Waahi Taakaro has Old Hickory win

Waahi Taakaro has won the latest round of the Old Hickory but only by a whisker.

Played at Totaradale in glorious winter sun on Thursday (July 2), we and Motueka were tied on 132 points each after the best four scores were counted. It came down to countback with the fifth score added and we snuck through by one stableford point.

Richard Pearson (35 points) and Phil Sellers (34) led the way for Waahi Taakaro and received solid support from Graham Eggers (32) and Peter Watson (31). Dave Huntley’s 26 points proved unexpectedly crucial, while Mark Sherlaw (24) wasn’t alone in finding it tough going.

Nick McIntyre was head and shoulders the best golfer on the day, amassing an impressive 41 points after shooting an 83 playing off a 15 handicap. He was largely responsible for lifting Motueka into contention and protecting its healthy lead in the Club of the Year standings.

Totaradale couldn’t take advantage of playing at home, finishing third on 123 with Bill Filmer their top scorer with 32 points.

The ageless Eric Satherley with an excellent 38 points helped Tasman finish fourth.

Greenacres (119), Golden Downs-Redstone (117) and Takaka (111) were next, with Nelson taking home the popgun with a measly 109 points.

Despite the greens running well and the course in good condition, just two golfers bettered their handicap, with a little over a third of the field totalled 30 points or more.

Mike Malone (Motueka) was the only one to bag a two.

So after six rounds Motueka (1101) continues to dominate the Club of the Year leaderboard. It holds a 53-point lead over Takaka (1048). Tasman (1043) is next, with Waahi Taakaro (1028) improving to fourth. We are followed by Nelson (1024), Totaradale (1010), Greenacres (989) and Golden Downs-Redstone (948).

The next round is at Greenacres on August 6.