80th Championship NZ Women's Autumn Foursomes.

80th Championship NZ Women’s Autumn Foursomes.

By Jenny Boyne

The popular NZ Womens Autumn Foursomes Match play Championships are on next week at the Martinborough Golf Club in the Wellington Region hot on the heels of the Spark Pro Am held recently which features this week in Holden Golf World on Sky Sport and TV3.

Over one hundred women from around the Country will be arriving on Monday 21st March in Martinborough for a practice round and the Womens Committee are all set to host the week commencingwith the welcome cocktail function for players and sponsors.

The tournament format includes 3 days of handicap foursomes match play. The first round on Tuesday morning from 8am is a random draw, not seeded, First round losers play for the NZLGU Salver with subsequent flights on both sides of the draw. The winning pair will hold the New Zealand Autumn Foursomes Cup.

Denise Langdon from Par NZ has been running this popular tournament for a number of years and is delighted with the number of local and first time entrants to the tournament in its 80th Championship year. Last years winners Liz Stringer and Janice Roberts( Napier) will be there to defend their title.

Martinboroughs Golf Course is one of the few in the Wellington Region not to have fairway watering and while long hot summer has been challenging for farmers and those charged with managing the Course, neighbouring Vineyards and Olive Groves provide a truly stunning back drop; the oasis over the boundary fence as they prepare for harvest. Players will be rewarded if they stick to the middle of the fairways, with a slight advantage to higher handicap pairings due to the exceptional run.

The Womens Committee have worked hard to secure generous local sponsors ensuring those entering their Competition in Longest Drives and Nearest the Pins on the first two days will be worth the effort along with the very popular Raffles.

A food and wine destination, Martinborough Golf are very fortunate to have respected local Company - Providore Food and Catering on site from 10am to 3pm daily and the bar is well stocked with local wines.

Spectators are very welcome to come along and watch, the event is free with plenty of good vantage spots and All Teed Up, Mastertons GC pro shop has a pop up store with some great golfing gear to purchase.

A member will be on hand to welcome you.