Taupo golfer Troy Ropiha claimed his second win at the Taranaki Open today, having first won it as an amateur in 2008.
Ropiha shot an even-par 72 in his final round today to hold off all challengers, finishing on seven-under par 209 at the New Plymouth Golf Club in the event shortened to 54 holes after the first round was washed out.
He finished two shots clear of Waikato amateur Mathew Perry (Hamilton) who moved to second place on the back of a fine three-under 69 today.
North Harbour professional Michael Hendry shot a one-under 71 today to finish third on four-under par to increase his advantage at the top of the Charles Tour Order of Merit.
Former Taranaki Open winner Doug Holloway (Hawkes Bay) shot a one-under 71 to finish in a share of fifth place on three-under par.
Three players shared seventh place consisting of Auckland professional Richard Lee, local professional Grant Moorhead and North Island amateur champion Nick Gillespie, who fired a tournament-low six-under 66 to continue his excellent recent form.
Ropiha made it two Charles Tour wins in three years at the New Plymouth Golf Club, where he played for over 10 years as an amateur.
"I know this place so well and it definitely helps," Ropiha said. "I love the course. It's a great course and after all of the wet weather, it was in outstanding conditions.
"It's awesome to win here. I played really well yesterday which was the key I think."
Perry enjoyed his second strong performance on the Charles Tour, following his fifth placing at the Wairakei Open two weeks ago.
He will now move into contention as leading amateur on the Charles tour Order of Merit with one tournament remaining, the Shirley Open later this month.
Leading scores after the third and final round of the Taranaki Open golf tournament at New Plymouth Golf Club today, par 72:
209 Troy Ropiha (P, Taupo) 69 68 72
211 Mathew Perry (Hamilton) 72 70 69
212 Michael Hendry (P, North Harbour) 70 71 71
213 Jim Cusdin (P, Hamilton) 72 72 69, Doug Holloway (P, Hawkes Bay) 72 70 71
214 Richard Lee (P, Auckland) 74 71 69, Nicholas Gillespie (Hastings) 75 73 66, Grant Moorhead (P, New Plymouth) 74 72 68
215 Leighton James (P, Hastings) 74 72 69, Jared Pender (P, Tauranga) 71 75 69
216 Steven Han (P, Korea) 72 73 71, Andrew Green (P, Wellington) 75 67 74
217 Aarun Langton (Opunake) 68 74 75
218 Joshua Munn (Manawatu) 71 74 73, Jordan Dasler (P, Nelson) 71 69 78
219 Brenden Stuart (P, Wellington) 75 71 73, Gareth Paddison (P, Lower Hutt) 74 71 74, Keelan Kilpatrick (Russley) 75 76 68, Shaun Richards (P, Wellington) 74 73 72, Scott Wightman (Mangawhai) 75 71 73, Andrew Searle (P, Cambridge) 75 74 70, Marcus Wheelhouse (P, Auckland) 75 73 71 220 Simon Brownlee (Muriwai) 76 74 70, Tyler Lock (Castlecliff) 73 77 70, Hamish Campbell (Greenacres) 72 78 70, Jason McIntosh (P, Taupo) 73 73 74, Marc Jennings (Shandon) 75 72 73, Jason Mann (Royal Auckland) 74 77 69
221 Kevin Budden (Waitemata) 71 76 74, Craig Owen (P, Westown) 72 76 73
222 Timothy White (Hawera) 73 73 76, Brad Hayward (New Plymouth) 76 76 70, Landyn Edwards (Rotorua) 74 78 70
223 Caleb Andreoli (Manaia) 74 71 78, Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland) 76 75 72, Aaron Leech (Putaruru) 77 75 71, Mark Kennard (New Plymouth) 75 71 77, Jonathan Dittmer (Shandon) 74 72 77, Bryce Mawhinney (P, New Zealand) 74 76 73
224 Jon Bevitt (P, Auckland) 74 76 74, John Bae (P, Christchurch) 75 73 76, Ben Wallace (Royal Auckland) 75 76 73
225 Murray Martin (New Plymouth) 78 73 74
