Birdies and bucking broncos is James Tauariki’s summer

Mia Scrimgeour and James Tauariki, the women’s and men’s winners of the New Zealand Maori golf tournament in Taupo last month.

By Paul Gueorgieff,
Golfer Pacific editor

Summer is a busy time for Rotorua golfer James Tauariki.

For example Tauariki won the men’s division of the New Zealand Maori golf tournament in Taupo. The morning after he was 440km away in Whangarei for a rodeo event.

His brother had driven him through the night on what Tauariki described as a “midnight trip’’.

Tauariki, 16, said he had been a rodeo rider all his life which is similar to his golfing career which he said he took up at the age of four.

“We had some old clubs at home and dad cut one down for me. I have been going ever since.’’

Tauariki made a one-horse race of the golf final at Taupo last month. He beat fellow Rotorua golfer Marcus Lloyd 6 and 5 in the final and was humble in victory.

“I guess I played good,’’ Tauariki said.

He was actually four under the card when play finished after the 13th hole.

Tauariki is no stranger to scoring under par. A good example came last October in the qualifying section of his club championships at Springfield.

Playing off the back tees the plus-three handicapper scored an outstanding 57, which was 13 under par. He scored 11 birdies and an eagle.