Thompson Newth and Neal bag titles

Glenn Neal and Amber-Rose Thompson-Newth etched themselves into the record books with victories in the men's and women's senior Wanganui Golf Club finals at Belmont yesterday.

Both were 1-down after the first 18 holes, but clawed their way back into contention and took the lead during the second round.

Neal took the lead 1-up on the 15th in round two of the matchplay event and was still 1-up on the 18th, but a bogey and a par from rival Mike Arnott levelled the scores, forcing an extra hole.

Neal steadied himself and took the 37th and the title 5 to 6.

It was the first time both Neal and Arnott had made the men's senior final, although they are team-mates in the Manawatu Wanganui B-grade pennants side. Their skills helped that team gain promotion to A-grade for next season.

"The win today was very satisfying and I now join an illustrious group on the club's honours board," Neal said yesterday.

"It was a tough battle played in very good spirits. The turning point probably came for me on the 15th on the second round. I played a close shot and Mike gave me the putt, but he clawed back on the 18th with a par while I had a bogey," Neal said.

Playing 15-time winner Caroline Scott, Thompson-Newth chalked up a hat-trick of wins in the senior women's event having beaten Scott in 2011 and 2012. Before coming up against the teenager Scott had dominated the event, winning 10 straight.

She had her chance to end the match on the 15th in the second round going into the hole 3-up. They halved the hole and were forced to play on.

The match went right to the wire with Thompson-Newth taking the title 2 and 1.