South Island Aged Group Championships - results
Joshua Bai, Sumin Kang, Robby Turnbull, and Alisia Ren have all won their respective age groups at the South Island Age Group Championships held at Russley Golf Club.
Joshua Bai (Akarana) came from behind to win the under 19 boys division to win by three shots over Zack Swanwick (Napier). Sumin Kang (Wakatipu Junior) prevailed in the under 19 girls, Robby Turnbull (Remuera) dominated the under 16 boys division to pick up his gold medal, while Russley local Alisia Ren held off Chloe Lam (Remuera) to win the under 16 girls division by one.
Bai began the day three shots behind the overnight leader Daniel Freeman (Remuera) but immediately made his presence felt, playing his opening five holes in one under to storm into the lead after a couple of Freeman bogeys.
He bogeyed the par 3 sixth but chipped in for birdie on the seventh and again at the ninth to make the turn in two-under and well in control.
He started with another birdie at the tenth before disaster struck at the 11th where he hit the wrong ball. Bai managed to salvage a double bogey and played his remaining holes in one-over to win.
He carded rounds of 70, 72, and 71 to finish three-under-par, three shots ahead of Swanwick who finished a shot clear of Freeman for the silver medal.
Bai says it’s great to win his first under 19 event.
“It feels great. I turned 16 last week so it’s great to win my first under 19 event. I’m happy with my performance here this week.”
In the under 19 girls division, Sumin Kang cruised to an eight-shot victory following rounds of 73, 70, and 73.
The began her day with an eagle at the second but dropped shots at the third, fifth, and seventh holes to make the turn in one-over and still well in control of the tournament.
She played steady golf on the back nine making a birdie at the tenth and a bogey at the 11th. She’d par her remaining holes to win an event she’s always wanted to get her name on.
She says she achieved her goal here this week.
“It’s amazing. I’ve always wanted to win the South Island Age Groups as I’m from the South Island, so it’s great to finally get this one across the line.”
Lizzie Neale (Nelson) took home the silver medal with Amy Han (Titirangi) winning the bronze.
Meanwhile, Robby Turnbull shot the lights out in rounds two and three to have one hand on the trophy heading into the final round today.
After shooting rounds of 68 and 66, Turnbull carded a final round of 78 to finish four-under for the tournament, six shots clear of Cooper Moore (Clearwater) and nine shots ahead of Daniel Ko (Howick).
He says winning his first national championship is a special feeling.
“It’s great to finally get one of these, I’ve been working pretty hard for it. It feels great to get over the line.
“The first two rounds, I played very aggressively, and I putted well. Today, I played quite safe and struggled a bit on the greens, but I’m happy with the result.”
Finally, local-hope Alisia Ren prevailed in the under 16 girls in a tight battle with Chloe Lam and Aroha Minhinnick (Rarangi).
Ren shot rounds of 79, 72, and 77 to win by a shot over Lam, and two over Minhinnick.
She says it was close out there, but its great to win in front of her home club.
“It feels great. To win at Russley, my home course, feels very special. My coach gave me a goal of finishing inside the top four, and I’m happy I did that.”