By Neville Idour.

Waitikiri club championship to 12-year-old

Twelve-year-old Cooper Moore has been ruffling lots of feathers this year at two of Christchurch’s most venerable golf clubs with some startling performances at their senior club championships.

In March at Russley, Moore progressed from qualifying through matchplay all the way to the final where he lost to San Diego College player Regan Kilpatrick.

However he would go one better at the recent Waitikiri event.

The senior grade was for players with handicaps fat 7.0 and less. Moore, on 2.8, could only play one qualifier where his 75 placed him 4th for matchplay. From this point his play was unwaveringly consistent.

In the round of 16 he beat 5.7 handicapper Nathan Arnott 3 and 2. The quarter final was a biggie against the experienced former representative player and current Canterbury masters rep Aaron Forsyth on a 0.7 handicap. Moore was too good, winning 4 and 2. In the semi final Moore beat Geoff Ruddick, a 2.7 handicapper and former masters rep 3 and 1.

So to the final played over 36 holes. His opponent John McCormick, a 4 handicapper, was a surprise finalist with the two top qualifiers on his side of the draw.

The first 18 holes were very tight with Moore edging one up after nine holes and after a birdie on the 17th went to lunch two up. He came out strongly after lunch to go four up after two holes, eventually closing the deal on the 13th after a brilliant birdie on the 10th, a par five. His 3rd shot to the green ended 10 inches from the cup.

This youngster is quite remarkable for his age. He drives the ball on average around 210-215 metres so it is easy to see where his strengths lie. His drives need accuracy followed by an exceptional short game and that is exactly what he produces. —