Whangamatā Golf Club prizewinners acknowledged

Jill Agnew, strokeplay and matchplay champion. Photo / Don Mackay

Whangamatā Golf Club celebrated and acknowledged its prizewinners at its end-of-year function on Sunday, December 18.

President Terry Wilson congratulated everyone on their individual golfing achievements, and all the Whangamatā greenkeeping staff and many volunteers for their fabulous work through a wet and challenging year.

Incoming men’s club captain Jimmy Corlett paid tribute and gave thanks to Geoff Tempest for his magnificent work as club captain. The incoming men’s committee consists of Jimmy Corlett (men’s club captain), Stu Cashen (men’s vice club captain), Michael Wickham, Guy McDonald, Keith Adams and Peter Morgan.

Ladies’ prizewinners: Silver Matchplay champion Jill Agnew; Bronze 1 Matchplay champion Michelle Russell; runner-up Chris Davenport; Bronze 2 Matchplay champion Lynne Saes; runner-up Yvonne Barr; Bronze 3 Matchplay champion Jane Masters; runner-up Michelle Cotter; Silver Strokeplay champion Jill Agnew; Bronze 1 Strokeplay champion Andrea Moore; runner-up Chris Sommerville; Bronze 2 Strokeplay champion Sally Hobb; runner-up Amanda Stevenson.

Men’s strokeplay champions: Hunter Ussher, Senior; Otis Baxter, Intermediate; Verne Russell, Junior; Jim Barr, Junior B.

Bridges over troubled water at Whangamata Golf Course

by Shaun Fay

What a year of weather for the Whangamata Golf Course. While not alone in its weather woes, it certainly has taken its toll in 2022 on one of New Zealand’s finest country courses. Whangamata has two courses, the 18-hole Titoki and the nine-hole Williamson. Titoki, while a relatively short par 70, is a gem of a course. Its rating, considering its length, is high, mainly because of the Wentworth River. This volatile stream and its feeding creeks affect 15 of the holes; if you can’t get the ball airborne, you’ll suffer. This year the weather gods have not been kind, sending vast amounts of water down the Wentworth Valley and as a result, many of the course bridges, already nearing their use-by date, have been hammered. Damaged in many cases beyond repair. Insurance has saved the club in the interim, but the weather is getting worse and the bridges are only just hanging on.

Bad weather has plagued the Coromandel's golf courses. Photo / Shaun Fay

Enter the Masters raffle

In association with Elite Golf Tours, Whangamata Golf Club has put together arguably one of the greatest golf prizes you could ever win. The Masters Magnolia Experience is an exclusive and rare golfing thrill. The winner will travel to Atlanta, the US, in April 2024, attend Thursday’s Pre-Masters welcome and briefing and be on the course Saturday and Sunday as the best in the world hunt down the famous Green Jacket. The total prize package is valued at $22,000. Tickets are only $50 each and are limited to just 2000. Sound like you? If so, you can purchase tickets at both courses, Titoki or Williamson or if you can’t make it to beautiful Whangamata, you can buy them online at www.whangamatagolf.net.nz

For more details see the website or call the club on 07 865 8479.

The Masters Magnolia Experience can be won by entering the Whangamata Golf Club's raffle. The winner will travel to Atlanta, the US, in April 2024.