One of New Zealand’s most promising teenagers, Zack Swanwick, is in storied company after winning the Trust House 54-Hole Wairarapa Open at Lansdowne over the weekend.
Swanwick, who remarkably has been playing the event since he was nine years old, pulled away over the final stages to win by five shots. He joins the illustrious list of winners of the prestigious tournament, including Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell, Ben Campbell, Mark Brown and Kerry Mountcastle.
Heading into the final round, it was a two-horse race between Napier’s Swanwick and Jono Cane from Manor Park. Although Cane narrowed the gap with a hot start on the front nine, Swanwick ultimately prevailed with an impressive 10–under total, including a five-under par 66 final round.
Swanwick’s name is likely to be to the fore in the future. The 18-year-old won the Bledisloe Cup for leading amateur at this year’s New Zealand Open and played in the Australian PGA and Australian Open. He will further his golfing career with a move to Florida State University later this year.
Another promising junior, Ned Butler, from Ōtaki, finished in third place behind Swanwick and Cane.
Emma Zheng [Royal Auckland] took out the Women’s Open division by 10 shots over Juwon Kim [Pupuke] with an incredible three-round total of 17 under par.
Zheng left her best for last with a sensational final round of 62 [11 under on the par 73 layouts], shattering a course record that has stood since 1982 by five shots.
Masterton Golf Club member Simon Dew took out the Intermediate Division by three shots over fellow Masterton member Reece Hannam.
The Percy Cup was awarded to Houston TePuni [Judgeford] for best overall nett score, and the Hugo Cup was won by Ben Irvine [Paraparaumu] for the best gross score on Saturday with a 67.
Masterton Golf Club club captain Sam Forrester praised the players who endured some testing weather throughout Saturday’s play.
