Our Taumarunui Tournament was a great success with lots of friendships renewed and more made with newcomers attending. Because of Covid 19 level2 there were a few restrictions in place to ensure the safety of players and visitors but everyone cooperated and the tournament went without a hitch. Aucklanders waited in anticipation for the lifting of their Level to allow them to venture out of their region to attend. They made it, much to their and our delight. We had a number of single-figured players with Kahu Tataurangi from Remuera playing off a course handicap of +4 leading the pack. There were moments of brilliant play although our greens did give many some rather challenging and frustrating moments. Our lefties are always a fun-loving group and there was much hilarity and ribbing going on during the weekend. Most have vowed to come back again next year. It was pleasing to see a number of new faces so hopefully that trend will continue.

On 4/ 5/6 September 2020 Taumarunui Golf Club held its 71st Lefthanders’ tournament in a kaleidoscope of weather patterns – Friday practice round in glorious spring weather with views of Mt Ruapehu, Saturday overcast and Sunday drizzly rain. Didn’t dampen the spirits of the 75 players who attended though, representing 33 clubs from as far afield as Kaikoura to Whangarei. Pictured is Kahurangi Tataurangi from Remuera Club (playing off a course handicap of +4) holding the Rod McLeish Cup for the best gross rounds of 73 and 66 respectively.

Other prize winners were:

36-hole Nett Dave McCrea [Ted O’Reilly Shield] (Urenui) 141

36-hole Stableford Tim Belcher (Feilding) 72;

Senior Gross Kahu Tataurangi (Remuera) 139; Runner-up Ken Shea (Raglan) 150; Senior Nett

Merv Hughes (Waipawa) 143; Runner-up Trevor Hayes (Ohope) 146; Intermediate Gross Barry Mathews (Titirangi) 174; Runner-up Leigh Virtue (Horsham Downs 176; Intermediate Nett Daniel Scotson (Rangitikei) 145; Runner up Lawrie Fawcitt (Riverside) 147; Junior Gross Grant Dalton (Trentham) 187; Runner up Garry Grimes (Taumarunui) 187; Junior Nett Kerry Bond (Riverside) 147; Runner up Harold August (Pahiatua) 150; Stableford Runner up Kevin Shannon (Taumarunui) 68; Third Stephen Leatherland (Ngaruawahia) 67; Fourth Roger Maxwell (Urenui) 67. Lefthanded Ladies Nett Harriet Byelich 143: Right-handed supporters Nett Jo McCrea (Urenui) 140; Stableford Evelyn Mills (Urenui) 70; Runner up Alby Adeane (Ngaruawahia) 65

Winning Team – Taumarunui 1: Peter Jacobson, Garry Grimes, Harriet Byelich (204)