Reinstated event succeeds

The weather over the past week has had a serious impact with conditions being virtually unplayable and the course being closed on Monday.
However over 50 players began the round on Saturday with the reinstated Captain's v Chairman's competition for the J Dove and D Stratton Plate. This competition used to be match play but, in recent years has not featured in the club programme so it is great, not only to play for a trophy over 50 years old, but to have so many members play in conditions that were marginal at the beginning, and almost unplayable for the last four to five holes - in fact the wind was so strong it became dangerous and some of the smaller players, including the women in the field, wisely withdrew.
The whole field was finished by the time the heavy hailstorm struck about 4pm!
With withdrawals and some players missing a few holes when the gale was at its worst, the result of the competition was far from clear cut, but the Captain's team was declared the winner by 428 to 418.
In the pro shop competition an outstanding 40 stableford points was scored by Choi Jackson, followed by Kevin Hooper with 37 and Hira Renata with 36. The best gross of the day was Kevin Mackay with a 79 and the birds nest was not struck again for the fourth week in a row. The winner of the Alex McLeod Nearest the Pin on No 8 was Hira Renata while Sam Forrester won the Nuview Wealth No 18 again.
Part of the tradition of the Captain's v Chairman's competition was a dinner in the evening and this was also resurrected with a few changes. Originally the dinner was an "all male" affair but this year women were welcome too, and 54 members and their partners enjoyed a beautiful dinner and lively entertainment. Several men have often discussed the idea of holding a "regimental" or state dinner, with all the protocols involved so this was a perfect time to introduce this concept, right down from grace, to "the passing of the port" and an after dinner speech by retired police detective inspector Harry Quinn about his experiences during his 37 years in the police.
Congratulations to the organisers - I'm sure this will be the first of many.
Last Wednesday's 9-holers had a very small field in a PGG Wrightson's stroke round. It was also another round for the shootout. The winner was Rosey Wellbrock with a net 38. The longest drive went to Ronny Percy and the nearest the pin was Rosey Wellbrock.
On Thursday the men's New World Supermarket competition saw some excellent scoring with the winner being Robin Carseldine on 40 points from Dennis Hogg, also on 40. They were followed by two on 39, Geoff Masters and David Mettrick.
The All Teed Up Nearest the Pin on No 8 was won by Carl Christiansen and the birds nest has jackpotted again.
Because the course was closed on Monday the normal vets competition will be held on Wednesday.
On Tuesday a little window in the weather allowed 23 brave women to play a stableford competition, although the scores reflected how wet the course is and how gusty the wind was.
Results:

Silver: 1 Jenni Johnston 34, 2 Jo Philps 30, 3 Rosie Gould 28 on countback.
Darlington Drilling Bronze: 1 Larraine Duckett 32, 2 Jocelyn Pollock 31, 3 Trish Newcombe 30.
The Graeme Jones Car Rental Nearest the Pin on No 8 was awarded to Jocelyn Pollock and the New World Supermarket Nearest the Pin on No 18 went to Jenni Johnston.
A bring and Buy stall is being held on August 9 so it is hoped everyone will contribute to this fundraising event.
Good luck to the Riverside team at Martinborough against Eketahuna on Friday.
Off The Fairway

On Sunday one of our oldest and well respected members, Peter Howden, died. Over the next few days and weeks I'm sure many of our older members will recall many of Peter's attributes but one which must be almost unparalleled in any golf club in NZ are the six entries on the 'Wait for Age' Honours Board in the foyer.
To be placed on this Honours Board a player must 'beat' their age and in 1997 Peter did it six times between January and May - the first four times when he was 79 and then twice in May when he had turned 80 - a remarkable feat.