Wellington Masters Runner Up Again

Auckland Claim Back to Back Freyberg Masters

Auckland have completed back to back titles at the 2017 Diners Club Freyberg Masters with a convincing win over a strong Wellington side at the Whitford Park Golf Club today.

They defeated Wellington by a score of 4-1 to claim their 12th title in the events 32-year history which dates back to 1986.

Brent Paterson halved with Elton Nicholson, James Gardiner halved with Malcolm Gullery, Gareth Chitty defeated Mike Trass 2&1, Scott Robertson defeated Darin Hiroki 5&4 and Brett Steven defeated Mark Whalen 1up.

This Auckland side had plenty of standouts with player of the tournament Brent Paterson once again showing his consistency and after losing his opening fixture, the bear was poked as he was undefeated from that point on.

He collected 6.5 points from his eight fixtures to continue his outstanding year as the country’s leading senior player.

Brett Steven also had another clinical week only losing one match which ended an incredible 14-game winning streak at the Freyberg Masters.

After the dominance of both Auckland and Wellington throughout the week, all roads led to this afternoons final round clash which was destined to be the effective-final.

Wellington did enough with 2 wins and 2 halfs to beat BOP, who would finish the tournament in 9th position, 3 - 2 and set up the showdown that had loomed all week.

In the final Auckland had their nose in front most of the way, but with 5 holes to go it was any one's match. Robertson finished birdie, eagle, birdie to gain the only clear result.  Chitty won the 16th to then win 2/1 over Trass, Steven held on to his impressive run through the last two events to win 1up over Whalen, so with the match decided Gullery and Gardiner played out a somewhat meaningless last hole to leave their game as it was, at square.   Nicholson and Patterson agreed a gentlemans half, a high quality match with both players well under the card, with the game even with two holes to go.

In the end Auckland was too good by small margins in their own backyard. The Capital boys will be aiming up at the next two years, scheduled for Taupo and Wellington to host.

FULL RESULTS HERE

We now have a small break in the New Zealand Golfing schedule with the Toro Interprovincials continuing the team’s theme from December 4-9 where the men’s and women’s tournament will be played just one day apart at Sherwood Park Golf Club and Mangawhai Golf Club.