New Zealand Mid-Am: Aussie Boulton prevails
TAUPO, New Zealand (Nov. 13, 2013) -- The Australians enjoyed a clean sweep at the 2013 New Zealand Men's Mid Amateur and New Zealand Women's Masters at the Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary in Taupo this week.
Mark Boulton, a member of Australia's Phillips Island Golf Club, claimed the Neil Woodbury Cup with a score of 228 after 54 holes while Jacqui Morgan (Monash Golf Club) won the women's masters and etched her name on the Women's Trust Shield.
Bolton, who was joint overnight leader with defending champion, Stuart Duff (Hastings) put the best final round together to win by three shots.
The Aussie shot rounds of 79, 74 and 75 for a total of 228, with Duff placed second overall on 231, (78, 75, 78).
Third place overall was shared by New Caledonian Hughes Diego and Michael Ursin from Manor Park with 244.
Andy Sellar (Hastings) was 5th equal with Martin Field (Rangitikei) with 245, followed by Trevor Osborne (Darwin) on 248 in 7th place overall.
Best placed in the age group 58+ was Titirangi's James Downey, with net prizes in the three age groups being awarded to Adam Little (Pukekohe), Narash Lala (Titirangi) and Don McLean (Mangawhai).
Meanwhile in the women Morgan, who won the Australian Women's Seniors in 2012, was a clear champion with scores of 81, 77 and 78, for a 236 total to win by 14 shots from Trish McBride from Ngahinepouri.
Kathy Olsen (Maraenui), who was a consecutive winner in 2010 and 2011, finished four shots further back in third place.
Other credible women's scores included Rahira Ellison (Shandon) who was placed 4th overall and won her age group, with a score of 255, and Debbie McCallum from Te Ngutu, one shot behind on 256.
The defending champion Eleanor Hodson (New Plymouth) won her age group and was placed 6th overall, 257.
Best net scores in their age group were also awarded to Kim Maitland and Kim Chung, both local Wairakei members.
The 2013 tournament, the sixth in the history of the championship, was formed by the outgoing Women's Golf Board before amalgamation with the then New Zealand Golf Association.
A 54 hole gross and net competition was established especially targeting lower handicap players to complement the Women's Masters team event.
In following with overseas age limits, the Women's Masters is open to women aged 30 and aver, with a handicap limit this year of 24.
For the first time the 2013 Women's Masters was held in conjunction with the New Zealand Men's Mid Amateur which up until this year had been a match play event.
The Men's Mid Amateur, in its ninth year attracted a wide range of players from around the country in addition to Australian and New Caledonia players.
PaR nz Golfing Holidays, who manage the event for New Zealand Golf, will shortly announce the dates for 2014, with the tournament expected to return to Wairakei.
"It is a great golf challenge,” said Denise Langdon, the tournament director.
“Wairakei is well located and very popular. The scores reflect how tough the course can play and it is a credit to Mark and Jacqui how well they played in tough wind conditions over the last two days.”