Omanu and Mount Maunganui golfers triumph at NZ Maori champs in Taupo

Winners at the NZ Maori Golf champs, from left, Keegan Wiltshier, Aroha Tito and Tawera Williams. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

The four major titles up for grabs at the 2017 NZ Maori Golf Tournament held at Taupo's Centennial Course in late April were all won by three Western Bay golfers.

Omanu's Keegan Wiltshier triumphed in the senior men's matchplay to claim the Otautahi Trophy, Mount Maunganui's Aroha Tito won the ladies strokeplay title, and Tawera Williams, from Omanu, took home the Tainui Trophy as senior men's strokeplay champion.

For Tito, 39, it was a return to the winner's circle as she had three previous matchplay titles to her name but had not played in the event until recently after being tournament director for 10 years.

"Last year I said to the committee I am going to have a go this year and I did. It was definitely more than I hoped to win both titles," the 4-handicapper said.

"I didn't think I would get the strokeplay, but thankfully the other girl (Sara Deam) dropped at the end. The matchplay final was a really close match with Sara, and we both picked up our games as we hadn't played that well during the week."

Wiltshier, 19, plays off a two handicap at Omanu and finally won the major prize after making the quarter-finals and semifinals in the last two years.

"It is pretty awesome to win. It was definitely a long week and to come out on top was pretty special.

"I have played Maoris for the last three years, and during the prizegiving, they did a haka for me which sort of sent shivers down your spine. It is a real cool feeling to finally get it done."

In the final, Wiltshier was up against Jeremy Aranga from Greymouth and trailed right through the final going to the 18th green.

Then with the title in his grasp, Aranga missed a small two-foot putt to give Wiltshier an unexpected reprieve.

"I was three down through five holes after a bad start, then won the sixth before my mate Harry Hillier jumped on the bag and calmed my nerves and helped me out.

"He missed that final putt, and I had my hat off ready to shake his hand. We went down the 19th and halved it before I won on the 20th."

Meanwhile, Williams, 20, was confident he could win a title in Taupo.

"The last few years the goal has been to turn up and win so to be able to get a trophy is huge," he said.

Williams shot 73 and 73 off his handicap of 0.6 to finish equal with past champion William Brown so like Wiltshier he needed a play-off to secure the title.

"We went down the first hole, and I happened to birdie the hole to win the play-off. Being able to go to a play-off and sink that putt is a huge boost for me,' Williams said.

"It means everything to me becoming a Maori national champion. It is huge mana for the family and something I always wanted to achieve.

"Looking at the past champions like Philip Tataurangi and Michael Campbell it is just awesome to be part of that list."

Next year Williams would love to play Wiltshier in the matchplay final.

"At least the trophy would stay in Omanu anyway."