Raj stays course to win crown

NEW CHAMPS: Tara Raj and Regan Cording with the trophies from the Wanganui Open Golf Championship on Sunday.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 24082015WCSUPTARA2

A PLAY-OFF birdie by a Palmerston North golfer and two consistent rounds from the middle sister of the talented Raj golfing family saw them each claim the silverware at the 2015 Ricoh Wanganui Open Golf Championship on Sunday.

A field of 90 men and women contested the annual 36-hole open at the Belmont Links, and it was Wanganui youngster Tara Raj, also the recent winner of the Wanganui Club championship, who won the women's title with a score of 161 against players with much more experience.

The men's division was a nail-biter as Regan Cording (74,70) and Marton club golfer Lachie McDonald (73,71) had to go to a play-off.

After both players found the green, Cording nailed the birdie on the first hole to claim the win and build on his lead in the district's Order of Merit, which could see him back in the Manawatu-Wanganui Toro team.

In his press release, Wanganui Golf Club's director of golf Norm Rapson said conditions were calm and overcast, with just a little bit of wind picking up towards the end of the first round in the morning.

"Many of the region's top amateurs and those seeking representative honours were in the field.

"The leading Wanganui player was Mike Arnott, who carded a 76, which included an uncharacteristic triple bogey.

"The greens were flat and fast although a little dew in the morning helped slow them a little.

"Overall, the course was in great condition given the poor weather the region has endured lately."

Men played off the back blue tees and the lowest rounds were three over par 73s, recorded by McDonald and Manawatu players Rhys Watkins and David Ponse.

"Lachie is playing his last competition round in the region before heading overseas to the Michael Campbell Academy in Spain. We wish him the best," said Rapsom.

Cording came up in the second round to tie McDonald, as the afternoon started with light showers and cooling temperatures, before the sun came out strongly for the last half of the round, which was then extended by the play-off for the two Toro representatives.

In the women's division, another Marton player Jenny Ritchie was three shots ahead of local club player Raj, sitting on 78 at the end of the morning round.

But Raj would stay the course as her opening 81 was followed by an 80 to win the crown, two shots clear of Manawatu's Karen Manninen (85, 78), with Palmerston North teenager Katherine Paskins a further shot back with a pair of 82s.