GOLF: Computer student wins first time up

ANENDRA SINGH
Not too many people can say they have won a golf tournament on their first attempt.
You can now add Supravee Phatam to that exclusive group after he etched his name on the matchplay silverware of the Efficient Moving and Storage-sponsored East Coast Amateur Championship at the Maraenui Golf Club, in Napier, on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Eastern Institute of Technology computer student beat 2009 East Coast strokeplay champion Pieter Zwart 3 and 2 at the par-72 course.
Having missed previous East Coast champs this time of the year because he went back to his country of birth, Thailand, to spend time with his family, Phatam this year decided to spend his Christmas Holiday here.
Does that mean as defending champion next year he'll have to postpone his trip back home once more?
``Oh I can't say that right now. I'm not too sure just yet,' the plus-one handicapper from Hastings Golf Club told SportToday.
Phatam, who was runner-up to Pieter Zwart on New Year's Day for the strokeplay bragging rights, had expressed his disappointment at not playing to a high standard after finishing six strokes behind his plus-two rival after 36 holes.
However, on Saturday he made amends by carding one-under 71 in the final, including three birdies.
``I was striking the ball well but my putting wasn't the best.'
His ability to find the greens with great approach shots to the flag, he said, minimised the risk of uneventful putting. Phatam enjoyed the tourney, saying it was competitive but relaxed.
His semifinal against veteran five-time East Coast champion Frank Borren was more electrifying, going down to the wire before he won 2 and 1.
The Paraparaumu Golf Club amateur held a one-up lead all the way to the 14th hole before Phatam made a move.
``I halved the next hole and then won, then went two up. Frank was pretty straight off the tees but I was able to score a couple of birdies.
``It's good to be back and winning again,' said Phatam who now must fancy his chances of stamping his supremacy with his peers in the annual New Zealand Under-23 Amateur Championship at his home club at Bridge Pa on Thursday.
The age-group nationals, which traditionally start from Taupo before moving to the Hastings club, will be reversed this year.
Phatam, who has battled back problems and also juggled his studies at Napier Boys' High School in previous years, has a finish of 22 overall.
It will be another case of missed opportunities for Waipukurau/Hawke's Bay Golf Club member Zwart. The Zimbabwe-born amateur, who will captain the Bay team in the national under-23 interprovincials from Sunday in Taupo, was on track after beating Hastings club player Brook Morpeth 2 and 1 in the semifinal.
``It's not bad luck. Supravee played really well and he was consistent all the way,' Zwart said.
In a common theme, he also had little joy with his putter. ``If I had a putter with a lighter underneath [to heat it up] ... because it was stone cold.'
He refused to blame the speed of the greens, claiming the Bridge Pa greens were much faster during the age-group nationals.
``I just didn't play well and generally I'm well-known for my putting,' said Zwart, confessing he was a little mentally drained on the third day.
The other members of the strong Bay under-23 team to play in Taupo are national representative Nick Gillespie, Daniel Pearce, Phatam and Reihana Menaena.
``I'll be a fool not to back us,' said Zwart, who sees Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Wellington and Waikato as obstacles on their path to the team title.