Tunnicliff a top champion

Paul Tunnicliff did Waahi Taakaro proud by winning the intermediate title at the Champion of Champions tournament at Picton on Sunday (Nov 8).

On a course that he had played only once about 15 years ago, Paul was one of the few golfers in the field to play to their handicap, recording an excellent nett 70 to win his grade by two strokes.

Driving and putting well, he played the front 9 in 43 - which included a 7 at the par 5 third - but steadied to shot 40 on the back 9 on the par 70 course.

For his efforts he won a trophy and a glass tankard and he also had some success in the raffles afterwards.

It was his first major success in the Champions tournament in about half a dozen attempts

The tournament - which is for club champions from around the top of the south region - was reduced from 27 holes to 18 because of heavy rain beforehand, however it eased and then cleared with the course holding up remarkably well.

Our other two entrants also gave a good account of themselves.

Lewis Wilson finished joint runner-up in the junior grade, recording a tidy nett 72, to earn himself a glass tankard. Picton member Leigh Sommerville-Smith won with a nett 70.

Dean Goodman shot an 81 (nett 75) in the highly competitive senior division, which was won by Rarangi's Blair Bavin - fresh from the Freyberg - who shot a 71 off the stick, three strokes better than Nick Van Leeuwen of Motueka. The winning nett score was 73 by Lyall Marfell of Awatere.

For photos of our lads with their winnings go to Picton Golf Club website.