Ricci Putohe, who finished as runner-up in the Waikato Match Play yesterday, has a story he will tell for a lifetime...

Ricci, in the Division 1 semi-final at the Waikato Secondary Schools Match Play Tournament, found himself one down going into 18, a par 3 110 metre hole at Stewart Alexander Golf Course. His playing partner hit a solid shot onto the green which brought claps from the clubhouse. Jakob Bird, the school golf captain, told Ricci, " you are just going to aim for the flag". Ricci stepped up and sent the ball flying just over the front side bunker on the perfect line, arrghs and oohs were heard in the clubhouse then cheers and screaming erupted as the ball found its way into the cup. Ricci was then to play that hole two more times to proceed into the final with scores of 1, 3 and 2 on the 18th. 

The thing that makes this story so unbelievable is that five days before, Ricci was playing golf with his Dad at Onewhero on 14, a par 3 115 metre hole. He holed out for his first ever hole in one. Most people play their whole lifetime and never get one but Ricci got two in five days. If only there was a car up for grabs at the Waikato Match Play Championship! 

All golfers know how cruel golf can be. One minute you're getting a hole in one to secure a spot in the Divison 1 final, and in the final you hit your first ball out of bounds, the second hole ball into the creek and the third out of bounds again and suddenly you're three down in the final. As Teacher in Charge of Golf I am so proud of how Ricci dealt with this situation and the resilience he showed to fight back to get it back to all square with outstanding composure.  But in all sport there always has to be a winner and Hunter from Whangamata Area School held out Ricci to eventually win the title.

Parents if you get the opportunity please expose your students to golf as it teaches core skills, respect, honesty, sportsmanship, courtesy and integrity. All these qualities were on display throughout the three day Waikato Secondary Schools Matchplay Championship and I was proud of all twenty two golfers I took along.

Results

Division One - Ricci Putohe (Yr 11) Runner Up

Plate Winner - Michael Ellis (Yr 130

Division 2 - Isaac Steel (Yr 10) Champion

Plate Winner - Payton Spencer (Yr 13)

Division 3 - Jakob Arthur (Yr 11) Runner Up

Plate Winner - Connor Hill (Yr 13)

Division 4 - Nicholas Seel (Yr 9) Champion

 (First ever secondary school golf tournament won 3 playoffs on the 18th hole to take the title, amazing experience for such a young golfer)

Division 5 - Jacob Crane (Yr 11) Champion, Ryan Brotherston (Yr 13) Runner Up

Mr Cooley (TIC Golf - best job in the world)