Ellison missed breaking 90 at Mahia for the first time in nearly six years by just one stroke. He took consolation in winning the men’s stableford with 90-25-65, for 43.
Clubmate Bob Solomon was second with 97-31-66, for 42, and another local, Watama Crowley, was third with 108-43-65 for 42, on countback from Electrinet Park member Luke Hayes (80-15-65).
Such was the scoring in the men’s division that a player needed 40 points to be in the hunt.
Mahia president Maraea Wesche was rapt with the day and the support of “120 enthusiastic golfers”.
“We were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful day amidst the unpredictable weather we’ve been experiencing this summer.“
It also allowed them “to showcase the hard work of our greenskeeper Bernie Crowley and his dedicated team of helpers, who have ensured the course is in fantastic condition”.
As always, Mahia delivered its “renowned hospitality, which was especially appreciated after some golfers faced a tough challenge on the course”.
“A huge thanks goes to everyone who contributed to making this event a success, with special recognition to our generous sponsor, Bayleys Real Estate.”
FRIDAY - Bayleys New Year open tournament, women’s stableford: M. Trafford 43, S. Adam 42, Maria Wesche 37, A, Davis 37, R. Hiko 37, H. Miller 37, L. Morgan 37, C. Holland 36, E. Westwood 36,
Men’s stableford: K. Ellison 43, B. Solomon 43, W. Crowley 42, L. Hayes 42, Horo Brown 41, M. Doran 40, BK Brown 40, B. Cooper 40, B. Eaglesome 40, D. McKinlay 40.
Unqualified section: S. Marshall from Horo Brown jnr, J. Holmes, C. Diack, D. Jones.
Men’s approaches: D. Carroll (senior), J. Van Der Velde (junior).
Women’s approach: R. Hiko (senior), S. Cameron (junior).
Men’s long drive: M. Manuel (senior), J. Van Der Velde (junior).
Women’s long drive: R. Hiko (senior), M. Trafford (junior).
Longest putt: K. Tupara (men). L. Morgan (women).
Unlucky stablefords: K. Tupara, K. Foley.
Twos: W. Wesche, A. Nimmo, B. Maher, M. Hamlin, N. Jones, BK Brown, D. Savage.
Poverty Bay
Who is the “Boss of the Moss”?
That question will be answered as part of the Full Send Long Drive & Putting Comp being held on the Awapuni Links course on January 24.
Although the long drive component is the feature act of the inaugural event, the “Boss of the Moss” putting comp could end up upstaging it.
Wizards and their wands will come together in a Harry Potter v Voldemort Deathly Hallows-like confrontation to decide who rules the greens. The champion male and female will each earn a $300 Prezzy Card, box of Volle golf balls and a drink cooler, not to mention bragging rights.
Registrations ($20) continue to be taken for Full Send and those considering entering are advised to get in as soon as possible.
The long drive competition itself features junior boys’ and girls’ (Under-16), open men’s and women’s and seasoned men’s and women’s (50yrs+) sections, along with longest drive over the entire event, straightest drive and best dressed.
Prizes include Prezzy cards, golf bags, head covers, golf balls, Neighbourhood Pizzeria vouchers and caps.
The top two qualifiers in each category of the putting will go head to head to decide the champions.
It will be followed by long-drive “grudge matches” as a curtain-raiser to the Full Send long-drive finals.
Tournament director Reece Witters has emphasised it is a family event.
“Bring your friends. Bring your family. This event is all about great golf, great company and great vibes at Poverty Bay Golf Club. Let’s make this an event to remember.”
To register, go to https://bit.ly/Full-Send-Entry
COMING UP: Fulton Hogan Friday Ambrose Teams Series, February 14, 21, 28 and March 7, teams of four ambrose over six holes, shotgun start at 5.45pm, open to anyone including non-golfers, maximum handicap of 24 for non-golfers, includes barbecue and prizes each night, entry form available on Awapuni Links: Home of the Poverty Bay Golf Club Facebook page.
Pātūtahi
Graeme and Graeme were in winning form on Friday and Sunday.
Graeme Holland mixed nines of 47, 38 in winning the net on Sunday with 85-21-64 - equalling his low round of 2024 (January 28)
Graeme Roadley racked up 25 points to top division 2 of the Friday meat-pack 9-hole stableford.
Other rounds of note were Shannon Toa’s division 1-winning 36-5-31, for 22 points, and Hukanui Brown’s 4-under 66 on Sunday comprising 14 pars and four birdies.
SUNDAY - Net: G. Holland 64, L. Anania 67, H. Brown 69, H. Harris 69, A. Nimmo 70, J. Priestley 70.
FRIDAY - Meat-pack 9-hole stableford, division 1: S. Toa 22, N. Bunting 21, D. Williams 21, P. Summersby 20, G. Brown 19 on c/b.
Division 2: G. Roadley 25, B. Tietjen 23, J. Tietjen 21, M. Madison 20, D. Skudder 20 on c/b.
Te Puia Hot Springs
Raana Walker and Iritana Ngarimu set the pace as the 2025 Summer Cup points series started on Sunday.
The pair overcame unseasonally cold weather to come out on top. Walker won the men’s stableford with 38 points and picked up the maximum three points for the series opener. Bill Clark was second and Joseph Miratana third.
Ngarimu earned three points in winning the women’s stableford on 31 points from Hiria McClutchie and Robyn Ngatai, both on 30.
SUNDAY - Summer Cup, men’s stableford: R. Walker 38, B. Clark 35, J. Miratana 30.
Women’s stableford: I. Ngarimu 31, H. McClutchie 30, R. Ngatai 30.
Twos: J. Miratana.
COMING UP: SUNDAY, Summer Cup, round 2.
Tolaga Bay
Happy New Year, BJ Sidney.
The eight-season Ngāti Porou East Coast and 2011 Poverty Bay Heartland rugby representative teed off 2025 in spectacular style with his best-ever round - 72-13-59, seven strokes better than his lowest round of 2024.
His nines of 37-35, including three birdies, subsequently won him the net competition on Sunday, six strokes ahead of Trent Higgs.
SUNDAY - Net competition: BJ Sidney 59, T. Higgs 65, D. Maitai 67.
Twos: T. Higgs, J. Sheridan, T. Adamson.
Electrinet Park
The Judy O’Rourke Memorial Trophy goes on the line again on Sunday, January 19, at the Electrinet Gisborne Thistle AFC Golf Day.
And if last year’s scoring is anything to go on, it’s going to take a Carolina Reaper chilli-hot score to claim the silverware.
In 2024, Park local Ray Walford won the trophy that honours the Thistle and Park stalwart with a stableford total of 46 points.
As in previous years, the tournament has a two-tee start from 7.30am to 9am. There are 18-hole and 9-hole sections and it includes a non-golfers’ division.
Also up for grabs is the Morley Trophy for the best stableford by a player affiliated or connected with Thistle AFC.
A start sheet is up at Electrinet Park or ring (06) 8679849 to book a time.
COMING UP: SUNDAY, Jan 26, She Loves Golf twilight finale, 9-hole competition, register at 12 noon for tee-off from 12.45pm, open to golfers and non-golfers, stableford and net sections, approaches, long drives and spot prizes, for more information or to book a spot, text your name to Holly Miller at 0210545534.
