13/06/2026
New World Ladies Mid-Winter Tournament
7th June 2026
Sunday 7th June, we held our annual Ladies Mid-Winter pairs tournament generously sponsored by New World Opotiki. We had 94 ladies from all over come along to play in a fun pairs format. We had clubs from Hinehopu, Ohope, Omanu, Omokoroa, Tauranga, Te Teko, Tokoroa, Whakatane, and Opotiki attending.
This year’s theme was ‘John Daly’, a relatively easy theme with almost everyone joining in, there were wigs, and beards, colourful pants and shirts, and flags. Some outstanding outfits, with a lot of thought and effort. There were certainly lots and lots of John Daly’s out there, and some super costumes, which made the job of choosing winners really difficult. We did have some of our younger players do the google search ahead of time to find out who John Daly was!!
The weather on the day was simply amazing with lots of sunshine and a cool southerly breeze. Thanks to our green keeper Steve who made sure our greens were mowed. And his lovely wife Chloe who was out there with him. super early. The course was in amazing condition with lots of compliments on the day. Unfortunately, even with the generous pin placements no one was able to take away the hole in one prize generously sponsored by New World Opotiki. So, the $500 New World voucher will sit in storage for another year!
A wee bit of history behind this tournament since Opotiki New World have started sponsoring. Our relationship with Dan and Annie started back in 2021 when they first came on board. Back then we ran this as Ladies Christmas pairs tournament. In 2023 we decided to try something a bit different and change to a mid-winter event and well the rest is history really, with New Worlds support we are also able to cater for a full mid-winter feast. Dan and Annie along with their team always go the extra mile to make this tournament something special. It definitely has a reputation for its hospitality, and fun atmosphere
Special thanks to Stacey and Wendy from Opotiki New World who were there super early on manning the barbecue and supplying everyone with their yummy bacon butties. Thanks also to Farmland who supplied the bacon. Lots of comments about how nice the bacon was.
Results
1st Megan Donovan/Lisa Brebner 48 points
2nd Tasha Gebert/Kala Reeve 44 points
3rd Sarge Tiopira/Jascoe Ngaia 41 points
4th Kim Megson/Annie Porteous 41 points
5th Sue McKay/Julie Gault 41 points
6th Raylene Morunga/Rhonda Ruff 41 points
7th Jane Gordon/Anne Volmuller 40 points
8th Erica Howe/Sharon Howe 40 points
9th Wai Wyatt/Sue Arnold 39 points
10th Denise Moody/Carol Franklin 38 points
11th Kate Harvey/Georgia Phipps 37 points
12th Desiree Hunia/Maria Glenn 37 points
13th Polly White/Judy Fisher 37 points
14th Sarah Kingi/Erin Clark 37 points
15th Brady Sheck/Jodi Greenall 37 points
16th Jenny Williams/Carol Wilson 36 points
17th Sarah McLaverty/Rema Hinds 35 points
18th Libby Kinnaird/Tania Connor 35 points
19th Judi Coleman/Jill Prosser 34 points
20th Renee Kingi/Sheryl Cotter 34 points
The chocolate fish winners were Francis Crooks/Ariana Simmons
Novelty Prizes
Nearest to the Pins – Open all divisions
#2 Kala Reeve
#6 Glenda Street
#13 Maria Glen
#15 Janet Cross
#18 Josie Howe
Longest Drives in age groups
Up to 50 years Libby Kinnaird
51 – 60 years Kim Copestake
61 – 69 years Zandra Hahipene
70+ years Anne Volmuller
Best Dressed
1st Karen Iles/Janet Cross
2nd Glenys Hayes/Charlene Purcell
Two’s
Sarah McLaverty/Rema Hinds #6, Kala Reeve #2, Wai Wyatt/Sue Arnold #6, Jocelyn Herbison /Gwen Singer #15, Kim Megson/Anne Porteous #15, Polly White #13, Maria Glen #15, Charly Watene/Michelle Sanders #15.
Huge thanks to so many people who helped and made our day super special.
To our lovely new greens keeper Steven Edwards and his lovely wife Chloe Edwards who tended to our course early Sunday morning getting our greens ready for the tournament - absolute legends the both of you!
Complimentary on course refreshments were delivered in style by our own John and John aka Marty and Morgan.
I really can’t thank our ladies enough for all their support, the contributions of food and time. The ‘yes, I can help, yes, I’ll be there, what time do you need me’ attitude, was truly something special. Thanks to Bazz, our local seafood Guru who keeps doing this every year. And to all our members who supplied their carts for our use, thank you.
To all our new members and 9-hole ladies who entered and overcame their fear of ‘tournament’ golf, well done you guys!!
Thank you again to Opotiki New World, Dan, Annie and team. We look forward to working with you all again next year.
