Champ of Champs glory for locals
Far North players stood out at the Northland Men’s Champions of Champions event which went ahead in mild, ideal conditions in Whanga¯rei on Sunday.
Top honour was claimed by Brett Dormer from Ahipara, who returned a great second round of 67 to add to a first-round score of 78 and snatched the trophy in the senior division.
Also notable were Steve Holford from Okaihau and Whangaroa’s Dave Nicholas finishing first and second respectively in the intermediate division.
This year’s championships were hosted by the Hikurangi Golf Cub on Sunday with event organiser John Smith noting the course was at its best and the weather stayed fine, albeit a tad windy.
He also congratulated Dormer, saying the Far North player was well chuffed with his win, which was secured days after returning from a solid campaign with the Northland masters at the interprovincial championship event in Taupo.
“It is a big deal . . . Some legendary Northland golf names are on the trophy.” The top placegetters were as follows. Seniors: Brett Dormer (Ahipara) 78 and 67 for a total of 145 gross, 1; Scott Wightman (Mangawhai) 71, 77, 148, 2; Jorrit Stamm (Pines) 71, 77, 148, 3.
Intermediates: Steve Holford (Okaihau) 78, 78, 156, 1; Dave Nicholas (Whangaroa) 77, 80, 157, 2; Cole Allen (Hikurangi) 74, 83, 157, 3.
Juniors: Jack Hodgson (Paparoa) 88, 86, 174, 1; Kevin Pou (Okaihau) 86, 91, 177, 2; J Rouse (Mangawhai) 93, 87, 180, and P Lovell (Whangaroa) 90, 90, 180, 3rd=.
D-Graders: Pita Pangari (NorthernWairoa) 98, 42, 140, 1; Jack Challahs (Kaikohe) 94, 47, 141, 2.
There were also 2s for Lewis Kemara, Paul Allen, Nathan Jacobi, Dave MacNee 2, Dave Aydon and Riley Patterson. The senior, intermediate and junior divisions in the event were contested over 36 holes and the D grade over 27.
"It is a big deal . . . Some legendary Northland golf names are on the trophy." John Smith, Northland Men’s Champions of Champions tournament organiser
KAITAIA MEN. Last Saturday began looking very likely that the Kaitaia men were going to be forced to cancel their annual, major Christmas Cheer tournament. However, as club captain David Frost noted, “A look at the rain radar and a bit of praying played nicely into our hands, and 36 players got out there and enjoyed the day.”
Terry Wright, Stuart Semenoff and Lyn Masters were the big winners on the day with Wright continuing his good form of late which has seen him cleaning up just about every time he tees it up.
Results, were, men’s division 1: S Semenoff 42 stablefords, C Hollamby 41, G Billington 40, R Manga 39, D Masters 38, J Proctor 37, men’s division 2: T Wright 47, J Doolan 41, T Tahana 39; women: L Masters 38, F Smith 38, K Rolleston 36, C Shailes 36.
This coming Saturday will see the Ahipara club holding its official closing day of the year. All golfers and nongolfers are welcome with the day being a free day for all to have a bit of fun. Tee off will begin from 10am with the draw to be done at the club on the day.
The following Saturday, December 8, the club is running the annual Fishing Frenzy tournament, which has proven very popular in the past. Organisers advised the field is already filling up fast and players were encouraged to enter teams early to be in the draw.
WHANGAROA. A round up of domestic results from the Whangaroa Golf Club began with last week’s Thursday haggle. Top scores on the day were returned by, men: Rob Fabricius 44 stableford points, Gary Foster 42, Paul Wilton, Joe Rogers, Ted Jones, Ross Telfer 40, Wally Shand 38, ladies: Petrina Maddren 36, Faye Sherman 34.
Results from the club vets on Monday (November 26) were, ladies: Gaye Pembroke 42, Bernadette Dobson 36, with both Val Moffat and Mary Tansey finishing on 35; men: Stephen Tansey and John Jepson both 41, Jeff Parker 40, Jo Rogers 38, John Brooks 37
In other news, the club congratulated the Whangaroa men for their awesome effort at the provincial champion of champions event at Hikurangi last Sunday with Dave Nicholas finishing runner-up in the intermediate division, and Paul Lovell claiming third place in the junior section.