2021 Women’s Autumn Foursomes

Walton Golf Club, Waikato

The 2021 Golf New Zealand Women’s Autumn Foursomes concluded last night with Walton Golf Club the ‘winner’ in more ways than one!

Walton, a small country club between Morrinsville and Matamata in Waikato, hosted the 86th Women’s Foursomes tournament, with a huge band of volunteers receiving accolades from all contestants. And then, winning glory with local members Di Sweeney and Deb Ring taking out the prized Championship Cup’s.

The competitive pair, known for their colourful approach to golf and life, were instrumental in bringing this popular tournament to their beloved club. Despite many duties they took on during the week, and pre-tournament, they were able to combine, compete and be the only pair, out of the 64 to win all six of their matches.

Sweeney and Ring had been winners in the Women’s Senior Foursomes, another national event, in 2016 when hosted at nearby Matamata Golf Club.

On their road to victory, Sweeney and Ring faced one of their toughest matches in round one, needing an extra hole to claim their first win on the 19th against Sharon Young and Gail Doughty (Mercury Bay). Their afternoon match on Tuesday 23 March, the first day of play, a slightly easier win 4 and 3 over New Plymouth’s Kay Eliason and Kath Evans.

Sweeny and Ring then faced the inform Jenny Peters from Northland, recently named in the Northland Women’s Masters team, paired with Sian Jackson, also from Northland in their 3rd match. A win 3 and 2 and then a further win 4 and 3 over Chris Pritt and Lesley Hosking (Taupo).

Securing their place in the semi-finals they matched against Anna Brabyn and Liz Campbell (Taupo). Brabyn and Campbell had been combining well and looked like the ones that might be able to take on the competent locals on their home course. Alas the match they possibly complemented each-others game the least, gave an easy win to the home favourites, 6 and 5 on the 13th.

Coming through on the bottom side of the 64 pair random draw, were the mother and daughter combo of Lesley and Karyn Ferguson (Ngunguru).

The Fergusons had had some good matches and wins, on their way to the final. Round one against Pam Wright from Matamata paired with Liz Bartlett (Ngaruawahia). Wright a part-time green keeper at Walton was pipped to be the one to watch earlier on in the week, ‘who could not know the greens better’?

The Ferguson’s took that match 3 and 2, and then their afternoon match, 4 and 2 against Sian Stevenson and Viv Hal (Cambridge). Stevenson was recently selected in the 2021 Waikato Women’s Masters team, Wright a past Waikato representative.

Wednesday matches for the Ferguson’s produced comfortable wins 4 and 3, and then 2 and 1, against Dianne Richmond (Tahuna) and Pam Waters (Bay of Islands) and, Alexandra Drent paired with Margaret Edmeades (Riverside) respectively.

To secure their final place, mother and daughter then matched against Marg Azariah and Linda Holdaway (Wairakei). The second pair from Taupo to be in the semi-finals, but like Brabyn and Campbell, sadly for the Bay of Plenty, also failing to advance to the final, their loss 2 and 1.

Despite a few speed wobbles along the way, Sweeney and Ring looked at ease in their final match, delighting local spectators on the 14th with a win 5 and 4. It was a truly fitting testament to this small but extremely passionate and dedicated golf club.

The tournaments format has remained unchanged for many years with the field limited to 64 pairs, randomly drawn for five, or possibly six matches of foursomes match play, as long as you can win and advance in your respective, semi-final 5th match.

First round losers vie for the coveted NZLGU Salver. This year’s honours going to Wendy Storey and Anthea Moriarty (North Shore). It was a Harbour Salver final with Storey and Moriarty competing against Waitemata members Michelle Park and Hye Hwa Park, winning 3 and 2.

Earlier in the day, Storey and Moriarty had beaten Gillian Tustin and Lynn Irving (Mt Maunganui) 1 up, with the Park’s (no relation) winning their semi-final match against another North Shore pair, Leonie Bodger and Fran Weinstein, 3 and 2.

Recognising that players travel from afar, previous Women’s Golf boards established a series of flights on both sides of the draw to maximise all pairs playing chances and experiences. The tournament awards winners in seven Flights on both the Championship and Salver sides.

Flight winners included Lee-Anne Pitcon and Heather Sharp (Walton), Gaylene Bunn and Sandra Thompson (Ngaruawahia), Rachel Richardson and Judy Crawford (Whangamata), Alexandra Drent and Margaret Edmeades (Riverside), Sian Stevenson and Viv Hall (Cambridge), Dianne Richmond (Tahuna) and Pam Waters (BOI Kerikeri), and Ruth King and Elva Travers (Warkworth), in the Championship Cup.

Salver Flight winners included, Liz Bartlett (Ngaruawahia) and Pam Wright (Matamata), Gay Pickett and Mary Thomas (Walton), Julie Sheridan (Mt Maunganui) and Claire McAllister (Miramar), Robyn Evans and Diane Eccles (Mercury Bay), Kay Buckeridge and Christine Van Veen (Mercury Bay), Viv Ryan (Mt Maunganui) and Raewyn Bainbridge (RAGGC) and, Ann Hathaway (BOI Kerikeri) and Kerry Pevy (Sherwood Park).

PaR nz Golfing Holidays who manage the tournament under the auspices of Golf New Zealand announced that the 2022 Women’s Autumn Foursomes will be held at the Fairview Golf Club, in the Bay of Plenty. Details and entries to be opened in due course.

For more details contact

Denise Langdon

Tournament Director

Phone 0275 662 395

2021 Women’s Autumn Foursomes

Walton Golf Club, Waikato

Thursday 25 March Semi Finals and Finals

Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) bt Marg Azariah & Linda Holdway (Wairakei Int.) 2 and 1; Anna Brabyn & Liz Campbell (Taupo) lost Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) 6 and 5

Final

Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) bt Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) 5 and 4

2021 Women’s Autumn Foursomes

Walton Golf Club, Waikato

Wednesday 24 March Rd 3 Results Championship CUP

Maureen de Bernardo & Wendy Stilwell (Paraparaumu Beach) lost to Peg Purdie & Wendy Thompson (Waitomo) 5 and 4; Leanna Hutchison & Susan Flint-Hartle (Omaha Beach) lost to Marg Azariah & Linda Holdway (Wairakei Int.) 1up; Andrea Mark & Jenny Thomas (Paraparaumu) lost to Alexandra Drent & Margaret Edmeades (Riverside) 3 and 2; Dianne Richmond (Tahuna) & Pam Waters (Bay of Islands) lost to Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) 4 and 3; Jenny Peters & Sian Jackson (Northland) lost to Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) 3 and 2; Esther Houlton & Irene Jamieson (Chamberlain Park) lost to Lesley Hosking & Chris Pritt (Taupo) 4 and 3; Robyn Pellow & Nicky Parker (Ngaruawahia) lost to Anna Brabyn & Liz Campbell (Taupo) 1up; Tish Amon & Debbie Taylor (Wairakei Int.) bt Gaylene Bunn & Sandra Thompson (Ngaruawahia 1up;

Rd 4 PM Round Championship CUP

Peg Purdie & Wendy Thompson (Waitomo) lost to Marg Azariah & Linda Holdway (Wairakei Int.) 3and 2; Alexandra Drent & Margaret Edmeades (Riverside) lost to Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) 2 and 1; Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) bt Lesley Hosking & Chris Pritt (Taupo) 19th; Anna Brabyn & Liz Campbell (Taupo) bt Tish Amon & Debbie Taylor (Wairakei Int.) 1up

2021 Women’s Autumn Foursomes

Tuesday 23 March Rd 2 Results

Walton Golf Club, Waikato

Rd 2 Results

Tish Amon & Debbie Taylor (Wairakei Int.) bt Gina Howell & Melanie Midgley (Cambridge) 5 and 4; Sharyn Smith & Fiona Gardien (Mercury Bay) lost to Gaylene Bunn & Sandra Thompson (Ngaruawahia) 7 and 6; Kathryn Mensch & Pauline Pullman (Ngunguru) lost to Robyn Pellow & Nicky Parker (Ngaruawahia) 2 and 1; Chris Mackenzie (Matamata) & Judi Colman (Mt Maunganui) lost to Anna Brabyn & Liz Campbell (Taupo) 19th; Esther Houlton & Irene Jamieson (Chamberlain Park) bt Ngaire English & Robyn Pardy (North Shore) 2up; Lynda Tate (Wainui) & Christine Pears (Akarana) lost to Lesley Hosking & Chris Pritt (Taupo) 3 and 2; Rae Holmes & Elaine Kingsford (Mt Maunganui) lost to Jenny Peters & Sian Jackson (Northland) 2 and 1; Kay Eliason & Kath Evans (New Plymouth) lost to Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) 4 and 3; Dianne Richmond (Tahuna) & Pam Waters (Bay of Islands) bt Sereana Phillipps & Brenda Blatchford (Masterton) 1up; Sian Stevenson & Viv Hall (Cambridge) lost to Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) 4 and 2; Andrea Mark & Jenny Thomas (Paraparaumu) bt Carol Mahon & Judy Osborne (Walton) 4 and 3; Ruth King & Elva Travers (Warkworth) lost to Alexandra Drent & Margaret Edmeades (Riverside) 4 and 3; LeeAnne Pitcon & Heather Sharp (Walton) lost to Leanna Hutchison & Susan Flint-Hartle (Omaha Beach) 2 and 1; Karen Iles & Wai Wyatt (Omanu) lost to Marg Azariah & Linda Holdway (Wairakei Int.) 19th; Judy Crawford & Rachel Richardson (Whangamata) lost Maureen de Bernardo & Wendy Stilwell (Paraparaumu Beach) 19th; Peg Purdie & Wendy Thompson (Waitomo) bt Esther Cowper & Pauline Harrison (Remuera) 2 and 1.

2021 Women’s Autumn Foursomes

Tuesday 23 March Rd 1

Walton Golf Club, Waikato

Tish Amon & Debbie Taylor (Wairakei Int.) bt Ann Hathaway (Bay of Islands) & Kerry Pevy (Sherwood Park) 20th; Gina Howell & Melanie Midgley (Cambridge) bt Robyn Evans & Diane Eccles (Mercury Bay) 2 and 1; Sharyn Smith & Fiona Gardien (Mercury Bay) bt Lorena Brannigan & Bernadette Kinnell (New Plymouth) 1up; Aseri Meikle (Maraenui) & Sinead Keaney (Akarana) lost to Gaylene Bunn & Sandra Thompson (Ngaruawahia) 20th; Kathryn Mensch & Pauline Pullman (Ngunguru) bt Loanie Bodger & Fran Weinstein (North Shore) 19th; Robyn Pellow & Nicky Parker (Ngaruawahia) bt Wai Morrison & Tiweka Anaru-Iles (Rotorua) 3 and 1; Chris Mackenzie (Matamata) & Judi Colman (Mt Maunganui) bt Kay Buckeridge & Christine Van Veen (Mercury Bay) 2 and 1; Debbie Holmes (Mercury Bay) & Moira Pullman (Ngunguru) lost to Anna Brabyn & Liz Campbell (Taupo) 2 and 1; Esther Houlton & Irene Jamieson (Chamberlain Park) bt Karen Morris & Kathy McCord (RNZAF Auckland) 3 and 2; Ngaire English & Robyn Pardy (North Shore) bt Carol Bates & Jenny Stephens (Tai Tapu) 4 and 3; Munin Tonsri & Sheree Henderson (Mercury Bay) lost to Lynda Tate (Wainui) & Christine Pears (Akarana) 1dn; Colleen Daysh (Pahiatua) & Brenda Hull (Matamata) lost to Lesley Hosking & Chris Pritt (Taupo) 5 and 3; Rae Holmes & Elaine Kingsford (Mt Maunganui) bt Karo Preston & Karen Sweeney (Walton) 1up; Jenny Peters & Sian Jackson (Northland) bt Michelle Park & Hye Hwa Park (Waitemata) 19th; Kay Eliason & Kath Evans (New Plymouth) bt Gaye Hart & Jayne King (Tauranga) 5 and 4; Sharon Young & Gail Doughty (Mercury Bay) lost to Di Sweeney & Debbie Ring (Walton) 19th; Dianne Richmond (Tahuna) & Pam Waters (Bay of Islands) bt Pam Anderson & Sheelah Lamb (Matamata) 4 and 2; Sereana Phillipps & Brenda Blatchford (Masterton) bt Julie Sheridan (Mt Maunganui) & Claire McAllistair (Miramar) 3 and 2; Sian Stevenson & Viv Hall (Cambridge) bt Denise Davies & AnneMarie Clare (Ngahinepouri) 2 and 1; Pam Wright (Matamata) & Liz Bartlett (Ngaruawahia) lost to Karyn Ferguson & Lesley Ferguson (Ngunguru) 3 and 2; Yvonee Mehrtens & Davinia Schofield (Mercury Bay) lost to Andrea Mark & Jenny Thomas (Paraparaumu) 19th; Gillian Tustin & Lynn Irving (Mt Maunganui) lost to Carol Mahon & Judy Osborne (Walton) 2 Dn; Joanne McDonald & Pene Trousselot (New Plymouth) lost to Ruth King & Elva Travers (Warkworth) 1 Dn; Bev McLean & Jill Reakes (Cambridge) lost to Alexandra Drent & Margaret Edmeades (Riverside) 5 and 3; Donna Mitchell (Motueka) & Lesley Barley (Omaha Beach) lost to LeeAnne Pitcon & Heather Sharp (Walton) 6 and 4; Leanna Hutchison & Susan Flint-Hartle (Omaha Beach) bt Maureen Simpson & Kath Peacock (RNZAF Auckland) 19th; Karen Iles & Wai Wyatt (Omanu) bt Orana Harris & Christine Evans (Tauranga) 4 and 3; Gay Pickett & Mary Thomas (Walton) lost to Marg Azariah & Linda Holdway (Wairakei Int.) 2 and 1; Wendy Storey & Anthea Moriarty (North Shore) lost to Judy Crawford & Rachel Richardson (Whangamata) 2 and 1; Maureen de Bernardo & Wendy Stilwell (Paraparaumu Beach) bt Christine Fleury (Waitemata) & Lesley Otway (Hamilton) 2 and 1; Viv Ryan (Mt Maunganui) & Raewyn Bainbridge (Royal Auckland) lost to Peg Purdie & Wendy Thompson (Waitomo) 4 and 3; Esther Cowper & Pauline Harrison (Remuera) bt Iris Kim & Janet Choi (Waitemata) 2 and 1