Easter Bunny sets golf seal

With the combination of the school holidays and the Easter break, most people will be hoping Mother Nature behaves herself this weekend. I am looking for a fine day on Monday, when the Masterton Golf Club stages the Juken NZ "Easter Bunny" Tournament.
This open tournament will be a great way to round off the weekend with an 18-hole Stableford scheduled. Cards should be in by noon with an entrance fee of $20, which includes twos.
Last Saturday was a busy day for our men's Wellington interclub teams, with all four in action. There was a good overall result, too, with one loss matched by three wins, including two "away" victories.
Division 3 posted a fine 8/7 result over Judgeford on that team's demanding home course, with victories to "Muzza" Wolland (3/2), Gavin Harris (3/1), Geoff Masters (5/4), Phil Rutene (2/1) and Tony Rowntree (5/4). The balance came from three fourball wins, while sadly (?) Robin Carseldine took the "Tuiman" Trophy.
Playing at home Division 7 scraped through with an 8/7 result against division leaders Mahunga. Captain Ian Harrowfield led the way (4/3) while others to score were Peter Forrester (5/3), Kel Biggs (1 up), Dennis Hogg (3/1) and Jamie Brunton (5/3). The balance came from a half to Paul Fouhy plus two wins and a half in the fourball contests. Bob Hill would appear to be the new holder of the "Rear Enders Trophy".
Division 11 continued on their merry way with a resounding 12/3 away victory over hosts Featherston. Clayton, Wayne O'Donnell, Brian Pollock, Daryl Hart, Steve Hemingway, Terry Harrison, Mike Falloon, Paul Williams and skipper John Hopkirk all posted singles wins with the balance made up with three fourball victories.
Unfortunately, the Division 1 side were unable to match their lesser counterparts, suffering a resounding loss to Royal Wellington, played at Shandon. Ewen Macdonald and Simon Buckley halved their foursomes while Owen Lloyd and Sam Forrester did succeed in their matches.
On Sunday, playing Carterton on their home turf was just too tough for the Masterton side, who went down 9 /2 in a Marquis Shield round. The Foresters did well, with Sam winning his match in the Seniors while Jack did likewise in the Juniors. Ian Buchanan contributed a half in his seniors match.
In the three divisional contests, played off the stick, Masterton's 3/1 win over Carterton in the senior grade for the Workman Cup saw them establish virtually an unbeatable lead.
Next Saturday features an ordinary club competition day, a stableford coupled with a Markham's shootout qualifier.
Last week 20 nine-holers took part in a PGG Wrightson putting event with Gill Neal dominating the field, with just 11 putts, well ahead of runner-up Errol Warren on 15. They are having trouble deciding the long drive with Shona Wylie and Sylvia Howden sharing it this week, while Joy Cowan took the nearest the pin prize.
Ruth Wiley and Di Herbert joined 60 others last Thursday, over at Kapiti for the Wellington District 9 Hole Champs. No word from Di about her round but Ruth cleaned out the field with a fine net 30.
On Monday the Vets stayed at home in front of the fire, a wise decision too.
The weather improved dramatically for Tuesday women's competition day which included several events such as the Vets Trophy, the Coronation Medal and the Aotearoa Cup contests, which drew out a field of 41.
Silver player of the day was Sereana Phillipps, ahead of Jocelyn Pollock and Jan McLaren. The Darlington Drilling Bronze top player was Janice Hayes, who nudged out Pam Griffith and Val Cobb. Margaret Irwin was nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones 8th, while Sereana took out the New World prize at the 18th hole.
On the interclub front last Friday the Masterton women's team claimed the Rew and McCracken Cup, the symbol of supremacy among seven Wairarapa clubs. Then playing in a Tilson Salver round at Featherston, Masterton had a fine 5/1 victory over Carterton.
Next Tuesday features a Home Pennant Stableford.
The rain which came mid-afternoon last Saturday spoilt the day in the 9-hole competition but Merv Brown scored 18 points and John Tatham 17, while Brenda Blatchford totalled 19.