Wainui golfer Kit Bittle has won the 2017 North Island Under 19 Championships for 2017.
In dramatic fashion five players were tied at the top of the event all sitting on even par through their 3 rounds of golf at the St Andrews Golf Course in Hamilton.
  Markopolo Fullepp, Jang Hyun Lee, Shaun Campbell, Kevin Koong and Kit Bittle all made their way to the 18^th tee for a sudden death play-off. With all but one player hitting the green it was anyone’s tournament. Bittle however sitting pin high 15feet left of the flag was able to roll his putt into the cup for a birdie 2 and seal the victory for 2017.

After day 1 it was Tom Parker (Christchurch) who led the way with a -3 par round 69 in superb Waikato weather, he was joined by local player Luke Kidd (Riverside) on the same score. These two players were 2 shots clear of a contingent of 5 others who would be looking to chase them down over the following two days.

Tom Parker (Christchurch) backed up his first round 69 with a 1 over par 73 to lead the event by 1 after 36 holes. Sung Jin Yeo (North Shore) would sit 1 shot back after rounds of 72 & 71. The cut for the event would include the top 60 players and ties after 2 rounds; this would sit at +13 (the lowest cut in a few years). 66 players would make it through to Friday’s final day and all would be looking to improve their position on the overall leader-board.

Day 3 bought some miserable weather to begin with. All players teeing off in the rain with wet weather gear on and umbrellas up. The weather moved on within an hour or two and provided some hot muggy conditions for players to endure.  Some hot scoring was recorded on the final day, the best of the lot was Markopolo Fullepp with a -4 68 (this would take Markopolo from a +4 total to even par finding himself in a play-off for the title). Jang Hyun Lee (Maungakiekie) will be doing his best to forget his last hole of the tournament after finding himself plugged in the face of the large bunker that protects the 18^th green he would walk off with a double bogey 5 signing for a 2under par 70 which would see him in the 5 way play-off.  Solid rounds of -1 71 would see Shaun Campbell and Kevin Koong in the 5 way play-off also.

The 2017 event won by Kit Bittle showcased a number of top amateur golfers and also a large contingent of players who will be progressing through the ranks in years to come. Watch this space.

Waikato notables:

Sam McGovern                   73, 72, 73 (+2)
Luke Kidd                             69, 77, 75 (+5)
Jordan Woodall                   72, 77, 73 (+6) 
Tyler Wood                           78, 70, 74 (+6)
Charlie Smail                        72, 73, 77 (+6)
James Fellows Ford           73, 73, 78 (+8)