Birdies and Ducks dominate at Kawerau

Monday, May 12, 2003

If you have never played golf at Kawerau, then you make sure you include this golf course when you are next in the area. They have a great signature par three hole that plays across the elbow of a river, and this hole alone makes a visit worth while. In saying that, the rest of the course will also pleasantly surprise you, as will the green fee charges. Pay double, and you will still get value for money! Twenty-eight teams lined up for their local Holden Scramble, sanctioned by the club, but run by a group known locally as "Shift Golf". As the name suggests, most of these members work shift hours in the local area, and therefore get to play their golf at varying times during the week, often combining with the local veterans group. Mandu and Flash ran the day, and if the number of juniors playing is any indication, the future for the club looks very good. I think the youngest player was eleven and on a handicap of the same number. Junior girls were also involved, as were those two generations removed. I spent the day walking around the course, and am confident that I can say everyone was certainly having a great time. As happens in these events, it was a photo finish, with the winning team of Michael Ruri, Jacko Ngataki and Terry Hunt winning by the narrowest of margins. 

Jacko didn't make the photo, he had to leave straight away to go duck shooting with his father, and whatever he gets wouldn't be his first bird for the day. Michael and Terry are flanked in the photo by Whakatanes PGA Professional Grant James on the left, and Trevor Hart form Hart Holden on the right.

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