New format sure to be annual event

 

As summer has burst upon us and the pre-Christmas winds have faded to faint memory, the Mangawhai Golf Club has been inundated with players seeking to experience the challenges and rewards of one of New Zealand's finest courses.

January is always a busy month at Mangawhai and, from sunrise to sunset each day, golfers of all degrees of skill tee off in wonderful conditions. The course has retained strong growth across fairways and the greens are running with their typical speed and trueness.

A newcomer to the club's January schedule is the New World Warkworth Food & Wine Mixed Open, held in brilliant weather on Saturday January 10. A full field of nearly 160 players participated and enjoyed a day that introduced a new format that seems sure to become an annual event (and one that some members would like to see weekly!).

Food and wine stations
The organising committee of Steve Hinton, Ray Crawshaw and Heather Haynes did an outstanding job, co-odinating with new sponsor Jeremy Ross of New World Warkworth to create an atmosphere that very successfully combined competitive golf with the opportunity to enjoy fine food, wines and other beverages during the round.

Three food and wine stations were established on the course, manned by volunteers to refresh the sun-soaked golfers as they made their way through 18 holes. The main stopping point was on the first tee where nibbles of salmon, ham, sausage, cheese, and breads were avidly consumed throughout the day from 7.30 am to 6.30pm. On the fourth tee Steve Hinton, ably assisted by Karen Cater and Diane Rous, flipped mussel fritters and fish bites on the barbie, while on tee 14, Geraldine and Stew Speed and others dispensed strawberries and other delectables.

Showing great restraint, golfing groups restricted themselves to a quick bite, a gentle sip or two and then on with the golf so that the pace of play throughout the day was excellent.

With just a quick break between morning and afternoon fields, the food and wine stations were re-stocked for the afternoon onslaught. Meanwhile, the band played on – member John Wheat and his fellow musos getting strong vocal support from Ray Crawshaw who exhibited an exceptionally lyrical recall of tunes from days when we were all much younger.

Strong fields
Play through the day, as expected in such glorious conditions, was of a very high standard and some excellent scores were recorded. Stand-out was Don McKay's 48 stableford points, recorded by a man who claims to detest early rising and was a very reluctant starter at 7.30am – perhaps this success could prompt a change in this ex-All Black's sleeping habits. Best Gross scores were returned by Scott Wightman (recently returned to amateur ranks) and Alan Madigan, both shooting 74 but with Scott winning on a countback. A strong ladies field saw Geraldine Speed emerge with the Best Gross score of 88, closely pursued by Diane Taylor, while Marjory Rae continued her strong recent form to take out the Best Stableford prize.

All in all, an outstanding day and thanks go to the organisers and to those many club members who stepped up to help in so man ways, too many to name individually, from the ladies who arrived at 5.30am to mix batter, chop onions and slice ham through to the hard-working team who brought in the tents, tables and chairs at the end of the day. Thanks, too, to Jeremy Ross and New World Warkworth whose new involvement with our club as a sponsor looks to be mutually rewarding in the immediate and long term.

A very well-attended prizegiving was held in the clubhouse, with club president Mike Howard thanking all for their enthusiastic involvement before Steve Hinton and Ray Crawshaw unleashed the day's high achievers on the well-stocked prize table.

Results
Men, Division 1
Best Gross Scott Wightman (74), Runner Up Alan Madigan (74), Best Stableford Kevin Cox (41 points), Runner Up Andre Beets (41), Third Tony Vale (41), Fourth Jeremy Ross (41), Fifth Richard Tuck (40), Sixth Campbell Rae (40).

Division 2
Best Stableford Don McKay (48 points), Runner Up Rob Skinner (47), Third Fraser Gardyne (46), Fourth Hugh Williams (45), Fifth Ron Horsfall (43), Sixth Owen Noonan (41), Seventh Nick Epsom (41), Eighth Josh Van De Elzen (41).

Women
Best Gross Geraldine Speed (88), Runner Up Diane Taylor (89), Best Stableford Marjory Rae (41 points), Runner Up Helen Norris (41), Third Yvonne Horsfall (41), Fourth Wilma Van De Elzen (41), Fifth Barbara Chitty (38), Sixth Julie Eddington (38).

Nearest The Pin
Paul Rennie (4th hole), Michael Versfeld (6th), Tony Vale (13th), Geraldine Speed (17th).

Twos

4th hole Scott Wightman, Paul Rennie, Greg Garnett, Alan Madigan, Campbell Rae, Lesley Tolhopf; 6th hole Colin Farrell; 13th hole Paul Rennie, Tony Vale, Mike Alley, Ross Hattaway; 17th hole Scott Wightman.

Captions
Men's captain Ray Crawshaw rocks out the golden oldies.
Ed "The Eagle" Nathan tees off after a 9th hole top-up.
Steve Hinton keeps the mussel fritters cooking on the 4th tee.
Stew and Geraldine Speed host a relaxing group on the 14th tee.

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