The club's director of golf Norm Rapson said the match was all square after 18 holes in the morning. Continuing with a further five holes in the afternoon, Raj managed to go two ahead after she won the 15th hole, which made her three up with three to play.
"The match was over at the 16th hole and Tara became the youngest golfer to win the Wanganui Senior Ladies Club Champion and perhaps one of New Zealand's youngest-ever," Rapson said. "Her win was applauded loudly by all in the clubhouse as she accepted the senior ladies trophy and a bouquet of flowers.
"We are all looking forward to more big things from this young girl."
Raj said she would give the flowers to her mother, who was her caddy on the day.
In the senior men's championship, Newland was ahead by three shots after the morning round and some big hitting power in the afternoon would see him take the title from Keith Johnson, 3-2.
Gary McMillan, who has only been playing the game for a short time, won the junior championship against Ian Howells, while Heemi Stevenson had a convincing win 6-4 over Peter Wallis to claim the intermediate championship.
The Wallis family had three members in finals with Peter Wallis' wife Yvonne winning the Bronze 1 ladies championship and son Bradley prevailing 4-3 over Lee Drummond in the intermediate plate.
Pip Williams won the senior ladies plate final 2-1 over Dana Garrett, while Pru McDowall won the Bronze 2 ladies championship 2-1 from Caro Hutchins.
Results
Men - C Grade Championship: Colin Milne bt Lester Eyles; Junior Plate: Colin Scott bt Graeme Meyers; Junior Championship (RF Edmonds Cup): Gary McMillan bt Ian Howells; Intermediate Consolation (Ted Fox Memorial): John Summerhays; Intermediate Plate: Bradley Wallis bt Lee Drummond; Intermediate Championship (Middleweight Cup): Heemi Stevenson bt Peter Wallis; Senior Consolation: Kevin Hokopaura; Senior Plate: Lance Attrill; Senior Championship (Harold Cup): Justin Newland bt Keith Johnson.
Ladies - Bronze 3 Championship: Shirley Cvitanovich; Bronze 2 Championship: Pru McDowall bt Caro Hutchins; Bronze 1 Flight (Hutcheson Trophy): Robyn McKenzie bt Patty Williams; Bronze 1 Runnerup (Jane Millward Cup): Peg Irvin; Bronze 1 Championship (Izard Trophy): Yvonne Wallis; Senior Flight (Poff Jug): Carron Thompson bt Tracy Thornton; Senior Plate: Pip Williams bt Dana Garrett; Senior Runner Up (Belinda Alexander Jug): Caroline Scott; Senior Championship: Tara Raj.
