Pro-Am set to get year off to swinger

On the local scene the 2005 season gets off to an impressive start with the staging of the ING Masterton-Eketahuna Pro-Am this coming weekend, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January. After the extremely successful inaugural tournament last year there was considerable pressure put on the two clubs to repeat the project and here it is once again, in all its glory.
As Pro-Am Tournaments go, this one is unusual in that it is held over two courses, with the first round at Eketahuna on Saturday, followed by the second round at Lansdowne on Sunday.
The event is a qualifier for the New Zealand Professional Golfers Order of Merit, a matter that is of some importance, certainly to the Professionals in the field. Those same Professionals will be competing for a share of the $15,000 prize money on offer while the amateurs will have their own prize table.
With 37 teams of four, the field is well and truly filled, and has been since before Christmas. Each team has three amateurs, together with a professional or celebrity, with a draw on Friday deciding who will go where.
The basic competition is a teams event, with the best two stableford scores on each hole counting towards the total. Thus each professional, while he has his own special competition can, or should be contributing towards the fortunes of his team. It should also be noted that the major competition is over the two rounds.
While there are some pretty fair amateur players in the field (plus others not quite so fair,) the main interest rests on the professionals. Sir Bob Charles is not returning this year, but despite that the overall calibre of those competing is probably higher than in 2004. It includes Mark Brown and Stuart Thompson, placed second and third on the 2004 NZPGA Order of Merit, and Ryan Haywood, winner last October of the first of the Greg Turner Golf Tour of New Zealand tournaments in New Plymouth. Then there is Tim Wilkinson, who has played in a couple of tournaments on the American circuit, plus Jamie McIsaac and Jimmy Napier, who if nothing else, should have a fair knowledge of the Lansdowne layout.
Last year's celebrity and guest speaker Andy Haden was a fair golfer, but the celeb next weekend is Canterbury's favourite All Black, Andrew Mehrtens. I'm not sure of Mehrt's actual handicap, though I understand it's a low single figure. In addition Andrew will more than hold his own when it comes to speaking.
The Tournament has been generously sponsored by ING and Trust House without whom, such an event would be impossible. Members of the public are most welcome to follow the players on Saturday and Sunday, with refreshments available on course. Entry is simply a gold coin donation towards local Junior Golf.
Despite the counter attractions of the Air Show and Anniversary Weekend, there was quite a good turnout at Lansdowne last Saturday. The last round of the Summer Cup was staged, plus the first qualifier for the Markham's shootout contest. However, more importantly, it was a trial for the Wellington men's interclub competitions, and here some 30 or so aspirants for places were on show.
In addition about another 15 players have indicated that they wish to be part of the interclub action, bur for various reasons were not available on the day. Incidentally Masterton has entered three teams: Division 2; Division 3 (18 holes); and Division 6, with the last a new grade after promotion from Division 7 last year.
With conditions favouring the golfers there was some spectacular scoring, with the highlight being a record-equalling 65 from Brent McKenzie. Since the new layout at Lansdowne a little over three years ago, two other golfers have fired that score, Dimitrios Amos, in a Wairarapa Open and professional Alistair Sidford in the Pro-Am last year.
Apart from McKenzie's brilliant effort there were plenty of other fine scores. The top prize went to John Waddington who shot a net 63 off his 17 handicap. To add to his day Wadds also snaffled the "Birds Nest" with two 2's.
In the Summer Cup it was a one horse race, with Robin Whitehead producing net scores of 64, 64, and 66.
Overall it was a good day, which has left Convenor of selectors Phil Rutene, plenty to ponder over in his interclub choices. A number of up and comers have put themselves in the frame while the return of Ben Harrowfield, Alan Sandford and Brent McKenzie (the latter from Wainuiomata) must surely strengthen the Divison 2 team.
On Monday the club staged a small Anniversary Day Tournament with a field of nearly 50 competing in a 2 person Ambrose. A feature of the day was the gross 60 returned by two of the club's most promising youngsters, Robin Smith and Ben Campbell.
Results: Mixed Group
Judith and Barry Smith net 61 1st
Edith and Derek Clarkson net 62 2nd
Sereana Phillipps and Paul Fouhy net 63 3rd
Sheren and Herb Ruhe net 64 4th
Men's Group
Robin Smith and Ben Campbell net 58 1st
Richard Anderson and David Baker net 60 2nd
Goff Moorcock and Keith Morgan net 61 3rd
Looking ahead don't forget to pencil in Sunday February 6th, when the club will be staging the regular Waitangi Day Tournament. I don't know the details at this stage, but Jonesy will be running it, so it should be a lot of fun.