Visitors retain cup for another year
Mayfield will look after the Timaru Golf Club’s prestigious 85-year-old Kerr Cup for another year.
The Kerr Cup was presented in 1937 by the then golf club and Timaru Herald owners, the Kerr family, and every year patrons of the Timaru club invite clubs from all through the Aorangi region which spans from Rakaia to Waimate, to compete in the teams event.
‘‘It was just amazing weather this year, the day was exceptional,’’ Judy Fielder, a member of the winning Mayfield team, said.
‘‘I always enjoy playing at the Timaru Golf Club and I always look forward to it.’’
Fielder and her teammates, Anne Maree Blair, Jan Clucas and Sue Graham, combined for a winning score of 301 with Ashburton and Gleniti clubs sharing second with 303.
Since 1937 there have been only four times the event hasn’t gone ahead, one of the organisers, Lydia Brown, said.
‘‘It didn’t go ahead for two years because of the war, in 2016 I’m not sure why it didn’t go ahead and in 2020 we didn’t hold it due to the pandemic,’’ she said.
Each year the Trophy is awarded to the winning team alongside teaspoons, as that was the prize in 1937.
Neavis Johns, a patron of the Timaru club, delivered a speech before the awards to explain some of the history of the 85-year-old tournament.
‘‘It is a prestigious tournament, and the Timaru Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand,’’ he said.
‘‘Back in 1937 they awarded the winning team the trophy and each team member would get a teaspoon with their names engraved on them.’’
The teaspoons are still a part of the celebrations with the only big change to the event in the past 85 years being competitors do not get a dinner after the day of golf, but there is a catered afternoon tea before the awards, Johns said.