Te Awamutu teen Compton Pikari has taken out the North Island under-19 golf tournament at the Hamilton Golf Club today for his first national title.
The 16-year-old has long been touted as a talented teenager in the Waikato, and today's breakthrough win underscores that potential.
Pikari, who opened with rounds of 66 and 69, shot an even par 72 in his final round to claim the tournament by four shots. Ryan Chisnall of the Greenacres Golf Club and Rotorua's Peter Lee were the runners-up, while Trent Munn of Manawatu finished in fourth.
In the women's edition, Auckland representative Wenyung Keh fired a three under par 69 to overcome Lita Guo and win the title by two shots.
Keh, who played a key role in Auckland's victorious Toro women's interprovincial side, saved her best for last today to finish on nine over par for the tournament. The 14-year-old hit a bogey-free back nine, which included four birdies, to push the title beyond the reach of Guo and third-placed Caryn Khoo.
