Weather dictates play

It was a game of two halves in the Trust House 72 hole Wairarapa Open Stroke Play Championship at Lansdowne last weekend.
Saturday produced a glorious Autumn day with the course in sparkling condition. Then on Sunday morning the southerly struck with a vengeance and suddenly golfers were trying to cope with driving rain and mid-winter temperatures.
In the finish there were quite a few withdrawals, particularly from lunch-time on the Sunday. In fact, the Committee did consider discontinuing play but the ruling was that the last round be completed. The course, despite the weather, was still playable and there was no obvious danger to the competitors.
The best round of the Tournament was a four under 67 and this was achieved three times, with two of the three on wild Sunday, one of them a brilliant effort on Sunday afternoon in the very worst of the conditions. At lunch on Sunday three players were tied at 2 under the card for three rounds with others not far behind. But then the lowest handicapper in the field, Perry Hayman from Manor Park on a plus three, really took it to the opposition with that great 67, giving him the title at 6 under and 5 shots clear of second placed Adam Church from Miramar.
The four round total of 278 by Hayman equals the record for the new lay-out set last year by Brendan Stuart in much more benign conditions, so it was a fine effort indeed.
Best of the locals was Robin Smith with a four round total of 294, putting him in 7th place just one stroke ahead of Michael Schofield. Sam Forrester took the top net prize in the Seniors while of the others, Brent MacKenzie with a first round 68 and Simon Dew with a great second round 67, had their moments of glory but both the latter players were too inconsistent.
Results:
Seniors: (Open) Perry Hayman (69, 70, 72, 67) 278 1st, Adam Church (70, 69, 71, 73) 283 2nd, Ryan Leslie (73, 71, 72, 69) 285 3rd, Andrew Green (68, 69, 75, 73) 285 4th, Peter Scrimgeour (70, 73, 67, 75) 285 5th, David Pocknall 291 6th, Robin Smith 294 7th, Michael Schofield 295 8th, Aaron Leech 296 9th, Courtney Gane 298 10th.
Senior Nett: Sam Forrester net 289 1st, Peter Spearman-Burn nett 291 2nd, Harry Bateman nett 291 3rd, Ben Campbell nett 292 4th, Wade Walker nett 295 5th.
Best Gross 1st Day (Hugo Cup) Andrew Green 137
Best nett 1st Day Andrew Green 139
Intermediate : Gross: Graeme Somerville 331 1st, Brian Leighton 335 2nd, Mike Dixon 337 3rd.
Intermediate: Nett: Jamie Brunton 292 1st, Geoff Masters 294 2nd, Dennis Hogg 301 3rd.
Best Nett (Seniors and Intermediates) Percy Cup: Graeme Somerville 287
Just to prove yet again what a capricious dame she is, Mother Nature proceeded to turn on a beauty for the Vets on Monday. Results in their stableford competition:
Women: June Doyle 21 pts 1st, Doreen McKinlay 19 pts 2nd, Ngaire Clarke 19 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: John Worley 27 pts 1st, Jack Richmond 26 pts 2nd, Bill Reddington 24 pts 3rd.
Men Group 2: Vic Domanski 22 pts 1st, Brian Jury 22 pts 2nd, Colin Henwood 21 pts 3rd.
In the field of 44 Peter Howden was nearest the pin at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
The fine weather continued on Tuesday for the women competing in a par round. Results:
Silver: Lusiana Williams All Square 1st, Joy Cowan -1 2nd.
Bronze: Sue Falloon +2 1st, Shirley King -2 2nd.
Nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones Car Rental 8th hole went to Chris Lewis. The Bring and Buy was most successful so thanks to all those who contributed.
Last Thursday Masterton women fielded a team in the final of the New Zealand Teams Four Ball Best Ball competition held at Royal Wellington. In the field of 30 the Masterton team of Carolyn Springer, Jan Williams, Marilyn Strang and Chris Lewis finished a very meritorious third.
Next weekend sees more interclub action with Division 3 against Miramar at Miramar while Division 6 take on Judgeford at Judgeford. Then on Sunday there is the final round in the Marquis with Masterton challenging Martinborough at Carterton. At this stage I don't have the teams for any of those contests.
Meanwhile Saturday's round at Lansdowne is a medal, coupled with a Markham's Shoot-out qualifier and further competition for the Challenge Shield.
Off the Fairway
The 2005 Trust House Open would have to be remembered for the large number of close relations in the field. First there was the Spearman-Burn twins, plus a number of brothers, plus five fathers and sons ? the Betts, the Forresters, the Walkers, the Harrowfields and the Sandfords.
To cap it all off we had the Connells ? Grandad Peter, son John and grandson Sam. To mark what must be a unique occasion the club made a presentation to the Connells at the prize giving on Sunday night.
There was a foot note to the saga ? a further grandson George, competed in the 15-36 handicap Wairarapa Open at Mahunga at the weekend and he won a prize!