Summer of success for Macleans College golfers
Posted on February 26, 2025
Three Macleans College students have had a remarkable summer of golf, achieving a number of impressive milestones.
Samuel Ding
In October, Year 12 student Samuel Ding (Upham House) qualified for the prestigious New Zealand Men’s Amateur Championships. The tournament, played on a par-71 layout at Titirangi Golf Club, tested players in stroke play to determine the top 32 men and women who would advance to the match play stage.
As the youngest competitor in the field, Samuel posted a total score of 147 over two rounds of stroke play. He then proceeded to the match play rounds, where he finished top 16 out of a field of 106 competitors, including 16 international players.
In December Samuel successfully defended his Auckland Under 16 Boys title with an outstanding 17-shot victory, further solidifying his position as a top young talent in the region.
Samuel’s success continued into the new year, where he earned a bronze medal at the North Island Boys Under 19 Championship in Taupo.
In January and February, Samuel participated in four major amateur golf tournaments, with the Waihi 54-hole Open being the standout event. Samuel emerged as the overall gross winner of the tournament after carding an impressive 215 across three rounds. As part of a world amateur golf event, this victory earned Samuel a coveted spot in the world amateur golf rankings - an incredible achievement, as only 41 male golfers in New Zealand are currently ranked.
Cherry Lee
Year 12 student Cherry Lee (Batten) showcased her leadership and golfing skills as captain of the Auckland women’s team in the annual Interprovincial Championships. Held in December at Russley Golf Club, Christchurch, the competition brought together top regional teams from across the country.
After a series of round robin matches, the Auckland team triumphed over Canterbury 3-2 in their semi-final. However, in the final, Auckland was narrowly beaten by regional rivals North Harbour, to place runners up.
In mid-January, Cherry continued to impress at the North Island Age Group Championships in Taupo. She carded rounds of 77, 70 and 74 to win the Under 19 Girls Championship.
Cherry’s success didn’t stop there. She then claimed victory at the Taranaki Women’s Stroke Play Championships, where she produced a brilliant performance with rounds of 70, 69 and 68.
Archie Thompson
Year 12 student Archie Thompson (Batten) delivered an impressive performance at the North Island Age Group Championships in Taupo, where he finished third place in the Under 19 Boys Championship. Over the course of three rounds, Archie carded scores of 73, 75 and 69.
Archie also competed in the Auckland Super City Age Group Championships, where he secured a fourth place finish in the Under 19 Boys division. He carded rounds of 74, 69 and 71.
In a local competition at the Pakuranga Stroke Play, Archie again demonstrated his skill and resilience. He gained a fourth place finish with rounds of 74, 72, 74 and 73.
Archie travelled to Hawkes Bay to compete in the Hastings Open, where he earned an equal seventh place finish with rounds of 73, 77 and 75.
