Masterton qualify for Presidents Salver playoff

The four inter-club matches played last weekend brought mixed results, but surely the most exciting outcome was the victory of the Lansdowne Park Division 2 team over Hutt at Wainuiomata on Saturday.
By earlier on winning their Division, Masterton had qualified for the promotion/relegation play-off contest for the Presidents Salver, involving themselves, and the three lowest sides in the seven team Division One competition.
Their convincing 9?/5? triumph puts them into that Division, no matter the outcome of next week's final.
Their promotion is well earned too, as they came very close to achieving it last year by the same route.
The morning's foursomes gave little hint of what was to follow as Masterton lost 3 matches to 2. Brent McKenzie and Michael Schofield got through on the 18th, as did Brian Campbell and Sam Forrester.
However, the afternoon's singles saw Masterton stamp their authority on the match with an impressive 7?/2? victory.
Ben Campbell was 7 under the card, when he bundled out his opponent at the 13th, while his Dad Brian, continued the morning's good form with a 3/2 win.
Michael Schofield celebrated his selection in the Wellington Rep team by defeating another Wellington team member, Blair Shaw. Sam Forrester and Phillip Tuoro both had 5/4 victories.
Jeff Tuoro won 3/2, Pete Jackson was 1 up and Brent McKenzie took a half. Manager Jimmy Napier was absolutely delighted with the team, who really played to their full potential. They face Manor Park in the final next Saturday, but may not be at full strength, with three players unavailable for various reasons. The last time that Masterton qualified for Division One was well over 20 years ago, with the 1979 team shown on this page. One noted player then was the late Colin Campbell, father of Brian, and grandfather of Ben, both of whom played so well last Saturday.
The Division 3 team underlined, yet again, the advantages of playing at home, when they scored a convincing 11/4 victory over Boulcott at Lansdowne.
There were six singles victories, with Bob Hill (8/6), Murray Wolland (6/5) and Shane Grant (5/4), being much too good for their opponents, while Kevin Mackay, Phil Rutene and Colin Hicks also won nicely.
At the lower end of the scale it would appear that Dennis Hogg has "Tuiman" glowering at him on the mantelpiece at home.
On the other hand, Division 6 went to Judgeford, and came home with their tails between their legs, after a 12/3 thumping from the home side.
Jeff Ogg and Paul Fouhy were Masterton's best, with Oggie having to fire a 76 to scrape home in his match.
Paul halved his singles, while the pair won their four-ball.
Brian got a half, but Dave Stevens would have to take the "Rear Enders" Trophy, though there were plenty of contenders for that dubious honour.
The final of the weekend Interclubs took place at Mahunga on Sunday with the last round of the Maquis Shield being staged. Masterton had the daunting task of taking on Mahunga on their home track, and while they took some consolation, overall they were soundly defeated 7?/4?. The Seniors lost 3?/?, with only Bob Hill saving a whitewash; the Intermediates were little better going down 3/1, with Innes Kennard providing the sole victory. However, the Juniors flew the flag for Masterton, with a 3/1 result brought about by wins to Alex Tulloch, Ray Verhaart and Bob McFarlane. Even better they took the Sutherland Trophy for the Junior section, sneaking in by half a point over Carterton. Overall Masterton finished third, albeit a distant placing behind Carterton and Mahunga, but third nevertheless.
Only a small field competed in a stroke round last Saturday, with these results:
Group 1: Sofi Fanua nett 70 1, Bart Guckert nett 73, 2
Group 2: Doug Yarrall nett 73, 1, Bill Reddington nett 73, 2, John Waddington nett 74, 3.
Last week a big field of 9 holers took part in a putting competition with Rayanne Dimock putting daylight between herself and the rest of the field.
She had just 11 putts, well ahead of Rosey Wellbrock and Susy Williams, both on 14. Then Rosey took the nearest the pin prize, while Susy went away with the longest drive, just ahead of welcome newcomer Maureen Cameron.
Local 9 holers had a good day at Eketahuna's Open capturing 8 prizes in all. As I write, the girls will be in action at Otaki's Open Day.
On Monday a big field of 61 Vets faced the starter in fine light conditions.
Results:
Women: Margaret Smith 26 pts, 1, Helen Falloon 24 pts, 2, Doreen McKinlay 24 pts, 3.
Men Group 1: Mick Gates 27 pts, 1, Jim Picking 26 pts, 2, Bill Hamilton 25 pts, 3.
Men Group 2: David Brenkley 29 pts, 1, Brian Henson 28 pts, 2, Gerry Verhaart 27 pts, 3.
Nearest the pin prizes at the Fagan Ford 8th hole went to Elizabeth Cameron and Graeme McIsaac.
Eight Vets from Carterton were part of the field, though they missed out on the prizes. A reminder to Masterton Vets that competition day next week is Wednesday, May 23.
On Tuesday a good field of 44 women took part in an LGU and putting competition, with the greens making for some tricky putting. Joy Cowan took the Silver section with a nett 73, one ahead of Carolyn Stevenson. Shirley Saunders had the best round of the day, to win the Bronze on nett 70, followed by Liz Jones with nett 72. Marion Long won the putting with 27 putts on a countback from Joy Cowan and Mary Herrick, while Joy and Shirley were tops in the Majestic Motors contest. Deidre Walker, at the Graeme Jones 8th and Edith Clarkson at the New World 18th, picked up the nearest the pin awards. There was a very successful, well supported Bring and Buy, which featured an amazing range of products.
Off the Fairway
It is with regret that we record the recent death of one of the great stalwarts of the Club, Daisy Hannon.
An ex-student and prefect of Wairarapa College, Daisy became a school teacher before her marriage to the late Neil Hannon.
She was a past women's committee member with a particular interest in looking after beginning golfers.
Daisy was an able golfer, who believed in giving the ball a jolly good whack.
In recent years Daisy turned her attention to the 9 holers, for whom she was a fine guide and mentor.