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BRENT Colbert has played plenty of brilliant shots in his extensive golf career.
The one that put Poverty Bay (1) into the final of the Oligoi Jug men’s interclub pennants last Sunday was not one of them.
Not in the textbook sense, that is.
The fortuitous nature of golf was exemplified in all its fickle glory when Colbert delivered a low blow that floored Gisborne Park in the semifinals at Te Puia Springs.
Colbert beat Tom Teneti 2-up to secure the defending champions a 5-3 team win and a place in the final on their home course on May 29. There they will face Tolaga Bay, who put away Patutahi 6-2 in the other semi.
Colbert felt plenty of sympathy for opponent Teneti as they shook hands.
Colbert had teed off the 285-metre fifth hole (they started their match on the sixth) 1-up and with the team score locked at 3-3. Teneti had to win the hole to force a playoff; Colbert only needed a half.
That looked in doubt when the former Poverty Bay-East Coast representative drove left into a drain and had to take a penalty drop.
Pitched short of the greenTeneti had his own problems. His ball was near the out-of-bounds fence on the right side and he was only able to pitch it short of the green.
Colbert dropped, took out his 52-degree wedge and proceeded to hit it horribly thin, his ball going no higher than two-feet, crashing into the steep hill before the green, popping up and rolling to four feet from the pin.
Teneti then contributed to the farce by hitting his shot through the green. He managed to put his fourth on but with Colbert so close for three, his fate was all but sealed and he conceded defeat.
Poverty Bay No.2 Peter Kerekere maintained his perfect record for the series with a 3 and 2 win against Sel Peneha. No.1 William Brown, who the day before won the Poverty Bay men’s open foursomes with Kerekere, came from 2-down with three holes to play to half with Jayden Bright.
Park’s only win came from No.3 Daniel Donnelly — 2 and 1 over Tini Hawea.
Tolaga v PatutahiPerhaps surprisingly, Tolaga Bay brushed aside Patutahi.
Taine Lincoln defeated Regan Hindmarsh 3 and 2 at the top of the order, Dion Milner beat Eddie Brown junior 2-up and Tere Lincoln dismissed Hukanui Brown 3 and 2.
Tony Akroyd was the only Tahi success. He followed up a 7 and 6 caning of Colbert in the morning round with a 3 and 2 victory over Bruce Yates.
The last round-robin clashes were held in the morning to decide the semifinal composition and draw.
Leaders Poverty Bay (1), having already booked a place and the No.1 qualifying spot, drew 4-4 with Patutahi, Tolaga Bay defeated Te Puia Springs 6-2 and Park downed PB (2) 6-2.
Poverty Bay (1) ended round-robin play on 32 points, Patutahi had 23, Tolaga Bay 21, Park 19, Te Puia 16 and PB (2) 9.
Out of the running, Te Puia and PB (2) played off for fifth in the afternoon, drew 4-4 and shared the position.
Andrew Higham (over Alister Jennings) and Neil Mackie (over David Situ) won for the Springs. Neville West (over Jason Devery) and Tuki Sweeney (over Mark Higham) won for the Bay.
Sweeney’s win was his second of the day. He beat Teneti in the morning.