Taihape team chipped out

TAIHAPE GOLF: In dramatic style Taihape were defeated in the semifinals by Palmerston North 61⁄2 - 51⁄2 at Marton. The course was superbly presented with the greens extremely fast and pin placements fitting for the competition.

In the foursomes Taihape took a 21⁄2 - 11⁄2 lead at lunch. Duane Dick and Richie Nimmo won the last hole to defeat Junior Tahana and B McSherry 1 up.

Surprisingly Ben Cribb and Koke Cashell were beaten 4/3. The Thompson Booth combination again was victorious 2/1. Matt and Alan Thomas were 2 down with 4 to play and then won 3 holes to lead up the last 1 up. However, an errant tee shot gave the hole away and they had to settle for a half.

In the singles, Alan Thomas lost 2 down probably in a match he should have halved but for a few wobbly putts midway through his round. Duane Dick kept his unbeaten season intact with a commanding 5/3 win. Koke Cashell and Matt Booth both won the last hole to win 1 up. At the top Richie Nimmo had to settle for 2nd while Matt Thomas lost to Junior Tahana 2/1. This left Taihape leading 51⁄2 - 41⁄2. The deciding games were at 3 and 4 with Taihape needing only one half to progress to the final.

Denny Thompson was all square playing the last but a monster 40-foot downhill chip for birdie by Mike McSherry took that game Palmerston North’s way where Thompson had led all the way. This required Ben Cribb to win the last hole to halve his match. A superb chip for birdie pulled up only centimetres from the hole. His opponent Tane North had to hole a tricky sliding 10-foot putt to win the match and send Taihape packing, which he did.

Over 40 players and supporters including players from the other semifinal circled the green in the dramatic finish. Seven of the 12 matches were won on the last hole, which proved how finely balanced this match was and how little separated the teams.

The final of A Grade will be contested between Manawatu and Palmerston North after Manawatu defeated Feilding 71⁄2 - 41⁄2 in the other semifinal.

It was not Taihape’s day as they suffered their first loss in the Presidents Trophy in 3 years when they were decisively beaten 81⁄2 - 11⁄2 by Marton at Rangitikei with Gary Cleaver scoring the only win and Jim Fannin managing a half.

All players should now make every effort to progress the matches in the various competitions.