This weekend the 2016 golfing year roars into life with the staging of Recreational Services Eketahuna-Masterton Pro-Am Tournament. First held back in 2004, this event has become a major occasion within the Wairarapa, attracting not only eager amateurs from all over, but also some very good professionals, a number of whom have gone onto much higher honours. The pro field is ‘led’ by last year’s winner and former Masterton player, Harry Bateman who last year had a very successful first full year on the pro circuit. He is joined by a ‘gaggle’ of present and former Masterton members and pro’s, Jamie McIssac, Jonti Philipson, Shaun Hewitt, Joel Macklin and now Hastings apprentice pro, Glenn Robinson. All up 38 pros will play the two days. This year’s celebrity is current All Black assistant coach, Wayne Smith who will no doubt have lots of stories to tell about our World Cup and other rugby news. In a change from the past Wayne will not give an ‘after dinner type’ talk on Friday night but be interviewed by well known sports caster, Keith Quinn and Wayne has opted not to play in the pro am, leaving a space for one more pro in the Friday night draw at Masterton.
On Saturday the scene shifts to Eketahuna, for the first round with a multi tee start at 11am, while the final round and prize giving will be back at Masterton on Sunday with a shotgun start at 9.30am. Spectators are welcome both days, while the two courses will be open for play on the day that has no Pro-Am taking place.
Over the summer ‘holiday’ period the men’s Summer Cup has continued with the last round being played last Saturday and the scoring was very ‘hot, like the weather. The club competition was won by Phil Rutene with a gross 71 but his nett 61 was not good enough to head of Alec Ward who won the Summer Cup by one shot from Phil. Alec’s scoring rounds were 69, 64 and, on Saturday, 65. Last year’s winner, Bill Sangster came 3rd in the Summer Cup but had to be content with winning the birdsnest.
Saturday’s results-
Men (stroke)
1st Phil Rutene 61 nett
2nd Derek Clarkson 64
3rd Conrad Shanley 65
4th Alec Ward 65
Women (stableford)
1st Sereana Phillipps 42
The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin on No 8 was won by Bill Sangster and on No 18, Robin Carseldine.
The Thursday New World stableford competition was won by evergreen John Tatham with a stunning 45 points from Bob Hill on 40. Third was Gavin Harris on 39 with a group of players on 38, Geoff Masters, Win van der Velde (Manor Park), Alan Sadler and Richard Searle. Two players, Derek Clarkson and Alan Kirkham shared a small birdsnest and Derek Clarkson won the All Teed Up Nearest the Pin.
Twilight golf has been underway for a few weeks now. Summer conditions are definitely showing through in the TRC Toyota Twilight Golf competition with 13 of the 52 golfers scoring 20 Stableford points or better. Each of them won a prize with Tweet Bird and Jan Williams taking out their divisions with 23 and 21 points respectively. Russell Stewart and Jo Lucas were the longest drivers whilst Don Veale put the ball about 4 feet from the hole on the 8th to win the ATU Nearest the Pin – then missed the putt. Russell Stewart won the Matahiwi Pinot Noir Lucky Draw so 17 players went home with prizes.
We have now had eight rounds of twilight with a further seven weeks programmed. With the teams’ event being settled over ten rounds there is still plenty to play for amongst our regulars and usually with over 25 players staying to enjoy a meal most weeks, it makes for a very enjoyable way to spend a summer evening- sure beats being inside watching another episode of Master Chef!
The vets will start the year on Monday 1 February with an Ambrose tournament. Cards in by 9.15 for a 9.30 tee off. The vets have averaged around 35 members for each of the weekly tournaments over a shortened 12 hole course. These are fun days played in a competitive spirit and new players are always made extremely welcome. See the club website for more information on the Vets section.
The women’s Opening Day is this Tuesday and will be reported on next week, as will the first day of the 9 holers, this Wednesday.
As well as the Recreational Services Pro Am this weekend, Wellington Golf in its wisdom has also programmed the men’s interclub, both 36 hole and 18 hole to commence on Saturday, even though they were advised and reminded on numerous occasions. The club has been able to re schedule the 18 holes rounds but the 36 hole Otaki Cup team will play Paraparaumu at Manor Park. To make matters worse WGI has programmed this round to clash with an Order of Merit event in Hawkes Bay so Masterton is without two of its representative players!
Off the Fairway
For those members who haven’t been in the club house over the Christmas break you will find some major improvements- the 19th vinyl has been laid, a new storeroom has been added near the ladies locker room, new vinyl laid in the kitchen and the women’s locker room redecorated. Many thanks to all the members who have given their time in these projects.