Masterton golfers post wins

With Mike Dixon away in the wilds of South-East Asia, I'm back providing the latest and greatest from the Masterton Golf Club. It's not a bad time to be doing this report either, with quite good news from the men's interprovincial front last Saturday.
With round 6 of the Division 1 competition held at Lansdowne, Masterton had the bye, but the three other teams were in action, recording two wins and a loss.
Division 7 had the toughest assignment, taking on Mornington at the dreaded hillside course. They didn't do too badly, going down 10 to 4 , with skipper Ian Harrowfield the star for Masterton winning the fourball with Joe Tuoro and taking a 4/3 victory in his singles match. Adam Ross also won his match, while Leith Comer, Mike Dixon and Barry Smith halved their contests. Paul Fouhy was the unhappy recipient of the Rear Enders trophy.
The other away match featured a great 11 victory to the Division 11 side on the Titahi Bay course; a layout that usually proves too much for most visitors. Derek Clarkson, who is in good form at present, had a great 8/6 win, while others to score in their singles were Wayne O'Donnell (3/2), Brian Pollock (6/5), Jamie Brunton (3/2), Darryl Hart (4/3), Steve Hemingway (3/2), Choi Jackson (2/1) and Terry Harrison (1 up). The cares of captaincy were apparently too much for John Hopkirk who received the trophy for the biggest loss.
Finally to Division 3, who played at home defeating Otaki 10 to 4 . Jeff Ogg (6/4) and Geoff Masters (5/4) had fine wins, but other singles victories went to Simon Buckley (3/2), Nigel Udy (4/3) Toby Tuoro (2 up) and Ian Buchanan (3/2) while Gavin Harris and Murray Wolland scored halves.
The interclub action continues this weekend with all men's teams, including the Marquis Shield, in action. On Saturday, Division 7 face up to Mahunga at Lansdowne, while the rest play away. Division 1 play Royal Wellington at Shandon, Division 3 play Judgeford at Judgeford, while Division 11 challenge Featherston at Featherston. Then, on Sunday, the Masterton Marquis Shield side will be looking to lift their results when they take on the might of Carterton, on that club's home course.
Also this Saturday, the new 9-hole competition will be on again, starting at the earlier time of 2pm. Numbers for this event are growing with 18 turning out last time. Remember, it's open to all members. The club competition this week will be on Sunday with a Stableford competition.
Last week, the pleasant conditions drew out 20 merry 9-holers for a PGG Wrightson stroke contest, coupled with the first round in their shoot-out competition. Ronny Percy was a clear winner with a net of 33 ahead of Errol Warren on net 37. No one seemed to make it to the green for the nearest the pin, while the judges were unable to separate Ronny Percy and Susie Williams for the longest drive.
There was a club competition last Sunday with the men playing a South African Stableford; an event where pairs multiply their Stableford scores for each hole. Winners with 75 points were Derek Clarkson and Alex Tulloch, while Brett Gould and Jeff Ogg returned 72 points.
The fine conditions last Monday tempted 45 vets out for their weekly competition; a Stableford round.
Women: Beryl Stuart 1 26 points, Pamela Andrew 2 25, Liz Bensaude 3 25.
Men, Group 1: Blyth King 1 25 points, Mick Gates 2 25, John Tatham 3 25.
Men, Group 2: Bob Tatham 1 26 points, David Brenkley 2 24, Harvey Ward 3 23,
Gerald Blathwayt was nearest the pin at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
Thirty-six women played a par round in lovely conditions on Tuesday. Results:
Silver: Sereana Phillips 1 square, Jeanette McNae 2 1 down, Jan Williams 3 1 down, Pauline McKenzie 4 1 down.
Bronze: Pam Griffith 1 1 down, Ngaire Stevens 2 1 down, Larraine Duckett 3 2 down, Janice Hayes 4 2 down.
Darlington Drilling Bronze Player of the day: Pam Griffith.
Graeme Jones Nearest Pin on No 8: Jan Williams.
New World Supermarket Nearest Pin No 18: Elizabeth Jones.
The women's silver and bronze pennants were played at Martinborough and Manor Park on Monday with the Silver Manuka women winning 4 to 1 and Silver Totara had a 4/2 win, Bronze yellow lost 2 to 3 and Bronze Blue lost 2 to 4.
This Friday, we are hosting the Rew and McCracken Cup with a multi-tee start at 9am.
The women's Home Pennants will now to be held on April 26.
Off the Fairway
The posters are up and entries are being taken for the 2011 Trust House 72-hole Wairarapa Open to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8. As usual there are three divisions, men's senior, intermediate and women's open. The Augusta Masters yet again underlined the fact that the real action starts over the last nine holes. One of our betting syndicate got us a small profit with a top 5 "plunge" on Adam Scott. I'm not sure what we would have said to him if he had won at 60 to 1 though.