Tough for interclub sides

The old saying "After the Lord Mayor's Show" probably sums up the efforts of the Masterton men's interclub teams last weekend.
The previous weekend had seen them with a 100 per cent record ? 4 wins out of 4. This time it was also a 100 per cent record ? 3 losses out of 3.
The Division 3 side did pretty well, all things considered, when they lost to their old nemesis, Mornington 9/6. The tough Mornington course was super tough on Saturday with driving rain most of the day with a dash of snow and some hail for good measure.
I'm not sure why, but Masterton had five of its regulars unavailable, although three of the "ring-ins", Dennis Hogg, Hira Renata and Brian Campbell all featured in wins, both in the singles and fourballs.
Derek Clarkson continued his good form with another singles victory.
Over at Kapiti the Division 6 team knew it was going to be tough, and so it was, with Masterton going down 12/3. Masterton lost all the fourballs while, in the singles, Robin Carseldine was the one shining light with his victory in the singles while halves were posted by Herb Ruhe, Shane Grant, Alan Sadler and Graeme McIsaac.
Incidentally, Carseldine is the form horse at present with 3 wins in his 3 matches.
On Sunday the Masterton Marquis Shield team travelled to Eketahuna to take on Carterton, always a tough proposition.
And so it proved with Masterton licking their wounds after an 8?/3? thumping.
Masterton's two victories were posted by Danny Clarkson in the Seniors and that man again, Alex Tulloch, in the juniors. Peter Kenny posted a half in the Intermediates while Juniors Steve Hemingway and Rex Fowler (in his debut) did the same.
With the rough weather proving a real deterrent to golfers last Saturday only a small group played at Lansdowne. Brian Mitchell did best in the par competition, ahead of Terry Harrison, while nearest the pin prizes went to Roly Brown at the Alex McLeod 8th hole, to Paul Williams at the Fire Services 11th and to Craig McIntosh at the Money Managers 18th.
Last week, with a touch of Autumn in the air, a good field of 16 nine-holers took part in a stroke competition. Rayanne Dimock was the top dog with a net score of 34, just ahead of Errol Warren on net 35.
Mention should be made of a couple of great shots for par, by Rosie Wellbrock at the 16th hole and by Gil Neal at the 4th.
Julie Hamilton was closest to the pin at the 18th while a big welcome is extended to new member Lorraine Jones.
A reminder that next Wednesday, March 15, the 9 holers are celebrating St Patrick's Day (a little early admittedly) with a fun day, which definitely should involve wearing something green.
On Monday a big field of 56 Vets were greeted with fine weather for their weekly stableford. Results:
Women: June Doyle 28 pts 1st, Doreen McKinlay 26 pts 2nd, Ngaire Clarke 23 pts 3rd.
Men Group 1: Keith Nelson 28 pts 1st, Robin Whitehead 27 pts 2nd, Harry Wong 27 pts 3rd.
Good to see Harry back in action again.
Men Group 2: George McKinlay 30 pts 1st, Ted Thornton 27 pts 2nd, George Nichols 26 pts 3rd.
George Grantham was nearest the pin at the Fagan Ford 8th hole.
Members are reminded about the Vet's bus trip to Hokowhitu Golf Club on Monday, March 20. At this stage there are 36 names down for the trip so if you want to be in contact Mick Gates or put your name on the list in the clubhouse.
Last chance to do this will be this coming Monday, March 13.
Last Tuesday in gusty, cloudy conditions Masterton women competed in the Christiansen Trophy, a combined Silver and Bronze mixed stableford. Winners, with 78 stableford points, were the pairing of Bev Seymour and Marilyn Kinvig.
Marilyn Beetham was nearest the pin at the Graeme Jones Car Rental 8th hole while Vicki Duffy was closest at the Write Price 18th.
The first round of the women's interclub Lansdowne Trophy was held at Te Marua last Monday with the combined Wairarapa team starting the season on nearly the right note with a 4?/4? draw against a strong Shandon team.
Next Tuesday the women will be playing in a "split nines" competition which, for the uninitiated, is 9 holes stableford and 9 holes par.
Next Saturday the men's interclub Division 3 and Division 6 teams will be having a rest from their labours but the Styleline Homes Division 2 side will be back in action playing Shandon at Judgeford with the following team (in playing order): 1 Michael Schofield, 2 Simon Dew, 3 Fred Murton, 4 Ben Campbell, 5 Sam Forrester, 6 Alan Sandford, 7 Harry Bateman, 8 Jeff Tuoro, 9 Jason Paku, 10 Courtney Gane.
Meanwhile, back at Lansdowne, this coming Saturday features the competition for the Chairman's Trophy, a stroke competition.
Coupled with that there is a further qualifier for the Markham's shoot-out, plus a Challenge Shield round.
I note also that Round 1 of the Oldfield Trophy should be completed by Sunday, while its also Wairarapa Committee day out at Castlepoint.