MWSS GOLF

Thank God we live in New Zealand
 

 
Just a final wrap up for the year, the world would love to put behind it. We are pretty lucky, no matter what your politics, if you look at what we were able to do just as a group, the rest of the world, could only dream of.

12 games with no social distancing, a tour, with a plane trip, mixing it up in club rooms and bars and 6 weeks to work on our short game. It has been relatively painless compared to what it could have been, and for that we are grateful.

Just a few stats to give you a bit more detail on 2020, Scooner I know you'll like this. We played our 4000 individual game, which Bob was the 4000th player, and we ticked over 200 games at the Pro-Am, and we have visited 90 courses. We played 3 new courses this year, and this has been our biggest year with 532 individual games over the 12 days out. That's an average of 44 players per game, of which there was 130 individual amateurs and 30 pros. Our 7th Pro-Am was our biggest yet, thanks to a lot of sponsorship work by Macca. 117 in the field with over $20k prize pool. We had 2 new Centurians with Macca and Grim, Blue tags for 6 guys, Red tags 4, and Virgins...I lost count. If there was a negative it was cancelling our Bula Trip to Fiji but its officially just on hold and we will get there .... at some stage.

Next year is starting to find some structure, with the Windy Tour to Wellington at the end of February. Invite will be out shortly from Scooner, and a tour to the West coast of the South Island in September under Guide Bede's protection.

We will still have a Pro-Am, Masters Monday, and a Ryder Cup, but playing local courses like Helensville last Friday, still is awsome. One to get your head around, now that I have put my name (along with AT's) on the title, is the Order of Merit, get your 5 games in and your in for the money. This year the top 10 picked up a share of nearly $5k in The ClubRoom vouchers.

That brings me nicely to our Sponsors above, our Pro-Am wouldn't work if it wasn't for all those that put their hand up, please look after them if you have the opportunity. Special mention for Rodent, James and the team at the The ClubRoom, awesome support through the year, those vouchers make the day. Bangers, your gear with the MWSS logo is now world famous and a big thanks to you for doing what you do. To all those that have put their hand up and helped, Macca, Ferg, Crazy, 4 Door, Broomy, AT, Scooner, Grim, to mention a few, I really appreciate it and I give warning, Ill be looking for your help  again next year. Thanks again!

In finishing, thanks to KT and Broomy for hosting us on Friday after the game it was great to catch up with everyone, especially the ladies. Great food, great banter and a few drinks looking across the harbour on a balmy summer evening. The rest of the world would be very very jealous.


Guys I hope you have enjoyed the year, but next year has to be better.
Stay safe, hit through the ball and and I'll see you on the Tee.


The El Prez

 

Order of Merit Final 
Game 202 ~ Helensville Golf Club ~ 4th November 2020

In the name of the father, the son and the wholly ghost, we need to give thanks that the good Lord happened to plant us in the fantastic country and last Friday on one of Auckland’s finest country courses – Hellensville – AMEN.

For me, that was where the old commander n chief left it, having to finish 2020 with the old ‘Yippy Knome’, but such a small price to pay for the pleasure of playing……..

So there we were, 36 of the fittest, strongest, funniest, best looking MWSS blokes standing between the 1^st and 4^th tees at Hellensville last Friday, plenty having looked a little too serious around the chipping and putting green, until a lone beat was heard from a wireless as Bede worked through his warm up routine to the beat of some old classic tune I can’t recall……

This was a new phenomenon as in all my 3 previous games with MWSS, I hadn’t had the pleasure of the calming tones of music from Bedes best beat box tunes, and little did I know around the practice green that he would be playing in my group (or me in his more likely). Then as we stood at the first tee I was surprised to continue hearing yet more of the finest hits from the glory years of the 60’s n 70’s, and when our other 2 team mates – Tank & Needle didn’t mutter a word, who was I to have a crack and start bitching so early on a fine day (and He is a foot taller and wider than me)…..

Then after the first hole Bede pared and I had a solid but honest 8 (2 less than Tiger on a par 3), those sounds started irritating me a little more. Although having not done the official ball toss at the first tee, I was distracted at the 2^nd tee while we completed the formalities. Needless to say, beat box Bede teamed up with the Needle and I was with Tank.

The music carried on and after being 3 down after 3 holes, I was boiling with rage, every song was an absolute classic, yet I was 10 over and Bede only 2. Needle and Tank seemed oblivious to what was unfolding. All I wanted to do was stop playing, roll up a joint and actually enjoy the music, rather than let it destroy my game.

Anyway enough about my problems, if this year hasn’t taught us a few things, its most certainly to give less F?+ks and try worrying about the bigger things in life.

It was ironic though that by the 15^th hole with me and Tank steering down the barrel of losing the round, 2 behind with 3 to go, beat box Bede had finally succumbed to the relaxing effects of his fine tunes and began disintegrating his game before our eyes, along with Needle getting the yips himself on a 2 foot burdie putt on the 16… Then after taking the 17^th (for us, but the 2^nd on course), we were all square for the final hole.

That music never sounded sweater as the woosh of our drives barrelled up the fairway, and the woody sounds of hooks and slices from the others, followed by a cheaky chip and a single (only one of the day) put and we had secured the final victory of 2020 – thanks Tank for a cracker day. To Bede, so many emotions, but that music or lack of it (until we play again) will always keep me wary of what might have been.

I’m not sure if the rest of you fellas had such an experience, I overheard a fair few curses and saw a couple of fairway wanderers, but everyone was really impressed with the quality of the course and greens in particular, so a great way to wrap up 2020.

With the golf out of the way it only left a few beers with boys  and giving out the prizes out on the deck, still with Bede's music in the back ground. I was perplexed to find I had the most putts but I took Yipsy and praised the almighty I had not walked away empty handed. Two guns picked up the rest of the Little men. Longest drives to Batman and Abo, JA and Ferg got Closest to the pins.
The Teams comp was a bit different, simply it was the teams combined Stabies minus the teams combined putts. Scores ranged from -25 to 16 which AT, Batman, Ferdinand and the most angriest on the coarse Red.

To the big 4 winners, Ferdinand picked up Glugs Mug with 26 putts, Bangers picked up his shot with a 75 off the stick, AT picked up the plate with 39 points and first  time winner of the Trophy after 45 games was a very releaved Coogs.

Beeing the last game of the year it just left the Order of merit Prizes to give out. Now for all the resalts just go to the Order of merit tab, But the top 10 was where the $4500 worth of The ClubRoom vouchers were spreed.

It seems BT had it in the bag untill AT bolted up the table to share the prize in the last game. A great way to finish the the day. Although that wasn't it for those that could make it back to Broomy's. Unfortunately I wasn't one tha could make it, but it sounds like it was a great night

 

Finally a huge hurray for Broomy, great to see you out on the course again today after the opp, enjoy more recovery time over Xmas mate, all the best to you and the family,also to the rest of you guys, keep safe and enjoy your holidays nad hope to catch you in 2021.
 

Mad Dog

2020 Green Jacket presented to Dustin and Bobby, by last years winners Tiger and Abo

Masters Monday 
Game 201 ~ North Shore Golf Club ~ 30th October 2020

It was a huge welcome to the delayed (seven months) Masters Monday, normally the first official major of the year, it was the final jewel in the crown for 2020. The year was mixed with golf, no golf, only twos, no golf, only twos and finally full resumption. Although back to seemingly normal, scanning visits may well be the norm for a while to come.

It was a perfect day for golf with a big field of MWSS and North Shore members to celebrate the fact that New Zealand could actually get out there and do it; sorry rest of the world. Its our 9th year of Masters, and it's grown into a major with the club coming on board 4 years ago. We had 110 in the field, with our sub group of MWSS members making up 43 of those.

After a top breakfast and a spanking by Dustin Johnson to the rest of the real Masters field, the troops headed out onto a perfectly manicured North Shore course. It was a shotgun start with no clean and place (as per North Shore rules) with an early tee at 10am due to no fans at Augusta.  

Playing with The Prez and his youngest lad Luke, I felt obliged to at least make the young fella feel welcome so scudded a few into the 4^th with 2 attempts at doing the Jon Rahm masterpiece. Unfortunately leaving the door open didn’t pay off as he rallied late to muster a (very) slightly better score, although totally fading in the Masters November heat. Last time I saw that much sunscreen applied during a round was when I played a round with uncle Glug. It seems all the Turners are sun sensiitive.

Mentioning Glug, apparently he was the only no-show for the entire field with a late scratching, so a penalty will posthumously be meted out with the next viewing!

Although I was part of last year’s winning team score, this year it was not meant to be. The 2 man teamhonours went to  4 Door and Coutts.  As the odd one out in our three ball with Prez & Luke, I’m sorry Grim that I couldn’t add to your already dodgy double team score.

But Grim a big congratulations on your 100^th game with the MWSS crew, it was great hear how much playing with boys means you, and I agree we have a great thing going here and its great to be involved. Congrats on becoming a Centurian, the Black tag looks good with GRIM on it.

The bottom dweller winners of the dwarfs, of course included me,
I had a wowser picking off Shanksy and Grumpy. Bloody Rosco piped me by 2 putts to pick up Shanksy, there by stopping me having the clean sweep and getting the Snow white award with a $200 voucher for lessons  with Rodent. Not sure Im releaved or disapointed 

Closest to the pins went to capey and Batman, and thankfully Earnie was working, so longest drives went to 2PaC and Grizzler, $50 Clubroom voucher each.

Batman also picked up Glugs mug with the least putts with only 24 putts, thats 12 putts less than me. The plate went to 2PaC for the second game running, 1 point off at the Pro AM and tide at the Masters, so it went back to count back. No worries even the winner of the losers is on the podium.

Finally the important stuff, just once a year the Jackets come out, The Black Jacket went to our Master of cerimonies, 4 Door for best real golfer, comming in with 71 of the stick, a score most of us can only dream of.

The honour, the MWSS Trophy and green jacket went to Bobby Mills, a great golfing name, his 38 points taking it out, but not even not taking out the money could wipe the smile from his face. Not sure about the fit but it looked good on him.


























Looking down the 18^th fairway after a decent drive, (there were several, but not enough) it was remarked upon as actually looking like a Masters fairway and green, so well done to the North Shore Course for a great job. Masters Monday is fast becoming a do not miss MWSS event so a reminder to all it is not to be missed.

Who knows, we could be celebrating the next Masters Monday in five months time. It’s a crazy old world now lads.

Looking forward to Helensville and Christmas drinks in December.

 

Ferdinand





MWSS MOA Pro AMGame 200 ~ 30th October  ~ Gulf Harbour Country Club

What an achievement and the idea game to celebrate 200 games of MWSS. The 7^th Annual Pro-Am, just 18months since the last after obviously our strange year.  A fill field greeted the Pro’s as they waited to see who they would be “lucky” enough to be drawn to play with and for most be part of one of the few chances to take home some real money to help with the Christmas Presents!

What looked like was going to be a day where the weather could play a major part, it cleared for the day which as always is largely part of the healthy living of the members being rewarded…

Luke Brown this year’s winner of the Pro-am was the most excited of the Professionals when he found he was going to play with the Blue Light boys as afterwards he would never need to employ a mental strength coach again if he could survive the round.

So, after all the groups had their carts fill of food and refreshments, they headed out for shotgun start and a day of extremes, from the 8 under winning score of Luke to one of his playing partners deciding that to celebrate the 7^th annual pro-am he would score just 7 stableford points to ensure there was some easy numbers for the El President and his team to remember at prize giving, knowing how they struggle with things like numbers (and words!!)

The gambling and BBQ hole was a real hit and receiving charities received some amazing support from all the MWSS members who showed their generosity as always and supported two charities hugely through their betting on the gambling hole and missing the green just so the charities could receive more support, thankfully there was no reports of anyone winning their money back.

The big field completed the course in good time to head to clubhouse with a great meal and a range of sponsors products as we entered the clubhouse, it was noted that several members seem to go out and back in to receive more sponsor products on more than “a few” occasions!!

A great meal was followed by the play off with a shot closest to pin on the 18^th to decide, no surprising to yells of support and coaching from the balcony that Luke Brown won after a measure.  I am now predicting that after surviving this win any pressure overseas when he hits the tour when the world reopens will seem like a game of mini putt at The Pirate Ship course before heading off at the airport.

The winners and the losers of the day took some time to announce due to technical difficulties…..but they were.

Amateurs			Pros
Place	Stabies	Winner			71	David Feeney
16th	35	Haki Heke			71	Cam Jones
15th	35	Scooner			71	Mike Duncum
14th	35	Bangers		9th	71	Callum Haughey
13th	35	Matthew Willis			70	Jordon Loof
12th	35	Ben Wallace			70	Lee Mason
11th	36	Steve Allen			70	Mike Hendry
10th	36	BB		8th	70	Trevor Marshall
9th	36	AT			69	Sung Jin Yeo
8th	37	Dowdy			69	Richard Lee
7th	37	Mac		7th	69	Dongwoo Kang
6th	37	Zane Broom			68	Kieran Muir
5th	38	Frazer Kane		5th	68	Nick Loach
4th	38	Adam Murray		4th	67	Harry Bateman
3rd	39	Terry Brown		3rd	65	Mark Hudson
2nd	40	Paul Cameron		2nd	64	Jimmy Hydes
1st	41	Gordon McKenzie		1st	64	Luke Brow

The wiining Pro was only found after a closest to the pin play out on the 18th between Jimmy Hydes and Luke Brown, a great finish. also the winning team was the dodgy team of Scooner, FergDowdy and Trevour Marshall. Also great start by our a Virgin Gordon McKenzie or GMac as he will forever be known on MWSS for winning the big one.



A huge thank you for the day to Neil for leading the call for sponsors and a “huger” thanks to all the sponsors which make this day something we all look forward to and which the Pros themselves say is not just a day for them to earn a few $$$ but one which they love being part of and look forward to on their calendars every year.

Merry Christmas to all.

 Arthur








 

Canterbury Covid Tour day 3
Game 199 ~ 12th September ~ Bottle Lakes Golf Club

Bangers Double
 

Day three and our last day was important for a number of reasons, none more so than celebrating the MWSS’s own GOAT Bangers double. His 150th and 65th birthday. It was fitting that 6 of the 7 Centurions were on tour.

Warming up on the putting greens at bottle lake brought our expectations of the course down just a weeee bit but.... outside of the clay bunkers it turned out to be a challenging, quirky short course and a nice sunny walk.
Ideally suited to the GOAT’s game for win number 58 some might have thought he had hand picked the track for the occasion, but we could tell by his face after the 2 shots of ouzo that the tour had taken its toll on our latest senior citizen and he wouldn’t feature on day 3.

With an impressive 74 Ernie is almost impossible to beat when he is straight, and he collected another long drive along the way as well as the Shot. BT left his best til last shooting up the leaderboard with the best stableford for the touring group and the picking up Glugs Mug as well as a dubious closest to the pin. Pissy picked up the plate, but the Trophy winner on the day was  a local nick named Dick Head with 40 points, welcome to the group and well done mate.


The most treasured and popular prize on tour the ginga jacket was won by JA but Schooner couldn’t bear to part with it and was seen in the wee small hours still proudly displaying his favourite colour.

Bottle Lake hosted us fantastically and the 5 locals who played with us cleaned us up on the course taking out the honours with the MWSS All Comers Cup 4 games to 1. Afterwards Crazy’s courty was a beauty, as usual but you could see he was disappointed that grandads jacket didn’t fetch more for the kitty and Maxwell made the buy of the night.

On the way home the minister of alcohol made a great decision to stop at the bottle store so our last bus ride was a goody and the party in 601 was a cracker and in true style we picked up a noise control warning as we traded war stories, told anyone who wanted to listen or not how unlucky we were on tour, back slapped and connected with old and new friends alike. Exactly what is so great about touring.

 

We then went into the ChCh nightlife and unfortunately got split up due to restriction in the bars but we all gave the tour a good send off.

As for Bangers he wasn’t seen the next morning when we got the bus at 10 am so he obviously got treated out as he deserve on his SPECIAL day.

Congrats Gary, your a real champ.


The Rat

 

Canterbury Covid Tour day 2
Game 198 ~ 11th September ~ Pegasus Golf Club

After stunning the field with a magnificent 43 stableford points victory on the first day of the tour I was already planning how I could spend the $1,000 tour first place. I did have a nice orange jacket in mind as it appeared to increase your social value exponentially.The only problem I faced was how I could avoid spending it all on Saturday night. Fortunately, inspiration was to come to me sooner than expected in the form of New Zealand’s greatest ever cricketer.

As we arrived Pegasus Lakes Golf Club, sitting in the clubhouse was “Paddles” and I thought I if he didn’t share his man of the match prizes then why should I? I have never forgiven him for being instrumental in the Black Caps first ever test series victory against the English, the tight sod but he gave me cause to think. Maybe I could go for a ride of a Lime scooter, fall over have an accident?

Despite some passing clouds, the odd rain shower and a breezy conditions, as the boys warmed up on the range I was confident that my carefully cultivated 29 shot handicap would hold up. I was playing with Bromey, Brutus and a virgin “Gringo” from Christchurch. Gringo had the unfortunate experience of playing with me for the two straight days. He had taken the snake from me on the previous day on the last. When he landed just on 20 metres on an undulating 18^th green, to my delight in one of the only bright moments of the day, he repeated the feat again for the second straight day.On the first tee, Bromey handed me the dreaded ‘Pink’ team ball that was reintroduced after the Pro at Shirley had provided some of these balls as prizes the previous day. The first hole required a straight drive over water which I managed to do. That was only decent golf shot I had all day apart from a fantastic snap hook on the 15^th. El Presidente was making his way up the fairway close to the green when I bludgeoned my drive firmly down the 16^th fairway only for it to make a sharp left turn and hit the Presidential cart on the full producing a sharp thud. I was later found guilty of an assassination attempt at what proved to be an expensive fine session.

My abysmal 114 shots, won the Gnome for the largest gross score, 20 shots more than the previous day. I thought I might be lucky enough to secure the Yipsy Gnome and orange jacket, but that went to Scooner, although Four Door was reluctant to give it up, Rat was the last of us Looser picking up Grumpy. The rest of the winners I have no idea of. Lost in the haze of alcoholic alzheimers.  (PC the Trophy, Beej the Plate, Grim Glugs Mug and of course Bangers the Shot) Congratulations to my roomie Macca on his 100^th game as well, not that realy got to enjoy the moment working out the winners on the day.

The evening’s events included a trip to the local Speight's Ale House in Riccarton to watch Canterbury vs North Habour. After a close match Canterbury took the victory with a couple of late tries. The evening was punctuated MWSS members stealing my idea to avoid buying a round by falling flat on their faces. I was standing there minding my own business when a talented golfer, who shall remain nameless, went “arse over tit” with a half a pint. Apparently, a step appeared from nowhere! No wonder the pub decided to close at 10.30pm that night. You might also be asking yourself why two pissed ageing units decided to take a Lime scooter along the streets of Christchurch laden with tram tracks. One gentleman found himself in A&E at 2am, with a black eye and 14 stitches to the forehead with the prospect of grilling from “the missus” upon his return. The Lime scooter front wheel will be the only thing he will be jamming into anything from a while!

At least I only lost my golfing dignity, my jacket and my gnome that day and of course the chance of an orange jacket!

Thanks to everybody for making the tour so enjoyable!

Canterbury Covid Tour Day 1
Game 197 ~ 10th September ~ Shirley Golf Club

Although not booked on the original tour, after 3 cancelled trips of my own I was lucky enough to be able to join the other 28 – 32 MWSS members for the Covid 2020 trip to Christchurch. I say between 28 – 32 as guys pulled out, others joined and AT disappeared for the last game.

The day started off with most meeting at the airport in Auckland and in true fashion snubbed the social distancing stuff with handshakes, man hugs and the odd kiss or 2 as we prepared to share our love and money with the “Mainlanders”.

Arriving to a cool 8 degrees and rain we hopped on the bus and off to Christchurch Golf Club where we were welcomed by the Club President or someone in authority higher than El Presidente. We found out we were playing at the 2^nd oldest golf club in New Zealand founded in, I can’t remember when but a little way before Pissy was born.

A great course with good greens and firm fairways, what more does a golfer want except to be able to play decent golf. There were a few wet patches on some of the fairways but they didn’t affect me much as I try hard to keep off fairways. Luckily the rain eased off over the day and warmed up to probably 10 degrees and could take off our wet weather gear. I was down to 3 layers then.

Our group had a great start with Grim not getting past the ladies on the 1^st tee, then after the 5^th we decided to take a short cut and played the 15^th only to have to walk all the way back to the 6^th tee. Grim and I didn’t do too badly on the 15^th and had putted out but as Hone hit the poplar on the right said we should play it again in the right order. I can’t recall whether he did any better 2^nd time round but know for sure I didn’t.

A pretty expensive day for me as on one hole didn’t get past the ladies and immediately followed up with a great 3 wood air shot. Cost me $78.00 for the round of Single Malt but made sure Grim paid his dues as well. Grim and I also lost the beers to Pissy and Hone.

Crazy did a great job with the fine session doing as much as he could to lighten our wallets on day one. The best fine had to be, hands up all those with double figures on any hole and when Pissy was asked how many “8 he replies” That says it all.

The winning pricks on the day were Maxy with Glugs mug and the Bangers Shot, Tutti Friti picked up the plate and Grandad played out of his wrinkly skin to pick up the Trophy with 43 stabies

A great start to a great few days with a bunch of good C#@%s (Chaps), hats off to those who went down the previous day, drank heaps and still managed to play fairly well. Thanks also to BT, Broomy, Scooner, Ferg, Makka, Bangers and anyone else I’ve missed for the organising of these trips, we all appreciate your efforts to make them memorable times.

My 104 gave me the right to write up for day one only trouble is my selective memory ain’t too crash hot so that’s it.

PC

Game 196 ~ 7th August ~South Head GC

It was a great turn out for the day at South Head, with 46 coming from all over to enjoy the day.  

The weather turned out great for the day, the sun was out and the wind picked up a little bit in the afternoon making the golf a little more difficult. But we managed to finish before the heavy rain set in for the evening so not bad.  For some reason everyone’s handicaps were a little lower than usual which took a bit of adjusting to mentally and made for a difficult day for some including myself securing the bag for least stabies on the day with 16 whilst Virgin Rocky 2 won with a total of 39 stabies which unfortunately was not enough to take the money.  The fact as a virgin MWSS would have potentially led to an enquiry but i'm sure he would have been able to survive the protest, and the closest behind him was 36 .

Playing with the pink ball also added extra pressure to the round, but surprisingly all but one team managed to finish the round without losing it. The highest group score was held by Ferg, Smithy, El Presidente and Broomy with 36 stabies between them.

BT then ran a great prize giving where the new MWSS logo was revealed.  Broomy was comforted about his upcoming heart bypass, he used it as an excuse, as he was caught hanging off the back of a cart coming up the hill to the club house by the Club Starter. It cost us an MWSS Cap to calm the local down.

Winners for the day as follows, Longest drives went to Crazyaza and Saffa, Closest to the pin Hone and Crazy. The Teams event as I said was taken out by 4 questionable players, It was an honest score of 36, so only par over the team, but the average stabie for the day was 28, so it shows how hard it was to play to the course handicap, which was 3 to 4 below with the slope. Anyway just explaining not moaning.




To the real winners The Shot and $100 Club Room Voucher went to Batman ( 75 of the Stick) who also picked up the Glugs Mug with 29 putts. Crazyaza had 36 stabies to pick up the Winner of the Losers Plate, and of course Virgin Rocky 2 came in and snatched the Trophy on his first go with 39 points.

Oh and Real Real winners, Yipsy to Burg, Shanksy to Elliot, and I picked up Grumpy.

A big thank you to Bangers for getting the new MWSS Logo on towels, Caps, Beanies, Long sleeve shirts and Polos. It makes the day, getting something that looks so good and a bit of us.

To the 33 boys travelling to Christchurch, good golfing, and keep away from those sheep shaggers

Mitch






Game 195~ July 3rd ~ Muriwai GC ~ Ryder Cup


MWSS has never seen numbers as we have had over the last few games, I would like to say it's all about the company, but the Lockdown for Covid-19 seems to have made us look a little closer at what we are about and then looking at the rest of the world, and be grateful that we can.

Anyways getting out of the deep end and into the detail, 48 in the field including a few of the boys back from up North, always great to have them along. Especially Kumera, who has provided a box of his product each time.

Apart from playing at the only dry course in Auckland the other drawcard was the Annual North V South, Ryder cup day. North had taken it out for the last two years, and it looked like it was going to be another walkover, looking at the form going into the day.

We didn't get off to a great start. Unfortunately, just as the first group was to tee off, a guy had what was thought to be a hart attack after just teeing off in front of them. He was in the middle of the fairway, so not to sure what set him off. Anyway, the fire brigade, ambulance, and the pro where all on hand, and the guy was taken away to be checked. We finally got started 30 minutes later, and the funny thing is the hart attack guys mates played on.

To the golf: The course was in excellent nick, as it always is, and the weather was mild, so nothing to blame there. To for the matchups: Scooner had done a great job, there was classic headbanging going on everywhere. Cheif and Yam Boy up against Hone and Jono. Ferg and TJ up against Batman and 4 Door. Rat and Schmidt up against Bede and Hatt. Crazy and Suckling Kumera taking on Hammer and Scooner It was nasty all over the field, blood was spilt, friendships were broken, clubs were thrown and then they had a beer and all but the memory of the first South win was forgotten. Yes the South rose up from a two year thrashing and thumped the North 22 points to 14. Where the F#$%K did that come from. They were very humble in victory... not.

To the MWSS results for the day: The dwarfs were split between Bede Wolverine and Wristy, nobody in contention for Snow White. Longest Drive picked up by 4 Door and Batman, Batman also picked up a closest to the pin along with AT. There was contention over the team's winner who, on the day went to AT, Wristy, School Boy and Tiny. But this was a miscalculation, as when we sobered up and recalculated, we actually had two teams on 145 only 25 points ahead of this team. Anyways, Rule 1 stands, and the result stands.

To the real winners Batman picked up his 3rd prize with Glugs mug with 30 putts. Ernie had a 78 to collect Bangers Shot on countback with 3 others, but his name goes on the shot for the 26th time. To the big winner on the day, we had two on 42 points fighting it out for the Trophy and the money , Smithy taking it out to leave Mad Dog with the plate on countback.

Great to see everyone there, the Ryder Cup formate is a great one and always anticipated. Thanks to everyone that helped out with the day. Oh yea maybe we shoud change the Cup to the No Rider Cup day as we were almost run over by a couple of Horses on the 15th, see photos to left.

BT

Game 194~ June 12th ~ Mangawhai GC ~ Brake out Game

Intro from 2 Guns

Playing for the first time in 4 years with the very infamous MWSS colleagues (as a result of being overseas with work) and making my way to the second tea block at Mangawhai with three of the regulars (Broomy, Scooner (AKA Puna), and Willy), I must confess to feeling a touch hungover on the first hole. But, after a difficult couple of moments, I dug deep and decided to concentrate fully on the task in hand. I went through my pre-shot routine and stood up to the ball.

Just before I was about to pull the trigger, I heard a couple of voices from behind, “Would the gentleman on the ladies tee please move back to the boxes.” Typical, this was Ernie and Rat from a golf cart adjacent to the fairway.

I was in the zone and, unperturbed, I settled over the ball for a second time.









 

Now I was a touch more rattled, but I decided to ignore the cries and just get on with the testing shot I was facing. I decided action was required so I stood up to my shot, and with all I had swung into the shot……………… It was an air shot. Fuck, the cries from golf cart exploded – Welcome back 2Guns

This was the start and the end – Gross score 108, stablefords 21- Still a great day and good to be back to MWSS.

Two guns  although interesting didn't cover off much of the day, but it's great to have him back in the team. But he did miss a bit about the day so in short and Bullet pointed

• First game back since lock down... hopefully we won't do that again
• An amazing turn out of 54 in the field, including 8 from Whangarei, led by Birdy
• Bus trip up and bus trip down from Whangarei
• First Semi- Shot gun to get back in the bar together works well
• Weather outstanding and course as usual in pretty good nick even though there's a drout.
• Back in the Club room, we took over the place, were well feed by some outstanding burgers
• Virgins were introduced and gave weak performances but great to have, Gregsy, Honey Beez and Beau in the group.
• Nice welcome from Club ambassador and MWSS member Howdo, you can tell he's in Marketing.
• The winning losers were, Tiny picked up Yipsy, and Two guns picked up Shanksy and Grumpy hence having to do the Blog above.
• Ferg and Craziasa poth picked up a longest Drive and Closest to the pin each
• We had the Challenge cup up for grabs between The Denby Mounties and MWSS team, The Denby's Mounted us and basicly F%$ked us over 9.5 to 2.5 in match play. Bugger.
• Winning team on the day went to Beau, Daiz Saffa and Dunny, averaging 7 points a hole for best 3 scores. Well played gents.
• To the winners, Glug's mug went to Thomo with 25 putts, a good way to finish off a shit week for him
• The plate and Banger's Shot went to TJ who came in with 42 points off a 73 off the stick, he's got to be gutted, thats a great score.
• The winner was local Howdo who used his knowledge to bring in an excellent 43 points, picking up the silverware and money. He put  money on the bar and gave the boys on the big Bus some beer money to get them home. The Denby boys had 2 bottles of rum from their win for their trip.
• Thanks to Rosco for scoring, and to Ferg and Crazy for running the show on the day.
• A big thanks to Rosco, Kumera and Honey Beez for the prizes on the day and of course Rodent at The Clubrooms for his ongong support.
• Bus trip back  had plenty to cover off, including a stop off at the Warkworth pub, Bede's local by the looks..... but you have to be on the bus to know what goes on on the bus.

 












Its great to be back out on the course, playing golf and listening to your bull shit. Catch you at Muriwai, it looks like its going to be another big day




EL Prez and Two Guns



Game 193 ~ March 13th ~ Titirangi GC ~ Black Friday

I write this two weeks after our game at Titirangi golf course, and in some ways, it is one of the last moments of normality before our world changed. It sounds dramatic, but you know what followed. But let's get back to that day.

A great turn out with 35 in the field, but on a perfect golf day, on one of the best courses in New Zealand, I had anticipated an excellent field. Black Friday meant everyone in Black and the majority got it right except 2PaC who seemed to go out of his way to wear nothing Black, that would cost him.

The club had given us a two tee start, so the majority of us left in good spirit but came back a little beaten up by the course designed by the same guy that built Cypress Point and Augusta National. It was hard and fast, and we were off the Blue tees (Club wouldn't let us off the Black), so it was a testing day, but you couldn't, but help enjoy the course.

Back in the clubhouse, all is revealed through the winners, losers and fine session.

Our tail end dwarf awards , Buda2 picked up Yipsy, but there may have been another on 42, but thats Abotree now. Beej had a nightmare picking up Grumpy and Walshy limped around the course after dropping a trailer on his foot the day before to pick up Shanksy, well done for seeing the 18 out.

Ernie picked up the Longest drive for a change, and Batman picked up the closest to the pin uncontroversially. The winning team was Hawkeye, Sharpie, 4 Door, and again Batman coming in with 117 points, $50 Clubroom vouchers for each.

To the Four big winners, Glugs mug went to virgin Schoolboy (classic) with 27 putts. Bangers Shot was originally awarded to Poley with a 77 on countback with 4Door. Now, this was an excited,humble man who hadn't been able to get his hands on winning silverware up until this point, and to add to it, his wife Carol had come higher up the medallist on her one game outing with us at New Years. But controversially, Batman turned villain and up and snatched the Shot and the $100 voucher from his grasp. He had a 76, and our scorers thought he had said he had had a pickup hole, a miscommunication but a sad moment for Poley. I can relate to his dilemma having been awarded the Green Jacket in 2018 only to have it peeled off my back... because I missed Hawkeyes winning score. Things to come out of this is: pulling together the winning scores is hard at the best of times; speak up if we get it wrong. Once the day is over, awards are locked in even if wrong, you need to speak up on the day, to the scorers and then it can be put right.

But Poley got his piece of Silver even if it was the winner of the losers Plate (2nd time in 10 games) so he didn't go home empty-handed.

To the big winner, a very happy Dowdy winning with 38 points his first win on NZ shores, an accomplished MWSS tourist he won at Wailea Bay GC Hawaii and Red Mountain GC in Thailand. Happy to get the win even if no payday.

Best Virgin Speech ~ not so much as a speech, but a joke came from Ferret just pipping Schoolboy with his honest story.

Villain of the Day: 2nd place to Batman for his snatch and grab. 1st place to the kitchen that served what must be said a delicious nibbles tray, but for $64 a tray, it was the first time I question my rule "there has to be food with beverages".

Best Fine Master~ went to of course Crazy, who had a fair amount of cash to bring in to pay for the food.

So that's Game number 193 done, and at this point, I'm not sure when game 194 will be played, but it will happen. Keep the faith and catch you soon, my friends.

BT




Game 192 ~ February 21st ~ Whangaparoa GC
 The Drought Ends Today

For reasons that cannot reasonably be determined Whangaparaoa was the only North Harbour golf club still to host an MWSS field and the time had finally arrived to address this travesty 191 games and 17 years in. A big thank you to the club for arranging a two tee start that quickly dispersed a compact field that stayed in close contact with each other throughout the day.

The drought has taken its toll on all golf course’s in the upper North Island and Whangaparaoa is exposed more than most. The course whilst hard and brown played extremely well and the greens true and smooth.

No wind at the start of play on this challenging peninsular raised the spirits of some of the higher handicappers. Meanwhile, and perhaps unbeknown to them, ardent experienced team leaders cannily strategized how to extend the journey of their pink balls, in particular, beyond the 4^th hole’s gapping cavity that eagerly awaited all whom slice their drives under the immense pressure of a pink ball. Within the hour many would fall at this hole.

Introducing Shanksy, Grumpy & Yipsy        The Winners, Ferg, Cheif, Beej @ Crazy

A quick review of the field and it was notable that quite a few MWSS lawyers and accountants were clearly suffering from workload at this time of year. Perhaps today those who more productively contribute to the countries’ GDP might prevail? However on a day when New Zealand’s most admired tight head Accountant made his virgin appearance, two longstanding MWSS Accountants would celebrate the successful navigation their pink ball, with Crazy also picking up the win with 42 stabbies.

This day shall be acknowledged for the unveiling of our three new gnomes. History awaits those who may grow only too familiar with them.

MikeM

Game 191 ~ 3rd January ~ The Dunes



A new decade and a new era for MWSS, with the addition of a Visitors Womens Division to dawn in the 2020 season. Don't panic Bays Boys, "Visitors" being the operative word there, and the ladies were great and understood they were privileged visitors to the MWSS group, and they got right into the day, with a little help from a friend.

Blustery and overcast conditions met the field of 33 assembled from far and wide – the usual suspects from Matarangi, others travelled from Tairua and even further afield.

The conditions and the course proved tough with playing to your handicap putting you amongst the leaders.

Great to see the MWSS word and spirit spreading with 13 virgins in the field, hopefully most enjoyed the experience enough to return for another crack at the title.

When the dust settled and everyone returned to the 19^th for a few quiets and war stories it was evident that most of the field had their moments where they mastered the game and others when golf was the winner !!

I did happen to see Dago closely inspecting the dotteral sanctuary on the beach on the 11^th and others whose balls got a little damp around the lakes or clattered into the building sites that border the course…… as they say… ‘that’s golf’ !!

Most of the players and their partners returned to the Turner Hacienda to once again enjoy the hospitality of Brett and Nat and relive the game and the ‘if onlys’

Logan West whom Bangers introduced for his virgin game went out early and like the first rally driver on the road swept the course for those to follow so that they could enjoy better conditions, but sadly like a slow timed rally driver, Logan paid the price for his sacrificial act and returned to the clubhouse the holder of the most golf, most putts and least stabies,…. Hopefully next time out he gets a more favourable draw and can let someone else grab these well sought after awards….. or maybe he could have been handy in Sydney for the Black Caps….!!

Special mention must go to Burg who volunteered to join the 3 ladies in their group for the round & was seen countless times offering them course management and life advice during the round. Needless to say, these ladies will be wiser for the experience and looking at their scorecards his caddying skills worked as the cards of Sheryn, Carol and Jude were a lot flasher than many of the men’s field.

Winnners for the day were:

Visiting Womens Division:

Longest Drive – Carol Jamieson

Closest to the Pin – Sheryn Parry

Overall Winner – Carol Jamieson – 37 points

Mens Division:

Longest Drive – 3^rd Crazy 17^th Matzi

Closest to Pin – 7^th JA 18^th Olly Wolf

Most Golf – Logan West

Most Putts – Logan West – 44

Least Stabbies – Logan West – 14

Best Gross – Bangers Shot – Bangers 79

Plate – Wolverine 36 points - countback

Glugs Mug – Mower Man 27 putts - countback

MWSS Trophy - BT – 37 points

Team Winners – combined stabbies – BT/Saffa/Macca/Rob 138 points.

The first game of the decade done, onward towards 2030…. And the next game in February likely to be Whangaparaoa – which will tick off every course in Harbour ..