Over the last week the women’s and men’s Markham Shootout finals have been played. Last
Tuesday Venetta Justice won the women’s final after a tense chip out on No 18 with Larraine
Duckett. The field had gradually dwindled from the original 19 with the lower handicappers being
eliminated early in the final.
In the men’s final the top three players from last year, Mike Dixon, Gavin Harris and Darryl Hart
were eliminated in the first five holes and the final featured 10 chip outs in all. Murray Wolland,
who had been ‘travelling’ effortlessly, playing par golf, and not been involved in any chip outs
suddenly found himself in a chip out on 17 and chipped far too short to end his dream run. This
left Tony Rowntree, who had survived a 7 on No 2 and Joe Tuoro, who was heading for a nett
65, to play the last hole. Joe held the advantage until a ‘gutted’ third shot put him over the back
of the green where he chipped back but too far and missed the par putt. Meanwhile Tony had
scrambled his way up 18 but put his 4th shot within 4 metres of the pin and sunk the putt for a
par and the Markham Shootout title.
Monday was the vets closing day and AGM and they played an ambrose competition. Results
were-
1st Ash Peterson, Pam Sutherland, Laurie Williams 33pts
2nd Geoff Mason, Pamela Andrew, Mike Inwood, John Whitehead 33
3rd Bob Macfarlane, Theresa Cameron, Michael bell, Alex Tulloch 32
The Fagan Ford Nearest the Pin’s were won by Shirley Mason and Harvey Ward and the
nearest the pin on No 18 by Bill Reid.
The John Whitehead Trophy was the competition for the Thursday New World Supermarket
field. Derek Clarkson produced the round of the day with an impressive 43 points, followed by
Murray Wolland and Toby Tuoro with 41, and Philip Tuoro with 40. The All Teed Up Closest to
the Pin was Geoff Masters.
Twilight continued last Wednesday with over 40 players participating. The men’s competition
was won by Brian Crump with 21 points from Russell Stewart, Shorty Johnston and Tim
Tatham, all with 20. The ladies competition was a very close affair with three players on 19, but
the ‘cut’ went to Jocelyn Pollock from Janna Blundell and Jan Tatham. The Wairarapa Funeral
Services Longest Drives were awarded to Simon Smith and Chris Lewis. Simon Smith also won
the All Teed Up Nearest the Pin.
On Saturday the men played a stroke round and the ladies a stableford round. This was the last
chance for men to beat the Challenge Shield and Chairman’s Trophy scores of Simon Buckley, set way back on 9 February. On this day Simon had a 68 gross off his then 5 handicap meaning
his Chairman’s Trophy score of 63 nett was the ‘target score. Results were-
Men Group 1
1st Ash Peterson 69 nett
2nd Simon Buckley 74
3rd Robin Carseldine 76
Men Group 2
1st Michael Batley 68
2nd Innes Kennard 69
3rd Sila Faaiuaso 72
Women
1st Nooroa Rota 34 pts
The All Teed Up Nearest the Pins went to Allen Smith and Jane Buchanan and the No 18 to
Bruce Middlemiss.
Now that the main competitions are finished the men settle into competition for the Summer
Cup. This starts this Saturday and is played for each Saturday until 25 January but to win the
Summer Cup you must enter the competition in the pro shop, write ‘Summer Cup’ on your
scorecard and have at least 3 scores counting.
This Sunday is also the AGM of the Men’s Match Committee in the 19th at 10.30am followed by
the men’s presentation of trophies. If you have won a trophy you should be there to be
presented with your cup. A full list of trophy winners is on the web site and on the notice board
in the foyer.
Off the Fairway
On sunny days players will have noticed the two new tables and the three new umbrellas on the
grass area beside the club house. These have been purchased from the ‘donations’ made in
the men’s 3 putt jar. Thank you to all those who have contributed, and to Darryl Hart for
organising the tables and umbrellas, as well as being the chief ‘fines master’.