Old Hickory team ordinary again

Our Old Hickory season continues to stutter along, with another fifth placed finish at Tasman on Thursday (Sept 5).

Motueka - led by 39 stableford points from player of the day Andrew Fenemor - showed how it was done on a glorious day for golf, cruising to a comfortable win. Andrew's round included an outward 37 off the stick for 22 points before he cooled slightly coming home.

Ian Hanford played a fine captain's hand for Waahi Taakaro with 37 points and received good support from Graham Galt (35) but was let down by the rest of the team. Peter Watson (28) and Barry Rhodes (23) were the other scorers, while Phil Sellers (22) and Richard Pearson (18) had shockers.

They weren't alone, with just four players recording 36 points or better and and not even half the field of 44 reaching 30 points, despite the good conditions and a well prepared course. Many were flummoxed by the sloping fairways and greens which demanded position and precision.

Motueka's winning total of 136 was seven better than runners-up Totaradale (129), with Nelson and Takaka sharing third equal on 124 points each. They were followed by Waahi Taakaro (123) and home team Tasman (122), while Greenacres (119) will look after the dreaded popgun for the next month. 

Four players - W Rothwell (Takaka), M Hay (Motueka), L McKeown (Greenacres) and R Dalley (Totaradale) - bagged a two each.

Takaka continues to lead the points table for the Club of the Year Trophy. With three rounds to go,  they have 1440 points. Totaradale remain in second on 1426. Motueka (1398) have moved into third above Greenacres (1390). Next are Nelson (1375) and Waahi Taakaro (1341), with Tasman trailing the field on 1330.

The next round is at Motueka on October 3.