Mangawhai Hosts "Best Ever" Tom Bonnington Cup Field

 

Over the 32 years that the Mangawhai Golf Club has hosted the prestigious Tom Bonnington Cup event, many fine golfers have made their tilt at the trophy.   As the event has grown in status over the years it has attracted some big names in the game – but never more so than the 2018 version. In the words of Tournament Director Wayne Watts, this line-up was the “best ever”, representing 30 different clubs from the upper North Island and including nearly 20 players with scratch handicaps or better.

The event (originially titled The Mangawhai Golf Club Men's Open but now better known as The Bonnington) was played on the weekend of 26 and 27 May on a course that was in magnificent condition.  The famed Mangawhai greens were at their best – smooth, fast and true – fairways were well grassed and rough was trimmed to a height that demanded strong recovery skills.  

Not renowned as an overly long course, Mangawhai is highly regarded for the way it tests even the most accomplished golfer – attested to by the fact that only one round under par was played over the weekend.   Many players struggled to read the line and pace of greens, while others found their power game was not particularly suited to Mangawhai's subtleties.

Play was from the Blue Championship tees, with 66 players entered for an event that is rated as a New Zealand Order of Merit tournament and offers significant prizes and points for the top placegetters.  Top amateurs from Northland, North Harbour and Auckland formed the bulk of the field and Mangawhai was well represented with seven members in the line-up, headed by three-time previous winner Scott Wightman.   Early conditions were pleasant but as Day One progressed the dreaded gusting sou'wester started to make its presence felt, particularly on Holes 2 and 12.  Day Two saw temperatures drop a little and the sou'wester blew steadily through the day.  The odd shower caused discomfort for some but there was no delay in play as competitors focussed on their game.

After 36 holes had been completed, three players were tied for first place – Sung Jin Yeo (North Shore), Jang Hyun Lee (Maungakiekie) and Zane Hinton (Mangawhai), all with 149.  A sudden death playoff took place and Sung Jin Yeo emerged as the tournament winner after the first play-off hole.

A White (Club) Tee competition was also run over the two days, drawing a capacity field and attracting a good number of visitors to Mangawhai.  Jonathan Ho (North Shore) took the Nett prize with two consistent rounds, emerging ahead of a host of local members headed by Men's Club Captain Shel Lloyd.

Comments from visiting players were universally positive with the greens, in particular, receiving high praise.  Cored just 6 weeks ago, they had regained their smooth contours and superior speed, leading many to say they were the best they had played on for a long time.   In all, the Mangawhai course can be compared favourably with the best and is a huge drawcard for golfers around the country.  

At the prizegiving, Sung Jin Yeo thanked the club for hosting the tournament and thanked the course team for the great work in presenting such an outstanding course.   He is a young golfer who achieves exceptional length off the tee and has the temperament to handle those awkward reversals that golf can throw at even the best players,   The club congratulates him and will watch his planned professional career with great interest.