Golf: Youngsters claim Ralph Cup

Northland's Ralph Cup winning team of Julian Fowler, Christian Nitsche, Taylor Gill, and Ben Bowmar.

Northland's under-19 golf team overshadowed their senior counterparts at the Kerikeri Golf Club as the youngsters claimed the Ralph Cup for the first time in over a decade.

While Northland's under-19 team - made up of Taylor Gill (Kerikeri), Christian Nitsche (Whangarei), Julian Fowler (Northland) and Ben Bowmar (Whangarei) - claimed Northland's first win since 2001, the senior team's result in the Garrard Shield was a case of close but no cigar.

Top Northland performers for juniors included Fowler, who got a perfect three wins from three, and Nitsche with two wins and a half during last weekend's tournament.

The youngsters claimed the Ralph Cup win thanks to a 2.5 to 1.5 win over Auckland in the final, after earlier thumping Bay of Plenty 4-0 to make the final.

In the Garrard Shield, Bay of Plenty successfully defended the title to record an eighth straight win.

Northland came close in the Shield contest, their runner-up finish the result of some late Bay heroics during round two.

Manager Michael Macdonald noted the critical moment came during the final stages of round two with the final approach shot by Bay number one Charlie Hillier.

"Charlie made birdie from the trees on the 18th hole to square his match with Kadin [Neho] and with it a 4.5-3.5 win for the Bay," Macdonald.

"A draw would have given us control of our own destiny, unfortunately that shot left us needing Waikato to win against the Bay and and us facing a must win match against Auckland in the final round."

With Bay of Plenty winning 5.5-2.5 over Waikato, Northland were left to rue another missed opportunity.

Earlier in round one Northland beat Waikato 4.5-3.5 with all eight matches going to the 17th or 18th hole.

Kadin Neho continued his recent run of good form going unbeaten with two wins and a half in the always difficult number one position.

Alex Neely, Sheldon Kearns and Luke Brown all picked up two wins apiece as did masters number one Saali Herewini playing at eight for the weekend.