O’Riley & Ferreira 3rd in New Zealand Foursomes

Dean O’Riley and Steve Ferreira recorded a level par 140 to finish 3rd in the 36 hole New Zealand Foursomes Championship played today at the Titirangi Golf Club in Auckland.

The South African pairing recorded rounds of 73 and 67 on the Alistair McKenzie designed par 70 golf course.

The Championship was won by Ben Wallace and Ryan Fox, both of the Auckland Golf Club, with a 36 hole total of 138, two under par, which included rounds of 71 and 67.

Adrian Ford and Nicol van Wyk also acquitted themselves well recording a 36 hole total of 145, with rounds of 74 and 71, to finish 8th tie.

“Dean and Steve played really well. Two birdie putts lipped out on holes 14 and 15, had they dropped they would have been right up there,” said Enver Hassen, South African Golf Associaton President and team manager, speaking from New Zealand after the round.

“Adrian and Nicol struggled on the greens,” explained Hassen of the pairings five over par performance.

On Wednesday the 72 hole New Zealand Stroke Play Championship begins, also at the Titirangi Golf Club. All four South Africans have entered.

A field of 144 players will be competing which include world’s No.2 ranked amateur, according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking run by the R&A, Scott Arnold of Australia.

Defending champion, James Betts has also entered. Betts beat Ryan Fox in a playoff to win the 2008 title with a 72 hole total of 279. Betts has been paired with Adrian Ford for tomorrow’s first round.

All players in the field play the first 36 holes. On conclusion of the second round there will be a cut to the leading 72 players and ties. Only those players making the cut participate in the final 36 holes, which conclude on Saturday.

The leading 32 players, on conclusion of the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship qualify to participate in the New Zealand Amateur Championship, a match play event. This commences on Sunday with the final taking place on Tuesday.

36 hole New Zealand Foursomes Championships
Final Results: Leading Scores:
Course: Titirangi G.C. (Par 70; 36 holes Par 140)
(All players are from New Zealand unless stated otherwise)

138 – Ben Wallace & Ryan Fox (71,67)
139 – AaronLeech & Nick Gillespie (70,69)
140 – Dean O’Riley & Steve Ferreira (RSA) (73,67)
143 – Andrew Kim & Harry Na (72,71), Adam Church & Bradley Rowland (72,71)
144 – Andrew Stewart & Landyn Edwards (73,71), Tom Cardno & Kevin Budden (71,73)
145 – Scott Johnson & Ben Jujnovich (75,70), Ben Guilford & Riche Kell (74,71), Adrian Ford & Nicol van Wyk (RSA) (74,71), Ryan McCarthy & Matt Jager (AUS) (74,71), Brad Hayward & Steven Heyes (73,72), Doug Millington & Keiran Muir (71,74).