Hodge's form impresses selector

Tyler Hodge proved at Invercargill at the weekend he could be Manawatu-Wanganui's next No1 in waiting.

The 15-year-old Horowhenua College left-hander shot the equal low round of the tournament, a six-under 66, against the country's best amateurs. Besides that, there were a few close shaves with putts.

It impressed selector Stu Atkins, who now knows Hodge is probably the most promising young player in the district.

"He has proven that he has got it," Atkins said.

Hodge, who plays out of the Levin Golf Club, was the low scorer for Manawatu-Wanganui who finished sixth at the SBS Invitational on the tight, tree-lined Otatara course.

Hodge is not a big lad and Atkins had previously been sceptical about his distance off the tee, but not now. He is still growing and a new driver has him hitting 15 to 20 metres further.

"By next December he'll be right up in the top league," Atkins predicts.

Manawatu's Ewan Westergaard has been the rep team's No1 since Tim Wilkinson turned professional in 2003. Hodge has the potential to push Westergaard in coming seasons.

Hodge led the North Island amateur at Hutt after two rounds in January when he shot a 68. He is coached by Manawatu-Wanganui's professional, Stephen Wood.

Other promising players include Manawatu's Trent Munn. Like Hodge, he is a member of the Manawatu-Wanganui team which won the national junior interprovincial, and Marton's former New Zealand junior, Lachie McDonald. "I'd like to see Lachie playing more golf and getting into it," Atkins said.

From the interprovincial team at Hokowhitu in December, Manawatu's Stu Smith did not make the side for Otatara and Josh Munn was unavailable.

Interprovincial player Tyler Lock (Castlecliff) was the next best player at Invercargill, coming home with a final-round 67, and he had four putts lip out.

"It was the best performed team I've taken away down there," Atkins said.

They were poor in the first round but came right after that.

In the team was Feilding greenkeeper Glen Finlayson who qualified through the trials and carded a 68 in round four.

Westergaard was consistent until hurting a toe and that affected his swing in his final round in which he was 5-over after three holes.

Finishing ahead of Manawatu-Wanganui were Auckland, Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Wellington and Southland.

The next big event is the rejuvenated Lawnmaster Classic at Hokowhitu on March 20-21.

Manawatu-Wanganui scores: 286: Tyler Hodge (Levin) 74 66 72 74. 289: Tyler Lock (Castlecliff) 77 72 73 67. 293: Ewan Westergaard (Manawatu) 75 70 70 78: 296 Regan Cording (Marton) 73 77 73 73. 299: Glen Finlayson (Feilding) 79 75 77 68.

- © Fairfax NZ News