Over the last week the women’s and men’s Moore Stephens Markham Shootout finals have been played. Last Tuesday the women’s final was a very hard fought affair with the final six players all going out with scores of one over their nett. Jenny Sadler was eliminated on No 16, Jeanette McNae went on the 17th and the last hole was decided by a chip out with Shirley Saunders winning the day over Jan Williams.
The men’s final on Sunday was remarkable in that there were only six chip outs with most of those involving only two players. Simon Buckley, who had been playing ‘under the card’ was suddenly ‘history’ on No 16. Then Kevin Mackay’s nett par was not good enough on No 17 and he went leaving last year’s winner, Dennis Hogg and Rob Blackett to play the 18th. Unfortunately Hogg found the rough too wet and long and conceded the hole before Blackett had his putt for a birdie.
In club news last week was the men’s Toro Interprovincial Tournament in Southland and Masterton’s Kerry Mountcastle had a very good week. Playing at No 4 for Wellington he won five of his six matches and only lost the one match 2/1 and was 6 under the card when the match finished! Sam Maree Brown is away this week in Ashburton, representing Wellington and playing at No 3.
The women have held their closing day and AGM and elected Shura Lindsay as the new Match Captain, although the committee stays much the same.
The men’s season has almost concluded and on Saturday the Forrester Cup, for the best overall club player was won by Sam Forrester with 255 points from Simon Buckley with 210.
On Saturday the annual Captain’s v Chairman’s match was held with all players being ‘blind drawn’ in either team. The Chairman’s team has won this match for at least the last 5 years and once again they proved too strong winning by 482 stableford points to 466. In the individual stableford competition results were-
Group 1
1st Simon Buckley 40
2nd Ash Peterson 38
3rd Derek Clarkson 37
4th Simon Smith 37
The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin on No 8 was Alec Ward and on No 18, Ash Peterson.
Hot humid conditions welcomed 48 players to the TRC Toyota Twilight Golf last Wednesday and all of a sudden the scoring has taken off. 13 of the 28 men, headed by Kris Towgood with 23 pts, and 4 of the 20 women, headed by Jo Philps with 22 pts, scored better than their handicap. Harry Quinn and Jo Philps put out the longest drives and Tony Roseingrave won the All Teed Up Closest to the Pin. The Ordish family took home the Matahiwi Estate Pinot Noir. Last year in the ‘Race to 100’, it took Alan Williams just 48 holes to amass 100 stableford points and this year heading the field after 36 holes are Jo Lucas and Tony Roseingrave with 74 points each, so that record may get knocked over if conditions remain favourable.
Monday was the vets closing day and AGM and they played an ambrose competition. Results were-
1st Kelvin Biggs, Ivan Eyre, Rod Garden, Gail Freeman 33pts
2nd Brian Pollock, Jocelyn Pollock, Jean Trang, Cliff Moore 32
3rd James Brunton, Robin Carseldine, Ian Hull Brown, Laurie Williams 31
The Fagan Ford Nearest the Pin’s were won by Sue Blathwayt and George Grantham and the longest drives went to Ash Peterson, Beryl Stuart and Jocelyn Pollock.
The John Whitehead Trophy was the competition for the Thursday New World Supermarket field. Gavin Harris produced the round of the day with an impressive 44 points which equated to a gross 70. Second was Mike Dixon with 43, then Paul Fouhy on 40 and a ‘swag’ on 39. The All Teed Up Closest to the Pin was Peter Forrester.
Wellington Golf has changed the structure of the interclub next year and the changes are explained on the foyer noticeboard. As part of our team selection process men wishing to play interclub in 2016 need to enter their names on the sheet on the noticeboard- do it now!
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 23 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. The TRC Twilight continues until 23 December, then has a short break over Christmas and New Year, before recommencing in early January. For ‘other’ golf over the summer holidays any one is welcome to join in (we’ll put you in a four) on Thursdays, (about 11.30) and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays about 12 noon.
Off the Fairway
As this is the last Sports Report for 2015 may I wish all members and readers a very restful Christmas and a Happy New Year (and lots of golf!). If you are away don’t forget our members have reciprocal rights at Hokowhiti, Boulcott Farm, Whangaparoa, Pakuranga, Murawai and half green fees at Maraenui- just ring before you turn up. See you again at the end of January, just before the Pro Am.