Old Hickory team avoids wooden spoon

Our Old Hickory team did enough at the final round at Takaka on Thursday (Dec 6) to finish the season in sixth place and avoid the wooden spoon.

Totaradale deservedly won the Club of the Year Trophy, cementing their victory by pipping Takaka for the last round honours. 

In an otherwise disappointing season after winning the trophy last year, our fourth-equal finish was enough to consign Tasman to the popgun and last place in the season-long points race.

Captain Ian Hanford once again led from the front with 36 stableford points but only Jack Denton (33) could given him meaningful support on a day when just three golfers in the field matched or bettered their handicaps despite excellent playing conditions. Our other scorers were Phil Sellers and Graham Galt who recorded 29 points each. Bryan Ramsey (28) and Lloyd Moyle (26) finished well off the pace.

Led by 40 points from player of the day Denis Hall, Totaradale totalled 140 points to edge Takaka by a point. Robbie Dyce (38) was the home team's top scorer. Motueka finished third on the day with 131 points. Greenacres and Waahi Taakaro shared fourth on 127. Nelson (126) was next, while Tasman (123) took home the popgun for Christmas.

Twos were scored by R O'Tool (2), B Biggs, M McGee and Ian and Graham from our team.

In the end, Totaradale won the trophy comfortably. Their points tally of 2073 was 29 better than Takaka  (2044), with Motueka (2000) finishing a distant third. Greenacres (1949) edged Nelson (1947) for fourth. Waahi Taakaro (1933) was next and Tasman (1921) will hope for better next year.