CLUB championships winners (back, left to right) Colin Symes, Jaz Stafford, Steve Wilshier and Shannon Davis. Front from left is Lynn Mansell, Wendy Thompson, Irene Straker
AUGUST proved to be busy for Waitomo Golf Club members and visitors with championships, tournaments and challenges well contested. The annual ladies Madoline Trapski two ball best ball tournament was once again well supported with Heather Gifkins and Pam Johnston taking out the honours. Local ladies represented Waitomo in the regional Wills Cup finals and placed third with Ngahinapouri being the winners. At the weekday Pennant finals Waitomo came second equal with Kāwhia, one point behind the winning Tahuna team while in the weekend Pennant finals Waitomo finished in sixth place out of 17. Once again, the popular Osbornes Best Ball Challenge was hotly contested with 44 pairings from clubs across the North Island vying for the spoils. Ex-Waitomo member Lance Edwards (playing out of Tauranga) and Rodney Prescott (Te Awamutu) were victorious, winning a golf package of a round of golf for two with cart, at the prestigious Wairakei International course. Prescott also won the lucky draw prize. Although the annual Lions Club Daffodil Day tournament participant numbers were down because of the impending weather forecast a generous donation was able to be made to the Cancer Society. Club Championships were completed for all grades with a record number of participants taking part. After some very tight matches, some new champions emerged. Results: Senior Men, Shannon Davis; Intermediate Men, Jaz Stafford; Junior Men, Steve Wilshier; Junior B Men, Colin Symes. Silver Ladies, Irene Straker; Bronze 1, Wendy Thompson; Bronze 2, Lynne Mansell. The first Saturday of September saw the annual Waitomo Maori Golf Open Tournament playing host to visitors from Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and the wider Waikato. Celebrated winners of the main trophies were – Rangimarie Hetet Cup for men’s best gross, Paul Northover (Ngaruawahia); Teroi Tataurangi Shield for men’s best nett, Trent Clune (Waitomo) and Mihi Robinson Memorial shield for ladies best nett, Bev Moloney (Waitomo). Next on the calendar for Waitomo golfers is the annual King Country Championships to be held at Te Awamutu. Waitomo has named strong teams playing in all divisions. The Waitomo course is in great condition and the greens, after being cored only a few weeks ago, are on track to being in tip-top shape for the upcoming ITM two-day tournament in early October.
