The SOHS golf team, consisting of Toby Allan, Rashaun Melvin and Ryan Hurring, took part in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Golf Championship at McLeans Island Golf Club in Christchurch last weekend

The tournament was contested over 36 holes across two days with the best two gross scores counting towards the overall team score.

The opening day (Sunday) proved to be a difficult day. The McLeans Island layout was very tight and severely punished anything wayward off the tee. Throw a bit of wind into the mix and it made scoring a challenge for the field. Toby (78) and Rashaun (81) were our best two on the first day, which left us on 159 (+15).The final day (Monday) was a bit calmer for the most part, yet the scoring was not significantly better across the field. Toby ground out a solid 76 despite not enjoying his best day in terms of ball-striking, while Rashaun shot 83. This left us on 318 (+30) and saw us place 20th= out of the 24 teams, well behind the winners, Burnside High School of Christchurch.

From a managerial perspective, I was immensely proud of the boys. It was great to see them footing it with some of New Zealand's top amateur golfers and being exposed to a higher level. I am ever hopeful that the experience encourages the boys to keep working hard on their game so they get this type of exposure to competition in the future.

I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the trip, with Golf Otago, the Otago Eagles Society and South Otago Golf all making it very cost-effective for us. The South Otago golfing community, which includes all of the clubs and supporters, has also been fantastic over the years and they have done so much to make golf a popular sport to play among young people.

Elliott Carroll
TIC Golf