Walton scoops title for golf fours event

Walton pair Dianne Sweeney and Deb Ring won the 43rd New Zealand Women’s Senior Handicap Golf Foursomes at Matamata Golf Club.

For their four days’ work, the pair win the NZLGU Senior Women’s Salvers and the 2016 title.

In a closely fought match that moved between the front and back nines.

The Walton duo denied the Matamata pairing of Lynne Edmonds and Brenda Hull a coveted home win.

Sweeney, also Waikato Women’s president, and Ring took an early lead that they held till the 11th, being 3 holes up.

‘‘Top qualifiers after Monday’s net qualifying round were Ngaire English and Robyn Pardy.’’

Edmonds and Hull however clawed back to be all level at the 15th. A wayward tee shot put the home favourites out of bounds on the tricky par 3 - 16th, followed by a missed putt on the 17th gifting Walton a 2/1 win.

On reaching the final, Sweeney and Ring needed 20 holes to edge out Janet Myers (Cambridge) and Nan Johnston (Hamilton) in the morning’s semi-final.

Edmonds and Hull had an easier run when they secured their final place 2/1 against fellow Matamata members, Ruth Taylor and Diane Voyce.

Top qualifiers after Monday’s net qualifying round were Ngaire English and Robyn Pardy.

Both are members of North Shore Golf Club. English is a past representative for North Harbour.

Pardy is the daughter of the late Bob Glading.

Sadly for this pairing, their early form could not be matched and they lost their first match last Tuesday.

They also lost their final match of the tournament, the battle for Flight 2 to the 2011 winners, Donna Sullivan (Weedons) and Wendy Storey (North Shore).

Also in the prize pool for the top division were Rosalie Brown and Dixie Horne, both from Mt Maunganui winning the Plate, and Gillian Hazlehurst and Lynn Ryan (Matamata) winning the other Flight.

More pictures, page 28.