Christchurch Does the Business..............

The focal point of the weekend was firmly centred on the visit from Royal Wellington and while they were not vigorously shaken we kept them guessing with the wild fluctuations of the weather. I can say on both days we had all four seasons although not necessarily in the right order!!

As a "team" Christchurch were seeking redemption from what can best described as an ordinary performance on tour last year after both trophies were left in Wellington. While the Tuson Cup had retained it size of 8 the Clubs had agreed to expand the Veteran Salver to 16 twice the previous size but slightly less than those of the centennial celebrations.

Tuson Cup

In the top 'match' Saturday was committed to a fourball competition from the Blue Tees off the stick and by days end the struggle was delicately poised 2.5 to 1.5 in our favour. Good wins were recorded by the pairings of Peter Sim/Simon Yorke and Peter MacDougall/Charles Whitwham while Bruce Taylor/Nic fry secured a well earned half.

Financial specialist (aka accountant) and captain Charles Whitwham had massaged the figures and concluded a 4/4 split in the individuals would see the team home. Concerns were raised by team members that Charles looked more like Cory Pavin than Colin Montgomery but undeterred he defiantly posted his playing order the night before and dared Royal Wellington to do their worst. I suspect the team were helped by the timely arrival of the southerly at midday on Sunday but for what ever reason the team scaled great heights!

Wins were posted by Nic Fry, Peter Sim (beating Tim Wilton for the first time after losing to him three times away in Wellington once in singles, twice in foursomes - not his first individual win in four years as originally printed!!)Mark Dunn, Paul Dunn and Peter MacDougall however unfortunately after leading most of the way Charles got run down in the home straight although given his slight stature he was probably lucky to retain both feet on the ground given the gale that was blowing!

All in all a 7.5 to 4.5 win to Christchurch and the Tuson Cup now safely ensconced in our trophy cabinet.

Veterans Salver

After the success of the centennial celebrations it was decided to expand the numbers in the Veterans Salver to give more people the opportunity to play the event. In total Christchurch fielded 6 new caps after absences and unavailability's were taken into account. Having been responsible for selection I passed over what I believed to be a winning combination to Peter Guthery to allow him to formulate the pairings for the fourball.

Traditionally Royal Wellington has dominated this match but as twilight settled on Shirley at the conclusion of Day 1 Christchurch had established an early 5/3 advantage. The winning duo's were Bryan Andrews/Peter Law, Peter Guthery/Ben Frampton, David Blair /Grahame Buist, Andrew Hopkins/Dave Morrison and David Wallace/Simon Fraser. Keeping his cards close to his chest Peter Guthery refused to reveal his individual playing order until Sunday morning which appeared to be a "cunning plan".

In an inspiring team talk Peter emphasised we needed just 7.5 points from a possible 16 to secure a well deserved, albeit rare, Salver victory. Needless to say the team rallied with wins being posted by David Wallace, Bryan Andrews, Dave Morrison, John Dickson, Andrew Hopkins, Steve Hicks, Glenn Keen, Grahame Buist, and Simon Fraser with three others Peter Law, Peter Guthery, Ben Frampton finishing all square. In total a win in the individuals 10.5 to 5.5 and a convincing scoreline of 15.5 to 8.5 in the overall standings - another piece of silverware now residing in Christchurch.

Other Matters

Spare a thought for Royal Wellington player Brian Kane who came and played consistent golf from an 11 handicap unfortunately on Saturday in the fourball I played the back nine in 35 off the stick to a secure a win and then on Sunday he drew Steve Hicks who posted a 36 off the stick to secure another win - rolled bowled and rissoled. As Mr JD would say "There are no easy games at Christchurch Golf Club. Cry a river, build a bridge and just get over it!".

It would not be an inter club event if there was not at least one Peter Guthery story - on Saturday Peter posted the Veterans fourball playing order on the Tuson Cup Sheet under their pairings apparently bemused by the existence of the 8 required spaces clearly without his glasses he couldn't read the 6 cm high print that clearly said Tuson, or reasoned that Tuson would have 8 players on Sunday, or observed the different coloured and prominently marked Veterans Salver sheet pinned to the board next to it. Thank you to Struan for remedying the error while we were out on the course.

But more was to follow immediately prior to tee time on Sunday panic ensued amongst the few remaining waiting players as Peter announced he had "lost" his wallet. The golf bag was searched, the locker room was searched, the jacket was searched, the locked car in the car park was searched, the car relocked and then the wallet located perched on the roof of the car - Peter's comment "Wasn't it lucky I hadn't driven off". Charles Whitwham's enigmatic response "Peter, clearly you have been attending too many meetings and not doing enough work!!"

Many thanks to everyone who made the weekend a great success but in particular to David Page who manned the Pagoda both days in spite the of all climatic conditions, Amanda and Andrew who together with their staff kept us all well fed and lubricated during the weekend, Mark and his team for presenting the course in perfect order and for the work of the staff at the Proshop and of course Struan for all the admin.

Next year our goal will be an away win hopefully with an increased margin.