Christchurch and Auckland golfers take out under-19 titles at NZ Age Group Championships
Christchurch and Auckland golfers take out under-19 titles at NZ Age Group Championships
Yuki Miya from Christchurch and Emma Zheng from Auckland were the male and female winners in the under-19 division of the New Zealand Age Group Championships in New Plymouth.
Miya delivered an impressive nine under par performance with the final round played in strong winds. Miya finished seven shots ahead of fellow Christchurch golfer Alfie Brown. Miya began the final round with a comfortable lead and following birdies at holes two, three, four and seven stretched his advantage to 10 shots at the turn. Despite a stretch of four consecutive bogeys as the wind picked up, Miya maintained control and cruised to victory, closing with an even par 72.
Reflecting on his first national age group title, Miya said: “To do it comfortably in my last year is special. Keeping the ball in play was key -- I wasn’t hitting my driver well, but I stayed between the tree lines and gave myself chances on the greens.”
Zheng, meanwhile, maintained a steady performance in the final round to finish with a three-shot victory. Entering the back nine with a comfortable lead, she navigated the gusty conditions with patience.
“This year has been really good for me,'' Zheng said afterwards.
``The wind was challenging, but I stayed patient and finished it off.”
Despite some struggles with her iron play, Zheng's short game, particularly her bunker shots, kept her score together.
“My driver was solid, but I found five bunkers today. Thankfully, I was able to get up and down.”
The boys' under-16 division provided the day’s closest contest. Australian visitor Harry Gourlay posted an eagle on the 18th to set the clubhouse lead, but Kiwi Ishan Shah responded with birdies on 16 and 18 to secure a one shot win.
“That putt on 18 was really scary,” Shah admitted. “I knew I had to finish strong after seeing Harry’s eagle on 16, and I’m glad I trusted myself.”
In the girls' under 16 division, Pupuke Golf Club’s Teresa Wang played nearly flawless golf to capture the title, finishing five shots ahead of Japan’s Lannie Inoue. Wang carded 16 pars and capped her round with a birdie on the final hole.
Said Wang: “I haven’t been playing well recently, so it feels great to perform like this. Staying steady and having a strong mindset were key to my turnaround this week.”
Caption: Ishaan Shah from the Remuera Golf Club in Auckland after his win in the boys' under-16 division of the New Zealand Age Group Championships at New Plymouth. Photo credit: BW Media.