Jugs brimming as clubs mark 50ths

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

As two of the province’s golf clubs celebrate 50th anniversaries over the weekend, another will be the hotspot in the race for men’s interclub domination.

Māhia started two days of 50th jubilee commemorations yesterday, while Tahunga marks its long-awaited 50th today after both courses were hammered by storms, particularly Cyclone Gabrielle.

Reminiscing and socialising will be the main themes of the anniversaries.

Not so at Waikohu, where many of the district’s top players are going blow-for-blow in rounds 3 and 4 of the Oligoi Jug interclub pennants today.

Patutahi (1) headed into this morning’s round with the narrowest of leads on the points table — just one point ahead of Tolaga Bay, Te Puia Hot Springs and Poverty Bay.

Tahi (1) welcome back Dwayne Russell after he missed the opening and will have the services of Shayde Skudder for both rounds. Regan Hindmarsh and Eddie Brown jr complete a formidable line-up.

Defending champions Park (1) have the same outfit as rounds 1 and 2 — an in-form Dan Collier, who notched two victories at No.1 to start their campaign, Pete Stewart, Ian Loffler and Matt Henwood — but will mix up the order a little for their clashes with Tolaga Bay and Patutahi (2).

Poverty Bay will be without the services of No.1 Waka Donnelly after he had two wins at Tolaga Bay a couple of weeks ago. Team captain David Situ will shift to the top slot for the Bay’s clashes with Patutahi (2) and Tolaga Bay. Quin McPike, another double winner, also moves up the ladder while  Zach  Rolls and Reece Witters have come into the side.

Neil Hansen will swap the football boots for golf shoes at the top of the order for Tolaga Bay. Tim Adamson, new member Richard Paora and Tere Lincoln complete the Ūawa four.

Auckland-based father-and-son David and Glenn Solomann will fly the flag again for their adopted Waikohu, alongside Park ring-in Mike Christophers, Percy Milner and Ethan Reeves.

Jace Brown, Silas Brown, Hamish Harris and Jon Priestley make up the Patutahi (2) team for Round 3 against Poverty Bay. Chris Beattie is to take Silas Brown’s place for their Round 4 clash with Park (1).

Marcus Gray, fresh from breaking par for the first time — a 71 at Electrinet Park — will be hungry to continue that form for Park (2).

Anthony Pahina, Craig Christophers (another to win both his matches in rounds 1 and 2), Gray and Sel Peneha are wearing the Park colours this morning against Te Puia. Bailey Matoe comes in for Pahina in the afternoon tie with Patutahi (1).

The Springs have made no changes to their team from rounds 1 and 2. William Brown leads Thomas Donovan, Wade Wesche and John Wyllie into their two battles.

Round 2 of the Endeavour men’s handicap pennants is being hosted by Patutahi today.

Oligoi Jug interclub pennants draw, Round 3: Gisborne Park (1) v Tolaga Bay; Poverty Bay v Patutahi (2); Patutahi (1) v Waikohu; Te Puia Springs v Gisborne Park (2)

Round 4: Park (1) v Patutahi (2); Poverty Bay v Tolaga Bay; Patutahi (1) v Park (2); Te Puia Springs v Waikohu.