Division 3 Champions
Played at Riverside (Lochiel course)
The Stewart Alexander Division 3 team sponsored by KBA & AC Pet foods won the Waikato Div 3 Championship against Whangamata 6/3 at Riverside. (Lochiel course)
Morning foursomes saw Stewy take an important lead 3 nil. Anchored all year by the team of Aaron (AK-47) Kelly & Ryan Thompson who dismantled their opponents 7/6 for the first match in. Next match was captain Aaron Vanderpoel and the NZ Maori National Champion Herewini Hohepa posting a great win of 3/2. Stewart Alexander Golf Club President Shayne Ashford & V/C Captain Ian Berry had a tough battle on their hands, where the match went to and fro until the last hole where they clawed a gutsy 1 up morning victory.
3 nil up in the morning foursomes didn’t allow complacency for Aaron Vanderpoel & saw the captain reiterate the importance of getting the job done to the team. ” I didn’t want the boys to drop off, I needed them to make sure & play hard til the end,” said Aaron Vanderpoel.
Flanked by their caddies and supporters the team started their singles matches after lunch. First singles of Ian & Shayne began the afternoon matches. Ian & Shayne having another great tussle in their singles matches with Ian down 3 at the turn and Shayne all square. Matches 3&4 were (AK) & Ryan, these young guns bolted out of the blocks and seemed to be in a canter by the 9th hole being 3 up and 4 up respectfully. The final Matches 1&2 of Aaron V & Herewini teed off last, Aaron leading the way with a few birdies to give him a 3 up lead through 9 holes. Herewini had a tougher battle playing against Waikato representative Sam Vincent who was playing extremely well with a -2 total and 1 up through 9 holes.
As per the norm all year, Ak and Ryan were in a hurry to get done and both finished on the 15th hole with birdies, Aaron 4/3 & Ryan 5/3. Next person in was captain fantastic who also finished his opponent with a birdie on their 15th hole also with a -2 total and 4/3 win. Unfortunately, Ian’s deficit was too great to hall back and succumbed on the 17th hole. Both Shayne and Herewini also couldn’t help but be bystanders to their opponents great play as well. Shayne losing in a nail-biter on the 18th & Herewini not being able to keep up with 4 birdies and an eagle from Sam Vincent to lose on 18 as well.
“A huge effort from the boys this year,” said the victorious captain Aaron Vanderpoel. “Firstly there are a few thankyou’s to mention, My team, wow what a year it has been! It has been great to play and lead a team I can call mates. That also goes to the reserves that slotted in (Adam Dyet & Mel brown) it was a fantastic year highlighted by the fact that in all of our foursomes matches we never had one loss”. ” Also to all that caddied or supported us at the final and through the year it’s been awesome thank-you”