Junior Tatana scores early-season victory
Junior Tatana has once again showed his golfing class by winning the first ever Palmerston North 36 Hole Open last weekend.
The event was a NZ Golf Order of Merit tournament and provided a guide for form as the representative season approaches.
Against a field of 80 amateurs and five PGA trainee professionals at the Palmerston North Golf Club, Tatana, who represents the club in the pennants competition, scored a three under 141, which included a six under 66 in the opening round.
The new format of 18 holes a day proved popular and plans are under way for a second event next year.
The course was in good condition despite the recent run of wet weather and the fast, sloping greens had many in the field scratching their heads.
After a calm and sunny day on Saturday, the wind got up on Sunday and the course became tricky. Only Regan Cording in the men’s division and Brydie Hodge in the women’s were able to tame par with one-under and three-under rounds, respectively, on Sunday.
Tatana’s four-shot lead after the first round provided enough of a buffer to go with his second round 75. For his win he took home a $1000 trust credit. His length off the tee and prodigious short game gave him a distinct advantage over the other players.
Tyler Hodge, recently returning to the amateur ranks from Levin, put together two par rounds to finish second and Sam Nichols, the trainee professional from Palmerston North, was a further shot back in third place. Anthony Sharp, another professional from Wellington, finished fourth at two over par.
Palmerston North member Ian Strickett won $1000 of golf equipment for the lowest overall net score for the two days of 141, closely followed by Sera Raj, from Wanganui.
The women’s divisions were a family affair, with Tara Raj winning the gross with a one-over total of 149, one shot ahead of Palmerston North member Zhuoyi Hu.
Tara’s younger sister Sera won the best net with 148, one shot ahead of Aseri Meikle, from the Maraenui Golf Club in Napier. Tara Raj has just been selected to represent New Zealand at the Jack Newton tournament in Australia later in the year.