WINNER: Henry Spring receives the trophy from Piopio Aria Golf Club President Hayden Cody. PHOTOS: WAYNE LA ROCHE
Whakatāne golfer Henry Spring lit up the Piopio Aria Golf Club last weekend.
Spring, who has recently gone professional, shot six under 64 and then backed it up with an eight under-62 on the par 70 course.
Not only did Spring take out the Great Western and add his name to the trophy, but he also won the four-person shootout for being closest to the pin on the par 3s and the raffle capping off a perfect day.
“It couldn’t have gone any better. I managed to win everything which was nice.”
The 20th annual Great Western tournament featured 78 golfers vying for the title, however, Spring proved too good with a consistent performance.
He was pleased with how he played across the day.
“I am bloody stoked to have won. It’s a great wee tournament. I started with a bogey, missed a wee short putt but after that I felt really good and was happy with how I hit the ball.”
For a volunteer course, Spring said it played well.
Spring was one of 12 professionals in the field, while there were 12 other golfers on a handicap of 1 or better.
He said his striking was consistent throughout the day, which contributed to the low scores.
“I didn’t do anything amazing, but I just played good solid golf.”
The tournament’s previous record was 11-under, however Spring bettered that with his 14-under par effort.
For the 36 hole one-day tournament, he lined up alongside Celeste Sattler and Dominic Sainsbury a professional from Auckland.
While the field wasn’t stacked, there were a good number of entries that allowed for a free-flowing round on both days and made for some enjoyable golf.
Japanese professional Marina Ito showed her talents with the clubs, shooting 69 and 71 to take out the women’s gross, which was a qualifier for the women’s masters later in the year.
The Piopio Aria Golf Club said it was a very successful tournament with the club’s main goal being for players to have fun.
A highlight for the club was having players from throughout the country entered, including a player from the South Island. To see everyone on the deck at the end of the day in front of the clubhouse watching the shootout was fantastic to see, Piopio Aria committee member Celeste Sattler said.
The tournament will be back in 2024 for its 21st edition.
Zac Sandwick placed second behind Spring, while Sainsbury, Sam Jones and Richard Lee were a shot further back in third.
Robyn Pellow was second nine shots behind Ito, while Sattler, Michelle Archer and Jill Morgan shared third.
