The 2016 club match play championship finals were held on Sunday and once again the men’s and women’s championships were held on the same day, although the weather did not encourage the large galleries of previous years. In the women’s senior (silver) final, played over 36 holes Sereana Phillipps played defending champion, Nooroa Rota. The morning 18 holes were very even with Nooroa being 1 up after 7 holes, and still 1 up after 18. However, in the afternoon round Nooroa gradually pulled away for a comfortable 5/3 victory.
The men’s senior final was a ‘game of two halves when Simon Buckley met Dean Gray as Simon took the early lead and was 2 up after 7 holes and then a surprising 6 up after 18. However whatever Dean did at lunchtime worked and he quickly made in roads into Simon’s lead playing the first 13 holes in the afternoon round four under the card and winning on the 34th hole, 3/2. This capped off a great week for Dean, having made it through to the match play section of the NZ Amateur earlier in the week.
The women’s bronze final was between Brenda Blatchford and Larraine Duckett and was a very even battle with Larraine being 2 up at lunchtime but Brenda coming back to win the 36th hole and be all square. However, the match was decided on the 37th hole with a victory to Brenda Blatchford.
A similar pattern emerged in the men’s intermediate final between Peter Forrester and Gavin Harris. Peter was 1 up after 18 holes but Gavin kept in the match and was all square after 36 holes, only for Peter to win the 37th hole and repeat the intermediate championship victory he last made 26 years ago.
The men’s junior final between Dennis Hogg and John Francis saw an even first 9 holes but John gain a huge lead during heavy rain and sometimes hail, to be 7 up at lunch. However to Dennis’ credit he came back and a very relieved John Francis was able to put his arms in the air on the 35th green and win 2/1.
The masters final was played over 18 holes between defending champion, Robin Carseldine, and Mike Dixon. Mike got off to a flier and was 5 up after 8 holes, still 5 up after 13, but Robin came back to win three holes in a row before Mike halved the 17th for a 2/1 win.
The men’s junior B final between Simon Richardson and Jamie Frew saw a convincing 7/6 victory to Jamie Frew.
Other finals results played on Sunday were-
Men’s Intermediate Plate Jim Kettle beat Ian Buchanan 2/1
Men’s Junior Plate Harry Quinn beat Derek Clarkson on 19th
This Tuesday was the ladies Melbourne Cup Day so results will be published next week. However last week the Tuesday ladies field played an ‘All Day Eclectic’ where a player has an ordinary round in the morning and can go out in the afternoon and try to better their score on holes they didn’t play well in the morning. Results were-
1st Jo Bird 67 nett
2nd Brenda Blatchford 68
Larraine Duckett 68
The Quilters Lane Nearest the Pin on No 8 was Brenda Blatchford.
Last Wednesday the 9 holers played the first round of the club champs but no results are available. Susie Williams won the PGG Wrightson Longest Drive and Beet Horrocks was the All Teed Up Nearest the Pin.
The Thursday New World Supermarket stableford competition saw some excellent scoring with Jeff Ogg winning on 43 points from Simon Buckley on 41. Third = on 39 were Steve Hemingway, John Tatham and John Cunningham. The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin was Graeme Jones but the highlight was the two 2’s by Simon Buckley to win a sizeable birdsnest.
The Saturday club field played a par round in one division. Results were-
1st Jamie Frew +6
2nd Brian Leighton +3
3rd Hira Renata +2
4th Ash Peterson +2
5th Dean Gray +2
The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin was Simon Buckley and No 18, Dean Gray.
A small field of vets played a stableford round last Wednesday. Results were-
Men Group 1
1st Blyth King 26
2nd Alan Kirkham 25
Men Group 2
1st Peter Smith 25
2nd Hugh Blundell 24
The Fagan Ford Nearest the Pin was Blyth King.
TRC Toyota Twilight begins this week!
This Saturday the major event is the Sir Bob Charles Classic, an 18 hole tournament open to all men and women, and left and right handers (although only lefties can win the Bob Charles Trophy!) Tee off is at 11am and entries are still being taken.