A strong win for Cambridge

Waikato Golf Club life member Peg Murphy with, from left, Cambridge’s Jill Morgan, Suwanna McPhee, Sian Stevenson, and Moira Keyte.

Cambridge won the Waikato women’s championship pennants title taking out the final of five rounds at Te Awamutu Golf Club on Sunday.

The celebrations continued after the golf with St Peter’s School student Suwanna McPhee, 15, dominating the Waikato Golf end of year awards – apart from the only category she was ineligible for, the masters’ player of the year. That went to teammate Jill Morgan.

The Cambridge team of Morgan, McPhee, Sian Stevenson and Moira Keyte beat Walton on the day to cap an all-conquering and historic season. It is believed this is the first time Cambridge has won the championship pennants title.

Cambridge has been working towards this title for the past five years after gaining promotion to division one.  Formerly a six person competition, the format was reduced to four players this year.  It is hoped the competition will return to six and allow the club to reflect its depth.

Ngaruawahia beat Riverside 1 to nab second place 10 points adrift of Cambridge.

Matamata took out division two from Hamilton while Waitomo won division three ahead of Te Awamutu and Riverside.

McPhee won junior and senior golfer of the year, the Russell Grace Salver for the most wins at last year’s interprovincial championships and the Waikato women’s golfer of the year.

She also completed the pennants’ season unbeaten at number two.

McPhee, who lives in Cambridge, has been a member of the St Peter’s Golf Academy for four years.

Coach Simon Thomas said she had a great work ethic and had come on “in leaps and bounds” the past season.

Her ambition is to go to college in the United States.

Cambridge’s number four Moira Keyte,  like McPhee, started her golfing career at the club,  progressively improving to become a valuable team member.