It's our Ryder Cup again

Waahi Taakaro retained the Ryder Cup on Sunday (Nov 30) to continue its remarkable record in the annual challenge against Nelson.

We chalked up our ninth win in 12 encounters with a comfortable 15.5 points to 8.5 home win in conditions that started in sunshine but deteriorated as the day wore on. 

The 27-hole tournament, which is played off the blue tees over three different nine-hole formats, by teams consisting of four seniors, four intermediates and four juniors is always eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by our club members.

Waahi Taakaro held a narrow 4-2 advantage after the early morning alternate shot matches and extended that to an almost impregnable 10-2 lead after winning all six four ball best ball ties over the second nine. With steady rain setting in and making the rough even harder to play out of, Nelson fought hard reduce the deficit in the individual matchplay . Despite winning the afternoon matches by 6.5 to 5.5, the damage had already been done and Nelson couldn't emulate Waahi Taakaro's stirring comeback at Nelson last year to claim a late draw.

While all Waahi Taakaro team members contributed to the win,  the individual stars were Paul Tunnicliff and his intermediate partner Matt Tomczyk who won all three of their matches along with junior Craig Barron. Others with two wins were senior Jasper Broad-Kolff, intermediates Garth Jameson and Richard Pearson and juniors Graham Eggers and Brendan Doyle. Former Waahi Taakaro member Sam Best, fellow senior Andrew Simpson and junior Peter Hay were the best Nelson performers with two wins each.

As always, the challenge was played in great spirit and we thank Nelson for providing us with a stern challenge and we look forward to taking them on again at Nelson next year.