08/06/2026
TAIHAPE PENNANT TEAM ARE OFF TO THE FINAL
The Taihape E grade pennant team finished their final round robin match in style at home on sunday destroying a strong confident Fielding side 9-0.
Leading the Taihape team out this week at 5 and 6 was a new duo the two young gun's, Captain Ricky Alabaster and Mackintosh/BMS shearer Kiel Martin. Martin having to play with a few work related swollen joints and a missing contact lense still somehow managed to see his way to an all the way win 6/5. Alabaster started well playing some consistent solid golf and rightfully took a 4 up lead at the turn but then a late fight back from his opponent quickly put him back at only 1 up with 4 to play, a quick couple of deep breath's a determined to win Ricky then made 3 incredible up and down's in a row and a good regulation par on 17 to hold on to win 2/1 and give team selector's something to think about for the final. Martin and Alabaster combined well together both contributing to their 4 ball match when needed and were too good winning 6/5.
A last minute injury change for number 4 Reuben Alabaster meant the U.O.B legend hooker/fullback Max Buchanan came into the team and despite losing the 1st 2 hole's his hot form from the day before kicked in and was all class winning his match 3/1.
The powerful hitting Nate Lamb was back this week playing at 3 and despite a couple un-Nathan like error's he was still too good for his opponent winning 3/1 and also had the team shot of the day hitting his 7 iron left handed 130 metres from out of the rough back into the fairway💪💪.
Nate and Max also combined well for the 4ball and won their match 3/2.
Playing at number 2 this week was Taihape's Mr Can-Am Man the reigning club champ Chid Troon, some scary long drive's and a red hot putter holing multiple long putt's Troon was always going to be in control of his match and like Martin also won 6/5 which meant both also shared their team mate's orange note's for their 2 big win's respectively.
Playing at 1 was the Anderson Shearing and Spoon Master Denny Thompson who took a day off work to take on the in form youngster Fielding number 1. Thompson as usual flushed his way around the course and with all his matchplay experience and being on his home track he was never gunna let his opponent into the match from the get go, the first 9 hole's he was again under the card and cruised his way to a 5/4 victory.
Troon and Thompson a hard to beat duo easily won their 4 ball match 5/4.
Big shoutout to Bone's who once again presented the course in top condition keep up the good work mate and a special shoutout also to Diane and Tapper for doing the food and bar to a very full clubhouse👌👌.
Taihape now meet Castlecliff in the final on the 20th of June at Foxton Golf Club which is going to be an epic final and if u can get down and support the men✅️✅️.
Lastly and sorry no photo this week cheer's to Prodrive Golf from the boy's in blue.
