Golf: Holzer takes matchplay title

By BOB PEARCE

Logan Holzer capped a great year for the Grange Golf Club by winning the Auckland matchplay championship on his home course yesterday.

The 21-year-old beat Auckland No 1 Chris Johns 2 and 1 in the final to add the title to the men's and women's team awards the Papatoetoe club has won this season.

Holzer, whose previous biggest win was the Waipu Classic last year, raced to a three-hole lead in the final and was still one up at the turn.

But the experienced Johns drew level with a magnificent eagle on the 12th and moved into the lead for the first time on the 14th with a birdie.

The par-three 15th proved decisive. Both were on the green but Johns three-putted and Holzer's two-putt par was enough for the win.

Johns was in trouble off the tee to lose the 16th and Holzer won the next and the match with a par after Johns had found a bunker with his second. He is the first Grange player to win the title for 26 years.