News, results from around Gisborne and East Coast golf clubs

Last of the summer winos ... the yarns this crusty trio could spin from the decades they have been involved in golf in Tairāwhiti. True linksmen Collin Jeffrey (left), Rowan Clark and Brent Colbert have been there and done that when it comes to playing the game and looking after golf courses – specifically Poverty Bay. Head greenkeeper Clark and part-time greenkeeper Colbert were hard at it with the chainsaw this week after ex-tropical cyclone Vaianu caused carnage, bringing down several trees. Fortunately, there was no damage to greens some say are in the best condition in the 130-year-plus history of the course. All three are former Poverty Bay-East Coast representatives up to national interprovincial level – Clark a member of the most successful PBEC team in the history of the national interprovincial (1981, sixth, at the Poverty Bay course). The trio are pictured putting a wooden seat under stress in their Aloha shirts at the recent Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust fundraiser. They and another cohort (who took this picture) are counting down to a road trip to Te Arai Links after Colbert won the experience as the main auction item at the chopper tourney. Jeffrey is also planning his shout for his 60th birthday later this year. Photo / Chris Taewa

Tahunga

Tahunga’s opening day is being held on Sunday, April 26.

There are American foursomes mixed pairs and men’s divisions.

Cup of tea at 10.30am, tee-off at 11am.

Entry includes dinner.

Inquiries to Ross Langlands 0226460899, Kylie Johnson 0275141786 or email tahungagolfclub@gmail.com.

Note, the club does not have Eftpos.

Pātutahi

Mitch Forrest has sub-80 in his sights, only 15 months after getting his first official handicap at Pātutahi.

Forrest, predominantly a 9-hole player last season, is getting more 18-hole rounds in this year, including a personal-best 83-18-65 last Saturday.

That effort, highlighted by a two on the 12th, won the Division 2 men’s net.

A good field turned out for last Friday’s meat pack 9-hole Stableford. Steve Fookes’ 42-12-30, for 23 points, was the score of the day.

The E.R. Black Cup interclub Canadian foursomes event scheduled for last Sunday at Pātutahi was postponed. It will be played on Sunday, May 3.

SATURDAY – Men’s net, Division 1: W. Aupouri 73, H. Harris 73.

Division 2: M. Forrest 65, K. Harrison-Allen 67, P. Summersby 71, M. Smith 71.

FRIDAY – Meat pack 9-hole Stableford, Division 1: M. Owen 23, C. Parker 20, B. Williams 19, T. Sharp 19, T. Hindmarsh 18, B. Toa 18, D. Pohatu 18.

Division 2: S. Fookes 23, J. Gillies 20, G. Holland 20, L. Jamieson 20, G. Tattersfield 19, P. Briant 19.

Poverty Bay

“Texas wedge” takes on a greater meaning this Sunday when pairs converge on the course for the Tom Shaw Memorial Awapuni Shootout.

The late Shaw, a driving force behind the tournament over many years, was famous, and sometimes infamous, for his use of the putter from eyebrow-raising distances from the green.

It was motivated by his struggles when it came to pitching the golf ball ... and many a playing partner who was not familiar with his game had to take a second look when he pulled the blade from the bag from 60m-plus out.

Shaw became adept at it and while there are plenty who choose the flatstick over the iron around the greens, Shaw was in his own category.

The shootout used to be 54 holes, but has been reduced to 27 in recent years.

Last year’s winners Tony Akroyd and Shannon Ratima will not be defending the overall title, but it could still be an Akroyd-Ratima victory, as Akroyd is combining forces with Ratima’s son Rua Ratima.

Certain to be in the frame are liquid specialists Brad Morgan and Paul Rickard, multiple winners of the title and legendary for their pairs prowess.

Rickard has also won it with Jim Kerr and the late John Whitehead back in the day.

“If I can with it with those two, I can win it with anyone,” he told Golf Round-up off the record.

It must be the school holidays. Andy Hayward is in good form. The Gisborne Intermediate principal, who is paired with wife Suze Hayward for the Awapuni Shootout, won the Division 1 men’s Stableford last Thursday with an impressive 74-7-67, for 41 points, and was the pick of the Poverty Bay team in the first round of the Endeavour men’s interclub pennants at Mahia on Saturday.

Two versions of Kit Goldsmith were witnessed by his playing group as he won Division 2 with 85-17-68, for 40 points. He played the front nine in 47 and the back nine in 2-over 38.

WEDNESDAY – 9-hole women’s Stableford: L. Daniels 20, W. Linton 20, S. Hayward 20.

SATURDAY – Men’s Stableford, Division 1: J. Leaf 36, A. Reedy 35, P. Stewart 34.

Division 2: D. Patumaka 39, R. Foon 35, J. Finch 35.

Twos: A. Reedy, T. Akroyd, M. Jefferson.

Nearest to pin: T. Akroyd.

THURSDAY (April 9) – Men’s Stableford, Division 1: A. Hayward 41, C. Dean 37, A. White 36, M. Jefferson 35.

Division 2: K. Goldsmith 40, P. Gretton 39, B. Read 37, D. Atkins 34, M. Smith 34.

Twos: M. Henwood, M. Jefferson, S. Jeune.

Nearest to pin: S. Jeune.

Jackpot: M. Henwood.

COMING UP: SUNDAY, Tom Shaw Memorial Awapuni Shootout open pairs, 27 holes (9 holes of best-ball net; 9 holes of Canadian foursomes; 9 holes of ambrose), men’s, women’s and mixed sections, 8am to 9am two-tee start, entry includes lunch, entries to The Swing Room.

Electrinet Park

A fundraising tournament for the Gisborne RSA is being held at Electrinet Park on Anzac Day.

The Anzac Day 3-Person Ambrose is open to all golfers and will feature 18-hole and 9-hole sections.

There will be a shotgun start from 1pm. The start sheet is up at the clubhouse.

Cost is $5 a player, with all proceeds to go to the Gisborne RSA.

Waikohu

It will be take 2 for the Waikohu women’s open and round 4 of the Tairāwhiti women’s interclub pennants this Saturday.

Both were supposed to be played last Saturday, but the call was made to postpone due to the impending arrival of ex-tropical cyclone Vaianui.

Heading into round 4, Pātutahi lead the standings on 27 points, Wairoa are second on 20, Mahia and Te Puia Hot Springs third-equal on 19, Electrinet Park and Poverty Bay fifth-equal on 12 and Waikohu seventh on 11, although as host club of the round, they get an automatic 10 points.

Endeavour pennants

Pātutahi have doubled their odds of successfully defending the Endeavour Shield men’s interclub pennants crown.

But it was Mahia who perhaps predictably made the biggest statement in the opening round of the handicap matchplay series on Saturday.

While other clubs in the Tairāwhiti region were battening down the hatches in anticipation of Vaianu unleashing her fury, Mahia dawned overcast but fine.

And the home team stepped up on familiar fairways with an 18-point haul out of a possible 24.

Roger Bremner was the odd man out – the only Mahitian to lose. Bruce Maher, Rusty Smith, David Waihaki and Hira Campbell had wins and Bob Solomon a half.

Tolaga Bay’s No 1 team are riding high in the Tairāwhiti senior men’s pennants and clearly that has inspired their Endeavour crew.

They racked up 16 points through wins to Murray Yates, Peewee Tuapawa and Watene Reedy, and halves to Tere Lincoln and Rongo Pomana.

Pātutahi (2) took early bragging rights over the club’s No 1 side.

Tahi (2) earned 14 points from wins to Pat Hokianga, Pat Molloy and Ash Hindmarsh, and a half to club captain George Brown.

Tahi (1) were next on 12 points – Tom Hindmarsh, Tom Brodie and Michael Broad winning their matches.

Poverty Bay and Te Puia Hot Springs collected 10 points each.

Peter Hakiwai and Andy Hayward had wins and Jason Lloyd and half for Poverty Bay.

Eru West and Daryl Goldsmith notched Te Puia’s win, while Peter Harrison shared the honours.

Electrinet Park scored eight points from wins to Kurei Collier and Edward Pirini.

Waikohu brought up the rear on six points. Frank Ngatoro had a win, Lawrence Green a half.

Molloy (38 points), Lincoln (38), Hayward (37) and Waihaki (37) posted the best of the Stableford scores.

Tairāwhiti Golf president Hakiwai praised the course.

“It was in really good condition – the greens were great,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Tairāwhiti senior men’s pennants that was to be played at Te Puia Hot Springs last Saturday was cancelled and all 12 teams were awarded the points for tied matches from the two rounds.

Tolaga Bay (1) are top of the table after six rounds on 35 points, Poverty Bay have 34, Poverty Bay (2) and Te Puia Hot Springs 30, Pātutahi Blue 29, Pātutahi Jedi 24, KHG Electrinet Park (1) 23, Tolaga Bay (2) 22, Waikohu 17, Pātutahi Black 16, KHG Electrinet Park (2) 15 and Tairāwhiti Development 13.