Martinborough Golf Report 

As we move out of spring into summer, we can only hope that we might get more use of our umbrellas as shade from the sun rather than the incessant rain we’ve endured over the past couple of weeks.  

Tournaments: A few weeks ago we hosted the “Baahaahaa Trophy” with Eketahuna.  Men’s: 1^st Steven Croft, 2^nd Trevor Petersen & Michael Wyeth (Eke.).  Ladies – 1^st Jane Terpstra, 2^nd Karen Stephens, 3^rd Mariana McDermott.  Martinborough beat Eketahuna (by the skin of their teeth!).  Seventeen couples entered the 36 hole mixed foursomes; Gross:- 1^st Nuki Gordon & Sereana Phillips, 2^nd Mr & Mrs DRIP.  Nett:- 1^st Mr & Mrs Gumboot (who also won the Sunday stableford challenge with a brilliant 48 points AND put the winnings on the bar – Cheers guys!) 2^nd Rick Hargreaves & Elaine Howe. Stableford:- 1^st Ro & Lyle Griffiths, 2^nd Mr & Mrs RD2. Thanks to sponsors Pain & Kershaw.  On 25^th November, Martinborough hosted Royal Wellington at the home to contest the Bidwill Cup.   This golf match between Martinborough and Royal Wellington has been played every year for about 60 years.  Last year we played at Heretaunga and lost the cup pretty decisively.  This year on our home course we managed to win (by a narrow margin – but who’s counting?!).

Men’s Club champs have been played, winners were:- Senior – John Warner, Intermediate – Derek Stephens, Junior – Craig Andrews, Bellingham Cup – Trevor Petersen, Vets Cup – Griff Page, congratulation to all.

Grumpies had a good turnout one week with 40 playing (with 11 from other clubs) so a great gathering; winners in November have included Ro Griffiths and Doug Fergusson….2 weeks were rained off!!

Thursday club has had a good month despite the inclement weather and winners have included Nick Morison, Tony Taylor, the two Trevor’s (Gumboot & Hawk-eye), Tim Loe and Richard Thompson.

Ladies: The ladies shootout final was a close competition with several chip outs along the way to determine who would be next to drop out.  In the end Angela Busby and Sylvia Beavis went down to the wire with Sylvia taking the spoils.

9 holers: Martinborough hosted the 9 Hole Open Day Stableford with 72 in the field,
participation from 11 Clubs.  Weather was perfect and a fun day was had by all.  Local winners were:- Ladies Division 1:1st: Sherryl Howie; Ladies Division 2: 1st: Jaquee Reid (and winner of the Barb Smith Open Day Trophy), 2nd: Allison Russell.
We sadly report the passing of two Martinborough golf club friends at end of October/early November – Ivan Taplin, an absolute stalwart of the Martinborough Golf Club who did huge amounts of work making the club what it is today.  And Gay Reed who was Sue’s predecessor in the office 2002 – 2005 (we think), her and Ash moved away from the Wairarapa a few years ago ……. Our thoughts are with the Taplin’s and Heather, and Ash and their family.

Coming up in December we have Smiddy’s tournament on the 6^th, Christmas Open closing day on the 8^th and Men’s shootout final on the 9^th. 

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year, enjoy winding down with family and friends over the festive season; take care and good golfing everyone!!

Reporter: Mrs. DRIP