogeys, to finish on an even par total from her week at Shirley.