McKenzie could wrap up treble

On Saturday Masterton golfer Brent McKenzie scored a fine win in the Club's stroke-play championship, the 36 hole Sellar Trophy event. With the prestigious Trust House Wairarapa Open just a couple of weeks away McKenzie could be looking at a notable golfing treble as he has already won the club's Match-play championship to go with the Sellar.
McKenzie shot two fine rounds of 67 and 68 for a two round total of 135, six shots clear of Craig McIntosh who fired 71/70 (141). However, that doesn't tell the full story because McIntosh actually drew level early in the afternoon when he struck a purple patch while McKenzie dropped a shot. Last year's winner Simon Dew was off the pace in the morning but he also came right straight after lunch to have the leader in his sights before dropping away with about 8 holes to go.
Results: Sellar Trophy: Seniors: Brent McKenzie 67/68 (135) 1st, Craig McIntosh 71/70 (141) 2nd, Simon Dew 73/71 (144) 3rd.
In the other divisions of the Sellar Trophy Mike Dixon took out the Intermediate with a two round total of 156, Jordan Mitchell won the Junior with a figure of 186, while Ash Peterson was tops in the Masters section with a net score of 142. Craig McIntosh, with 131, had the best net score over the two rounds.
Incidentally I need to correct a couple of mistakes I made last week about the Sellar Trophy. It did belong to Mick Sellar's uncle J A Sellar, a winner of the club's Senior Championship away back in 1904. While Mick Sellar wasn't really a golfer the little club came into his possession and so through him on to the Golf Club. J A Sellar was not involved in Sellar and Sellar but the firm were happy to support the new style Stroke play event when it was set up, a few years back.
Last Saturday also featured an 18 hole event, a stroke competition. Results:
Men Group 1: Tom Webb net 71 1st, Bob Hill net 72 2nd.
Men Group 2: Rick Hughes net 74 1st.
Women: Linda Cameron net 73 1st.
Bryce Eggers won the nearest the pin prize at the Money Managers 18th hole.
The second major competition at Lansdowne over the weekend came on Easter Monday with the staging of the Juken NZ Easter Bunny Tournament. The very pleasant conditions attracted a good field of about 70 golfers, including half a dozen visitors from Australia. Abbreviated results:
Women: Lorraine Stewart 39 pts 1st, Jackie Tesoriero 37 pts 2nd, Pam Griffith 35 pts 3rd, Jan Thompson 35 pts 4th, Carolyn Stevenson 34 pts 5th, Kaye McIsaac 34 pts 6th.
Men Group 1: Brian Mitchell 44 pts 1st, Alan Sadler 38 pts 2nd, Brian Leighton 38 pts 3rd, Paul Fleming 38 pts 4th, Jeff Harrild 38 pts 5th, Mike Dixon 37 pts 6th.
Men Group 2: Trevor Smith 43 pts 1st, Colin McAuley 41 pts 2nd, Glen Shaw 40 pts 3rd, Paul Haxton 39 pts 4th, John Waddington 37 pts 5th, Kevin Gibbs 37 pts 6th.
Longest drive prizes went to Ray Verhaart, Heinz Traber and Jackie Tesoriero, while nearest the pin awards were taken by Elizabeth Jones and John Waddington. Finally there were three Easter Bunny trophies for what I describe as playing a lot of golf ? they went to Brian Crump, Geoff Masters and Jenni Monti.
Last week's 9-hole competition was a stroke event, and it was good to see a satisfactory turn-out, despite the unpredictable weather. Ruth Wiley had the best result of the day with a net 39 ahead of Shona Wylie on 42. Rayanne Dimock pounded out the longest drive. Next week features a foursomes with a strong invitation to 18 holers to take part.
Inclement weather and post Easter blues deterred a lot of women from participating in last Tuesday's par competition. Marion Long had an enjoyable day winning the competition outright on plus 4, and taking out the Graeme Jones Rental Cars nearest the pin prize. Di Wakeling was the bridesmaid in the Silver on plus one while Janice Hayes won the Bronze on minus four.
Autoscore continues to create some problems but the feeling is that the light is getting brighter.
Next weekend sees a good deal of men's interclub activity with Division 3 playing Paraparaumu over at the beach course while Division 6 are at home to Kapiti. Meanwhile a further Division 2 36 hole round is being staged at Lansdowne with the Masterton team having the bye.
For ordinary members there is a Stableford competition though players must be aware that the course will have a lot going on that day and give way where necessary. Sunday sees a further round in the Marquis Shield, this time at Martinborough and the following heroes will be pitched against the hosts themselves.
Seniors: Derek Clarkson, Keith Morgan, Mark Clarkson, Colin Hicks.
Intermediates: Arthur Sandford, Alex McLeod, Peter Kenny, Goff Moorcock.
Juniors: Tweet Bird, Alex Tulloch, Steve Hemmingway, Rex Fowler.
In the recent North Island Men's Amateur Championship held at Royal Wellington, local youngsters Ben Campbell and Michael Schofield did well to make the cut and so play in all four rounds.
Masterton has a new trainee professional, Jonti Philipson, who has 18 months to go in his apprenticeship after coming up from Greenacres Golf Club in Nelson to join the All Teed Up team. Jonti attended Nelson College and Nayland College before leaving to become a greenkeeper at Greenacres where he got down to a plus two handicap. Welcome aboard Jonti.
Off the Fairway
We'll all be hoping for the good weather to continue through till Anzac Day when the club stages its popular Wine and Dine Tournament. Cards should be in by 12 noon for a multi draw soon after. Entry fee is just $15.00, though there will be a raffle or two. Many of the well-known sponsors are back with us but there are also some interesting newcomers to take your fancy. Don't miss out on this event, one of the year's big ones.