MARTINBOROUGH GOLF REPORT
BY JENNY BOYNE
The Tuesday grumpies competition this week was Stableford and Paul Shepherd had an absolute blinder sliding in on his magic carpet with a technicolour 49 points, from Guy Walmsley and Nick Allen on 42 points. Paul had a person best off the stick of 77. The Convenor reported that the Jugs for not making the ladies tees are still going well with 35 in the past month, good for the bar takings and a source of amusement for the lads.
The Nine hole group played a Par round with Leonie Wilde in great form winning with a +4 on a c/b to Sherryl Howie. 3rd Di Bunny +3 on a c/b to Jenny Tucker on a c/b to Ann Renall. Susan Stephens sponsored NTP on Number 16 went to Phil Reid.
The Mens Club Championships were played last Saturday and for the first time in a number of years we had a clean sweep of fresh faces in the finals. In the Seniors Chris Ranish formerly of Carterton played John Warner Masterton. Tension was building after the 35th hole and so it was still game on at the tee on the 36th John having the advantage of being 1 up, held his steel and won the last hole to go 2 up and the 2017 Senior mens Championship title. John is on a winning roll at the moment he recently won the Hawkes Bay 4-course Golf and Wine PaR NZ Tournament.
In the intermediates it was young Nick Morison emerging the winner after playing well in the morning he secured his first Club title on the 35th hole against Craig Andrews.
The Juniors finals between Ric Thompson and Malcolm Bridge is being played this week.
On Saturday Martinborough is hosting the Wellington Womens Champion of Champions, so pop down to support our Club Champions ,Pip Kirk, Carol Parkinson and Bindy Mc Leod competing against the creme de la creme of Wellington golf.
The annual Bidwill Leckie exchange is on this Sunday, Captain Bill Crook and the boys will travel to Heretaunga at the leisurely hour of 9.45 am for a light lunch before play commences just after midday on the manicured Royal Wellington Golf course where the fairways are like a velvet carpet.The format singles matchplay, four Ball best ball nett and a team 8 ball. Martinborough holds the Cup and so the pressure is on to return with it home to our Trophy Cabinet.
Christmas is just around the conner and there are a number of festive Tournaments coming up, last Wednesday we enjoyed the hospitality at Riversdale Beach GC, though the Martinborough lasses missed on the prize table, the raffles did find homes in the south.
Today at the Club is the Annual Thursday Clubs Smiddy Tournament in memory of the late Neil Smith who was a very respected and well liked member and past Club Captain. The Thursday lads have invited the gals along to play in their treasured tournament, though some of us will sadly have to excuse themselves, instead will be making an appearance on the drafting gate working alongside the other half…. the lamb prices too good to pass up this week.