Popular tourney back

This coming Sunday, October 2, sees the long awaited staging of the annual Wine and Dine Tournament.
You may remember that this popular event, now in its sixth year, was postponed because of the weather at Queen's Birthday Weekend. Let's hope that Mother Nature is rather kinder to us this Sunday.
The Tournament is generously sponsored, probably to a greater extent than any other one day event at Lansdowne.
There are 26 separate sponsors representing wineries and restaurants throughout the Wairarapa and down into Wellington. We even have 2 bottles of wine from the Tindall Winery in Blenheim amongst the prizes. Many of the regular supporters are there once again but there are also some interesting newcomers, including the offering of a home stay in Martinborough.
So don't miss out ? the entrance fee of $15.00 is low indeed, considering the calibre of the prizes. Cards in by 12 noon on Sunday for the usual multi-tee start. Let's see you there.
Last Saturday saw nearly 60 golfers take to the fairways for a par competition, coupled with a Markham's Shoot-out Qualifier. Results:
Group 1: Ash Peterson +6 1st, Nigel Udy +5 2nd, Henry Stechman +4 3rd.
Group 2: Tim Crum +6 1st, Innes Kennard +1 2nd, Vic Domanski square 3rd.
Venetta Justice was square with the card to take the women's section, while Edith Clarkson on -2 came second. That same Venetta Justice was the lucky one in the Rob Walker Car Painter draw. This is the third week in a row that the prize has gone.
Nearest the pin prizes went to Dennis Hogg at the Fire Services 11th hole, to Nigel Udy at the Alex McLeod 8th, to Sam Forrester at the Money Managers 18th and to Ann Kenny at the Office Depot 8th hole.
Last week the 9 holers played in a contest described as match play with Shona Wylie coming in first on 4 up while Julie Hamilton was second with 3 up. Rosie Wellbrock had the best score on the 18th hole. Conditions were perfect for the dozen or so in the field with the snow capped mountains providing a perfect back drop.
On Sunday, members from the Hutt Club travelled to Masterton to compete for the Oka Heketa Shield. This time honoured interclub event, one of the oldest in New Zealand, dates away back to 1936 when Masterton were the inaugural winners.
There was a time when it was one of the major events on the club's calendar with a home and away contest annually. Traditional rivalries were forged with the same fours playing together for many years. While there was fierce competition for the handsome hand-carved wooden shield, inset with paua shell, the event was essentially a social occasion.
The Masterton event was usually staged on the Sunday following the local race meeting so many of the Hutt players would make a weekend of it, with the gallops on Saturday and the golf on Sunday.
In recent years the golfing scene has changed, while Masterton's involvement in formal Wellington Interclub competition has tended to diminish the attraction of the Shield.
However, a good day was had by all last Sunday with teams of 20 a side (including 4 women in each) taking part in singles and fourball match play, as is usual. Yet again the home advantage was clearly shown with Masterton running out comfortable 25/5 winners. Star of the day was Jeff Harrild who shot a great 74 off his 10 handicap. Now there is some dispute about this, but I would claim that this win to Masterton means that overall both clubs have each held the trophy 29 times.
Last Tuesday saw the third and final qualifying round in the women's club championships with a big field of just on 50 participating. It was also an Adam Philps Podiatry shootout qualifier. Results:
Silver: Venetta Justice nett 70 1st, Joy Cowan nett 72 2nd (on count back from Jan Williams)
Bronze A: Shirley Simpson nett 75 1st, Val Cobb nett 75 2nd.
Bronze B: Janice Hayes nett 73 1st, Sue Falloon nett 79 2nd.
Bev Seymour was nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones Rental Cars 8th hole, while Rachel Monk did best at the Write Price 18th. The Masterton Motor Lodge meal voucher was won by Venetta Justice.
Rachel Monk finished top qualifier in the Silver Division, while Janna Blundell did best in the Bronze Section. The Championships will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday 11/12 October.
The big event this coming weekend is the Wine and Dine Tournament on Sunday but previous to that, on Saturday October 1, there is a Stroke competition, coupled with a Markham's shoot-out qualifier and a Challenge Shield round.
Further ahead there is the Sir Bob Charles left-handers Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, October 8/9. There are 18 holes each day with a separate competition for Vets. I have heard that Ron Harris, one of the regulars for many years, will be back this year ? good news indeed.
The Vets postponed their competition from last Monday till yesterday, too late to get results for this week.
Off the Fairway
Surely the greatest frustration a golfer can suffer is to play the wrong ball, thereby incurring a 2 shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in a match, unless the incident occurs in a hazard. Inevitably the golfer bemoans the cruelty of fate, but of course the fault lies with him, because he is supposed to check the ball before playing a shot.
Dennis felt particularly hard done by because the ball he played was on his fairway and it was a "Srixon" which is what he was using. But ah Dennis, your ball didn't have two biro inscribed black dots on it, did it?