Tournament trophy shared for first time
The Waihi Golf Club 54 hole tournament held last weekend was an outstanding success. This tournament has been held annually for around 40 years, and as always attracts a top class field.
The club staff and volunteers had the course and facilities in top order, and with a very warm and sunny Saturday for the first two rounds, however the Sunday round was played in often persistent drizzle and occasional showers which made for very different playing conditions. But despite the weather the scoring remained at a very high standard.
It was an added thrill for Baxter Smith (Futures Waikato) who scored a hole-in-one on the eigth hole on Saturday afternoon. Fortunately that hole is sponsored by Raftec of Katikati, and at prizegiving Baxter was presented with $500 by Greg Bundle of Raftec.
For what is believed to be the first time the top individual gross score resulted in a tie, and the Stafford Bush Trophy was awarded to be shared by Diana Syer (Wairakei Int) and Blair Dibley (Mt Maunganui) on a score of 222.
In the Ladies section the gross winner was Diana Syer (222), with Fleur Reynolds (Murawai) 239 second. Best nett was Waihi’s Wendy Matutinovich 227, and runner-up Alexandra Drent (Tieke Estate) 218. Ladies stableford winner was Donna Verryt (Walton) 106, with Jill Morrison (Waihi) 2nd.
Senior men Gross winner was Blair Dibley 222, runner-up Tiger Houston (Cambridge) 224. Best nett Nigel Sanderson (Waihi) 211, Second Murray Gutry (Hamilton) 220. Top stableford was Murray Fraser (Waihi) 105, ahead of Jason Baldwin (Waihi) 101. In the Junior men the best gross was won by Glen Braddock (Waihi) 244, with Daryl Walker (Cambridge) second. Best nett winner was Alex Colclough (Clarks Beach) 207, with Tony Cliff (Waihi) second. The winner of the junior stableford was John Taylor (Waihi) 113, with Mark Hume (Waihi) second. There were further prizes for those stableford scores below the major winners.
The impressive prize table also had prizes in each division for the top three stableford scores in each of the three rounds, as well as the longest drive, and closest to the pin.
In all a great tournament played in a great convivial atmosphere for which the organising committee can be well proud of.