The Manawatu/Wanganui golf team took out it's first-ever win in the Booth Shield in the event's 45-year history.
A team of 12 junior players (six boys and six girls) competed in the tournament played at Poverty Bay Golf Club in Gisborne over Labour Weekend. The Booth Shield is played annually and
contested by eight regions including: Marlborough, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Manawatu/Wanganui.
The tournament consists of three rounds of golf and with seven scores (nett) from each team counting for the team score.
Manawatu/Wanganui were crowned joint winners with hosts Poverty Bay after a countback could not separate the sides.
The event is predominantly for emerging players, so those in the side are expected to be the golfers of the future for the region.
Coach/Manager for Manawatu/Wanganui, Pat Handcock said this year the players went into the event believing that if they stepped up to the mark they could win it.
"We had a good bunch of players who all have talent, a great attitude to golf and are willing to work hard to get good results."
"This team played as a team, and they supported each other throughout. That's what makes the difference. "
Team members for Manawatu/Wanganui were: (Boys) Isaac Durie (Feilding), Hamish Melody (Marton), Jeff Handcock (Manawatu), Trent Munn (Palmerston North), Michael Morton (Levin), Tyler Hodge (Levin). Girls: Jamie Morrah (Palmerston North), Tania White (Marton), Maraea Durie (Feilding), Keita Durie (Feilding), Tracy Corbett (Hawkestone), Natasha Cranston (Tawhero). Reserves: Josh Morton and Bridie Hodge (Levin). Selector: Neil Morton (Levin).
