Masterton Wins Marquis Shield
It’s been a long wait, but on Sunday, Masterton won the Marquis Shield, the men’s trophy played for by Wairarapa clubs and donated in 1951 by Jack Coyle, proprietor of the Marquis Hotel. Masterton last won the shield 35 years ago in 1980 and has only won it twice before so it has been a long time ‘between drinks’. Masterton went into its match with Martinborough at Martinborough two points in front but any one of three teams could have won it but the points in a 2-2 draw were enough to win comfortably by three points from Carterton. Singles winners were Innes Kennard, Ray Verhaart and Jamie Brunton, but the whole squad, including players who have played more than once, is Ray Verhaart (Captain), Trevor Smith, Innes Kennard, Paul Williams, Brett Gould, Steve Hemingway, John Francis, Jamie Brunton, Peter Forrester, Sam Forrester, Kerry Mountcastle, Jeff Ogg, Phil Rutene, Dean Gray and Allan Ewington. The team also benefitted from having John Hopkirk as manager and Harry Quinn as selector.
At the same time as the men were winning at Martinborough, the Masterton women were playing the last round of the Tilson Salver, the women’s Wairarapa interclub trophy, at Masterton against Carterton. The 4½-1½ win gave Masterton 16 points but the rule books had to come out when Featherston’s four points against Mahunga also gave them 16 points. It was decided that Wellington Golf will make the decision as to who has won but the general opinion is that a playoff will be held on a neutral course. Masterton winners were Linda Cameron, Lola Ogg, Marilyn Beetham and Helen Newland.
The New World Supermarket stableford competition on Thursday was won by Geoff McKay with 40 points. Second was Murray Wolland and Danny Clarkson on 38 and a swag of players on 36.
The vets group was postponed on Monday but got a stableford round in last Wednesday. Results were-
Women
1st Elizabeth Bensaude 23
2nd Helen Falloon 19
3rd Jill Chandler 18
Men Group 1
1st Charles Anderson 27
2nd Carl Christensen 26
3rd George Gray 26
Men Group 2
1st Harvey Ward 27
2nd Keith Nelson 21
3rd Mack Martin 21
The Fagan Ford Nearest the Pin was Carl Christensen.
The Wednesday 9 holers played a medal round with Jane Watts winning with 34, followed by Diane Alexander and Erroll Warren, both on 36.
The PGG Wrightson Longest Drive went to Val Diedrichs and the All Teed Up Nearest the Pin to Barbie Wallace.
The Tuesday women are away on their overnight mystery trip (to Hawke’s Bay) so do not have any results and last Friday’s Greensome Foursomes were postponed until 10 July.
This Saturday the men’s club day is a Nett plus Putts competition and the women will play a Bisque Bogey round.
Off The Fairway
One of the team that won the Marquis Shield last weekend set what must be a rather unique record. Innes Kennard has now played in three Marquis winning teams but for three different clubs and in three different divisions- Eketahuna in the ‘80’s when he was a senior, Mahunga in the ‘90’s as an intermediate and now Masterton as a junior