Chettleburgh retains Horowhenua Open
Tony Chettleburgh defended his Horowhenua Open title at the Levin Golf Club on Sunday.
The Feilding man beat Greg Shaw in a playoff to claim the win.
It was the second consecutive year Chettleburgh has won after being tied at the end of the round. Last year he beat Junior Tatana on countback after play was called off due to wet weather.
This year’s postponed open was reduced from 36 to 18 holes due to rain in the weeks before the tournament. The tournament was played under preferred lies which made playing conditions slightly easier on the damp course, which was bathed in sunshine.
Chettleburgh and Shaw both finished with rounds of 71. Regan Mcconaghty and Junior Tatana were two shots back on 73.
Chettleburgh and Shaw then replayed the 18th hole. Both players made par the first time, so they played it again with neither striking the ball as well.
Chettleburgh was in the bunker and Shaw was well short of the green. Both men missed long putts for par but Shaw missed his putt for bogey as well, opening the door for Chettleburgh who obliged by sinking his regulation putt.
Meanwhile, it was a hometown win for Brydie Hodge in the women’s competition.
The Levin golfer continued her impressive streak of form to claim a one-stroke victory over Wellington’s
Darae Chung and Manawatu’s Tania Hook.
It was the second win of the Manawatu-wanganui order of merit series for Hodge - she also won the Palmerston North Classic and was second at the Wanganui Open.
Wanganui Open champion Tara Raj ended the day fourth on 78.
The next event on the Manawatu-wanganui order of merit series is the Challenge Cup at the Palmerston North Golf Club on September 17.