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A top field of competitors and a tied finish made for one of the most exciting Tom Bonnington Cup competitions last month.
Mangawhai Golf Club’s annual tournament was played on May 26 and 27 for the 32nd year running.
Things went down to the wire after two rounds, when Sung Jin Yeo of North Shore, Jang Hyun Lee of Maungakiekie and Zane Hinton of Mangawhai were all equal on 149.
Hinton had led the competition after day one, shooting 74, but Jin Yeo was composed enough to win the sudden death play-off and the cup.
Jin Yeo has now won two order of merit tournaments this year, after winning the Danny Lee Springfield Open in January.
He also placed 37 at the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship in March.
A total of 66 golfers from 30 clubs competed in the event this year. Almost 20 of them have a zero handicap or better.
Golf operations manager Nick Launder says the event is consistently growing and this year was the best ever.
“It’s the highest calibre field we’ve ever had. To see two guys out there playing with a plus five handicap is pretty impressive,” Launder says.
“It was also great to see that around a quarter of the entries were first time players in the competition, which shows that people are hearing about how popular this event is.”
Nick believes past success and the hosting of other big tournaments, such as the inter-provincials, has helped put Mangawhai on the map.
“People are really impressed with the course once they have visited, and I think that attracted players from as far as Tauranga this year.”
A white tee club competition was also held over the same weekend at the club, with Jonathan Ho of North Shore coming out on top. He shot 142 over two days.
He was followed by Shel Lloyd of Mangawhai on 144 and Ross Hattaway, also of Mangawhai, on 145.
Nick says because of limited course space and the growing Tom Bonnington Cup, it is likely the white tee competition will not be held next year.
