2009 Auckland Championships at Monte Cecilia Park, Hillborough, Auckland New Zealand
 
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The 2009 Auckland Championships at Monte Cecilia Park, Hillborough, Auckland New Zealand
September 12 & 13 2009

More Magic at Majestic Monte

Disc Golf New Zealand
Athlete at Play - Relative newcomer to the sport Ariki has brought some great enthusiasm into Auckland Disc Golf. And a bunch of mates who are all getting into it also! Here Ariki fires a textbook forehand uphill for Hole 13.

By Nigel Hailstone 

The Auckland Disc Golf Championships at Monte Cecilia saw the turnout of over 35 players over the weekend of 12 and 13  September.  Probably one of the strongest fields of the year gathered to enjoy Auckland's "Premier Discgolf Park".  Representation from Auckland locals, the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, Tokoroa  and Taumaranui, and travellers from the Peoples Republic of Waiheke and the Mainland arrived to lush Spring conditions and the north easterly wind transforming Monte Cecilia's slopes.  

The trees in this park are so impressive that baskets become insignificant in scale which, along with the wind, may explain why so many players  would find leaves before chains.  The normally sheltered fairways played longer and predictable discgolf vanished for the average player.   The north easterly and its attendant squalls  would spice the first two rounds for most players with the green walls of leaf on the magnificent canopies turning out their silver undersides.

And so the wide spread of scoring on day one of the Championship was to prove.  But control in all conditions is a fundamental of top disc golfers and the top players opened their accounts with successive sub par rounds.  By days end the tourney leader Simon Feasey was 12 under par, fine form in the conditions.  Also showing how to score was Baz Keene with  18 successive holes parred. 

As well as low scoring, appearing on the first day was a full time caddy in support of a leading tour player.  Caddies often come from the player's ranks and so was the case here when Gene Tutaki, intermittent tour player in recent years took up the lifting duties for Blair Joines, the tour's points leader going into play.  Blair's enthusiasm for this arrangement saw his caddy still in attendance in the playoff where he invited the gallery to "make as much noise as you like" while Blair prepared to putt. Whether as has been suggested, the caddy was paid in amber beverages and found favourite discs less profitably lugged than favoured liquids, remains unconfirmed.  

Perhaps predictably for Auckland, the weather became sufficiently balmy for sunscreen to break out on the second morning and after tales of woeful All Blacks and Arsenal performances battle resumed.  The now nearly benign conditions allowed many to turn in their best rounds and restore windblown egos while deciding the afternoon finalists.  Mutterings for four rounds in the big tournaments resurfaced as players reveled in their surrounds.  

The now familiar super six format became a super eight over six when Grand Master Pete Boyle dropped a late two shots in an otherwise typically impressive regular play performance to allow Blair Joines and David Keene in on ties.  Damien Peters with a superb 49 shot final round kept honest Bob Gentil  and Marty de Haas while  Mario Cernier must wonder how low he has to go as once again Simon Feasey showed his 2009 Worlds top 10 form.  Leading by six shots after three rounds of regular play, Simon included in those rounds a new course record of 47 (11 under par) while leading the tournament throughout.  He also took on the path less travelled on the 3rd hole and was rewarded with a spectacular skip ace.  All of which explains why he has as of now taken over first place in the tour with four perfect 50 point scores.

Simon's frontrunning was not to be undone in the super six playoffs with the action being for the minor standings.  Marty de Haas settled the chase for third with a birdie put of 12 meters on the final hole to edge out Damien Peters by one stroke.  Mario played matchplay golf covering the chasers as after four holes of extra play he still needed a six shot turnaround to take the title.  Other super-round highlights included the crowd pleasing nonchalance of Pete Boyle and the round the pin and roll away antics of any disc David Keen threw.  

The tour continues to evolve with the field including all divisions between Juniors and Senior Grandmasters with a growing field competing for the Women's title.  Representing the Senior Grandmasters, Nigel Barnwell's final round 60 not only made him a division winner but achieved that considerable and commendable golfing feat of shooting his age.  
 
That Maori TV, the country's de facto public service broadcaster attended the event and played coverage later that evening (still available on their website) is to their credit.  Maori TV increasingly represent the diverse interests and pursuits of New Zealanders that don't find room on the commercial broadcasters, despite  the charter.  New Zealand discgolf will continue to provide great pictures for any broadcaster prepared to take the effort.  With our collection of some of the worlds more aesthetically impressive courses the opportunity to expose our sport is to be welcomed.  

Also appearing in a kamikaze cameo was none other than Juan Unda, a.k.a. the Mad Mexican of Mangere, Discgolf NZ webmaster, and the man that took Len Skap's photos, back from his reconnaissance of the US discgolf and mountain bike scene.  His Unda-hand effort to unsettle fellow Freaky Stylist, Marty de Haas on the 4th tee with a signature mountain bike drop-in was mis-timed and an unwanted handlebar enema on an unsuspecting participant was only narrowly averted .  Lets hope we see action from his arm on the tour soon.

Division winners:

Womens                         Ming "Ka-Ching" Menzies
Juniors                           Toby "who are those guys that nearly beat me?" Gentil
Open                              Simon "constant fluke" Feasey
Masters                          Marty "the ginger didn't crumble this time" de Haas
Grand Masters                 Bob "lets get baskets in here" Gentil
Senior Grand Masters       Nigel "bigger and better" Barnwell

And finally thanks indeed to Bob Gentil, TD, and all those who assisted in the successful staging of this event which showed our game to be in good heart. Or as Baz Keene was heard to earnestly intone, "there's been a great buzz this weekend".   And so there was.

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Pictures

Click here to see pages for past events: 2016 | Woodhill 2016 | 2015 | Woodhill 2015 | 2014 | Woodhill 2014 | 2103 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 Matchplay Champs | 2007 | 2006

Disc Golf New Zealand
The Full Monte - Caroline Jonsson was one of the healthy group of female players competing in the Champs. Here she releases a well controlled second shot on the signature 10th: The Full Monte.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Easy As She Goes - Damion delicately eases his disc up to the basket for par having bounced back from an overhang on the short but tricky dogleg 11th.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Messy Hair, Messy Shot - That's what Disc Golf Fashion Guru Tye D. Atyre has to say. Southpaw Marty de Haas demonstrates both with his second shot on the tough 5th hole after a mighty drive.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Hood is Good - Keeping his ears warm from the cool wind, Hoodie McGee Mokomoko levels a drive towards the 4th Hole target watched on by Aly, Pete and Marty.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Ace Man Feasey -The man, the disc and the skip ace on the 64 metre Monte Cecilia #3.

Disc Golf New Zealand
MTB Careful - No shot in the Monte Nor-Easter is easy and after a tree bunker shot added to his score, Ariki Spooner (Auckland) takes a moment to focus on what on paper should be an easy putt (he got it BTW).

Disc Golf New Zealand
Cecilia Later - The Grand Master himself lets rip on the mighty 221 metre 10th hole in front of the spectacular Monte Cecilia House which is getting some major work done preparing it for becoming an Art Gallery. He then throws - pheuw!

Disc Golf New Zealand
Leap of Faith - Paul Cohen (Waiheke) releases on Hole 1 towards the basket set very close to an Out-of-Bound fence.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Improving with Every Round - Jenny Joynt (Tokoroa) admits to being addicted to the sport of Disc Golf. And it shows with the level of control and knowledge of things frisbee when she throws. Here she drives the first hole whilst Mario does some sort of traditional Swiss dance jig.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Add to the Mario Cart - Mario Cerniar (Chirsitchurch) - the only competitor from the Mainland plays out the dog-leg #11.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Off the White Tees - Auckland golfer Virgil Reality makes the most of the sunny spring conditions on the Sunday morning. A vast contrast to what the players had to contend with on the Saturday.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Crouch, Pause, Engage! - Ming Menzies, not long back from competing in the Worlds at USA, expertly throws a level straight drive at the fourth. The 4th was one of those holes everyone hoped to give themselves a chance of a birdie with an accurate drive be it straight at the basket or the right curve around the fairway bunker tree. Blair, Nigel H and Gene watch on.

Disc Golf New Zealand
It Looks So Far Away - Chris Kingsnorth (Auckland) flies his trusty Eagle into the wind for the course's longest hole, 'The Full Monte' 10th. Chris managed the green in 2 for the first round to record a fine birdie three.

Disc Golf New Zealand
'Knee'ing A Good Shot - Aly Joynt, another of the regular gals on the circuit, found herslef in a tricky spot on her approach to the 5th Hole target. Using the forehand technique that can help in such situations, Aly expertly guided her disc to within putting distance to the applause of the gallery.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Recovery Room - Blair Joines needed a recovery shot after hitting some overhangs on his drive on the par 4 18th. And this shot did the trick: using the updarft that was blowing up the hill, Blair flighted his disc for a big run at the green and landed his disc pin high giving himself an uphill putt of about 4 metres. Nice shot!

Disc Golf New Zealand
Junior Power - Sheldon and Tyler watch Toby Gentil send off an 80+metre drive on hole #2.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Skinny Ankles Help - The style of a champion. On his way to a course record 47 (11 Under the pro card) Simon Feasey shows his stuff, and I was there!

Disc Golf New Zealand
Super Eight - Blair, Pete, Simon, David, Bob, Mario, Damien and Marty. The 'Super 6' became the 'Super 8' thanks to three players tied for 6th after the three rounds before the cut.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Watch the Leftie - The big 'Super 6' gallery watch Marty deHaas drive on Safari hole #4.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Shooting the Gap - Hole 15 was one of those short holes that presents the opportunity for an ace and Bob 'GM' Gentil (Auckland) gave himself every chance here with a nicely targeted drive. The fade however made for an uphill putt for two.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Gotta Hit the Chains - A tough putt in front of Monte Cecilia House for Mario Cernier (Chirstchurch) after overshooting his second shot to the green. Mario planted it to further secure his 2nd place overall.

Disc Golf New Zealand
That's the Way - Eight shots ahead at the start of the Super 6 after his course record 47, Simon Feasey (Auckland) could relax. But instead put on a great display of driving and putting skills for the gallery.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Approaching the End - The final hole of the Super 6 Playoff and Blair Joines (Taumarunui) sends one in for a birdie 3.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Champs and Proud - And the 2009 Auckland Disc Golf Champions are; Ming Ca-ching Menzies Woman's, The GM Grand Masters, Marty deHaas Masters, Toby Gentil [11] Junior and Simon Feasey Open and Overall.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Cup of Tee - As the Super 6 playoff kicked into gear, the players were treated to some holes designed especially for the playoff. Here Mario Cernier was the only birdie on what was a stunning hole with one of the trickiest fairways you could imagine. Nice one!

Disc Golf New Zealand
The Leftie's Biggest Fan - With Marty de Haas (Auckland) making the Super 6 for the second time running at the Auckland Champs, daughter Maia made sure she had a good seat to watch the action and cheer Dad on.

Disc Golf New Zealand
Just Who is Posing? - Maia seems oblivious to Pete Boyle (Taumarunui) and his stylist running forehand that made for an awesome drive on the course's longest hole - The Full Monte..

Disc Golf New Zealand
Computer Girl - Sheree Gentil is a legend Disc Golfer herself, holder of many National Titles, Trophies and Course Records. But this weekend she chose to support her lad Toby in the Junior Division and play that role all TD's need, scorecard checker. Thanks Sheree!.

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Rank Player name
Division
R 1
R 2
R 3
R 4
Total
Tour points
1
Simon Feasey
O
53
51
47
18
169
50.00
2
Mario Cerniar
O
56
52
51
17
176
48.56
3
Marty DeHaas
M
53
57
53
18
181
47.12
4
Damian Peters
O
56
57
49
20
182
45.68
5
Bob Gentil
GM
55
58
54
20
187
43.51
5
David Keene
O
60
55
54
18
187
43.51
7
Pete Boyle
GM
58
59
52
20
189
41.35
8
Blair Joines
M
55
59
55
21
190
39.91
9
Siep Van Vliet
O
56
60
56
172
37.75
9
Dean Marshall
M
58
56
58
172
37.75
11
Chris Kingsnorth
M
58
60
59
177
35.59
12
Brett Hailstone
M
62
60
56
178
34.15
13
Sheriff Ibrahim
O
61
62
57
180
32.71
14
Jacob Jake Mokomoko
O
64
60
57
181
31.26
15
Barry Baz Keene
M
65
58
60
183
29.10
15
Nigel Hailstone
M
65
60
58
183
29.10
17
Paul Cohen
GM
64
61
62
187
26.94
18
Andrew Taylor
O
67
64
58
189
25.50
19
Michael Proctor
GM
65
67
59
191
24.06
20
Fiona Ming Menzies
WGM
63
67
62
192
22.62
21
Chris Ambler
O
72
61
64
197
20.46
21
Ariki Spooner
O
64
68
65
197
20.46
23
Nigel Barnwell
SGM
71
67
60
198
18.29
24
George Huhu
O
69
66
66
201
16.85
25
Nigel Virgil Walker
M
66
69
70
205
15.41
26
Nathan Moore
O
70
71
67
208
13.97
27
Karoline Jonsson
W
75
72
67
214
12.53
28
George Jordan
O
80
77
63
220
11.09
29
Jenny Joynt
WGM
74
78
72
224
9.65
30
Allie Joynt
W
83
76
121*
280
8.21
31
Conrad Hoskins
O
61
63
124
6.76
32
Keith Woody Inwood
M
65
67
132
5.32
33
Murray Brett
M
72
72
144
3.88
34
Toby Gentil
J
71
71
2.44
35
Olly Coddington
O
74
74
1.00
* DNF: the player did not complete this round. Par +4 has been added to every uncompleted hole.

Click here for the 2009 New Zealand Tour Points Table

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