Waihi Golf Club member Rodger Bagshaw is reporting a successful golf tournament as part of this week's wrap-up from the club.

The Birchwood-Oceania Gold Mixed Teams Tournament was held on Sunday September 10.

This long-established tournament, previously sponsored by Birchwood Packhouse, was this year jointly sponsored by Birchwood Packhouse and Oceana Gold - Waihi Operation.

Efficiently organised by the Waihi Saturday Golf Ladies, the capacity field of thirty teams competed for a very extensive prize table.

With well over twenty clubs represented, the large field enjoyed a friendly and sociable tournament.

The fine start to the day unfortunately turned to rain for a period with a cold south-easterly wind which thankfully cleared away. The competition was for teams of two ladies and two men where the combined stableford scores counted.

The winning team with a total of 146 points was Jill Morrison, Sarah Tomsett, Jonathan Clare, and David Oliver, all from Waihi Golf Club, while in second place with 131 (on countback) from Fairview were Vicki and Sasha Colbourne, Shane Ward, and Chad Colbourne.

Third were a mixed team, Adrian and Amber Ball, Joe Tiplady, and Pauline Ball.

One shot behind were Robyn Kirby, Ron Arthur, Frances and Bruce Nicol in fourth place.

The extensive prize table at the Birchwood-Oceania Gold Mixed Teams Tournament at the Waihi Golf Club. Photo: Rodger Bagshaw.

Monday Vets:

Despite an unfavourable forecast 31 vets contested a stableford round where the number of putts taken was the competition of the day.

For most of the round the weather was dry, but many had to contend with a wet finish.

Three players finished tied for first with 26 putts, and in the count-back it was Allen Smith over John Libby, then John Drent. Next was David Croker with 28 putts, then Mark Tomsett with 29, followed by Adele Gunning and Kathy Ashton with 31 putts.

Inclement weather prevented the Nine Holers, or Wednesday Ladies from any competitions this week. How ever the ladies “Dreamers Player of the Week” was Susan Mustard with a fine 68 nett.

Thursday Men:

A period of wet weather made play miserable for the morning field, and the start of the afternoon haggle. In the morning stableford Earle White cleared out from the field with 40 points (webbed feet!), five shots clear of Rob Morrison on 35.

Next were Pete Rowe, Tim Parish, and David Croker all with 34 points, while Tom Rowbotham and John Giffney finished with 33 points.

In the afternoon haggle, Wayne Brierley was the one to have 40 points, but this time by only one shot from Kelly Exelby on 39. Next on 38 was that man again Craig Sandland, while How2ard Anderson had 37.

Mike Rose and Mark Hume both had 36 points, while Jason Baldwin and Peter Bramble had 35.

Saturday Men:

A pleasant day, with a cool breeze at times. Smaller morning field than usual -  must be a rugby cup on! 

The winner was Mark Mora with 38 points, with Harry Sherpherd close behind on 37. Ken Purcell, John Saunders, and Al McMillan were next on 35, while Alex Standfield, Earl Hoskins, and Allen Sarjant all had 34 points.

In the afternoon haggle, it was Francis Gascoigne who prevailed over Mike Rose in a countback with them both scoring 37 points.

Next with 36 were Jason Baldwin, Wayne Brierley, and Mark Tomsett, while Howard Anderson, and John Drent both finished with 35. Graeme Parkinson, David Campbell, Terry Gerbich, and Chris Hale all had 34 points.