Interclub teams off to best possible start

Interclub matches for the 2006 season got away last weekend with a number of Masterton teams involved, on both Saturday and Sunday. It was the best possible start too with wins for all those teams taking part.
In the Wellington men's interclub competition Masterton's Styleline Homes Division 2 team had a confidence building 9/6 win over a strong Te Marua combination in a contest played at Wainuiomata. It should be noted that the Masterton team is quite the youngest in its grade with only two of its members over 20 years of age.
Masterton took the morning foursomes 3?/? with a pleasing feature the manner in which a number of the pairings fought back to win after being down at the half-way mark. It was the same in the afternoon's singles with the three youngsters Jeff Tuoro, Ben Campbell and Harry Bateman all performing well. Harry, in particular, had a fine 2/1 victory after being 3 down at one stage. Let's not forget the two "old men" of the side with Captain Jason Paku posting 2 wins while newcomer, Fred Murton, also played well.
Next Saturday, February 18, the team travel to Manor Park to take on Wainuiomata, relegated from Division 1 last season and seen as the toughest team to beat this year.
On Sunday the Masterton Division 2 Watt Cup team scored a comfortable 6/2 win over Miramar. The Watt Cup is a Wellington regional competition, played off the stick, by golfers under 19. Masterton has two teams playing in the northern zone with the Division 1 side having their first match in two weeks time. Harking back to last Sunday's contest, a notable victory was scored by new member Jordan Mitchell. The young 24 handicapper defeated his opponent, on a 7 handicap ? and remember it was off the stick!
The other Junior event is the Wairarapa based Pennants competition which, for the first time has six local clubs involved: Castlepoint, Mahunga, Riversdale Beach, Featherston, Carterton and Masterton. This is a stableford event, played on handicap, and here the Masterton team of Toby Tuoro, Chris Smith, Jock Cameron and Patrick Howard, are away to a flying start with two wins from two games.
The other major event last weekend was the staging of the Festival of Golf, a regional promotion inaugurated by the Wairarapa Sub-Association. I spoke to Henry Stechman who seems to have quite a lot to do with the Festival and he was very up-beat about the day after contacting various clubs in the region. They all appeared extremely happy with the way things went with new members joining up at every club. Featherston reported 33 registrations, while Riversdale had 25, for example. Masterton had 25 registrations and of those 21 signed up as members.
It is now up to current members to welcome these new faces and make them feel a part of the club concerned. Incidentally, if you join a club within a week of the Festival, that is by next Sunday, February 19, you go into the draw for the prizes, including a set of golf clubs and a colour TV. So go to it, new golfers!
In the midst of all this, the "Indians" were tramping the fairways with the biggest field of the season, over 60, turning up for a stroke competition, which saw some excellent scoring. Results:
Men Group 1: Alan Sandford net 65 1st, Craig McIntosh net 66 2nd, Roger Gardner net 67 3rd.
Men Group 2: Innes Kennard net 64 1st, Trevor Drummond net 67 2nd.
Women: Marilyn Beetham net 71 1st, Jane Buchanan net 72 2nd.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Dennis Hogg at the Alex McLeod 8th, to Gavin Anstis at the Fire Services 11th, to Nigel Udy at the Money Managers 18th, and to Edith Clarkson at the Office Depot 8th hole.
Last Wednesday the rain held off long enough for the 9 holers to get through their stableford event with Rosie Wellbrock tops on 19 points, 3 ahead of a trio comprising Gill Neal, Patsy Ogg and Ruth Wiley.
Please note that the Wellington District 9 hole Tournament is at Featherston on Monday, March 20. Entries close on March 13 so think about trying out your skills on a different course ? see it as a fresh challenge.
Last Monday in warm conditions, just on 60 Vets took part in their weekly stableford event.
Women: Pam Williams 30 pts 1st, Doreen McKinlay 26 pts 2nd, Beryl Stuart 26 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: Brian Maunsell 29 pts 1st, Keith Williams 28 pts 2nd, Mac Martyn 28 pts 3rd.
Men Group 2: Alan Blundell 31 pts 1st, Ted Thornton 29 pts 2nd, Brian Jury 29 pts 3rd.
Tony Vallance and Jill Chandler were nearest the pin at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
On Tuesday 42 women took part in a Valentine's Day par round. Scoring reflected the conditions, plenty of run and poor bounces. Results:
Silver: Pauline McKenzie +5 1st, Jeanette McNae +4 2nd, Liz Armstrong +3 3rd.
Bronze: Heather Small +9 1st, Anne Coom +5 2nd, Elizabeth Jones +4 3rd on c/b from Mary Herrick.
Nearest the Pin prizes were taken by Linda Cameron at the Graeme Jones Rental Cars 8th and Diana Roseingrave at the Write Price 18th.
Winners of the Valentine's Day surprise were: Silver Pam Griffith from Edith Clarkson, Bronze A Elizabeth Jones from Jane Anderson, Bronze B Marilyn Beetham from Sue Falloon, 9 Holers Julie Hamilton.
One person, who shall remain anonymous, put her ball through the doors of the greenkeepers shed. She took a drop!
Carol Morgan wants everyone to know, she had a birdie last week and not an eagle. Still pretty good Carol.
Next Saturday, February 18, it's all action for the men's interclub teams with all three teams playing away; Division 2 at Wainuiomata, Division 3 against Trentham at Trentham and Division 6 against Hutt at Hutt. Meanwhile, back at the farm, the ordinary members stage a stableford.
Off the Fairway
This coming Sunday sees the Club's Annual General Meeting, starting in the Clubhouse at 10am. The All Teed Up Tournament, originally set down for Sunday, has been postponed until March, but there will be the usual mini tournament following the meeting. Hi,
Div 3 team to play Trentham at Trentham
Kevin macKay (capt)
Ash Peterson
Peter Jackson
Phil Rutene
Murray Wolland
Jeff Ogg
Ethial Stya
Bob Hill
Ian Buchanan
Bart Guckert
Div 6 team to play Hutt at Hutt
Mike Dixon (capt)
Jeff Harild
Shane Grant
Herb Ruhe
Tony Iggilden
Robin Carseldine
Joe Tuoro
Graeme McIssac
Alan Sadler
Tony Roseingrave