Sports Report 26.11.14

The Christmas Turkey tournament season is about to get under way and the first of the three events that Masterton holds took place on Monday with the running of the Bottle-O Vets Turkey Tournament. On a glorious, windless day, plus with the lure of some excellent prizes, 41 vets faced the starter, who for the 35^th year in succession was Noel Preston. The overall winner was Peter Cameron with 30 points. Other results were- Men Group 1 1^st        Blyth King                             26 2^nd       Charles Anderson               26 3^rd        Ash Peterson                        25 Men Group 2 1^st        Laurie Williams                    27 2^nd       David Baker                          26 3^rd        John Tatham                                    26 Women 1^st        Sue Blathwayt                      26 2^nd       Shirley King                          25 3^rd        Shirley Mason                      24 The 9 holers will have their turkey tournament on Wednesday and the main event will be next Saturday.   On Sunday the All Teed Up Three Person Ambrose was played in perfect conditions on an great course and 19 teams competing. The event was won by the team of Kerry Mountcastle, Paddy Greville and Michael Batley with an excellent 55.77 from Jeff Ogg, Lola Ogg and Murray Wolland on 57.87. Third, on 59.47, were Nigel Udy, Martin Stellard and Dennis Hogg.   The Saturday stroke competition saw the whole field get very wet and a reduced number actually finished the round. Results were- 1^st        Nigel Udy                              69 2^nd       Kerry Mountcastle                71 3^rd        Tony Rowntree                     71 Bill Sangster won the All Teed Up nearest the Pin on No 8 and Kerry Mountcastle, No 18. After play the men’s AGM was held where a new committee was elected, and the men’s prize giving took place. Most of the trophies have been reported throughout the year but those that have been recently decided, or are presented ‘on the day’ include the Keir Trophy which was won by Alan and Jenny Sadler and the Captain’s Trophy which went to Dennis Hogg and Alan Sadler. However the major trophy, the Forrester Cup, is awarded to the club ‘Player of the Year’ and is decided by a points system for various performances throughout the year, ranging from interclub, results on all Thursdays and Saturdays and results in some of the big competitions. The winner, quite convincingly this year, was Sam Forrester with 245 points from last year’s winner, Simon Buckley on 160 and third, Ash Peterson on 150.   Last Thursday’s New World Supermarket competition saw a good field play a stableford round which was won by Murray Johnston with 42 points from Dennis Hogg, Brad Chittick, Sila Faaiuaso and Mike Dixon, all with 40.The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin went to Jamie Brunton and the birdsnest which had been jackpotting quite nicely was ‘struck’ by Mike Dixon.   Twilight, last week, was cancelled because of the high winds.   A number of present and past members have been doing very well in ‘outside’ competitions. Sam Maree Brown won the Wellington Matchplay Championship at Otaki over the weekend. Playing Emma Howard, Sam played steady golf with an excellent short game and was 2 up after 9 and went on the win 3 and 2. In the Champion of Champions, also played over the weekend, Sereana Phillipps was runner up in the Silver nett at Boulcott and the men’s team of Sam Forrester, Phil Rutene and Mike Dixon was second after 18 holes at Royal Wellington, but faded in the afternoon. Past member Ben Campbell had his best result for some time when he was placed 13^th in the NSW PGA. This included a 65 in the third round which was one off the course record which would have been bettered but for a lost ball on the 18^th hole.   This weekend the big event is the Bottle-O Trust House Turkey Tournament on Saturday. There are still a few starting places on the entry sheet in the foyer so get up there smartly for a start either in the morning or the multi tee start in the afternoon.   Off the Fairway I think Shaun thought he’d got away with this one! A couple of weeks ago our head pro, Shaun Hewitt, was playing No 2 and he had the misfortune to pull his drive and it sailed over the fence. Normally this would be OK but recently (but not any longer) a builder working on a home half way up the hill to Ardsley Heights had been parking his vehicle on the edge of the road and Shaun’s ball went straight through the back window. The builder was standing beside the car when Shaun got there!