Waihi Golf Club member Rodger Bagshaw reports on the week that was on the golf course, from Monday July 31 to Saturday August 5.

Highlights of the week include the Women's Team Tournament and the final of the Flett Trophy played on Saturday.

WOMEN’S TEAM TOURNAMENT:

After being postponed a fortnight earlier due to bad weather, the fixture held on Friday August 4 at Waihi Golf Club fortunately struck an ideal day weather-wise, apart from a sometimes chilling breeze, for this well attended event which was sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners.

Twenty-three teams of four, with the three best stableford scores counting, enjoyed a course in excellent condition.

The winning team, on a countback, with 116 points was Heather White, Adrienne Lynch, Sally Grindlay, and Rosalind Giffney, and in second place was Elizabeth Purcell, Diane Boot, Sharon Deacon, and Robyn Kirby.

The team in third place was Vivienne Lilley, Wendy Matutinovich, Diane Lockwood, and Sally Sherson, and in fourth was Suzy Lynch, Sue Cochrane, Chris Chapple, and Esther Hall.

MONDAY VETS:

The final round of the Matchplay Championship was played, and this year’s winners were Allen Sarjant for the men, and Nita Dalley proved to be the best lady.

Forty-six players competed in the day’s nett haggle, and to exemplify the weather, and the good condition of the course twelve players played under their handicap.

The winner was Jan Robinson with a fine 67 nett, closely followed by Di Lewis with 68. Gyan Prole, Mark Mora, and Rae Brown all had 69 nett, with Rodger Bagshaw, Adele Gunning, Heather White, Helen Baynes, and Anke Hermannsdorfer all with 70 nett.

TUESDAY NINE HOLE SECTION:

The week’s competition was a nett haggle, which was won by Garth Pritchard who had a nett 30.

Next was Mandy Piper on 32, with Rex Smith and Julia Nicolson both having 33, while Glen Bennett recorded 34 nett.

Lorraine Meyer, Val McLoughlin, & Margaret Hickey all finished with 36 nett.

THURSDAY MEN:

A chilling southerly wind greeted the morning field, which fortunately abated somewhat later in the day.

In the morning haggle division 1, Ken Mustard continued his good run of form to win by a clear six shots with 41 points. Next on 35 were Vince Jones and Ted Murray, with Doug Ferguson and Allen Sarjant both on 33, then Bruce Rutter and Earle White with 32 points. In division 2, John Purkis showed the way with38 points, then Francis Gascoigne and Andrew McLennan with 35, and Rodger Bagshaw 34. Tom Rowbotham and John Saunders both had 33.

In the afternoon haggle it was a real battle for supremacy with Craig Sandlant, Gary Dunning, and Mark Tomsett all scoring 38 points. Following the trio was Graeme Parkinson with 36, then Kelly Exelby and Terry Gerbich on 35. Paul Weaver and Michael Matutinovich both had 34.

SATURDAY LADIES:

Played a nett haggle in near summer conditions. Shoneen Dunning had the best round with a nett 70, while Sharon Deacon and Susan Mustard both had 73’s. Kaylene Croker had 76, followed by Michelle Libby with 79.

SATURDAY MEN:

The final of the Flett Trophy was played between the two finalists, John Giffney and Michael Matutinovich. After a very tight match, it came down to the 18th and final hole, where John Giffney prevailed, and became the holder of the Flett Trophy for 2023.

Morning haggle:

The stableford haggle was won By Francis Gascoigne with a very good 41 points, with Vince Jones, continuing his brief good run, next with 38. The followed Brian Verryt (Walton), Earl Hoskins, Mark Mora, and Daryll Denyer all with 37 points, Tom Rowbotham (again!) and Madz Grey had 36.

Afternoon haggle:

Mike Rose had a great round finishing with 41 points, well clear of Peter Dagg in second place with 37 points. Next were Paul Williams and David Morris, both with 36, followed by Michael Matutinovich, Terry Gerbich, and Mark Tomsett all had 35, while Frank Van Hattum and Graeme Parkinson both finished with 34 points.

Rodger Bagshaw, August 6, 2023.