Weekend scores reflect improvement in weather

The Golf Club was humming on the weekend and after a couple of fine days, with placing on the fairways and greens holding, scores were destined to be good.
The members did not disappoint. Peter Bain overall Player of the Day, winning the putting with 24 putts, the only two and burning up the course with a Nett 63.
Postie Derek Stephens back in print after dispatching the brother to the Northern hemisphere and Craig Colton were happy with their Nett 65. Doug Clark and Shayne Hammond back for more after the PGG Wrightson Tournament the day before Nett 67. Urban Bruce Ward also deserves a mention with his under par Nett round of 68.
The rest were down at Hume Park watching the clash between Martinborough and Tuhirangi - can't remember the score.
Sunday it was the big guns who took the limelight: sensational winter scores from Ace Phelps 68-3=65 and Lyall Callaghan 67-2-65, they also both scored the only twos. Phil Eberlein snatched the putting equaling Peter Bain's record the previous day with 24 putts.
This was of course the final day to also have played the second round of the 36-hole stroke play comp with Lyall Callaghan, this years champion, winning the gross with 148 and Shayne Hammond with Nett 136. Despite lower scores produced from their play this weekend, their scores were counted from their two games from the previous weekend.
The Thursday Club report is becoming a little monotonous about the number of twos that are being chalked up on the day. Last week, eight players achieved what seems now to a rather unremarkable accomplishment. They were Darren O'Dwyer, Doug Clark, Roger Parkinson, Ailsa Griffiths, Terry Blacktop and young Jamie McIsaac.
Bill Jones not only got a two, he was also nearest the pin, his first shot actually almost giving him a hole in one. In fact he was also nearly the player of the day, for he also did well in the stableford competition.
Undoubtedly, though, our green- keeper, Darren, ran away with Player of the Day, amassing 46 stableford points as well, of course, getting one of those not-too-elusive twos.
Ash Reed made a valiant attempt to catch him with 40 points, with Terry Blacktop and Bill Jones a point back. Bill Crook and Doug Clark scraped into the prize list with 38 points.
A veil needs to be drawn over many of the other results (one person barely scraping into double figures), the average stableford score being 34 points. All we can suggest, after a fine and comparatively warm day last Thursday, is bring back the cold easterly winds and see if we fair any better, for there is nothing wrong with the course, just look at the greenkeeper's score!
One point of good news: congratulations to Lisa Marie Ireland. Phil Aickin, has selected her to join the Wellington development squad.
There were 30 players enjoying the sunshine on ladies' day, but the Wednesday gals too struggled, with the average stableford scores best not said.
Player of the day and by the smile on her face delighted with her return to form, was Rosalee Thurston with 36 stableford points. Rosalee was also the only player to manage a two and that was on the 16th. Second, Felicity Warren, played a solid round, finishing with 35pt. Our visitor from Australia Gloria Mc Namara and Diana Donald tied for third with 34 points.
All Teed Up Nearest the Pin on number 6 was won by Bindy Mc Leod while Linda Brandon took home the beers courtesy Trust House Pukemanu for her tee shot for nearest the pin on Number 8. Both these were unfortunately not converted.