KEY POINTS:
I make no apology if you consider this column self-indulgent, as the Akarana Golf Club has been an integral part of my life for the past 10 years. I was president for a time, fluked a win in the club strokeplay championship and have made countless friends.
Today
this proud old club, which has played on the same site next to Mt Roskill since it was founded in 1927, is hoping to complete its greatest week of playing success. Akarana is hosting the Auckland Golf Association's Grand Finals day and club teams feature in two of the four contests - the premier grade Bissett Shield and the Reserves.
We're desperate to win the Bissett Shield which has eluded us since 1961. This is our third final against the Auckland Golf Club since 2005.
But this time it feels different. It's like the moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars. Grand Finals day is rotated around the city and this just happens to be our turn. Last year Auckland won comfortably on their home course.
Akarana is at full strength while Auckland's missing four top players at the Tauranga Open. This matter has been controversial at Middlemore and can only be described as unfortunate.
Ryan Fox and Ben Wallace, two of the country's amateurs, had to decide between a New Zealand Golf Order of Merit event to try to improve their national selection chances or play for their club. Jason Mann and Mark Speedy, whose credentials are not as impressive, decided to play in Tauranga too. Apparently Auckland officials pleaded with all four to reconsider.
Two of Akarana's best players, Van Wright and Seve Ha, were both asked by New Zealand Golf to play in Tauranga. Knowing how desperate the club is to win the Bissett Shield they stayed home for the final.
The clash of dates is unfortunate but a fact of life. The s Tauranga Open status was upgraded with the establishment of the Charles Tour in March. From now on, the national schedule will be finalised in plenty of time for provinces and clubs to plan around the significant events.
Last weekend in Ashburton, the top four Akarana players - Wright, Ha, Hayden McCallum and Darren Gallot - provided the club's greatest triumph with a comprehensive win at the National Interclub finals. If that form can be maintained, and if the likes of former Auckland representatives Brent Fabish and Mark Pirihi and unbeaten teenage star Jonathon Ratcliffe can contribute as well today, there's every reason to believe there could be celebrations this afternoon.
Akarana reputedly has the highest bar turnover of any golf club in the country. To be honest, we haven't had a huge amount of playing success to celebrate, but after Ashburton, and then with Seve Ha being picked on Wednesday for the New Zealand team to the World Juniors in Japan, wins in these finals today would cap off a heck of a week. I'm not ordering the first drink yet, but I'm quietly optimistic.
