Spid fires through wild conditions at 2nd annual Flying Fish Free Drop Flog Golf Tournament

The weekend that was saw The 2nd annual Flying Fish Free Drop Flog Golf Tournament won by photographer Spid Pye, taking the winners brown jacket from 2009 champion Ben Pegler (Ogilvy).

12 players shot 3 rounds over Friday, Saturday and Sunday (7th-9th May) at Omaha, Mangawhai and Waipu golf courses. To win the tournament requires an on and off the field performance par excellence. Stamina and skill are dually tested night and day. Players stay at the 19th Par2 golf retreat in Mangawhai.

For the first time in 2 years James Moore was the first to hit a hole in one on the Par2 lodge green. Whether people at the outdoor bar were watching or not, “It bloody went in!”

After round 1 and 2 Nigel Sutton of Colenso lead the boys with a margin of only one stableford point over Pye. Sutton pulled out another stellar night performance but could not hold the comp after playing Waipu in horizontal rain and icey cold winds. Pye, suspected of getting a relatively early night, came out firing and had another stonking round earning him 38 points for a total of 78 – best of two rounds and 8 points ahead of 2nd placed Sutton. Pye took home the grand prize of an SG5 GPS Caddie worth $700.

Players that entered all 3 rounds were given a branded Srixon ‘Fish Ball’ to play with. $350 at the golf warehouse was up for grabs to whoever retained their ball for all 3 rounds. Darran Wong Kam was the only player not to lose his ‘”Fish Ball’ and took home the prize.

Other awards and prizes went to:

Omaha Longest Drive: Paul Courtney (Colenso)

Omaha Closest to the Pin: Peter Moore (Moore Brands)

Mangawhai Longest Drive: Peter Moore

Mangawhai Closest to the Pin: Clint Bridger (Embroidery Works)

Waipu Longest Drive: Hugh Walsh

Waipu Closest to the Pin: Clint Bridger

A special thanks went to Franklin Road (for all your audio post requirements) for the very flash daily spot prizes and Embroidery Works (for all your embroidery requirements) for their classic contribution to the Winners Brown Jacket (pictured).

Quote of the weekend: Hugh Walsh on the last round at Waipu:

“120k winds, salt laden rain whipped off the tops of 40ft breakers,

players dropping with hypothermia, the tsunami, calling search and

rescue to find my ball and all the while fucking Spid telling me he

managed to play a fantastic shot around the tree, under the branch,

over the lake, across the bunkers into the windmill, down the chute,

out the dragons bum, on to the green and into the hole for another 3

points. “honestly mate I was really lucky there”.”

For interest in competing in next years Flog contact: flog@flyingfish.co.nz