50th anniversary 9-hole stableford

Waahi Taakaro's 50th birthday celebrations teed off on Friday with a 9-hole stableford which saw some brilliant golf to match the weather.

After the blessing and naming of our new bridge honouring our former club president and Ngati Koata kaumatua Rangiriri Kohe, 64 players took on the back nine in the late afternoon sunshine.

Club member Andrew Dean - who posted his best-ever 9-hole score of 43 playing off a 13 handicap from the white tees - racked up 24 stableford points to win on countback from Bryce Vincent, who shot 35 off the stick, to match his stableford total. Bryce's round include an eagle at the par-five No 12.

Nelson member Fiona MacLean finished third on countback from Greenacres' s Will Piket after both came in with 23 points.

James Campion shot an eye-catching lowest gross of 34 off the stick, which included two birdies and seven pars, for 21 points which was only good enough for fifth.

Barbara Kotua secured sixth on countback from former club president John Towns after both ended with 20 points.

They were followed by Tony Newport (19), Andrew Fenemor (19), John Dixon (18), Dave Blake (18) with  Rose O'Connor (18) rounding out top 12 prize-winners.

Club president Paul Tunnicliff, Dave Blake and Totaradale's Roger Hunapo shared the twos with one each.  

One of our longest serving members and another former president, Ian Hanford, spoke before prize-giving about his time as the club member.

Our thanks go to sponsors Total Golf, Lombard's, The Waka, The Prince Albert and The Bach at the Turf Hotel for the prize table, the greenkeeper James Dale for the excellent condition of the course and for the hard work put in by our manager Tony Lewis and club volunteers.to make the day enjoyable and a great start to our celebrations.