The 87th Trust House 72 hole Wairarapa Open was held last weekend and in all the years since 1926, this event could not have enjoyed a better weekend of weather. With the course in magnificent condition, no wind and clear skies, many expected the seniors in particular to ‘shoot really low’ but once again, Masterton proved to be a testing course, and the Open was won by Masterton golfer, Kerry Mountcastle, with a four round score of 278, or six under the card. However, he did not lead all the way and after the first round Adam Church led, after the second round Thomas Spearman Burn had edged in front, and it wasn’t until the end of the last round that Mountcastle had got in front and had the anxious wait to see if the last group could catch him.
Open abbreviated results-
1st Kerry Mountcastle (Masterton) 278 (69,75,67,67)
2nd Brad Truesdale (Dannevirke) 279 (76,68,68,67)
3rd= Adam Church (Miramar) 280 (66,75,71,68)
Peter Spearman-Burn (Miramar) 280 (74,69,68,69)
Mountcastle was presented with the Wairarapa Open Championship Cup and the Hugo Cup, for the lowest gross score on the first day (66) went to veteran Martin Webber. The Percy Cup for the best nett score over 4 rounds was won by Scott Dunkerley with 268 nett.
The men’s Intermediate competition also proved a very close contest and was won by another Masterton player, Board Chairman, Rob Blackett from Cosmo Graham who had led right up until the last round. Abbreviated results-
1st Rob Blackett (Masterton) 321 (79,84,79,79)
2nd Cosmo Graham (Hastings) 322 (75,82,84,81)
3rd Lance Sayer (Carterton) 324 (83,83,79,79)
The intermediate nett was won by Zack Swanwick with 286 nett.
The ladies section was comprehensively won by Darae Chung from Shandon with 306, 10 shots ahead of second placed Erika Cui of Boulcott’s Farm. In the ladies nett competition Sara Deam (Napier) won with 305 nett.
The organisation of the tournament was a credit to Tony Rowntree and Jamie Brunton and the host of club members who helped them.
The women’s interclub had another round of the Tilson Salver and on Sunday and played Mahunga at Carterton. The resulting 3-3 draw saw wins to Jocelyn Pollock and Marilyn Beetham.
The last week has also seen two rounds in the 9 holer interclub. Last Thursday, in very wet conditions at Karori, Masterton played Pauatahanui and lost 3½-½ and then on Monday they met Royal Wellington at Manor Park for a 2½-1½ loss with the only win to Di Herbert. This leaves Masterton ‘mid table’ with three rounds to go.
Last Wednesday the 9 holers had a PGG Wrightson stroke round which was won by Lorraine Jones on 30 from Rosie Wellbrock on 32. The longest drive went to Di Herbert. Recently Di Alexander won the Southey Honda 9 Hole Tournament in Martinborough and Barbie Wallace won the second division. The 9 holers are beginning the club match play on 25 May with the draw on the noticeboard.
When winter arrived last Thursday a small field ‘fronted’ for the New World competition which saw Geoff McKay win with 38 points from Dean Gray on 37 and then a gap back to Peter Cottier and Harry Quinn on 34. The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin was won Geoff McKay.
The vets have played twice in the last week. Last Wednesday. In a stableford round, results were-
Women
1st Helen Falloon 25
2nd Sue Blathwayt 22
3rd Gail Freeman 17
Men Group 1
1st Jamie Brunton 29
2nd Laurie Williams 28
3rd George Grantham 26
Men Group 2
1st Robin Whitehead 30
2nd Peter Smith 29
3rd Harvey ward 27
On Monday in a stableford round, results were-
Women
1st Beryl Stuart 28
Men Group 1
1st Alan Kirkham 29
2nd George Grantham 28
3rd Derek Clarkson 28
Men Group 2
1st Graeme Jones 28
2nd Peter Smith 28
3rd Rex Fowler 27
The Fagan Ford Nearest the Pins went to Laurie Williams and Pam Williams.
On Tuesday the ladies field played an LGU and Putting round, as well as for the Grannies Trophy. Top grannie of the day was Anne Smith with 70 nett. Other results were-
Silver
1st Nooroa Rota 71 nett
2nd Marilyn Strang 72
3rd Larraine Duckett 72
Bronze A
1st Jocelyn Pollock 74
2nd Anne Kenny 75
3rd Pam Griffith 78
Bronze B
1st Anne Smith 70
2nd Isobelle Weaver 77
Putting
Silver Linda Cameron 20 putts
Bronze Val Cobb 27
Rosie Laffey won both the Quilters Lane Nearest the Pin on No 8 and Nooroa Rota the New World No 18.
This Friday the course will be closed for the Trust House Women’s Open over 36 holes. On Saturday, in the men’s interclub our Gibsonsheat Div 1 36 hole team plays at Otaki and both Div A1 and Div A4 play at Masterton. A club day will be held with a disc draw at 12 noon.