Shoot-out tense stuff

You would think that competition in the Club Championship would offer any golfer the toughest challenge of the year, but not so.
Ask anyone who has taken part in a long drawn out shoot-out final and they will claim that for real tension there is nothing quite like a shoot-out. For the spectators too it is exciting to watch, with the unexpected always likely to happen.
The whole exercise is a bit like the "ten green bottles" song, except that you start with nineteen hopeful golfers who then proceed to drop off one by one as the round progresses.
Most readers will be aware that the golfer with the poorest net score at a hole drops out. However, often more than one player qualifies to go. When that occurs, the dreaded chip-out is called for and this is when even the best of them finds that their hands turn to jelly and their golfing brains go walkabout.
Last Sunday Masterton men held their Markham's shoot-out final under the control of Arthur Sandford. Supervisors have a reputation for showing a nasty vindictive streak when it comes to chip-out sites, and here Arthur showed that he has learnt well from the master in these matters, Kevin Mackay.
In past years the shoot-out has usually been won by long or medium handicappers but there was a move in the other direction last Sunday. After an excellent showing by Alan Sadler, he was dropped off at the 16th, leaving the battle to youngster Ben Campbell on 11, Phil Rutene on 9, and Kevin Mackay on 7.
Of these three, Phil Rutene had clearly been the steadiest, dropping only two shots overall. However, it is a cruel game and Phil missed out, unable to match a net two from Ben and a net three from Kevin.
So it was all down to the last and here the fates smiled on Kevin. Both had slightly wayward, tree-bound drives. Ben's ball stayed behind a pine tree so he was forced to play his second away out to the right. Kevin's drive either struck a pine cone or had a friendly squirrel project it back into the middle of the fairway, giving him a straight-forward second.
Ben's approach was short but he played a great chip 1? metres from the pin. However, Kevin's third was a beauty and it finished 4 metres short of the flag. A fine pressure putt didn't look like missing so a birdie 4 sealed another great contest.
I won't go into too much detail, but as always there were some interesting little side issues in the contest. Firstly, Henry Stechman proved himself the king of the chip-outs by surviving five of them before surrendering to putting horrors on the 13th. Then Kieran Dougherty, a long handicapper, who has been one of the most consistent performers in past shoot-outs, and a previous winner, did his chips at the very first hole. There was a key chip-out at the 14th hole with Ben Campbell, Kevin Mackay and Ash Peterson involved. However, Ash spared the nerves of the other two by having an unusual double hit with his shot.
All in all, it was a good day and thanks must go to Arthur Sandford for his control of the situation throughout.
On Monday in cloudy, windy conditions the Vets staged an Ambrose competition. It was a close run affair with the team of Geoff Davies, Ken Sadler, Peter Howden and Sylvia Howden on 42 points winning on the cut from Brian Jury, Gerry Verhaart, Doreen McKinlay and Ken Stevenson. One point back came the group comprised of Michael Bell, Barbara Hullena and Kel Biggs.
Nearest the pin prizes at the Fagan Ford 8th hole went to Geoff Davies and Brenda Perry.
Next Monday, December 6, sees the WBS Closing Day Tournament. Apart from the normal golf action there will be long drives, nearest the pins and a putting competition, followed by afternoon tea upstairs.
Tuesday saw the women playing their Adam Philps Podiatry Shootout final. This year there was a shortfall of 5 qualifiers, so 14 players started their shootout round on hole 6, under the eagle eye of organiser, Jenny Sadler and her team. By the 15th hole there was a hard core bunch of 2 bronze and 3 silver players, with Liz Armstrong being eliminated. No 16 saw Carolyn Stevenson in the bunker beside the green. However her shots were matched by Dara's, and Carolyn was eliminated by a chipout.
No 17 saw Jenni Johnston, Jan Thompson and Dara Carthew tee off, Jenni and Jan down the middle and Dara to the left, then to the right, good army golf. A chipout saw Jenni eliminated, leaving Jan and Dara to play down the 18th. They were both on the green for 4, with Dara the closer to the pin. However it came down to the last putt which Dara missed, leaving Jan the winner.
It is interesting to note that Jan and Dara were the finalists in the Bronze Championship, with Jan winning and Dara the runner up! It is also interesting to note that the top five qualifiers were the last five players left in the shootout.
Liquor Plus Christmas Turkey Tournament
This coming Saturday, December 4, sees the last of the club's 2004 tournaments, and basically brings down the curtain on the season's formal activities. The Liquor Plus Open Christmas Turkey event remains one of the most popular days of the year, and judging by entries and given good weather, this year's event should again be an exciting occasion.
Entry fee remains at $15.00 and there is a starting sheet for you to choose your place in the field, with tees and times to select. Be quick though, as it was getting pretty full when I checked on Tuesday.
There are starting times for the Early Birds, and some also for the 9 holers who will have their own competition and a $10.00 entry.
Raffles will also give you another way of winning one of the many prizes so let's see you at Lansdowne on Saturday.