In the swing of things

FIFTH 16 WINNER: Rios Moleta of Patutahi Golf Club. Picture by Paul Rickard

THREE intense days of golf came to a conclusion at the Awapuni Links course on Saturday afternoon when the Emerre and Hathaway Poverty Bay Open champions in six divisions were crowned.

Electrinet Park Member and Tairawhiti Golf Association president Anaru Reedy won the Keiha Cup championship 16 matchplay final — defeating Poverty Bay member Peter Kerekere on the 18th hole of an absorbing decider (story on back page).

Pictured in action are Patutahi's Rios Moleta (pic 1), Mahia's Wade Wesche (pic 2) and Aucklander Ben Jujnovich (pic 3) of Redwood Park.

Moleta won the fifth 16 final while Wesche won the third 16.

Jujnovich, who was fourth qualifier in the championship 16, was eliminated in the semifinals by Kerekere.

Praise for the event and condition of the course was high. However, there was a Covid epilogue, with Poverty Bay Golf Club confirming one of the players had tested positive for the virus.

“Please be aware should you develop flu-like symptoms — cough and sore throat — to isolate and get a RAT (rapid antigen test,” the club said in an email and on the Awapuni Links Facebook page.