Plumber?s sense of humour lives on

Virtually every golf club in New Zealand stages a four ball best ball competition, one that creates more intense interest and competition than any other event, except, of course, for the Club Championships.
The Masterton Club is no exception with the Baker 4 Ball trophy eagerly sought after by the men each year.
To give it its proper name, the Bob Baker 4 Ball Shield goes away back to 1943 when it was won by Jim Long and Basil Bodle, noted businessmen in Masterton at the time.
The Trophy is called a shield, and it does have the shape of a shield, but in reality it started off life as a toilet seat. There is a mirror set into the 'ole under the lid with the inscription "Keep The Game Clean".
Obviously Bob Baker, who incidentally was a plumber, had a well tuned sense of humour. He also was a very good golfer who, amongst his triumphs, took out the Baker 4 Ball partnered by Harry Sharples in 1955.
The little silver medallions on the shield, commemorating each of the winners, bring out some interesting items. While a number of pairings have won the trophy twice only John Worley and the late Hubert Barton have taken it three times, in 1959, 1960 and 1963.
Wynter Blathwayt and Neil Irwin won away back in 1952 and then 51 years later, Wynter's son Jock and grandson Wynter achieved their success.
The name R Stewart appears on three occasions, but while our little Scotsman Robert Stewart has definitely won the Baker on two occasions, I suspect that the R Stewart who won back in 1948 with J Broom is a horse of a different colour.
And the biggest win in the final of a Baker ? surely the 10/8 victory by David Lindsey and Ted Oldfield back in 1972.
So what's all this fuss about the Baker 4 Ball? Well, last Saturday saw Round 2 of the competition completed with the usual exciting function following after the golf.
We are now down to the last 16 pairs with all the nitty gritty that goes with being part of that. And after Saturday night's function, have I got some worries?
Now to last Saturday and the par round that was held. Results:
Group 1: Derek Clarkson +4 1st, Kevin Mackay +3 2nd, Terry Harrison +1 3rd.
Group 2: David Thomas +4 1st, Kieran Dougherty +3 2nd, Trevor Howard +2 3rd.
Women: Lola Ogg 39 pts 1st, Vicki Duffy 38 pts 2nd, Brenda Blatchford 38 pts 3rd.
Nearest the pin prizes went to David Thomas at the Alex McLeod 8th hole, to Graeme McIsaac at the Fire Services 11th, to Ian Buchanan at the Money Managers 18th and to Edith Clarkson at the Office Products 8th hole.
It was a merry old mix up in the Birds Nest competition which has climbed up to quite a nice figure. Tim Crum got two 2's as required but did not enter the event, so missed out, while Edith Clarkson also managed two 2's and entered in the two's but not in the Birds Nest so she missed out also. The Rob Walker draw was not struck so we move on to next week.
Last week the Java House 9 hole competition was a stableford competition with Nicki Tulloch on 15 points prevailing over a group of four just one point behind.
Last week the Wellington Junior Golf Academy was officially opened at the Shandon Golf Club.
The Academy is sponsored by the Pelorus Trust and Srixon and extends over the next 12 months.
Ten boys and two girls have been selected for what is basically a scholarship involving regular coaching from the professional of their choice together with a considerable amount of golf gear.
Members of the Academy are expected to play in certain tournaments and to have their scoring monitored over the next 12 months.
Of the dozen selected the Wairarapa has done well with Ben Campbell from Masterton, Michael Schofield from Masterton/Castlepoint and Emma Wills from Carterton.
Last Friday Masterton played Eketahuna at Mahunga in the penultimate round for the Riverside Cup. Unfortunately Eketahuna were on top form, winning 4 matches to 2, a result which leaves Eketahuna in a very strong position going into the last round.
On Monday just on 50 Vets played their weekly stableford in fine sunny conditions.
Women: Colleen Hamilton 28 pts 1st, Sylvia Howden 25 pts 2nd, Bib Vallance 22 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: Rex Fowler 30 pts 1st, Bill Reddington 28 pts 2nd, Jim Picking 28 pts 3rd.
Men Group 2: Michael Bell 28 pts 1st, Colin Henwood 27 pts 2nd, George McKinlay 27 pts 3rd. Nearest the pin prizes at the Fagan Ford 8th hole went to Tony Vallance and Barbara Hullena.
On Tuesday in fine conditions a good field of 44 women competed for the Christiansen Trophy, a combined stableford mixed Silver and Bronze over 18 holes. The winners, with 78 points, were Rachel Blundell and Jeanette McNae, ahead of second placed Rachel Monk and Sue Falloon on 76 points.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Pam Williams at the Graeme Jones 8th hole while Pam Griffith did best at the Write Price 18th.
Competitors found that after the recent spell of dry weather, the fairways were providing plenty of run while the greens were very tricky.
Off the Fairway
Now Ladies, and Gentlemen too, don't forget the Fashion Parade next Tuesday, in the Clubhouse, starting at 5 pm. Dinny Pearce will be showing her Spring selection, under the Soeur Label, so there'll be plenty to attract the eye.
Tickets are $10 each, a price which includes wine, nibbles and a raffle ticket. Don't miss it!
Please contact Pam Griffith so she can made catering arrangements.