So close for Taihape against golfing giants

GOLF: Taihape almost pulled off the upset of the millennium in Manawatu¯ -Wanganui A-grade pennants at the Taihape Golf Club.

The home team held the district’s biggest club, Manawatu¯ , to a 6-all draw, on Sunday.

The morning foursomes were shared, as were the eight singles. Manawatu¯ ’s singles winners were Reid Perry, Ewan Westergaard and Micah Bremner, while Angus Findlay and Regan Mcconaghty halved their matches.

Meanwhile, at the top, this year’s strong Palmerston North team reeled off their sixth straight win, dealing to Wanganui 10-2. Palmerston North won all four foursomes, although one of their two losses was by No 1 and former Nelson player Sam Nichols, on a +3.2 handicap, 1-down to Phil Hooper.

Hawkestone came through in the singles to beat Foxton 7-5, after Foxton had won the foursomes 3-1. Winless Levin is becalmed in the relegation spot with one round to play, against neighbours Foxton, after being well beaten by Feilding. In the final round at Levin on May 6, Manawatu¯ and Palmerston North clash to decide top seeding for the semifinals.

There was drama in the B-grade final, with a playoff after Palmerston North B and Marton had drawn 4 1/2-all at the Brightwater course on Sunday. In the playoff, Palmerston North’s Scott Eru beat Marton’s Darin Arnott, with a birdie to a par on the first hole. Had the playoff been a stalemate after three holes, the title would have been shared. Palmerston North B won the pennant, but are ineligible for promotion. Thus Marton can challenge bottom A team Levin for promotion at a neutral venue.

A-grade results: Taihape 6 Manawatu¯ 6; Feilding 7 1/2 Levin 4 1/2; Palmerston North 10 Wanganui 2; Hawkestone 7 Foxton 5.

Points: Palmerston North 18 (55 games); Manawatu¯ 16 (47 1/2); Feilding 12 (41 1/2); Wanganui 9 (32 1/2); Taihape 7 (36 1/2); Hawkestone 6 (29); Foxton 3 (25 1/2); Levin 0 (20 1/2).

B-grade semifinals: Palmerston North B 8 1/2 Feilding B 1/2; Marton 5 Castlecliff 4. Final: Palmerston North B 4 1/2 Marton 41/2. Palmerston North B win pennant in playoff.