After a long drive, on the way to Taupo we ended up in Te Kuiti. The reliable map that I had picked up from a free map stand some where indicated that there was a golf course located near the centre of town. We drove around the thriving metropolis that is Te Kuiti in the hope that a golf course was near. Many helpful calls of "It's got to be over there, that's where I would be if I were a golf course" were offered like all good men, we refused to stop and ask for directions. Finally it was pointed out that we had no idea where it was, (we had found the tennis, netball, bowls and shooting clubs however). We stoped and asked a couple of locals who looked like they might have been around a while and hence, had an understanding of where the golf course was. Their reply was that there was not actually a golf course in Te Kuiti, but they did offer a little bit of advice about the suitability of the surf board on the roof, "Are you waiting for the tide to come in?" (Te Kuiti is about 150km inland, but i bet they were saving that joke for a while until a group of golf playing surfers cruised by.)
Short story long the next course on the map was at Mangakino. Where is Mangakino? Well even we don't know and if you asked me to go there again or point it out on a map I would struggle. It was a nice we town. Must be a great place to live because there were heaps of houses on sale. some for $50000. One street we noticed had about 7 out of 12 houses for sale on it. The local real estate shop was bigger than the local fish and chip shop (which we can vouch for, just let the food cool down a little before you eat it.) For those of you who know twizel, it was very similar.
So we found the course and after returning to town to gain the necessary moolaa to pay the green fees, (and to purchase the now famous shield) we began the round. Mangakino was a lovely we course that offered a bit to everyone. There was even a pie cart parked on the 3rd hole. Weather was clear and sunny but a little windy, temp was good.
Highlights of the Round
1) Dave played the entire round without losing the ball. (Dave is writing this and I thought it was a highlight)
2) The re-emergence of Russell as a potential challenger for the win. He had an absolute blinder of a game (he did away with all clubs other than the faithfull seven iron and the putter)
3) Russell's brilliant approach shot on the 5th hole. After a stunning drive nearly taking out a couple of local hodlums out scoting around for lost golf balls he was faced with a decision on how to play his next shot. He had a decent distance, a lake and a big tree right infront of him to content with in order to make the green. As he approached his ball he explained his predicament to the hodlums and stated that he was going to have a go. The look on their face was of sheer disbelief at the audacity of such a shot. (Although they should never have doubted a man in pink sunnies, $2:50 tartan size 22 ladies pants and a Spicalaus shirt). He steped up to his ball and wacked it through the tree, over the lake and onto the green. The gallery of hodlums were impressed. (So were we.)
4) On the 8th hole we had a longest drive competition. We were on an elevated Tee that allowed us to either take a safe option onto the fairway to the right of the tee, or to hit over a fenced of field and cut out a huge distance from the hole. Dave, Jon and Jo were unable to make it accross the fenced area. Russell stepped up and using what could only be described as the world's tallest tee (found on an earlier hole) smacked the ball accross the field to the other side.
Result 1) Dave 2) Jon 3) Russell 4) Jo (lost score card again)
Nz won the match play 4-2
The match report for this game is waiting to be entered. (hurry up Jon)
Result
1) Jon 34
2) Gerard 35
3) Dave 37
4) Tim 39
Unclassified for not entering score card
Rina
Kylie
