The Fletcher Memorial Golf Tournament, played last Saturday at the Rarotonga Golf Club, proved that while golf can be a challenge it can still be a fun game to play.

All the teams of four who played in the competition, which is also known as The Fletch, remarked on the amount of fun they had either out of their own game or watching others.

Some laughter was produced by the team who decided that their Vet player should tee off from the bottom tee for the 15th so that they didnt have to go all the way up to the top tee area.

Good plan, but it didnt quite work out because the Vet player immediately put his tee shot out of bounds and off they trudged up the hill.

There was a degree of strategy involved in this competition because the team had to take the tee shot of each player at least four times.

Some teams got to the last two holes only to realise that they had to take the tee shot of their lesser players because they hadnt been used enough.

This tournament is always popular because of the amount of laughter (and cursing) that it generates.

Peter Fletcher, in whose honour the tournament is held, always enjoyed his golf and wished everyone to do the same.

We try to remember Peter and his great attitude to the game every year and it will definitely happen again next year.

The game is played in an Ambrose style over 18 holes with the result decided on nett after the handicap is applied.

Last years winning team of Mike Attridge, Gabbi Heppekausen, Tere Hardie and Pape Aviu retained their good form to win the Tournament.

Their score of 63 gross was a great effort considering their team handicap of 23, which gave them a nett 40.

That is going to take a big effort to beat next year.

The next best score came from Tom and Sue Vea with Moetu and Mii Tangatamaiti who finished with a nett of 41.25.

There were several individual sponsors for this competition, including John Hukens and Laurie and Sandy Widdowson from New Zealand and we say a big meitaki maata to them all and to Rob Coote who organised the event.

Continuing the fun at the Golf Club, there is a quiz night on Friday to raise funds for the Golf Squad who will represent the Cooks at the South Pacific Games.

Then its back to earth on Saturday for the 1st round of the Stroke Championships.

There will be another big field so make sure you dont miss out on a tee time.

Thank you and good luck to all golfers.