Golf: Campbell leads Aquinas to second

Alanna Campbell helped her Aquinas team to second place and took individual honours at the NZ Secondary Schools tournament on Monday.

The sporting prowess of Aquinas College received another boost when they finished runners-up to St Peter's School, Cambridge, at the New Zealand Secondary Schools golf tournament on Monday.

Aquinas blitzed the other 11 schools competing, finishing 16 shots ahead of defending champions Massey High School in third.

The 36-hole tournament was hosted by Wellington's Manor Park Golf Club. It was run over one day on Monday and ended with an eight-shot win to St Peter's, who have the advantage of a full-time golf academy.

Josh Presley (left), Keegan Wiltshire, Mikaere Smith (manager), Shaun Campbell and Alanna Campbell made up the Aquinas College golf team that finished second at the New Zealand Secondary Schools tournament in Wellington. Photo / Supplied

Aquinas made it through qualifying to represent Bay of Plenty in the 13-team field. Team number one and New Zealand representative Alanna Campbell, 17, shot sub-par rounds of 70 and 67 (-5) to take out the individual player of the tournament award ahead of all other male and female golfers.

"I was really pleased I could pull one out for the school," the Year 12 student said.

"It is a really good result for (Aquinas) as there are some pretty good schools out there, so to get where we did I am really proud of us actually. We were really close at half way but St Peter's played some really good golf in the afternoon to get the edge in the end."

Campbell's younger brother, Shaun, 15, Joshua Presley, 16, and Keegan Wiltshire, 18, contributed to a good team effort, with the best three scores counting for the title.

"I've got my last year at school to come next year. Keegan is leaving, but Shaun and Josh have still got two years left, so we have the chance to have another crack at it again," Campbell said.

Team manager Mikaere Smith was most pleased with the overall team performance.

"While Alanna is our superstar, we still needed the support of the other players to get to second place," Smith said. "Without their contributions, Alanna would have been left by herself. It really was a true team effort. We were only two shots behind St Peter's after the morning 18 holes."

Campbell is back in action this week, contesting the NZ Women's Age Group Championship that finishes this Friday at the same Manor Park course.

"I am lucky to have played it (Monday) and know my way around," she said.

"When I arrived here I didn't know what to expect to be honest but it has two par-fives that are quite short so taking advantage there does help quite a bit. Then I have the Carrus Open coming up in Tauranga (September 17-20), which I have my eyes on."