Big hopalong on Bunny day

In what was a rather dismal Easter weatherwise, the Wairarapa experienced probably the best conditions in the country. Last Monday provided ideal golfing weather for the Masterton Golf Club's Juken NZ Easter Bunny Tournament. As a result there was a very big field, possibly the best turn-out since this popular event was first held.
The scoring reflected the conditions with prize-winners having to go well under their handicap to take an award. Heading the list were those well known table-toppers, Dave Cameron and Peter Kenny with 44 points each, while Phil Rutene on 43 and Sereana Phillipps and Carolyn Stevenson, both on 40 points, also performed well.
Abridged results:
Women: Carolyn Stevenson 40 pts 1st, Sereana Phillipps 40 pts 2nd, Pam Griffith 39 pts 3rd, Sue Blathwayt 38 pts 4th, Jenny Sadler 37 pts 5th, Val Cobb 37 pts 6th, Jan Wyeth 37 pts 7th.
Men Group 1: Phil Rutene 43 pts 1st, Philip Tuoro 42 pts 2nd, Alan Sadler 41 pts 3rd, Simon Dew 40 pts 4th, Jeff Thomas 40 pts 5th, Blyth King 40 pts 6th, Geoff Masters 40 pts 7th.
Men Group 2: Dave Cameron 44 pts 1st, Peter Kenny 44 pts 2nd, Heinz Traber 42 pts 3rd, John Waddington 40 pts 4th, Ray Verhaart 39 pts 5th, David Dew 39 pts 6th.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Mike Dixon and Joy Cowan while the big hitters awards were taken by Peter Forrester, Dave Cameron and Sereana Phillipps. And then, of course, were those who tried, but to no avail, with Jill Chandler and Chairman Paddy Greville receiving prizes for determination in the face of odds.
Finally our thanks once again to our sponsors and long may that relationship continue.
Last Saturday also saw quite a good field for a par event. Results:
Group 1: Tony Iggulden +4 1st, Trev Hill +4 2nd, Phil Rutene +4 3rd.
Group 2: Terry Harrison +8 1st, Tim Crum +5 2nd.
Adi Paku, all square, was best of the women, while nearest the pin prizes went to Simon Hodge and Sereana Phillipps at the Alex McLeod 8th, to Brian Campbell at the Fire Services 11th, and to Courtney Gane at the Money Managers 18th.
Last week saw another good field of 9 holers, playing in a putting competition on a day when there was a hint of damper and gloomier days to come. Julie Hamilton with just 15 putts led the field, one better than Rayanne Dimock.
On Tuesday a field of 42 women played a par round in very pleasant conditions. Results:
Silver: Chris Lewis +3 1st, Liz Armstrong +2 2nd.
Bronze: Jo Bird +5 1st on countback from Marion Long also on +5.
Jo Philps was nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones Car Rental 8th hole while Rachel Monk did best at the Write Price 18th.
This coming week-end could only be described as an inter-club special with heavy involvement on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday all three men's inter-club teams are playing away, so mere mortals amongst the members have the course to themselves for a Challenge Shield, a stroke competition and a Markham's shoot-out qualifier.
Division 2 take on Otaki at Paraparaumu with the following line-up (not in order): Ewen MacDonald, Sam Forrester, Robin Smith, Simon Dew, Brent McKenzie, Wade Walker, Courtney Gane, Brian Campbell, Alan Sandford, Michael Schofield.
Division 3 play Waikanae on that team's course with our team (not in order) Kevin Mackay, Phil Rutene, Bob Hill, Ian Buchanan, Paul Fouhy, Herb Ruhe, Murray Wolland, Jeff Ogg, Ash Peterson, Peter Jackson.
Finally, Division 6 are up against Shandon at Shandon with these players (not in order). Tony Iggulden, Mike Dixon, Joe Tuoro, Jeff Tuoro, Robin Carseldine, Tony Roseingrave, Derek Clarkson, Ben Campbell, Trevor Campbell, Jamie Brunton.
Now to Sunday April 3 where it's all happening at Lansdowne. Despite the Sub-Association submitting their programme before the season started, Wellington have managed to include Watt Cup and Pennant matches on the day when Masterton host a further round in the local inter-club Maquis Shield. However, Club Captain Mike Dixon is confident that they will cope but advises that the course is closed to non-competitors until after 1 pm. Reciprocal rights do apply.
Regarding the Maquis, Masterton are fielding the following:
Seniors: Phil Rutene, Shane Grant, Colin Hicks, Mike Dixon.
Intermediates: Derek Clarkson, Arthur Sandford, Alan Sadler, Rod Garden.
Juniors: Alex McLeod, Alex Tulloch, Tala Mapusua, Steve Hemmingway.
I don't normally comment on selections but I feel I owe it to the late Tony Draper, who surely must be spinning in his grave regarding the selection, and at number two, of his old sparring mate Alex Tulloch. That same Alex Tulloch assures me that he has been re-selected in fact after a strong winning performance in Round 1. It must have something to do with the Lansdowne air.
Off the Fairway
Young Michael Schofield is a member at Lansdowne and also at Castlepoint where his father's farm overlooks the seaside course. Par there for 18 holes is 64, but it has been difficult to crack with the record just one under 63.
At least that was the record until Michael shot it to pieces last week with a magnificent 6 under 58 , a score which included four two's.