Club results for 17/6/23

Three of the four semi-finalists of the Individual Matchplay have been found but they got there in contrasting fashion.

On a relatively balmy winter's morning Jonathan Tuheke served his good mate Aaron Kotua breakfast before their match then proceeded to dish up a 5/4 beating on the course off the blue tees.

It was all square after six holes with both men winning two each, including a two to Aaron on No 5. But Jono won the next four holes to take a stranglehold as Aaron struggled to find his rhythm. He won No 12 to rekindle some hope but promptly lost the next two holes to Jono's bogey and par to shake hands early.

Graham Galt's match against Mike Murphy was postponed after Mike called in sick.

In the battle of the lefties, Peter Watson prevailed over Lewis Wilson 4/3. Lewis won the first but Peter won the second with a conceded par and was thereafter never headed. Peter - who had to give up 11 shots to his rival - parred the next four holes with deft chipping and accurate putting to jump out to a three-up lead before Lewis won No 9 to cut the deficit. Three halves followed before Peter won No 13 up the hill with a bogey and No 14 with a long birdie putt for two to go dormie. The end came at the next hole with a half.

Keri Kotua recovered from four down early to pip Mike Williams on the 19th in a never-say-die effort, despite not playing his best golf. Mike won three of the first four holes and was looking comfortable and confident at three-up at the turn. However a birdie two at No 11 sparked a revival, with Keri - who started with an eight-shot deficit against a less experienced opponent - then winning No 13 and No 14 with a par and bogey. Mike edged ahead again with a bogey at No 15 only for Keri to tie it up at the next hole with a par. Mike again nosed ahead with a par at No 17, But Keri responded with a par at the difficult No 18 to take it to an extra hole. Keri got lucky when his river-bound drive on No 19 hit a tree and stayed in play and he was able to eke out the win.

In the match of the day - a par round off the white tees - Roma Elkington made a rare Saturday appearance count. His 0 score playing off a 23 handicap was good enough to take home the top prize. Any Isle grabbed second on countback from Jim McMullan after both came in with -2. Peter Green and Garth Jameson were next on -3, while Maurice Woodhouse and James Campion followed on -4. Pete G recorded the best gross of the day with a 78.

Among the nine-holers, Lloyd Moyle continued his good form with a winning 0 score. Paul McCrae was next with -2. The best woman was Sue Moyle on -4.

There was a plethora of twos despite the spiked greens, with Keri and Aaron, Dean Goodman, Maurice, Garth and Peter W sharing the spoils.