Mexican mayhem at ladies open

 

Since Bart Simpson took ownership of the phrase and imbued it with all his prepubescent evil, Ay Caramba! has come to describe something quite pleasingly out of the ordinary.

This was never truer than on a recent Saturday night at the Mangawhai Golf Club who hosted the annual First National Ladies Two Day Open over the weekend of February 21-22.

While the golf was of a predictably high standard, the most memorable part of the weekend for many was Saturday night's Ay Caramba! Mexican Fiesta in the clubhouse.

This was an opportunity for players to put aside their game faces and don sombreros to celebrate the true purpose of the weekend – to have a great time.

Played over 18 holes on both Saturday and Sunday, the tournament attracted a strong field from clubs across the North Island.

The course, as ever, was in fine condition despite the recent lack of rain and tested the mettle of players across all levels. First-timers always find Mangawhai a true challenge and even those who regularly play the course discovered new undulations in the greens and testing lies on the well-groomed fairways.

The field was divided into two divisions and prizes were awarded for Gross, Nett and Stableford. These were presented at the end of Sunday's play to a packed clubhouse.

Congratulations are due to the organising committee of Heather Haynes, Cheryl Crawshaw, Diane Dunlop and Tally Moorhouse.

Mike McGarry and his First National Real Estate team provided generous and much appreciated sponsorship support, and many others lent their hands, hearts and souls to ensuring all aspects of the event ran smoothly.

Saturday night saw tournament mascot Pedro ‘The Gorgeous Gringo’ Lopez take to the dance floor in the arms of many a senorita as the mariachi sounds assailed the ears and Lisa's Mexican menu truly hit the spot.

The evening of mixing and mingling has become a focal point of this annual tournament and enabled the golfers to put aside their competitive urges and relax in Mangawhai Golf Club’s superb clubhouse lounge.
 

RESULTS Division 1 Gross: A Cox (Wellsford) 162 (countback); R/up L Cunliffe (N Wairoa) 162. Nett: J Jenyns (N Wairoa) 137; R/up J Eddington (Mangawhai) 140. Stableford: A Gentry (Mangawhai) 77; R/up S Gough (Mangawhai) 70. Nearest The Pin: S Doherty (BOI/Keri) hole 6 Saturday; L Cunliffe (Northern Wairoa) hole 17 Sunday. Division 2 Nett: G Browne (Mangawhai) 135; R/up B Chitty (Mangawhai) 140. Stableford: M Duffin (Mangawhai) 79; R/up R McKinley (Mangawhai) 74; Second R/up M Graham (Mangawhai) 73 (countback); Third R/up B Tulp (Onewhero) 73. Nearest The Pin: J Thompson (Onewhero) hole 13 Saturday; J Harris (Warkworth) hole 4 Sunday. Twos Soktaerodh Sean (Northland) x2, J Webster (Whangarei), S Gough (Mangawhai), K Pevy (Whangarei), A Gentry (Mangawhai), C Garside (Waikare), R McKinley (Mangawhai), D Dunlop (Mangawhai), J Thompson (Onewhero).

MADLY MEXICAN: he attached photo shows the organising group -

(back) Pedro (Gentleman Gringo) Lopex, Heather Haynes; (front) Tally

Moorhouse and Cheryl Crawshaw..

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