Time to honour top sports people

Though they go under a number of guises, such as Crescent, Lane, Grove and Court, you may be surprised to learn that, at last count (mine) there are 233 streets in Masterton.
That means of course that there are 233 different names for these streets, and anyone who has read Gareth Winter's excellent book, "Street Stories", will know that their origins are many and varied.
We have names honouring our pioneers (Dixon, Iorns); Prime Ministers (Balance, Vogel); Governors' General (Jellicoe, Cobham); native trees (Tawa, Titoki); Royalty (Victoria, Albert); British Generals (French, Raglan); British Counties or Cities (Essex, York); and native birds, (Weka, Tui).
There is even a not to that much criticised profession school teaching, with Crayne Street and Olive Street named after former local teachers. Oddly, there is at least one street, Carverthan, that owes its origin to a typographical error.
But if you want to see your name immortalised your best chance is as a local body politician, particularly as Mayor, (Cody, Tankersley).
Now, if you are still reading this I know you must be asking, where on earth is Noel going this week?
Right, in this category of names, there is one group that is conspicuous by its absence, and here I refer of course to famous local sportspeople. No Sir Brian Lochore Road or Aaron Slight Place or Richard Collinge Crescent, nor is there, and this is my point, a Sir Bob Charles Drive. The only concession to sport is in general terms, with Rugby Street and Cricket Street.
Michael Campbell won the US Open and in no time at all, the good people of Titahi Bay are in the process of naming a street after him. And its not just a little cul-de-sac, but one of the main roads in the suburb.
Bob Charles won the British Open in 1963, and in the ensuing years has become possibly the greatest left-handed golfer in the world, and what have we done about it? Nothing, not even a tiny little lane bearing his name.
Surely the town where his glittering career began could honour his contribution to golf in Masterton and New Zealand, by honouring his name. Personally, I believe there is a very suitable street too, one that would involve a name change, but then there are plenty of precedents for that. After all Queen Street was once called Bridge Street.
What do you think. Is this a good idea, or am I just wasting my breath?
Okay, I guess I should mention the local golf scene, so starting with last Saturday we saw a Bisque Par event.
Group 1: Terry Harrison + 8 1st
Tony Iggulden + 3 2nd
Charles Anderson + 3 3rd
Group 2: Arthur Sandford + 3 1st
Tim Crum + 3 2nd
Ben Griffith = 3 3rd
Nearest the pin awards went to Charles Anderson at the Alex McLeod 8th hole, to Pete Jackson at the Fire Service 11th, and to Arthur Sandford at the Money Managers 18th. Amongst the women, Brenda Blatchford was closest at the Office Depot 8th hole, while Sereana Phillips topped the scoring on minus one.
On Monday in cloudy, but pleasantly mild conditions a big turn-out of nearly 60 vets took part in a 4 person Ambrose. Results:
Sue Blathwayt)
Peter Howden )
Rex Fowler ) 40 points 1st
Harvey Ward )
Helen Falloon )
Ted Thornton )
Ian Schofield ) 39 points' 2nd
Bob Hullena )
Georgie Pope )
George Nichols )
Jamie Brunton ) 39 points 3rd
Kel Biggs )
John Worley and Barbara Hullena took the nearest the pin prizes at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
Last Sunday, after doing my duty by pruning the roses, I wandered up to the 19th at Lansdowne, where I spent a most enjoyable and enlightening hour or so. First I found that Jamie Brunton and John Falloon had reached the final of the Captain's Trophy, with John offering the information that it's the first final he's been in at Lansdowne, since he won the Intermediate Championship in 1964.
Then I joined up with the Sunday Club who are contributing $1 a week each towards the purchase of a new ball-washer. They're also challenging other groups at the club to follow suit in some way. They then demonstrated how that have a "putt-out" Sunday Club style, with the carpet as the putting surface. Neil Anderson cunningly contrived to use a chair leg to get the prize for nearest the "cup".
After a rough time for him lately, it was good to see Andy Hale in the company
The Sunday Clubbers are a real mine of information too, with several names added to my own list of possible celebrities involved in the Auckland drug bust.
Next Saturday sees the Trust House Famous Grouse Whisky Day with a stableford competition, and a raffle into the bargain. Following the golf, all those players who took part in the Wellington men's Division 3 and 6 teams, are invted to a short meeting with the Match Committee, to review this last season's efforts.
On Tuesday, the Masterton women took part in a Par Round. Results:
Silver: Edith Clarkson + 2 1st
Jan Tatham + 1 2nd
Bev Seymour All Square 3rd
Bronze A: Lorraine Stewart All Square 1st
Val Cobb -2 2nd
Shirley Simpson - 3 3rd
Brenda Blatchford was nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones Car Rental 8th hole, while Lorraine Stewart did best at the Write Price 18th. Meanwhile Jeanette McNae scored the only two of the day, winning 4 golf balls for her effort.
Coming up we find that Round 5 of the Riverside Cup is down for Lansdowne this Friday, with the home side having the bye. Then next Monday, the Pennants teams will be hoping to do well in their matches at Royal Wellington.