Following in their fathers’ fairway steps

NOW: Kahu Tataurangi tees off at the 2020 New Zealand amateur at Poverty Bay. He was eliminated in the round of 16 matchplay yesterday afternoon. Picture by Paul Rickard

GOLF

TWENTY-nine years ago the surnames Tataurangi, Smail and Mountcastle were among the hopefuls at the New Zealand men’s amateur in Gisborne.

This week, those surnames were back on the Poverty Bay course in the form of the next generation.

In 1991, Phil Tataurangi was among the big names in the 115-strong field of Kiwis and Australians.

Waikato teammate David Smail was also there, along with a lesser-known Paul Mountcastle, of Wairarapa, who ended up shifting to Gisborne and playing for Poverty Bay-East Coast.

Those three players’ sons are competing in the 2020 edition — Kahu Tataurangi, Charlie Smail and Kerry Mountcastle.

And at least two of them will return home having surpassed the ’91 performances of their dads.

Phil had a 1991 tournament to forget, shooting 83, 80 and failing to make the 36-hole cut of the 72-hole strokeplay.

Back then the NZ strokeplay and matchplay titles were held together, the strokeplay serving as a qualifier.

Nowadays, the two are held separately. The matchplay championship features two rounds of strokeplay qualifying from which the top 32 men advance.

Kahu started off with an opening round 76 on Wednesday. He was 3-under after 14 holes but dropped seven shots over the last four holes for a 76.

On Thursday he bounced back with a 4-under 68, including eagles on the par-5 first and 12th holes, to qualify 20th.

Paul shot 76, 81 in 1991 to survive the 36-hole cut but did not qualify for the top 32.

Kerry equal-top qualified overall on 10-under, equalling the course record with a sensational 8-under 64 in his second round.

David shot 72, 75 to make the cut in 1991 and went on to qualify for the top 32, where he was eliminated in the first round of matchplay.

Charlie, who won the NZ amateur in 2018, carded 75 and a bogey-free 69 to qualify.

Phil Tataurangi, who won the 1993 NZ Amateur, and David Smail went on to forge successful professional careers — Phil on the PGA Tour, including winning the 2002 Invensys Classic; Smail predominantly on the Japan Tour.

Both men also played in several majors.

NZ Golf handicapping and golf services manager Phil Aickin, who is helping run the tournament in Gisborne this week, also played at the 1991 amateur.

Aickin qualified for the top 32 but was knocked out by Stephen Scahill in the first matchplay round.