Golf: Youngsters triumph against the odds

Jodae Ngaheu, 15, and Byron Willis, 16, are the youngest golfers to win the Tauranga Golf Club senior championship titles. Photo / John Borren

Winning the senior championship singles titles in Tauranga Golf Club's centenary year was always going to be a special achievement.

But Byron Willis, 16, and Jodae Ngaheu, 15, made it even more memorable by becoming the club's youngest champions after they triumphed against the odds in 36-hole matchplay finals.

Byron, in Year 12 at Tauranga Boys' College, shot two rounds of 69 to outpoint Bay of Plenty senior rep Karl Knedler. He became the youngest men's winner after Jim Lancaster and Rob Mowat, who won in the 1960s. A day later Byron won another 36-hole final to beat Josh Presley, to become the first player since Lancaster to win the senior men's and junior boys' titles in the same year.

"I was pretty happy to be in the final. I didn't have any great expectations to come out winning and was a bit nervous," Byron said. "I was three up after the first 18 holes then he shot four under in the afternoon. We were all square going down the 36th and I won it. I couldn't really believe it at first but it has sunk in now."

Byron plays off a three handicap and would love to become a touring professional one day, which is exactly the career path Jodae wants to follow.

The Tauranga Girls' College Year 10 student was also the underdog in her final, up against Emmalee Morrell, 17, who is regarded as the club's top women's player.

But Jodae, who plays off a seven, upset the predictions with a 5&3 win.

"I just went out and played not worrying, whereas Emmalee went out thinking she was not going to lose," Jodae said. "It was crazy. I just played my best game ever, I think, in the second round, when I shot even par for 15 holes."

Jodae lost the junior girl's final to Olivia Choo the day after her senior triumph, with fatigue setting in after BOP junior golf commitments meant she played 13 rounds in seven days.

Tauranga Golf Fusion pro Rob Ilott says Byron and Jodae winning did not surprise him.

"Their work ethic and how nothing fazes them too much makes the difference. They like the challenge and are mentally tough," Ilott said. "It is going to become more common. Kids want it now with Lydia Ko and Danny Lee leading the way and I think it will get younger and younger."