Masterton Golf

Last weekend was a particularly busy one for the club, with all four of the men's Wellington interclub teams in action. There is no doubt that in golf, perhaps more so than in any other sport, the home advantage is significant.
Playing in their very first competition match and at Lansdowne, Division 11 started with a bang, defeating Wainuiomata 12 / 2 1/2 . No names to protect the guilty with two losses in the singles and a half in the four-ball matches. However, Wayne O'Donnell and Steve Hemingway were stand-outs with their big singles victories.
Division 7 on the other hand lost 11-4 when they played Shandon at Shandon, with Toby Tuoro the shining star with his big 8/6 win, while skipper Ian Harrowfield also posted a meritorious victory. Toby and Mike Dixon won their four-ball, while there were a couple of halves in the other four-ball matches.
Over at Waikanae, Division 3 lost 11 - 3 to the home team. Murray Wolland, Ian Buchanan and Tony Rowntree all recorded nice wins in their singles, while a lone half in the four-ball made up the total.
Home advantage doesn't apply in Division 1, with matches played on neutral territory as Masterton faced the strong Boulcott Farm team at Royal Wellington. Masterton did pretty well too, going down 8 - 6. They started well in the morning foursomes, with Shaw and Macklin, Forrester and Walker and Van Zanten and Jackson giving Masterton a 3-2 lead.
However, they couldn't quite round it off in the singles, with just three wins; namely to Wade Walker (4/2), Brett Gibbs (3/2) and Jacko (2/1), while Jason Van Zanten had a half.
If the old adage "Problems create well-attended AGMs", then Masterton is going OK, because only a small turnout of 34 were there on Sunday morning. Chairman Mike Dixon presented the annual report, with board member Ian Harrowfield taking those present through the financial statement.
While most golf clubs are going through difficult times, Masterton can at least say they have got through 2010 on the right side of the ledger. Furthermore, the club has made several advances, namely the new mower which is already proving a great success, the much-needed carpark resealing, honours boards upgrading, new carpet in the foyer and up the stairway, the Dan Bensaude Memorial Fountain and furniture refurbishment in the 19th.
Just about all those features have been achieved through voluntary labour, donations and a variety of money-raising activities, so heartfelt thanks to all concerned.
After the meeting a club competition round followed, a stableford event.
Men Group 1: Kevin Mackay 43 pts 1, Daryl Hart 38 2, John Tatham 38 3, Ray Verhaart 38 4.
Men Group 2: Peter Stevens 44 pts 1, Roly Brown 39 2.
Jane Buchanan (37 points) took the women's prize, while nearest the pin prizes went to Ray Verhaart (Alex McLeod 8th) and Kevin Mackay (Nuview Wealth Solutions).
Alex McLeod, with 41 points, triumphed in the New World Stableford last Thursday, ahead of Goff Moorcock and Graham McNae (both on 40), while Brad Chittick was back on 39 points. The "Birds Nest" was not touched.
Last week 15 nine-holers took part in a PGG Wrightson Stableford played in pleasant conditions. Top Gun was Geri Southey with 24 points, ahead of Lorraine Jones on 22, while Di Herbert muscled out the longest drive. The nine-holers are reminded about the Southey-Honda Cup at Martinborough on Wednesday, March 23.
Nothing to report from the vets or the women, because the big Air New Zealand Tournament was held at Lansdowne on Monday and Tuesday. However, on Tuesday the women left at 8.30am on their annual Mystery Tour, so a lot of male partners would have dined on baked beans that night, as the women don't get back until 8.30pm.
However, the women should be aware of the newly set up Friday Females Club, initiated by the ever busy Jocelyn Pollock. It is all fairly casual as far as I know, with a $2 entry for an 8.30am start. There is also a "bring a prize, take a prize" set-up - something worth about $5.
This Saturday features a Par Round while Sunday has the first round of the Marquis Shield, with Masterton at home to Wayne Evans and co. from Mahunga.
Off The Fairway
A couple of important items also came out of the AGM. Firstly and sadly, our wonderful caterer Margaret McIntosh is leaving us after six years. She will be really missed, but it's been a great six years.
The only work being done on the "top block", certainly in the meantime, is the planting of trees (natives and some deciduous), so any future development doesn't have to start from scratch.