Newspaper Article 1996 – Adcroft ousts rivals for second title

Adcroft ousts rivals for second title

by Duncan Gillies

POVERTY Bay Golf Club’s Noel Adcroft won his second Gisborne-East Coast Veterans’ Tournament title when he beat Napier’s [Hastings] Jim Newbigin 4 and 2 at the Poverty Bay course yesterday.

Adcroft, who won his first title in 1992, felt he played above himself in the final of a competition which produced a high standard of golf throughout the week.

He birdied the 13th and 14th holes to go four shots up, before losing the 15th. The 16th however, turned the game well and truly in his favour. Adcroft made par while Newbigin drove a shot behind a tree, a mistake that cost him dearly.

Adcroft, who finished the day one over, was full of praise for his opponent, saying he played consistently throughout.

“I feel we handled it well out there,” he said. “I’m thrilled with the win. It was a great way to finish an enjoyable tournament. I played against some real gentlemen all week.”

And his toughest competitor? .

“They were all tough. You can’t leave any of them out.”

Photo caption – Gisborne’s Noel Adcroft (left) shows the form that won him his second veterans’. Watching his shot closely is Jim Newbigin who had to settle for second spot in the Gisborne-East Coast Veterans’ Tournament yesterday.

Pictures by Paul Rickard