16/05/2026
TAIHAPE NARROWLY DEFEAT CASTLECLIFF
The Prodrive Golf sponsored Taihape Pennant team travelled away to Wanganui to take on a strong Castlecliff side on their hometrack. The sun was out shining the course was in immaculate condition green's were running well but a strong swirling cold wind meant all player's were gunna have to be at their best playing in tricky condition's.
Led out at 5 and 6 by Jimmy and Max a few short game error's and long putt's from their opponent's gave all 3 point's to Castlecliff with all 3 of those matche's going down on the 16th and 17th hole's.
Playing at 3 and 4 this week was the big hitting Ben Dickinson and young Kiel Martin. With all 3 game's down early Ben started to show some form holing some crucial mid range putt's to keep their 4ball alive and also his own match and eventually went on to win on the 15th playing some consistent golf, Martin struggled early on with a few topping issue's and lip out's and quickly found himself 4 down after 8 hole's but then found the pace of the green's holing a numerous amount of long putt's and amazingly won 7 of the next 8 hole's to steal his match on the 16th which was crucial in the end team result, a long Martin birdie putt on the 15th also secured their 4ball meaning both team's were tied at 3 all and it was all down to the final group.
Denny Thompson playing at number one was 1 under after 11 hole's and was all class with an all the way win winning on the 13th and also a few orange note's off his team mate's. Chid Troon playing at 2 took the gamble of putting in his new titleist iron's but didnt quite find the groove's but look out when he does though and unfortunately went down on the 17th, both Den and Chid both contributed to their 4ball well and went on to win that match on the 16th meaning Taihape snuck in for the team win 5-4, awesome effort team and cheer's to Castlecliff for the awesome match and hospitality and also good to see W***y T and Peg following both team's around the course.
The final pennant round robin game is in 3 week's at home against Fielding and also a big goodluck to the Taihape President's Trophy team who take on Waimarino next week in yet another grand final👌👌.
TEAM RESULTS
Denny - won 6/5 vs Trevor Ballantine.
Chid - lost 2/1 vs Samuel Kauika.
4 ball - won 3/2
Ben - won 4/3 vs Michael Nixon.
Kiel - won 3/2 vs Anthony Larkin.
4ball - won 4/3
Jimmy - lost 2/1 vs Pat Gray.
Max - lost 3/2 vs Raymond Lee Mason.
4ball - lost 2/1.
TAIHAPE 5 - CASTLECLIFF 4.
