The inaugural Race to Wainui reached it's climax in predictable fashion with Championship front-runner Marty Jillings deservedly taking out the title. Having pretty much led all year he stamped his class once again to finish second on a countback for the day, meaning he finishes the year with 8 events played, 2 wins, and 5 other top five finishes, only finishing outside the money once. Fortunately for the rest of us wannabe victors he's off to Southland leaving the title well and truely up for grabs next year. We wish him all the best and he assures us he'll be making some guest appearances on next years tour (thats if the tour gives him an exemption to play...). Boyd Atkinson, & Flav tried to mount a final challenge but just couldn't match it with the young whipper-snapper and had to settle for 2nd and 3rd overall respectively. Atkinson finished with a record of 9 events played for 1 win and 3 top fives, he also took out the 2's title for most during the season with a meagre 2. Flav played all 10 events for the same record of 1 win and 3 top fives. The other overall Race to Wainui awards went to Mike Crawford as the total stableford champion, with Mark Donnelly coming in 2nd and Hayden Martin 3rd, and Andy Parsons as the average stableford champion with Tua Cummings 2nd and Josh McAlpine 3rd. Most Golf went in controversial circumstances to our lowest handicapper Mark Storer.
The final event also doubled as the Open Championship and the Claret Mug was up for grabs. The Chief Peter Dempsey managed to get his big mitts on the title due to a countback over the tour Champion Jillings. By winning the day he also won the Jeff Schermer memorial trophy to ensure he finished the day with a bucketful of prizes.
Peter Van Nistelroy and Century Batteries also kindly donated 2 sets of double passes to any Hurricanes rugby match next season and the lucky recipients of these were Dave Eddington and Josh McAlpine.
All in all it was a very enjoyable season, we had a dream run with the weather having no days cancelled or grossly effected by the weather, and plenty of good, bad and indifferent golf played. We had 22 on the tour and hopefully the numbers will increase for next season (would be great to have 30) so let everyone know, spread the word and bring a friend along. Remember it's only 10 events over an 11 month period and you don't need to play all the time to win a prize as shown by Tua, Andy & Josh who all picked up something despite only playing 4 events (which was the minimum number to be eligible for prizes).
We are always open to suggestions and ideas of how to improve the tour so don't be shy and let us know what you think.
Marry Xmas all and we'll be back on the tee in February!
The final event also doubled as the Open Championship and the Claret Mug was up for grabs. The Chief Peter Dempsey managed to get his big mitts on the title due to a countback over the tour Champion Jillings. By winning the day he also won the Jeff Schermer memorial trophy to ensure he finished the day with a bucketful of prizes.
Peter Van Nistelroy and Century Batteries also kindly donated 2 sets of double passes to any Hurricanes rugby match next season and the lucky recipients of these were Dave Eddington and Josh McAlpine.
All in all it was a very enjoyable season, we had a dream run with the weather having no days cancelled or grossly effected by the weather, and plenty of good, bad and indifferent golf played. We had 22 on the tour and hopefully the numbers will increase for next season (would be great to have 30) so let everyone know, spread the word and bring a friend along. Remember it's only 10 events over an 11 month period and you don't need to play all the time to win a prize as shown by Tua, Andy & Josh who all picked up something despite only playing 4 events (which was the minimum number to be eligible for prizes).
We are always open to suggestions and ideas of how to improve the tour so don't be shy and let us know what you think.
Marry Xmas all and we'll be back on the tee in February!