The Waihi Golf Club has been saddened this week with the passing of two well-known golfers, says club member Rodger Bagshaw who is also providing a report on golf for the week leading up to Matariki Friday.

"Earlier in the week members were stunned to hear of the sudden death of an extremely popular, and active member, Jock Stronach.
 says Rodger.

Rodger says Jock, a local farmer, and true Scotsman will be sadly missed by a wide range of friends and golfers in the area.

"During the week we also learned of the death of former member John Houston," says Rodger.

"John, and his wife Heather, had been staunch members for many years until ill health saw their retirement from golf just a few years ago."

This week’s golfing report by Rodger Bagshaw:

VETS SECTION:

The second round of qualifying for the Vets Matchplay competition was played on Monday. Top qualifiers were for the ladies, Wendy Matutinovich, and for the men it was Eddie Bruce.  

The day’s haggle was Nett, which Jenny O’Dwyer won with a nett 70, just ahead of the wily bunch of Bill Tiffin, Eddie Bruce, and Ken Purcell all with net 71’s.

On 72 was Wendy Matutinovich, while with nett 73 was Mavis Bruce, Allen Smith, and Allen Sarjant. Allen Smith had the only two (again).

NINE HOLE SECTION:

The winner of this week’s stableford haggle was Tukatara Tangiia in a countback from Elaine Goodwin, after they both posted 22 points.

Next was Margaret Hickey with 21 points, then Vicky Knight, Jill Morrison, and John Vautier, all on 19, and John Twemlow with 18 points.

Waihi Golf Club members volunteering to help rejuvenate teeing areas during a working bee. Photo: Rodger Bagshaw.

WEDNESDAY LADIES:

The ladies struck another morning with a chilly wind for their nett medal haggle.

In first place was Jenny Tubman with a nett 75, with the “returned traveller” Megan Jowsey, and Karen Lee next with both on 77 nett. Carol Leary and Mavis Bruce were next with both on 78.

Vivian Lilley had the only two on hole 6, while Mavis Bruce and Jenny O’Dwyer shared the hidden holes on 8 points each.

HUMES THURSDAY MONTHLY MEAT PACK:

The brilliant autumn weather continued for the 67 participants in this month’s tournament. The major winners were in the gross, Allen Smith had the best round with 77 gross, while Gary Choat took out the nett with a 68.

Chris Spears came in with the best stableford with 39 points. Other prizes in Division one, Tayla Turnbull, Wilson McGillivray, Jonathan Clare, and Robert Guptill, all had 37 points, then Alex Teesdale on 36.

In Division Two, John Drent had 38 points, with Ken Purcell on 36. Craig Pooley and Ron Arthur both had 35.

SATURDAY LADIES:

The weekend weather continued to be brilliant, and the course extremely busy with the Matariki weekend.

The Ladies had a par haggle this week, and Shoneen Dunning had the best result with +2, followed by Karen May on +1, then Kristine Gascoigne on -1.

Michelle Libby and Shelly Lithgow both had -2. Sharon Deacon blitzed the hidden hole with 10 points!

SATURDAY MEN:

The Morning Haggle was won by Howard Anderson with 40 points, with Francis Gascoigne and Allen Sarjant next with both having 38 points. Jim Powell and Ken Mustard had 36. Then Harry shepherd 35, and Peter Cochrane and Des Crene with 34.

In the Afternoon Haggle Chris Pilmer had the round of the day with 42 points, but closely followed by Ron Arthur and Greg Bundle with both on 41.

Eddie Evans had 38, and Mike Rose 37. On 36 were Mark Bryant, Alex Teesdale, Alister Cochrane, and Russell Dewey.

Rodger Bagshaw