COVIC Shield 2023 finalists are found

By Russ Ford

After the postponed fifth and final qualifying round was eventually held at Clarks Beach Golf Club, under beautiful clear blue sky and little wind, the finalists were announced for the COVIC SHIELD and Plate events.

Qualifying first equal for the 2024 Shield finals were the Hauraki and Clarks Beach Golf Clubs Teams with Waiuku third and Wattle Downs fourth. Fifth and final team is Onewhero who knocked Awhitu out of the top five with a very good fourth place in the final qualifier.

The round day was won by home team Clarks Beach with 142 points (best 4 of 6 team player scores) with Hauraki second (129), Wattle Downs third (128), Onewhero fourth (126), Waiuku fifth (125), Huntly/Waiterimu sixth (122), Pukekohe seventh (120), Covic Extras eight (110), Awhjtu ninth (109) and Maramarua tenth.

Teams dropping into the Plate finals are therefore Awhitu, Maramarua, Hunt- ly/Waiterimu, Covic Extras and Pukekohe. Franklin Golf Shop’s Player of the Day and Claret Jacket winner was Onewhero’s Neville Jamieson who shot a smart 41 points. So too did home club player Eric Bennet while Clarks Beach match player Barry Matthews gained mention for his dominating 11.5 to 6.5 point win over his Wattle Downs opponent.

It was not enough however, as Wattle Downs proved too strong in a close battle, to retain the COVIC CHALLENGE CUP by 36 to 34 aggregated team points.

They will now defend the Cup for a third time on the trot against Maramarua, in the first round of the finals to be played at Maramarua on Thursday 31st August 2023.

If you are over 50 years of age, and a men’s or women’s member of a COVIC golf club in the South Auckland and North Waikato region, search out you Club Convenor and ask to be included.

Alternatively, phone COVIC Golfing Community Convenor Tim Howard 021 155 4119.