Loach takes Maitai Masters title

Nick Loach played like the professional he is to ease to a five-stroke win over defending champion Connor Winter in the Fico Finance Maitai Masters on Saturday (Nov 1).

Playing off a +4 handicap, Loach tamed an immaculate Waahi Taakaro course where he does much of his coaching with a clinical performance, finishing three-under par for the annual 27-hole tournament hosted by Waahi Taakaro Golf Club.

After a morning two-under 70 which contained three birdies and a solitary bogey, he snared another birdie in coming home in a back-nine 35 for an overall total of 105, the best winning score in many years.

Winter - who was gunning for three successive wins - made more birdies but also more bogies and a double to finish a creditable second after a 75 and 35 for a 110.

Emerging Nelson star Elijah Barney (78+39) was well back in third on 117

Loach was well satisfied with his performance which was marked by solid driving, particularly on the harder holes, and accurate iron play. And when he did miss the green, he got up and down when he needed to.

``I managed to leave the ball in the right places below the hole so didn't have too many tricky downhill putts with the greens rolling so well.''

He reserved most praise for the Maitai Valley course - which plays almost 6000m off the blue tees - saying it was in the best condition he had ever seen and was a credit to greenkeeper James Dale and Waahi Taakaro club volunteers. It was a comment echoed by many of the 66 players in the field who came from as far a field as Hokitika and Marlborough.

The other big winner was Waahi Taakaro club member Phil Sellers who not only won the junior division cup with a gross total of 139 (89+50) but posted the best overall net of 104 to scoop the major tournament prize.

Former Waahi Taakaro club president Paul Tunnicliff also had a good day, winning the intermediate trophy with a typically tidy performance in totalling 133 (87+46).

Tournament director James Campion paid tribute to manager Tony Lewis for his work in attracting record sponsorship and to club members for their help in running the tournament.

A car put up by Dayman Motors for a hole in one on the par three 180m fifth hole was not struck, with no-one seriously threatening the hole.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Fico Finance Property & Development Funding, Dayman Motors, McDonald's, Pestells Rai Bacon Co, Placemakers, Tides Restaurant & Bar, Speedy Signs, Prince Albert Backpackers & Bar and The Turf Hotel.

Full results:

Senior division

Gross winner: Nick Loach

Gross runner-up: Connor Winter

Gross third: Elijah Barney

Net winner: Karl Clark

Net runner-up: Peter Watson

Net third: John Galletly

Net fourth: James Campion

Net fifth: Keri Kotua

Intermediate division

Gross winner: Paul Tunnicliff

Gross runner-up: Phil Hawke

Net winner: Byron Tuckey

Net runner-up: Wayne Pratt

Net third: Richard Pearson

Net fourth: Brett Masters

Net fifth: Aaron Kotua

Net sixth: Manu Edmonds

Junior division

Gross winner: Phil Sellers

Gross runner-up Brendan Doyle

Net winner: Dave Huntley

Net runner-up: Mick Leggett

Net third: Maurice Woodhouse

Net fourth: Ian Berrie

Net fifth: Ian Hanford

Net sixth: Harry Ambrose

Net seventh: Lewis Wilson

Overall net winner: Phil Sellers

Other prizes:

Pitch for Cash: John Galletly

Longest drive: Rob Tiare (senior), Matt Tomczyk (intermediate), Gareth Eagle (junior)

Straightest drive: Corey Wilson (senior), Byron Tuckey (intermediate), Barry Slater (junior)

Closest to the pin No 2: Keri Kotua

Closest to the pin No 5: Dave Huntley