Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

While channel surfing on Sky on Saturday morning, I came upon one of the most poignant moments in sport that I have seen in a long time.

With day two of the British Open Golf from St Andrews badly disrupted by bad weather, play went on until around 9 o'clock in the evening.

The closing stages of day two were devoted to the final shots of one of the legends of golf, who was bidding farewell to one of the most iconic events in world golf.

American Tom Watson won the British Open on five occasions during the 1970s and 1980s and took his final walk up the 18th fairway to a tumultuous reception.

Watson was a contemporary of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, with the big three taking golf to another level, as the sport started to grab world-wide media headlines a number of decades ago.

The standing ovation that Watson received from officials, players and spectators alike as he walked off the 18th green underlined the huge respect he earned during his long and illustrious career.

There was also a strong kiwi connection with the 2015 Open, which makes up one leg of golf's grand slam. Danny Lee and Ryan Fox both earned places in the 2015 Open field with Steve Williams on the bag of Adam Scott.

Fox qualified for the British Open the hard way, going through a demanding qualifying process before grabbing one of the last places in the field.

The son of All Black legend Grant Fox has learnt his craft far away from the glamour events on the American and European PGA's.

He cut his teeth playing New Zealand PGA and Charles Tour events before success on the Australian Tour. Wins in the 2014 WA Open and the 2015 Queensland Open suggested that he was ready to play on the big stage.

In typical Kiwi fashion, he was wasn't overawed by the big names on show at St Andrews and put his head down to play his own game.

After making the cut, which is a big feat in itself, Ryan went on to finish tied for a hugely creditable 49th place after an outstanding five-under round of 67 in the final stanza.

While there were plenty of late nights for Western Bay golf fans as they watched the overnight action at St Andrews, Rugby took centre stage in the Bay last weekend.

Western Bay of Plenty teams asserted their authority in Bay of Plenty Club Rugby to claim all six berths in the 2015 Baywide Premier, Division One and Development Finals, to be played on Saturday afternoon (July 25).

In an unprecedented feat, three Te Puke teams have won through to host the Baywide title deciders. Premier competition top qualifier Te Puke Sports came from 20-9 down to show their qualities, when they defeated Whakarewarewa 40-20 in one of last weekend's semi-finals.

There opponents will be multiple Baywide titleholders Tauranga Sports, who defeated near neighbors Mount Maunganui to earn a berth in the final.

Centennial Park in Te Puke will showcase the Baywide Division One Championship decider, where hosts Rangiuru will square off with Arataki.

Rangiuru won an absolute nail-biter against Poroporo to make the big dance, coming from behind to snatch a 12-11 victory in the last minute of play.

Arataki, who finished fourth in the final standings, upset Eastern Bay heavyweight Te Teko, for the right to meet Rangiuru.

Te Puke Sports headquarters at Murray Salt Stadium will also host the Baywide Development shootout, with Te Puke Sports and Tauranga Sports' second fifteens wanting to win the first leg of what could be a Baywide double for their respective clubs.

See ya at the Baywide Finals in Te Puke on Saturday!