Manawatu Wanganui 36 Hole Open Raj & Findlay win 36 hole titles

Wanganui's Tara Raj was dominant in winning the women's section of the Manawatu Wanganui 36 Hole Open played at Marton Golf Club on Sunday 23rd August , however the men's title playing for the Challenge Cup was a very close fought battle. Manawatu's, Angus Findlay, claimed victory by one shot over Junior Tatana and Regan McConaghty, with Trent Munn and Rhys Harold both a further shot back.

Played in mainly fine conditions with only a gentle breeze, the Marton course proved to be a tougher test than most players were probably expecting as it demands accuracy from the tee, and the fast and true greens demanded precision with the putter.

Raj fired 2 rounds of 71, which was 9 shots clear of Zhouyi Hu, with a further 4 shots back to Lisa Herbert in 3rd place. Palmerston North Junior, Natalie Lyttle won the net competition, and achieved a rare albatross, on her final hole in round one, holing her second shot on the Par 5, 4th hole.

Findlay had 2 rounds of 73, while Tatana and McConaghty both had rounds of 73 & 74. Trent Munn was in a strong position after his morning round of 2 under par 70, but could not keep it going in the afternoon shooting a 78. Rhys Harold matched Munn with the lowest individual round of the day firing a second round 70, after a morning 78. Marton Junior Fred McVerry won the net, after being the only player to match par on handicap, over the 2 rounds.

The event also doubled as the Age Group champs with Feilding's Ryan Rooney winning both the U16 (Silk Cup) and U19 (kelly Cup Boys titles. Tara Raj won the U19 girls (Eagles Cup) title, while sister Sera Raj won the U15 girls (Soma Cup) title.

Leigh SmithAugust 27, 2020Comment