Many players recorded their best ever scores at the Turama Cook Islands Open Golf Tournament, played last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The hotly contested tournament, sponsored by Island Hopper, drew players from overseas as well as Aitutaki and Rarotonga and is a major feature of the golfing calendar.

On the first day, Thursday, Ned Howard was in fine form to lead the senior men’s division with a gross of 66.

James Herman and Tere Taio also came in under the card with 69 each while Cedric Toru was the closest to these with a 73.

For the senior ladies, Kurai Foster and Tuaine Marsters led the way with 78 each, followed by Alice Pilkinton.

Tom J Marsters, our leading vet, could only manage a 78 on the day and he was joined by Henry Puna with the same score.

In the intermediate men’s section, Haimona Browne on a 73 was six strokes clear of his nearest rival, Paara Pitomaki.Tania Karati led the intermediate ladies home with 77.

In the second round nobody broke par but Royle Brogan carded a 70 and young Jojo Karati had a magnificent 71.

Also with a 71 was first round leader James Herman who kept the lead.

Alice Pilkinton was the best of the ladies with 77 and Tom J Marsters was back to form in the vets, finishing with 71.

Tom’s nearest rival at that stage, Henry Puna, had a 79 which was still under his handicap.By the third day, Saturday, most players were feeling the strain and battling to maintain stamina and concentration and the course was starting to get its revenge.

Best round of the day came from Sonny Karati and Daniel Webb, both with a 73, but both had left their run too late and James Herman with a 75 led Ned Howard home by a total of three strokes.

Alice Pilkinton had a two stroke lead at the start of the day but both Maara Kenning and Kurai Foster fought back to be within one stroke.

Thanks to her great first round Tania Karati had built up enough lead to fight off all challengers and realistically was never going to be caught.

The situation was echoed in the vets with Tom J Marsters having a healthy lead.

Major winners of the tournament (with final scores) were: senior men – 1st James Herman (215), 2nd Ned Howard (218), senior ladies – 1st Alice Pilkinton (240), 2nd Kurai Foster (241) on a count back from Maara Kenning, intermediate men – 1st Haimona Browne (239), 2nd Aroiva Akama (245), intermediate ladies – 1st Tania Karati (249), 2nd Ake Tereia (264), vets – 1st Tom J Marsters (225), 2nd Henry Puna (239).

A big meitaki maata to Robert Skews and Island Hopper for a great tournament which tested our golfers and reminded them what tournament golf is all about.

This Saturday is the first round of the Palm Grove Tournament which will be run over the succeeding Saturdays.

As usual there will also be sweep prizes each Saturday.

Remember –“You’ve got to be in it to win it”.

Best of luck to all golfers and thank you for supporting your club.