Macleans College continues to prove it is the golfing school to beat in New Zealand, taking out the New Zealand Boys’ Secondary Schools Championship for the third time in the last four events.
Kings College took out the girls’ event comfortably.
The Macleans College side of Stephen Liu, Daniel Ko and Samuel Ding combined for four-under-par to win by 11 shots over St Peters. Kings College took out the bronze.
The Macleans team was in control for the majority of the event and held the overnight lead courtesy of Liu’s three under 68 and Ko’s one-under 70. In Friday’s final round, they sealed the deal with Liu’s two over 73 and Ko’s three under 68.
Kings College’s girls team began the final round second behind the tournament favourite Pinehurst.
On the opening day, Rianne Li and Amy Han had the counting scores, shooting 74 and 75. On Friday, Grace Zhan chimed in, carding an even-par 73, which was matched by Amy Han.
Kings beat Pinehurst by 10 strokes after an incredible second day at Pukekohe Golf Club.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Age Group Championships had some surprises.
Liu’s first two rounds were good enough to hold a two-stroke lead in the under 19 boys’ division however that changed on the final day.
Zack Swanwick (Napier) came from behind to win the New Zealand under 19 boys championship title. He started the final day five shots behind Liu.
He got off to a slow start, playing his opening three holes in one over. He then found his groove, making three birdies on the trot from the fourth and would make the turn in a couple under.
With Liu shooting one-over in his opening nine, Swanwick had cut the lead to two. After making seven pars and a birdie on the 17th, Swanwick took sole possession of the lead and stood on the final hole four shots in front.
Ko (Howick Golf Club) finished just two shots behind Cooper Moore (Clearwater Golf Club) in the NZ under 16s boys championship while Lucia Lee (Pakuranga Golf Club) finished 9th in the NZ under 16s girls championship.
