Round 4 – Christchurch GC
On a beautiful Sunday morning, the team headed off to Christchurch GC to face top of the table Russley. The course was presented in fantastic condition, with fast, firm fairways and slick greens, the team were looking forward to the days golf.
With 2 players unavailable due to injury (Daniel Lundt) and Josh Smith unavailable, the team called up the in-form Harry Weeds and experienced Troy Clark. Gavin O’Hara and Harry Weeds lead the team off on the tough 5th hole.
O’Hara had a tough match against Russley stalwart Andrew Dufton, who got off to an ok start, but then Dufton played well around the turn with birdies on 11 and 12 to put him 3 up, and walking off the 15th green, O’Hara found himself 4 down with 7 to play, but O’Hara dug in and found some game and managed to win 16, 17 and 18 to get his match back to only 1 down. Playing the 1st hole, Dufton found his putting boots again and holed a mid-range putt for another birdie to put him in a strong position of 2 up with 3 to play. Dufton then played a lovely 2nd shot into the uphill 2nd within gimmie range for another birdie to close the match out 3&2.
Harry on the other hand had another tough match against Regan Kilpatrick. Weeds who was solid all day and applied his pressure to his opponent with solid golf from tee to green was in good control for his match from the off. Weeds had to stomach a late fightback from Kilpatrick with Regan’s birdie on 18 and a wonderful drive to the uphill 2nd hole to 15 feet and sunk the putt for an eagle 2, but being dormy 3 up in his match, Weeds was in total control and finished his match off in style. Regan just coming off eagle hit a solid shot to the middle of the green, Then Weeds steps up and flushes a 6 iron to within a foot off the hole and Regan had no choice but to give him the putt and hands were shook. Weeds coming out 3&1 victorious. A great performance and has looked to cement his call up from Blank to Woody due to the loss of Daniel Lundt from the team as Dan is moving away over the coming days.
With other battles happening around the course, James Howard and Kerry Branson both had tough matches, and both unfortunately found themselves on the losing side. Troy Clark and Sam Watkinson also both had tough matches and Watkinson was another star for the team on a tough day at the office, holding Ben Baker to a halve, Watkinson battled right to the end and for his efforts won a great half a point for himself and the team. Our top 2, Matt Mclean and Scott Manyweathers had great draws on paper. Mclean playing Reid Hilton, Mclean made a great up and down from the left of the green on the 2nd to make birdie, but only to watch Hilton follow him in and win 2&1. Manyweathers had a great match with Hiroki Miya and Manyweathers looked to have Miya under control, but the youngster Hiroki then opened the birdie valve with birdies on 18, 1 and 2 Manyweathers was also shaking hands on the 2nd green to lose 2&1.
The team head off to Waitikiri to face Waitikiri in round 5 and a match we need to get a result to get us back in the race for the top 4. After this defeat Harewood find themselves 5th in the table but only a point behind 3rd and 4th.