Hayman turns repeat Open win into one-horse affair

Last weekend's Trust House men's Wairarapa Open ended up as a personal triumph for last year's winner, Perry Hayman.
The plus one handicapper from Manor Park won by 5 shots in 2005, but this time he made the rest of the field look second rate with an absolutely brilliant 16 under the card, ten shots clear of Andrew Henare whose score of 6 under would have won him the Open many times in past years.
Hayman's total for the four rounds was 268, clearly a record for the relatively new par 71 layout, but also away ahead of anything posted on the old par 72 course. From memory, I think the best score for that was about 10 under by Michael Campbell back in 1990.
The conditions last weekend weren't perfect because of the weather, but Hayman kept out of trouble by simply hitting over everything. He is a tremendous driver of the ball, as witness his hitting the front of the long par 4 17th on Saturday.
I understand that his golf has been somewhat erratic recently but, if that is so, he certainly picked the right occasion to turn the corner, particularly as the Wellington selectors were in attendance.
In the Intermediate section Mornington visitor Colin Lyell was a clear cut winner over Mastertonian Henry Stechman. Also taking part for experience were four promising young women golfers, including Emma Wills from Carterton. They played off the men's tees and were not involved in the net competitions. Best of the group was Megan Leech from Manor Park with a 4 round total of 335, including 78 in the 4th round.
Abridged results:
Open Championship:
Perry Hayman (Manor Park) 69, 69, 65, 65 - 268 1st, Andrew Henare (Manor Park) 72, 66, 68, 72 ? 278 2nd, Riki Kauika (Wanganui) 73, 70, 68, 69 ? 280 3rd, Andrew Leech (Manor Park) 71, 69, 69, 72 ? 281 4th, Adam Church (Miramar) 75, 70, 71, 66 ? 282 5th.
Best of the Masterton players was Jeff Tuoro who shot 289 in finishing 9th. This placing earned Jeff selection in the Wellington Junior Representative team to play Hawkes Bay.
Intermediate Division:
Colin Lyell (Mornington) 85, 76, 83, 77 ? 321 1st, Henry Stechman (Masterton) 82, 80, 83, 84 ? 329 2nd, Joe Tuoro (Masterton) 85, 79, 83, 84 ? 331 3rd, Robert Stewart (Masterton) 89, 81, 82, 79 ? 331 4th.
There was a downside to the tournament, and while I have seen this in the past in this event, this year would be the most extreme.
I refer to the behaviour of a number of the competitors, mostly young golfers, though I'm sorry to say, not entirely so. There were far too many reports of swearing, club throwing, clubs slammed into bags or into the ground, tramping into the dining room in muddy shoes and general rudeness.
I've been around for a long time and I can say that players who behave in this fashion lack the control and good sense required to make a top golfer. Bob Charles won the Wairarapa Open twice as a youngster without having to resort to this arrogant nonsense. Incidentally, the behaviour of the four young women was impeccable.
Okay, lets move away from the Lord Mayor's Show to a somewhat more sedate 9-holers competition. It was a dead-heat in the Stableford and Hidden Holes event with both Rosie Wellbrock and Ruth Wiley scoring 16 points, one ahead of Nolene Eastwood. Mandy Sampson took the nearest the pin prize at the par 3 8th and sank the putt for a nice birdie.
Six of the 9-holers were at a Tournament in Otaki last Monday but I haven't heard a word about it at this stage ? hmmm! Just an early reminder about the local tournament on Wednesday May 31. We're looking for a good turn-out from other clubs.
On Monday the fine weather tempted out over 50 Vets to play in their weekly stableford.
Results:
Women: Sue Blathwayt 21 pts 1st, Bib Vallance 20 pts 2nd, Beryl Stuart 20 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: David Logan 33 pts 1st, Keith Nelson 27 pts 2nd, Robin Whitehead 26 pts 3rd.
Men Group 2: David Lindsey 29 pts 1st, Graeme Newland 27 pts 2nd, Alan Blundell 26 pts 3rd.
Charles Anderson and Marie Connell were nearest the pin at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
On Tuesday in beautiful conditions Masterton women competed in a mixed stableford competition which carried the chance of a Donald Yee portrait voucher. Robyn Guildford won the Silver division with 38 points, while in Bronze B Anne Fitzgerald, with 31 points, took the section on a count-back from Marilyn Kinvig.
Robyn Guildford and Anne Fitzgerald were the Majestic Motors winners while the nearest the pin prizes went to Marilyn Beetham at the Graeme Jones Rental Cars 8th hole and to Cindy Giles at the Write Price 18th. Good to see Julia Hargreaves back on the course.
It will be a 9.30 am start next Tuesday with lunch at 1.30 pm and the Fashion Parade at three o'clock. All members are welcome to join us in a game of golf.
Next Saturday features a stroke round, a further qualifier for the Markhams Shootout, plus another round in the Challenge Shield contest.
Then on Sunday comes the final round for the season in the Inter-club Marquis Shield competition. It is down at Featherston and selector Steve Hemingway has chosen the following warriors to play Eketahuna in a valiant attempt to make sure that someone else gets the wooden spoon.
Seniors: D Clarkson, B Watkins, K Morgan, D Cook.
Intermediates: M Clarkson, T Harrison, B Mitchell, G Moorcock.
Juniors: P Kenny, T Bird, A Tulloch, S Hemingway.
Off the Fairway
Many of the older members will remember the late Jack Lulham and his putter. "Lullie" used to take his "Texas Wedge" from almost anywhere on the course. Well, we have a worthy successor to Jack in the form of Goff Moorcock. Rather than chipping, Goff will use his putter in the most unlikely of places, even the rough. It works too, as he demonstrated when he putted in from 65 metres out, for a birdie at the 10th last Sunday.