2010 The Hill April 17, 18 | Taumarunui, New Zealand

Our First time contributor Des Lexic tells the story.

Wow!!!  Wotta weekend of golf.  T.D. and her helpers had the course looking as good as it ever has, the Sun Gods smiled on us… and the wind came down to the final throw of the super 6. 

It was 27 keen and read golfers who gathered at the Disk Golf central… Blair’s place… on Saturday morning to get the low down on the format of the weekend’s play.  Most were the usual suspects, but as well as a strong contingent from Auckland… Damien with no sarcasm, exaggeration or there were a raft of new faces.   Shane ?? from Levin had brought a bevy of buxom… oh no that’s another story… a pride of fine young men for their first every tourney, who, over the course of the weekend, all proceeded to show why they will all deserve notice and respect in the future… as well as Glenn & Wal from Waitarere, Sam Carson & Kiri from Wellington… and many regular players from around the North Island. 

And so it was with everyone amped, ramped & ready, we ascended Targa Road for round 1.  A 3 way tie on 53… Blair, Damien & Pete with Dean 1 behind and S.G.M Nigel Barnwell, 1 behind that on 55 saw everyone back at Blair’s for lunch.  An excellent spread prepared & cooked by Cherie and long time golfer Dave Routley, to fortify them for round 2.  The Hill was taking its toll on energy levels and time, as rounds were taking 3 hours, but in the picture perfect conditions, on one was complaining.  At this stage thanks must be given to Dave’s son Ernie & stepson Ryan, as they were doing a fantastic job spotting for everyone on tricky hole 14, and without them it would’ve been much longer rounds.  The last groups were leaving the course just before 6 o’clock so it was a long day. 

As usual for the local tournies, 2009 D.G.’s non playing, prize winning contributor to the sport, Corynne Boyle, laid on a spectacular spread… seafood soup, Thai curry chicken, meatballs, salads & feijoa crumble dessert for a very grateful crew.  By 9:30 pm everyone had departed and by 10:00 pm, everyone was in bed.  On Sunday morning, the semi rejuvenated crew gathered at Blair’s again… everyone was there, no one was missing… and away we went again on another incredible sunny, wind free day in the King Country. 

At the end of round 3, Blair had a 1 shot lead???  Over Damien; Peter was 3rd – 2 strokes in front of Dean, with Arthur and Nigel making the top 6.  Andrew Taylor’s ace… worth $168.00 wasn’t enough to see him in as 2 6’s cost him badly.  Ming Menzies had prevailed in the women’s division, and this scribe saw some of her game play over the weekend, and I must say, she has picked up her game since Karoline & Dawn have been competing… not that Dawn was there, but her beau and ex local, Arthur Pengelly was carrying the flag well for the family. 

After a short break up the Hill, it was straight on to the Super 6 and virtually everyone else walked around taking in the spectacle.  Incidentally, talking to the new comers… they were very impressed with the super 6, saying that they felt they had seen a lot to help them improve the depth and width of their own games… something a bit worrying for the rest of us. 

On the final hole, with Damien parked for his birdied, and Blair having hit the foreground tree, needed to hit his second to keep the game alive… and man, he just missed that 25 – 30 metre up shot to the many oohs & aaahs of the gathered gallery.  A 1st time 50 points to the little wizard, and he was happy!!!  That boy seems happy even when he’s sad, so he was an ecstatic bundle of ergs from that point on. 

I have been to many tournies all over the country, over many years and I would have to say that this was one of the very best.  Great course, great play, brilliant company and not of hint of anything untoward all weekend… and can only further add… hope to see all these same people… with the rest of our brilliant crew who couldn’t make this tourney… at the rest of the years NZDG events.

Sayonara Kiwi sans.