Archivist sparks nostalgia

Masterton Golf Club is indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated archivist as Sue Blathwayt. I could spend hours browsing through her scrapbooks, which naturally are mainly about golf, even including the advertisements.
Now in 1929, "Harlequin" golf balls were advertised for two shillings and sixpence each (that is 25 cents, post 1967). Seventy odd years later a good average golf ball would cost you say seven dollars, 28 times as much. Are we paying too much today for our golf balls? A good historian could come up with a really accurate figure, but the 1929 Harlequin would represent about 1/12 of the average weekly wage, whereas our 2005 "Optima" would rate as no more than 1/60 of the average weekly pay packet ? and it would last longer and go further!
Mention was made last week of the fine 65 at Lansdowne recently by Peter Forrester. Peter was 6 under the card and one off the record. In Sue's scrapbook I found a news item about a great 70 by John Hornabrook in December 1930. He was 5 under the card when par for the 18 holes was 75 ? and like Peter he missed out on the record held by T H Horton at, I think, 69.
Last Saturday was a busy day with all 3 men's interclub teams involved. However, we'll start with the Indians this time and it was a par round at Lansdowne for members, with the highlight a hole in one at the 8th by Rob Harrison ? one bounce and in she went. Well done! Overall results:
Men Group 1: Andy Hale +4 1st, Rob Harrison +3 2nd.
Men Group 2: Bill Reddington +9 1st, Kieran Dougherty +5 2nd, John McLaren +5 3rd.
Great to see Bill Reddington turn in such a good round. He had an 83 which included one lost hole through playing the wrong ball so he could have been plus eleven on par.
Adi Paku did best amongst the women with 40 stableford points, while nearest the pin prizes went to Rob Harrison at the Alex McLeod 8th hole, Jeff Harrild at the Fire Services 11th and Henry Stechman at the Money Managers 18th.
The Division 2 team continued its unbeaten run with an 8?/6? win over Judgeford at Manor Park. The day began well with a 4/1 win in the foursomes which was just as well, with the singles lost 4?/5?. Brent McKenzie, Courtney Gane and Simon Dew all had wins, while halves were posted by Robin Smith, Michael Schofield and Wade Walker. Surely the most astonishing result was Simon Dew's victory achieved with a plaster cast on his broken ankle and with the aid of a motorised cart.
Playing Judgeford on their home course the Masterton Division 3 team were soundly defeated 12?/2?. However, Judgeford are a very powerful side with the team's average handicap 5.3 as against 6.8. Furthermore, Masterton's 2? points are the most scored by any team against the competition leaders. For Masterton Phil Rutene and Ash Peterson posted wins, while Nigel Udy on his 8 handicap did very well to take his opponent, on a one, to the last hole.
Division 6 had a good 10?/4? win over Hutt at Lansdowne with a 4?/?cscore in the fourball matches providing the base. In the singles victories went to Ben Campbell, Jeff Tuoro, Joe Tuoro, Bruce Watkins, Derek Clarkson and Tony Roseingrave. By the look of the results I am presuming that Brian Leighton has regained possession of the "Rear-ender Trophy".
Last Monday saw another big field of Vets competing in their weekly stableford. Results:
Women: Beryl Stuart 30 pts 1st, Sylvia Howden 30 pts 2nd, Nancy Grantham 29 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: Jim Picking 30 pts 1st, Geoff Davies 28 pts 2nd, Brian Maunsell 26 pts 3rd.
Men Group 2: Rex Lawrence 34 pts 1st, David Brenkley 33 pts 2nd, Graeme Newland 31 pts 3rd.
Nearest the pin prizes at the Fagan Ford 8th hole went to Ken Sadler and June Doyle.
A great Committee day was held at Carterton on Sunday. Scoring was hot by some teams but spare a thought for one of our girls who visited the out of bounds, not once but five times. Needless to say we all enjoyed the day.
The second round of Women's Pennants was played at Miramar last Monday. Conditions were perfect ? no wind and a clear blue sky. Silver were playing Shandon and managed only 1? points. Bronze kept their points mounting by beating Wellington 4?/1?.
Tuesday saw the women playing a Bisque Par round. Carolyn Springer was top in the Silver with +9. The Bronze A was won by Helen Falloon on +6 on countback from Ngaire Stevens and Rosie Wellbrock with Pam Wells winning the Bronze B with +9.
The nearest the pin prizes went to Wendy Groves at the Graeme Jones Rental Cars No 8 and to Rachel Blundell at the Write Price No 18. Elizabeth Jones won the raffle.
Looking ahead to the weekend I note that there is a two ball best ball stableford competition coupled with a Markham's shoot-out qualifier down for Saturday. Then on Sunday, March 20, the annual Wairarapa Interclub Team Stableford is staged at Carterton. I note also that Round 1 of the women's Tilson Salver gets under way with Masterton playing Castlepoint at Featherston.
Off The Fairway
Four of the more mature members of the club are launching themselves into what, in my experience, is a new venture for our players. Mike Dixon, Robin Carseldine, Murray Wolland and Bob Hill are entries in the New Zealand Seniors Championship taking place this week at the Palmerston North Golf Club. There are three rounds, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday after a practise round today. Take plenty of embrocation lads! Incidentally, current title holder in the over 50's event is former NZ representative, Rodney Barltrop.