Shaun Campbell makes it all the way to the semifinals of NZ Amateur Golf

Omanu's Shaun Campbell went all the way to the semifinals of the Cobra Puma New Zealand Men's Amateur Qualifying at the Royal Wellington Golf Course. Photo: Dave Lintott / lintot

Shaun Campbell's remarkable run at the Cobra Puma New Zealand Amateur Championship came to an end after a semifinal loss to Peter Spearman-Burn, 27, this afternoon.

Campbell, aged just 16 and a year 12 student at Aquinas College, put up an excellent showing under extreme pressure but went behind to the experienced Spearman-Burn on hole one and could not catch him.

Former New Zealand rep Spearman-Burn winning 4/2.

Earlier in the day Omanu Golf Club member Campbell showed the superb form that saw him top qualifier after 36 holes of strokeplay as he defeated Jonathan Cane, the Royal Wellington member playing on his home course, in the quarterfinals.

Campbell won 2up and after he birdied the first hole was never behind in the match.

"I am really proud of what I have done and made a few people look and see what I can actually do," Campbell said.

"I am pretty happy with the way I played this week. It is pretty cool to know you can actually compete with top guys in New Zealand.

"I wasn't expecting to go out there and win the qualifying but somehow it just happened. I just stuck to the same game plan all week of just going out there and having fun.

"I felt like being the underdog all week and it just made me play all that much better. Just going out there with a relaxed attitude helped me play well this week."

Australia's Louis Dobbelaar won a marathon match in style chipping in on the 21st hole to eliminate New Zealand number one Luke Toomey in the other semifinal.

If Dobbelaar was to win the 36-hole final against Wellington local Spearman-Burn, he could become the youngest in history to take home the title at only 15 years of age.

History was made at last year's event when Daniel Hillier won at the age of 17, but Dobbelaar would evaporate that record if he can produce a similar performance at Royal Wellington Golf Club tomorrow.

In the Cobra Puma New Zealand Women's Amateur Championship Munchin Keh has been the standout performer in the women's division and is showing no signs of slowly down. After a dominant 6&5 victory over Jasmine Rou in the morning, she then came up against the experienced Chantelle Cassidy and brushed the highest ranked New Zealand female amateur aside.

Rose Zheng has continued her impressive run of form which included a win in the Harewood Open two weeks ago, is now in the New Zealand Amateur final for the first time.

Both men's and women's finals will be played over 36 holes tomorrow.

Men's Results
Quarter & Semifinal Match PlayShaun Campbell (Omanu) b Jonathan Cane (Royal Wellington) 1up, Peter Spearman-Burn (Miramar) b Jake Meenhorst (Huapai) 6/4 b Luke Toomey (Riverside) b Fraser MacLachlan (Millbrook) 1up, Louis Dobbelaar (Australia) b Nick Coxon (Riverside) 19th
Peter Spearman-Burn (Miramar) b Shaun Campbell (Omanu) 4/2, Louis Dobbelaar (Australia) b Toomey (Riverside) 21st hole

Women's Results
Quarter & Semifinal Match Play
Rose Zheng (Pakuranga) b Deedee Taylah-Russell (Australia) 1up, Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) b Siyi Keh (Pakuranga) 3/1, Chantelle Cassidy (Riverside) b Ela Grimwood (Gulf Harbour) 3/2, Munchin Keh (Titirangi) b Jasmine Rou (Russley) 6/5
Rose Zheng (Pakuranga) b Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 2&1, Munchin Keh (Titirangi) b Chantelle Cassidy (Riverside) 4/3