KAIKOURA CUP REPORTS 2010

Report (Bruce Snowdon)

Rangiora won the 2010 Kaikoura Cup in an extraordinary final against Kaiapoi, held at Rangiora Golf Course on May 23.
The match was locked up 3-3 so had to be decided by a play-off.  Matt Adam at 1 had comfortably won his match 4/3 against Jamie Mead.   And at 3 and 4 Jason Sincock and Dean Sutton led their matches all the way to both win 3/2.   Shaun Allan at 5 was looking good to get the last win needed, having led his match most of the way against the talented young left-hander Dean Williams, but Dean recovered from 3 down at halfway to storm home with a rash of birdies and steal that match 2/1.

So it was last year all over again - Matt Adam squaring off against Jamie Mead to decide the premier North Canterbury golf team for 2010.

The first 3 playoff holes were all halved.  Jamie missed a chance on the 1st by 3-putting, but Matt had chances with birdie putts on the par 3 13th, and then again on the 1st hole where Jamie's tee shot was under the trees beside the OB fence, but he somehow scrambled a par.

By this time darkness and gentle rain was closing in.  The Committee ordered that the playoff proceed to the approach to the 18th green, and several cars were positioned around the green and up the fairway to provide some light. The gallery were pleased because they could retire to the shelter and warmth of the clubhouse and not miss the action. Night golf !  After 3 goes from various distances from the green (first 150m, then 100m, then 160m) a winner still couldn't be found.  Both players were striking the ball superbly, and holding their putting nerves despite the weird shadows caused by the horizontal light.  The Committee finally declared at about 6pm that there would be one more attempt and if this hole wasn't won the cup would be shared.  Matt and Jamie trudged back up the 18th to the 180m marker and a position slightly blocked by the big gum tree on the corner.  Jamie faded round the corner and found the green but Matt missed the green pin high but well left, chipped past the pin to 10 feet and his par putt sat agonisingly on the edge of the hole.  Jamie calmly 2-putted for par and the win.     Congratulations to Rangiora and well done to the Kaiapoi team for a good fight throughout the competition, and thanks to Matt who had to play the 7 extra holes in the dark.

Earlier Kaiapoi overcame a gutsy Amberley 3.5 to 2.5 with important wins to Matt (7/6), Scott Fox (5/4), and Shaun (7/6).  The semi-final was won when Dean Sutton led 1 up with 1 to play in the last match to finish.  

Waimakariri won the Templeton Cup defeating Hawarden in the final.  Andrew Adam's Kaiapoi team lost their semi 4.5 to 3.5 to the eventual champions.        

Report (Bruce Snowdon)

Kaiapoi secured a semi-final spot in the Kaikoura Cup with a narrow 3.5 to 2.5 win over Rangiora 2 in the final round of pool play held at Rangiora Golf Club on May 2nd.

Wins to Jason Sincock, Dean Sutton and Shaun Allan and a half from Nathan Van Koeverden meant Kaiapoi finished in second position on the points table.   Rangiora 1 placed top, winning all their matches in the round robin.

The semi-finals and grand final will be played on Sunday May 23rd also at Rangiora Golf Club.
Kaiapoi play Amberley in one semi, teeing off at 8am.  Rangiora 1 and Rangiora 2 play each other in the opposite semi, ensuring Rangiora will compete in the Final !

Supporters are welcome - on show will be the best male golfers in North Canterbury taking on each other in matchplay.  The Final will tee off at approximately 12-30 pm.  

The Templeton Cup semi finals and final will also be taking place simultaneously on the same course.  The Kaiapoi D team beat Hanmer 6-2 in their Quarter-final on May 9th, and is now up against other semi finalists from Rangiora, Waimakariri Gorge and Hawarden. 

Points after 6 rounds

Team                        Points                      Matches won

Report 2 (Bruce Snowdon)

Rounds 3 and 4 of Kaikoura Cup were played at Amberley Golf Course on Sunday April 11th.

In superb calm sunny conditions in the morning, Kaiapoi beat the Composite team 5 - 1.

In the afternoon Kaiapoi met Rangiora 1 with the winner likely to secure top placing going into the semifinals.

The Nor-wester arrived as the players teed off, and Rangiora players seemed to manage the windy conditions better as the matches unfolded.

Matt Adam at number 1 had to fight hard to see off James Devlin 2 & 1.  At number 6 Nathan Van Koeverden had a good tussle against Sam Kennedy, with Sam eventually prevailing on the 16th.  The closest match was at 5 with Shaun Allan holding a lead against the experienced Kevin Jones for most of the match, only for Jonesy to snatch a half with birdies on both 17 and 18.  The other matches were all comfortably won by Rangiora who took the tie 4.5 to 1.5.

There is one round remaining in pool play.  It is almost certain that Rangiora 1 will be top qualifier and Kaiapoi second.  Their respective opponents in the semis will be decided on May 2nd at Rangiora.  2 teams out of Amberley, Waimakariri and Rangiora 2 will make the semis.

Points after 4 rounds

Team                        Points                      Matches won

Report 1 (Bruce Snowdon)

Kaiapoi and Rangiora 1 are the only unbeaten teams after the first 2 rounds of Kaikoura Cup on Sunday March 21st.

Playing at home, Kaiapoi defeated Waimakariri Gorge 5.5 to 0.5 in the morning round, and then overcame Amberley 5-1 in the afternoon.

Matt Adam and Scott Fox led the way with good wins at 1 & 2, although Scott had to recover from 4-0 down after 6 holes for his morning victory.  Both Matt and Scott shot 63 in the afternoon round, enjoying the calm conditions.  Shaun Allan, sporting a dashing all-blue outfit, had 2 solid wins.  Nathan van Koeverden also had 2 wins, both clinched 1-up on the last hole. 

A highlight of the day was Rangiora 2 player Alister Reid scoring a hole in one on the 8th which clinched victory over his Rangiora 1 opponent. 

The players would like to thank the clean-up volunteers and greens staff who worked hard during the week to prepare our course for interclub competition.

Points after 2 rounds

 Team                Points                Matches won