Total Golf Maitai Masters Tournament 2017

Sam Nicols overpowered his opposition and the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course to win his second consecutive Maitai Masters on Saturday by a commanding 10 shots.

The sixth ranked Tasman amateur and lowest handicapper in the field became the first golfer to shoot under par in both the morning and afternoon rounds in the 27-hole event in the last 10 years, following up a 2-under 70 with a 3-under 33. His combined score of 103 was better than the 107 he managed last year when winning by four shot.

With conditions perfect and the greens receptive and running at a good pace, Nicols attacked the tight tree-lined 6000m course with gusto, using his length off the tee to good effect.

After three bogies in his first 11 holes, he made no other errors to leave his rivals in his wake. Four birdies in five holes in his morning round saw him six shots clear at lunch and he iced the win with an eagle at the par 5 last across the river.

Four of Nicols’ fellow Nelson club members battled it out for the minor placings, with Kameran Clarke, with 113, pipping David Zorab, Connor Winter and Matthew Grimes who all finished on 115.

Nicols was delighted with his performance, which counted towards the Tasman Order of Merit.

``I played pretty well from tee to green and didn’t make a lot of mistakes. I hit driver everywhere and had a bit of luck.’’

He praised the condition of the course, saying it was the best he had seen it in summer.

``It is pretty impressive for this time of year.

``The greens were very good. You could hold the ball on the green and they were pure.’’

Nicols said he enjoyed playing in the annual tournament, which was well run and featured something different with a hangi and pitch for cash competition over the river.

``I’ll be back next year to try to do the treble.’’

The other big winner was Motueka’s Aaron Lawrence who won the best overall nett with an excellent 102 to win a weekend away at Hamner Springs.

Waahi Taakaro’s Andy Isle won the senior nett, while his club colleague Dean Goodman won the intermediate gross with a fine 120 and Nelson’s Eric Brown took out the nett.

In the junior section, Waahi Taakaro’s Lewis Wilson won the gross and his fellow club member Stephen Russell the nett.

Results:

Senior gross: Sam Nicols 103, 1; Kameran Clarke 113, 2; David Zorab 115, 3; Connor Winter 4; 115, Matthew Grimes 115, 5.
Senior net:  Andy Isle 109, 1; Rob Willems 110, 2; Keri Kotua 111, 3.

Intermediate gross: Dean Goodman 120, 1; Darryl Beveridge 128, 2; Bryce Vincent 130, 3; Bernard Hedges 131, 4.
Intermediate net: Eric Brown 107, 1; Ray Morris 107, 2; Maurice Woodhouse 110, 3; Paul Tunnicliffe 112, 4.

Junior gross: Lewis Wilson 141, 1; Ian Bridgen 142, 2; Richard Wills 143, 3.
Junior net: Stephen Russell 109, 1; Ian Johnson 111, 2; John Gardyne 113, 3; Malcolm Lowrie 114, 4; Jonathon Tuheke 115, 5.

Twos: David Zorab (2), Rob Willems, Matthew Grimes, Euan Milne, Dean Goodman, James Campion, Stephen Russell, Aaron Lawrence, Gary Spanjer.

Longest drive: Connor Winter (senior), Darryle Beveridge (intermediate), Gary Spanjer (junior).

Straightest drive: Jamie Hunter.

Nearest to the pin: Ian Bridgen.  

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Total Golf Maitai Masters Sponsors

The Waahi Taakaro Golf Club would like to thank the following sponsors. Please support them.

Tournament Sponsor:  Total Golf.

Hole Sponsors: Plus 4 Insurance Solutions, Ching Contracting Ltd, Dave Thomason Decorators, Crabb Electrical, RWCA, D.C. Equipment, Waste Management, Sturrock & Greenwood Ltd, Nelmac, Nelson Building Society.

Pitch for cash sponsor: Elliot Drainage.

Closet to pin sponsor: Rimu Grove Wines.

Prize and Raffle sponsors: Cap-it-all Promotions, Youngs Electricial, Radcliffe Electrical, Nelson Building Society, Speights Ale House, J. Denton, Ratabank Farms, J.Hornby, Nelson Building Society, Harrys Bar, Seabird Charters, Sprig & Fern Milton Street 

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