18 Apr 2019 at 13:09 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 23436 | News search

Otorohanga Open Practice  (Photo by New Zealand Minigolf Federation)

Yesterday saw a very high-scoring but highly enjoyable Otorohanga Open take place at Kiwiana Leisure Park. The sun was shining all day and our wonderful hosts Aaron and the team made us feel right at home. The par for the course is 40 and when you consider that 42 was the best score last year, you knew it was going to be a long day on the greens.

We had 15 players competing, amongst them were some of the best players in the country. We had the three winners of the Women's amateur division from the first three years. 2017 winner Lele Rhodes Talagi, 2018 winner Faye Ansley and this year's winner Shontelle Wallace. Also in the field was this year's men's amateur winner Craig Bowyer who traveled from Masterton and the man himself, the NZ Open winner Cam Couper. Bowyer was joined by his good mate Phil Chalmers and the two of them provided all players with many laughs.

Play started with great enthusiasm but it didn't take long for the enthusiasm to die down as the challenging holes started to claim many victims. Holes 3 and 4 at the start of each round made it hard to start well.

After round one Cam Couper was in the lead after a solid 46, Faye Ansley played some of her best minigolf to be second on 48 and Matt Ansley was third on 50.

Round 2 saw more frustration, some aces, and some improvements. Couper carded a 44 to lead by 7 from Faye Ansley and Matt Ansley. Darren Prole, James McCarthy and John Ansley were hanging around not far behind.

Round 3 saw the best round of the day at the time with John Ansley shooting 43 and moving up to second equal, one shot ahead of James McCarthy. Darren Prole and Faye Ansley were tied for 5th. Matt Ansley carded 45 to be the surprise leader after Cam Couper struggled in round 3 with a 54.

Round 4 saw some nerves take over and some high scores were recorded. Craig Bowyer caught fire and finished with a 42 which at the time was the best round of the day. Matt Ansley and Cam Couper were going shot for shot in the last round and a course record was on the cards. Ansley eventually buckled and recorded three 3s in three holes and Couper took the lead by 1 with three holes to play. Couper made an amazing 2 on the 71st hole to remain 1 ahead with 1 to play. Ansley tried to ace the last hole but missed. Couper finished the last round with a course record 41 to win by 2. Some outstanding golf from the NZ champ and he will be tough to beat as he prepares for the world champs in China in October.

The next event will be on May 25 at Pro Drive Hamilton, we hope to see you there.

Article and photo courtesy of the New Zealand Minigolf Federation. You can see the article from Round 2 here.

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