The OJI 54 Hole Tournament and Buddy Day has made for a busy week at the Waihi Golf Club, says club member Rodger Bagshaw, reporting back on the week that was.

The 54 Hole Tournament is the longest running annual tournament on the club's calendar.

Proudly sponsored by OJI Packaging this tournament is eagerly looked forward to each February.

The tournament was held last weekend in almost perfect weather conditions, with it being mostly sunny, but without the searing heat of late.

Ninety-two golfers, including players from 22 visiting clubs, teed off for 36 holes on Saturday, and the final 18 on Sunday. The competition was for gross, nett, and stableford, and was played in two divisions.

With the course in great shape, and the perfect conditions, it provided some intense rivalry, and great scoring.

Winner of the 54-hole Nett, Donald Highet (Walton). Photo: Rodger Bagshaw.

The winner of the Tournament and the coveted Stafford-Bush Trophy with gross scores of 72,70, 78 and a total of 220 was Leonard Morgan of the Cambridge Club.

The winner of the Nett competition was Donald Highet of Walton with nett scores of 76,69,65, for a total of 210.

The Senior Stableford was won by Kyle Lewis (Ngaruawahia) with 108 points, with Logan Phillips next on 105. Richard Taitoko had 104, and Daryll Denyer 103.

The Junior Stableford was taken out by Mack Smith on 113 points, with Mike Morrison next on 112.

Ethan Seymour and Kobe Phillips both had 111, while Hayden Scheffer (Onewhero), Albertus Potgieter, and Stu Allsopp-Smith (Auck Regional Police) all finished on 109 points

Buddy Day 2024

On Wednesday the Waihi Ladies Section conducted their annual Buddies Day to give anyone interested in trying out the game of golf, or possible returning players, the opportunity to have some free time on the course.

Nine people came along, and the session got underway with some basic tuition from experienced club members.

Buddy Day attendees being shown basic skills.Photo: Rodger Bagshaw.

The attendees were then mixed in with regular golf members and played 9 holes of a fun Ambrose competition.

The lady organisers hope that everybody enjoyed the occasion, and that we see some of the participants back on the course in the future.

Thursday Men

The highlight of Thursday’s competitions was with Bruce Rutter acing the par3 sixth hole. This was Bruce’s very first hole-in-one, and proves he has been playing well of late.

With the summer conditions making it favourable for scoring, there was some stiff competition for the top of the tables.

In the morning haggle, John Giffney won on a countback from the acer Bruce Rutter, with both having 41 points.

Next was Gary Dunlop on 40, with Wayne Green just behind on 39, Mark Mora, Francis Gascoigne, and Bryce Bevin all had 38 points.

In the afternoon haggle Gary Choat had the round of the day with 42 points, ahead of Dwayne O’Flaherty on 41.

Wilson McGillivray and Blake Morgan both had 40, while Ron Athur, Damian Dunlop, Graeme Culton, and Graeme Parkinson all finished on 38 points.

Rodger Bagshaw