Rain earlier in the week and very strong winds later had a detrimental effect on much of this week's Waihi's golf activities, says Waihi Golf Club member Rodger Bagshaw.

Rodger is reporting back on the Wednesday Ladies, Saturday, Thursday Men and Nine Hole Section competitions for the week.

Nine hole section

'After two wet mornings, the weather cleared enough on Tuesday morning for the section to have their weekly competition,” says Rodger.

'In the ladies Wintle Cup stableford round, in division 1, Helen Brady led the way with 20 points. She was followed by Lorraine Meyer (18), and Jean Cotterill (17).

'In division 2, the winner was Denise Morgan with 18 points, just ahead of Margaret Hickey (17), and Julia Nicolson (16). There were only three men contesting the TOB Stableford round, and first was Garth Pritchard (17), with John Vautier (11), and Rex Smith (10) next.”

Wednesday Ladies

'After early morning rain cleared to provide a fine but overcast day for the ladies to play a nett medal haggle,” says Rodger.

Wendy Matutinovich again topped the field with a 71 nett, followed by Helen Baynes and Denise Donald both with 74 nett, and then Jacquie Bain (75).

'The Dreamers Player of the Week was again for the second week in a row Wendy Matutinovich with 71 nett after having the same score as well last week.”

Thursday Men

'In fine but cloudy conditions, 30 men started the morning haggle, but by mid- morning steady rain had started which then became increasingly heavier,” says Rodger.

'Just over 50 per cent of the field abandoned their game, but a staunch and bedraggled 14 completed their round. Top scorer was Rhys Peden with 37 points, with Mathew Guptill next with 36. They were followed by John Drent (33), and Allen Smith (32). John Drent recorded the only two.”

Saturday

'A small field of ladies soon abandoned their game due to very strong winds, and a cold rain squall as they started,” says Rodger.

'For the men's section the main match was the final of the Four Ball Best Ball competition for the Ludwig Cup.

'This is one of the most prestigious events on the men's calendar, and it was a shame that the wind made the conditions so much more difficult for the final.

'All played well under the conditions, but the final was won by John Libby and Tom Rowbotham who defeated Earl White and Jim Evans on the 14th hole,” says Rodger.

'In the morning haggle 24 players started in strong wind conditions that they had not experienced in a long time.”

The winner was Michael Bonnici, on a countback from Daryl Denyer, and Rodger Bagshaw, who all recorded 33 points, Jim Evans (31) was the only other player to better 30 points, says Rodger.

'In the afternoon haggle while it was still very windy, the velocity had died back a bit, but scoring was still very difficult.”

Andy Roche finished on top to be the only player all day to register 36 points. Next was Chris Pilmer with 33, followed by Terry Gerbich, and Farmer O”Flaherty with 32, with John Burns and Dave Campbell on 31.