GOLF: Rivalry of old mates par for the course

ANENDRA SINGH
The rivalry between veteran swimming coaches John Beaumont and Bert Cotterill stretches back to the halcyon days when they played pool in Hawke's Bay pubs over a few cold ones.
Not surprisingly the pair discovered that duel still packs a sting when they played golf at Hastings Golf Club on Tuesday.
It all came to a boil after Beaumont, of Havelock North, aced the 132m 16th hole about midday against Cotterill. The playful banter followed.
Before dashing off to work at his swim centre that afternoon, Beaumont said of Cotterill: ``He became a life member last weekend so I'm supposed to pay reverence to him but not today.'
Replied Cotterill: ``Well, he scored a 100 and I scored 93 at the end of the round so I suppose the argument is if a hole in one overrides the overall score.'
The one-upmanship even extends to their age.
When asked how old Beaumont was, the 20 handicapper laughed and said: ``I took the game up in my sixties and my age is not for you or my wife [Jean] to know.'
Cotterill, a peg below in handicap to his mate, was more forthcoming: ``I'm 73 and he'll be one ahead next month - he also came on the earth before me.'
On a serious note, Beaumont used a driver from the elevated tee mound to rattle the pin on a green guarded by four bunkers.
He was the last to tee off in their group after Cotterill and a club member, Jenny Kight, but no one saw the ball drop in.
The bar wasn't opening until later that afternoon so Beaumont pocketed his $150 voucher but shouted the Cotterills lunch and a tipple of wine later. He hopes to shout his ``Ragtag' group of Sunday hacking mates rounds of drinks this weekend.
As for Cotterill, there's some work and luck to be had at his ``country' Waihi Golf Club.
``No, he's definitely one up on me there,' he said in resignation but admitting they've had some wonderful times.