2016 NZ Women's Masters kicks off

2016 New Zealand Women’s Masters

Thursday 31 March

Methven Golf Club

Article courtesy of NZ Golf

The 2016 New Zealand Women’s Masters Championship, the tournaments 25^th anniversary, got off to a fitting start tonight with an elaborate opening that included the local Mayor, nine original players and two of the organising committee invited to participate in the proceedings. 

Borne from an idea from Aorangi South Canterbury representative, Sue Hutchins, who attended this evenings opening function, districts were invited to send four players to compete in a 72 hole gross stableford competition to find the best senior women’s district. 

The inaugural tournament, hosted at Methven Golf Club in November 1992 had 12 districts represented.  North Harbour had not broken away from Auckland at this time, and Taranaki did not compete. 

The original committee comprised of Mary Sparrow, in the chair, secretary Cushla McGillivray, Jeanette Ross and Jenny Buckley. Both Sparrow and McGillvray attended tonight, along with Anna Brabyn, the most capped ‘master’ with 16 appearances playing for both Manawatu Wanganui and the Bay of Plenty / Thames Valley. 

Other ‘master-pieces’ as they were referred to, included Canterbury’s Mo Pollock and Rosie Lee, Connie Broker from Wellington, Helen Grant from Hawkes Bay / Poverty Bay and Polly King from Auckland.  Hilary Muir from the host district, Aorangi also attended, as did Margaret Tapp from Tasman. 

Issues that confronted the original steering committee included the timing of the event and the age restriction with a minimum of 40 or 45 years of age being debated.  These are still discussed annually as the tournament has moved around the country. 

The 1992 winners were Canterbury who have won five times, and battled in the early years against Bay of Plenty who have also had five wins.  Other winners include Auckland on three occasions, Waikato twice with Wellington, Taranaki and Manawatu / Wanganui all winning the Russell Grace Trophy once.   Dominating the tournament in the last seven years are the defending champions, Southland who have won a record six times. 

The 2016 programme includes 18 holes tomorrow starting at 8.30am, with a fun shoot out and cutting of the 25^th Anniversary Cake to follow, with players then all having 36 holes to complete on Saturday.  The final 18 holes will tee off on Sunday 03 April starting at 7.30am with prize giving to follow.