Wine and Dine? here again

Queen's Birthday weekend is almost upon us with the promise of the annual Wine and Dine Tournament next Monday, June 5.
Although it is a relatively recent addition to Masterton Golf Club fixtures, it already has become a very popular feature on the calendar. Unfortunately, it has been dogged by bad weather and has been postponed more often than my cousin Cyril's resolutions to stop smoking. In fact, Queen's Birthday was second choice as originally it was set for Anzac Day.
However, all the sponsors have shown their desire to continue to support the event, while Graeme Jones, one of the organisers, has shown his confidence in the rest of us by taking off on a golfing tour of the South Island.The tournament is an 18 hole stableford with cards in by 12 noon on Monday for a multi-tee start soon after. Those who don't win out on the course will get the chance of some reward through a very attractive raffle.
Back to last Saturday when two of the Masterton interclub teams were involved. Division 3, playing in their last contest of the season, lost at home for the first time, 7/8 to the Mornington side, who now move up into Division 2 for the 2007 season.
The four ball section went 3/2 to Mornington while the singles saw wins to Kevin Mackay (7/6), Ash Peterson (5/4), Peter Jackson (4/3) and Bart Guckert (3/2) while Ian Buchanan and Murray Wolland posted halves.
At the other end of the scale a close contest saw Ithial Stya (E.T.) take the "Tuibum" trophy which means he retains it during the off season.
No doubt doubt there will be a more detailed resume? of the team's performance this season, but briefly Ian Buchanan was the best performer with only one loss. However, Hira Renata, who played as a "pinch-hitter" on about five occasions did go through undefeated.
It has been overall another good season for this close-knit team who look as if they will finish third in their section.
For the Division 6 team playing in their penultimate round, last Saturday's match against Karori at Karori turned into something of a disaster when they suffered a 13?/1? defeat, their worst result of the season.
Going into this contest they did have a fighting chance of winning the division but the wretched conditions and, it must be said, the superior play of their opponents put paid to their hopes.
It poured with rain throughout, water-logged greens necessitated taking frequent relief drops while the fog ? or was it low cloud ? meant that their shots often disappeared from view within 50 ? 60 metres.
This was a much stronger Karori team than the one Masterton had earlier pulverised at Lansdowne, with only Paul Fouhy posting a win while Shane Grant salvaged a half.
The rest were well beaten with Mike Dixon fighting off all the other claimants to take the "Rear-enders Trophy".
The team play their last match at Lansdowne again Judgeford on Saturday June 10 and while they now have no chance of winning their grade, they could influence which team will be relegated this season.
Last Saturday also saw 40 or so members involved in a stableford competition resulting as follows:
Group 1: Brian Campbell 44 pts 1st, Andy Hale 40 pts 2nd, Brian Mitchell 39 pts 3rd.
Group 2: John Waddington 39 pts 1st, Roger Gardner 37 pts 2nd, John McLaren 35 pts 3rd.
Rachel Monk with 37 pts took the women's prize ahead of Lesley Stewart.
Nearest the Pin awards went to Brian Campbell at the Alex McLeod 8th hole, to Margot Barton at the Fire Services 11th hole, to Craig McIntosh at the Money Managers 18th and to Rachel Monk at the Office Depot 8th hole.
Last week in conditions similar to the rugby final sixteen 9-holers played in a stroke competition with Gay Farmer the clear winner with a net 32, ahead of Jill Cameron on net 40. Rosie Wellbrock won the double landing the nearest the pin prize and the longest drive.
Now a reminder from the 9-holers about two upcoming events ? first the foursomes on Wednesday June 14 when 18 holers are invited to come along and take part.
Then on Wednesday June 21 the 9-holers stage their mid-winter fun day with a strong invitation to golfers to come and join them.
Next Saturday is a normal competition day with a stroke round, a Markhams Shoot-out qualifier and a further round for the Challenge Shield.
Last Monday 8 Vets dodged household chores by venturing out in pretty rugged conditions to play in an Ambrose competition.
These eight heroes (?) divided into two teams of four actually finished square with 36 points each, but in the end the trophy for the top mudlarks went to the team of Harry Wong, Graeme Newland, Pamela Andrew and David Brenkley.
On Tuesday, despite the rain soaked course, 34 women took part in a par competition. Scoring, in the circumstances, was difficult but Jan Tatham with plus one in the Silver and Sue Dalziell with minus four in the Bronze took away the Majestic Motors awards. Vicky Duffy on minus 3 was runner up in the Silver while Jennie McKenzie on minus 6 won the Bronze A.
At the Graeme Jones 8th hole it was Bev Seymour who took that Nearest the Pin award, an easy two coming as a bonus, while Di Wakeling was nearest the Write Price 18th hole.
Last Monday the Pennants teams both played at Carterton in conditions which turned quite nasty ? very wet and cold, the field slowing down appreciably as a result.
The Silver section, playing Shandon, managed a win and two halves, while the Bronze, facing Boulcott, pulled out all stops for three wins and a half. Medals should be struck for all those concerned.
Off the Fairway
Have a pleasantly relaxed long weekend but set aside some time for the Wine and Dine Tournament on Monday.