Prize coup for club director

PRIZE OCCASION: Nearest the Pin winner Norm Rapson (left) is joined by third placed Tara Raj and runner-up Keith Johnson.PHOTO/SUPPLIED WINNERS-NTP-2015

Local knowledge played a huge part in the winning of this year's annual Nearest the Pin competition at the Wanganui Golf Club last week

Club director of golf and facilities Norm Rapson may not have been in the position long, but with the Belmont practice green just outside his office window he knew exactly what was required to claim the $1000 Prezzy Card main prize.

His closest rival and in-form club member Keith Johnson, however, was hard on his heels finishing second in the Nearest the Pin after bagging a new addition to this year's competition, the Longest Putt. Johnson was also a member of the winning team that claimed the corporate-sponsored fun putt competition. Johnson shared that honour with fellow club members Mike Arnott and Kevin Hokopaura.

Rapson said numbers were up on last year with 12 finalists in the Longest Putt competition on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson out-putted Wayne Luxton to win himself a helicopter ride for four over Wanganui and environs. Luxton collected a meal for two at Angora and third was another local member, Tasi Sua.

The final of the Nearest the Pin on Saturday evening was watched by a good number of supporters with the seven qualifiers each having six shots to get closest. After the first three balls each, Johnson held the lead followed closely by local junior Tara Raj and Rapson.

In a tight finish Rapson managed to edge out Johnson and Raj and claim the first prize. Johnson finished second with Raj third. Raj won the lucky draw so still left with a prize.

Raj and her sister Sera have made the final of the National Junior Tiger next month.

Robert Organ, who was the closest non-member, won a complimentary year's subscription to the Wanganui Golf Club.

Sue Jones will enjoy the hospitality of Millennium Hotels and the Taupo Golf Club as the winner of the major raffle for the week.