Zack Swanwick, 17, led Taradale High School (Napier) to its maiden New Zealand secondary schools final at Pleasant Point Golf Club this week.
Swanwick trailed Kings College’s (Auckland) Ryan Xie, 15, on the individual standings after the first day and got off to a challenging start, going out in 1-over-par.
However, his golfing pedigree was on full display over the closing nine, making four birdies and a bogey to beat Xie by a couple of shots.
Pleasant Point Golf Club president Warren Leslie said the day went exceptionally well.
‘‘We are extremely proud of our club. It was a great couple of days, the course was immaculate and I can’t speak highly enough about the reception we got from the players, and the amazing work of our volunteers.’’
Yeonsoo Son, from Pinehurst School (North Harbour), went on to break the women’s course record with a score of 69.
It was previously held by Timaru’s Annie Seed with a score of 71 and had stood since 1988.
Ryan Xie, from King’s College, equalled the men’s course record held by Point’s Jack Leslie with a 66.
Many of the top performers of this tournament are competing in the national age group tournament which concludes today at the Timaru Golf Club.
