NZVGA Huntly Visit a great success as Benjamin Shim takes the honours.

By Huntly Manager Russ Ford

There is an old adage that sometimes ‘small is beautiful’, and that well sums up our 2021 COVID entry hampered event held at Huntly Golf Club, with many anticipated and booked Auckland and Northlanders unable to escape across the Bombay’s border check point.

On day one of the three day event, Huntly Manager Russ Ford welcomed the dozen NZVGA members representing eight clubs, with the statement “While cancellation was probably the easiest option (as some other clubs have taken) sometimes it is the hard option that is needed during times of adversity. We are few but we are still going to play some worthwhile golf in keeping with our club’s ‘Fun, Friendly & Affordable’ slogan.” So with an eventual 3-day field of 12 players, 2 extra on day three and some locals joining in daily, we proceeded to have some fun on the fairways, determined to find an event champion for 2021.

On day one we saw the 2020 defending champion Jerry Kuggeleign and wife Julia from Cambridge dominate the combined stableford event with 61 points, four clear of Paeroa’s Rachel You and Benjamin Shim (57), then came Manukorihi’s Phil Daley (NZ) and Huntly’s Russ Ford (56), Paraparaumu Beach’s Jon and Agnes Han (52), Tauranga’s Eli and Grace Yoo (50) and Ngahinepouri’s Laurie Fogg and her indefatigable partner from Avondale GC in Christchurch Eddie the Tulip Ganzevles (46).

Day two was a Par event with all off the shorter yellow course and once the rules were clear the battle begun. Results were: John Han (Par 0); Phil Daley (0); Bruce Shead (-1); Jerry Kuggeleign (-1); Benjamin Shim (-2); Agnes Han (-2); Kevin Ellery (-3); Russ Ford (-5); Julie Kuggeleign (-5); Laurie Fogg (-6); Rachel Yoo (-6); Eli Yoo (-9); Grace Yoo (-9); Eddie Ganzevles (-10). Going into the final day we saw Jerry Kuggeleign leading with 4 combined placing points, John Han and Pil Daley second equal on 5-points, and Ben Shim in fourth with 6-points. Could Jerry defend his crown? Day three saw our visitors join in the Huntly last Wednesday of the month Monthly Mixed Open and the overall day was won by Benjamin Shim with a splendid net 69, one ahead of local Paul Heath and Tahuna’s Barry Laurence. Second NZVGA place-getter was John Han (72); followed by Rachel Yoo (76), Cambridge’s Don Campbell (77); Grace Yoo 79); Agnes Han (79); Jerry Kuggeleign (80); Russ Ford (83); Julia Kuggeleign (85); Eli Yoo (87); Eddie Ganzevles (89) and Phil Daley (90). So the final 3-day event placings were: 1st Ben Shim (7), on a count back from 2nd placed John Han (7), with Jerry Kuggeleign 3rd (12) and Rachel Yoo, our first lady on 14 points from Agnes Han (16) and Julia Kuggeleign (18).

The others were commended on their attending and being the necessary also rans for a successful leaderboard. Eddie (the Tulip) Ganzevles was nominated by the Manager as the personality of the tournament, for having traveled the furthest and having the most golf. We look forward to seeing Huntly return to a 60+ field in 2022, to be held on September 26th, 27th, 28th September. Please make your dairies and note that it will take more than COVID to see this event cancelled.