The Christchurch Casino Golf Masters.......

While the drama unfolded out on the fairways and greens of Augusta the Shirley Links were playing host to The Christchurch Casino Golf Masters and nothing was lost by way of comparison. From a playing point of view the tournament was superbly organised by Fore J Promotions so to Jerry, Warren, Julie and Jackie together with the rest of their team very well done particularly as the Charities - The Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Kids Can Stand Tall and the Canterbury Branch of Cystic Fibrosis - benefited greatly.

Officially the tournament is spread over the final two days of the Masters and competed for on a stroke basis. Saturday saw a separate competition for members and guests take place on a stableford formula which was well supported. The highlight was definitely the quiz which went down to the wire with the two finalists being Brian Nixey and Allan Scott. Nixey had followed Scottys lead throughout but on the final question (over which Scotty was very confident) for no particular reason Nixey took the opposite view and wouldn't you know it he won and received the Callaway Golf package amidst much hilarity from the assembled multitude.

For the record the Senior grade was won by Aidan Miller on 40 from Matthew Hicks on 39 and Mr JD on 38 by countback (walk away...........). The Juniors saw Brian Tyro triumph with 40 from Joe Mullins and B Foxcroft both on 39 - note there were only two grades.

Overall the Christchurch Golf Club members performed to an outstanding level. The putting competition was won by JB Sanders who sank a very tricky downhill (I subsequently 4 jerked it later in the day from the same position!!) putt in the finals play-off to take away a 42 inch flat screen TV. As yet we are unsure where it will go in the pro shop but we are looking forward to its installation. We were always confident of a Christchurch win because one of the other two finalists was Ant Doyle but he was unable to repeat his earlier feat of sinking the putt.

The teams event was hotly contested with 3 out of the 4 scores counting on both days. Joe Mullins carefully selected his team for Progressive First National Realty including himself, Karl Kitchingham, Ian Dobson & Brian Ronan and they were able to easily head off the rest of the competition. The rumour is that Joe may now well be asked to select the Metro Team given his level of success.

The premier prize for the event is the Green Jacket with the field being seeded for the second day on the basis of the first round scores. The conditions on Saturday were especially testing with a strong easterly blowing plummeting the temperatures and adversely effecting the scoring. Having said that the Bunny Girls on 11 still managed to relieve each player of $20 as they went through while attempting to huddle out of the wind and dispensing Easter Eggs.

The final grouping for Sunday included our own Bryan Andrews and JB with the overnight leader Steve Garland from Russley who had shot an impressive nett 67. Sunday dawned fine and clear with just a hint of a nor'wester but it never really set in. Unfortunately the golf from the leading group didn't quite reach the heights of the previous day and it looked as though the winner would come from another grouping.

Hiding back in the pack under the radar was another Christchurch member Brian Ronan who had shot a nett 73 on Saturday from a luxurious handicap of 10. Brian is a steely competitor and clearly he was focused and had his "A" game on hand as for much of the round he was at or under par. As the battle came down to the last few holes it was apparent there would have to be an outstanding round to deny Brian the win. Eventually Brian got to the House with a 76 nett 66 to go with his earlier 73 and later in the evening he donned the Green Jacket at the Casino Dinner as the overall winner. In second place was Steve Tansey from Steve Garland in third. There were also good rounds from Niven Boyle (a past winner),Barry Fletcher, Rod Hayes, Andrew Hopkins and JB Sanders.

Our congratulations to Brian who was a deserved and popular Champion. I understand the TAB are now reviewing their odds for Brian for the Wood Trowel (he looks a hot favorite!!) and we suspect on Wednesday evening there will be a substantial slope index movement (downwards!!).

While nobody was able to win a car with a hole-in-one on the third, automobiles did feature large in the weekend. On Saturday one of the sponsors had an array of European vehicles displayed on the Flagpole Lawn with pride on place going to a very smart Maserati. Joe Mullins showed great sense in hitting his ball, while out of bounds, under the car - not so David Isaac who managed to hit the car when he went out of bounds. Some would say that's as close as David will ever get to a Maserati. It was interesting to note next day the car had moved and was protected by the lesser Alpha and Citroen.

My golf was pretty ordinary (although Brian Ronan and I did take $2 off Nixey & Scotty on Saturday) but I did win a microwave in the raffle - I'm open to any offers!! This was a wonderful weekend and enjoyed by all and once again well done everyone.