Waikato Senior representatives Jill Morgan and Matt Morris have won the 2017 East Waikato Tournament.

  The 2017 event presented two days of polar opposites with a perfectly still day on Saturday and a windy and raining day on Sunday.
In the Men’s section, Jason Boobyer was the best on day one posting a 1under par round of 70, local player Lyall Wilson was next with an even par 71 and Matt Morris posting a 1over par 72.
  On Day two however, all players battled their way around the course and Waikato Junior Representative Tyler Wood battled the best posting a 1over par 72. Matt Morris posted a 3 over par 74; Wilson was +4 and Boobyer +5. This would send these three players back down to the 18^th hole for a play-off. First to hit was Morris, finding the bunker just short of the green. Wilson hit a good shot and was 40 yards short of the green, and Boobyer hit his through the green. After flicking out of the bunker short of the green Morris went on to hole a putt from the fringe to make birdie, with Boobyer chipping close it was up to him to hole a putt to force another hole as Wilson had already had three and was not in the hole. Boobyer holed his 4 footer to force another hole. Back to the 18^th tee, Morris again found himself handy near the green, whilst Boobyer flared one right and found the garden, having to take an unplayable lie. After dropping the ball near the first tee, his flop shot down to the front flag got the crowds going after it rolled out to about 3feet. Morris chipped on and holed his 5footer for birdie subsequently winning the event. An exciting end to what was a great weekend.

On the women’s side, Jill Morgan was the best on day one posting a 4 over par 76, mixing 5 bogeys with a single birdie; she would be two shots clear of local player and fellow Waikato Master’s rep Pam Wright on 78. Judy Cameron (Mt Maunganui) would fear best in the wind and rain on Day 2 posting a 5 over par 77. Overnight leader Jill Morgan would post a 7over par 79, along with Waikato Junior representative Zoann Huang.
  Morgan’s two day total of 155 would be 5 shots clear of Pam Wright and 6 shots clear of Alayna Cox (Wellsford).
  This was the first year that the event has been open to the women, and by the entries that were received it can only get bigger and better. Despite some atrocious conditions at times, it was a great weekend by all. Congratulations to Matamata Golf Club for hosting a very successful 2017 event.