A large field of golfers has contested the annual Waihi Golf Club two-person Ambrose tournament this week. 

On Sunday, after the previous night’s bad weather, a full field of 108 players were relieved to be welcomed with the [Waihi Golf] course once again having been well prepared, and with the sun shining brightly.

The Ambrose format is very popular where players play alternate shots after one ball is nominated from the tee off. This causes much discussion and a lot hilarity, for at times partners are left in difficult positions, but there have been no domestics reported from the married couples!

The overall winning pair of the tournament were Jethro & Bhima Meares who had a great round of 61 nett. Just behind on 62 nett were Korrina Lindsey and Ethan Seymour, then Karen Diggelmann and Garry Towler, while in fourth place was Ricardo Ngaruhe and Tehinganui Pihama (Te Kowhai) with 63 nett.

They were followed by five pairs with 64 nett.

MONDAY VETS:

The playing order was changed this week, as the men were contesting the annual Jim Jesney Cup pairs, while the ladies played a stableford Haggle, but, off the white tees instead of their usual Yellow more forward tees.

The winners of the Jim Jesney Cup for 2024 were Eddie Ruha & Gyan Prole with a combined total of 77 Stableford points. Second were Kerry Lewis & Des Crene with 74 points, with Rob Page & Gary Dunlop coming in third with 70 points.

The Ladies playing of what must have been the shortest white layout ever, did however come in with some good scores. Sharon Deacon and Jan Robinson both had 37 points, with Helen Baynes and Sarah Tomsett having 36 points each. Susan Mustard was next with 35 points.

Ambrose players practising putting before tee off time at Waihi Golf Club. Photo: James Shevlane.

NINE HOLE SECTION:

n ideal summery conditions the mixed haggle of the day was nett medal.

The best score of the morning was by Lynda Thomson with a nett 31, followed by Rex Smith and John Vautier, both with 32. Jill Mason had a nett 34, then Tina Berg and Eleanor Koedyk both scored nett 34’s.

Jill Morrison was next with 35, and Chris Mercer 36.

WEDNESDAY LADIES:

The conditions continued from the previous day for the lady’s nett medal haggle this week.

Top lady for the day was Jenny O’Dwyer with a nett 72, while close behind were Viv Lilley (73), and Anke Hermannsdorfer (74).

Together with 75 were Sharlene Stewart, and Jacquie Bain, and with 76 were Desley Rosevear and Sue White. The Hidden Holes were shared by Jacquie Bain and Desley Rosevear with 8 points each.

THURSDAY MONTHLY MIXED MEAT PACK TOURNAMENT:

This month 66 players, which included players from 8 other clubs, enjoyed a day where the weather was great and the course in top condition.

The player with the best gross (and a fistful of raffle prizes) was Andy Roche with a score of 79 gross. The best nett round was scored by Kelly Exelby with a very good 67 nett, while the best Stableford was won, after having a bit of a rough spell, by Pete Rowe with 40 points.

The other top places were all based on stableford, and in Division One, Mark Bryant and Jill Morrison both had 38 points, with Bill Young next on 37. On 36 points were Wayne Brierley, Adam Mackie (Paeroa), and Jethro Meares.

In Division Two, the top scorers, all with 36 points, were Jordan Sutton, Jane Wordley, and Rodger Bagshaw. Next with 35 points were John Drent, Alan Johnston (Whangamata), Katherine Campbell, Alexander McRae (Te Aroha), and Ken Bartels.

SATURDAY GOLF:

With a heavy rain warning in place, heavily reduced fields ventured out and had almost perfectly dry conditions.

LADIES: Alas, only four ladies defied the warnings, and Susan Mustard with a nett 71 finished well ahead of the others.

MORNING MEN: 12 Men ventured out, and Allen Sarjant had the best score of 37 points, with Alex Standfield, Grant Robson, and Rodger Bagshaw all having 35 points.

AFTERNOON MEN: They also had 12 starters, and Chris Pilmer had the top place with 37 points, with Chris Hale and Malcolm Coldicutt both having 36 points.

Rodger Bagshaw