Louis Dobbelaar
(Golf Australia Photo)
UPPER HUTT, New Zealand (October 29, 2016) -- Australia’s Louis Dobbelaar has won a marathon match in style chipping in on the 21st hole to eliminate New Zealand number one Luke Toomey at the Cobra Puma New Zealand Amateur Championship.
If Dobbelaar was to win the 36-hole final against Wellington local Peter Spearman-Burn, he could become the youngest in history to take home the title at only 15 years of age.
History was made at last year’s event when Daniel Hillier won at the age of 17, but Dobbelaar would evaporate that record if he can produce a similar performance at Royal Wellington Golf Club tomorrow.
The boy from Brisbane was brilliant under pressure and was exhausted when talking about the moment that boosted him into the final.
“It was one of those shots where I felt like I could get it close and I knew it was going to take something special to beat Luke, but that was really cool and I hope I get to see the video footage,” smiled Dobbelaar.
He may be from Australia, but the Australian Junior representative isn’t so foreign after all as his Dad and tournament caddy lives just across the road in Silverstream.
“My whole dad’s family lives just across the road so I love coming here when I get the chance and New Zealand courses are awesome to play, so I feel comfortable here.”
The man standing in his way is also looking to make history of his own as he could join his brother Thomas, who won the title in 2008 at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club to become the only pair of twins to win the historic title.
On a cold morning, Spearman-Burn was hot and he was unstoppable throughout the quarter and semifinals to become the last chance for the large Wellington crowds in attendance to witness a local winner.
Spearman-Burn who recently turned his back on a professional golfing career returning to the amateur ranks is still showing he hasn’t lost the class he had when he represented New Zealand as an amateur.
“I haven’t been playing a lot in the last three years, so it’s nice to be able to get the clubs back out and do the job. I certainly wasn’t expecting much, but being born and bred in Wellington certainly helped,” said Spearman-Burn.
This will be a genuine battle of youth versus experience as the 27-year-old will try use his experience to end a fairytale from the young Australian.
“I have been playing these courses for over 15 years, so it’s safe to call it my own back yard.”
Not only is it a battle against his opponent it was clear he wants to get one back on his twin brother and hold bragging rights for a while.
“It will save me from my brother giving me stick, it would be nice to return the favour! I have won most of the national events apart from this one, so it would be nice to add it to the cabinet.”
In the Cobra Puma New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship Munchin Keh has been the standout performer in the women’s division and is showing no signs of slowly down. After a dominant 6&5 victory over Jasmine Rou in the morning, she then came up against the experienced Chantelle Cassidy and brushed the highest ranked New Zealand female amateur aside.
Rose Zheng has continued her impressive run of form which included a win in the Harewood Open two weeks ago, is now in the New Zealand Amateur final for the first time.
Zheng defeated fellow Aucklander, Brittney Dryland 2&1 in a gritty battle where there wasn’t much between the two Auckland team mates. Zheng took her chance at the half-way stage where she won two holes in quick succession to take control of the match and punch her ticket to the final.
Keh who has been away from the headlines recently, but to see Keh back in form is a great sight as she looks win the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship for the second time.
“It’s really nice to be playing well again and to have the chance to play in the final is pretty exciting. Rose has been playing great golf to, so it will take a big effort to beat her,” said Keh.
After five rounds of golf to get to this stage, a gruelling 36 hole final awaits these four players tomorrow at the Royal Wellington Golf Club where two worthy winners of New Zealand’s most prestigious amateur championship will be found.
ABOUT THE New Zealand Amateur
Match play championship of New Zealand for men
and
women. 36 holes of stroke play qualifying to
determine
the final
32 players for single elimination match play.
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