Russley Golf Club hosted the annual interclub promotion/relegation matches on Sunday between the lowest-ranked Woodward Cup team and Blanks Cup teams looking to retain their status, against the challenges from Blank and Simon wanting to jump into the higher premier grades.
The Woodward/Blank challenge was played between Waimairi Beach (Woodward) and Avondale (Blank), a fixture which has repeated itself in recent seasons. Waimairi shot out to an early lead, and although Avondale surged back in the final holes, it wasn’t enough. A win to Waimairi 5-3 who retained their Woodward Cup position for 2026.
The drama came in the Blank/Simon match between Bottle Lake (Blank) and Waitikiri (Simon). At the mid-point Waitikiri led, but Bottle Lake players responded, and the match finished 4-all. So too a play-off between Matt Burns (Bottle Lake) and Geoff Rudduck (Waitikiri) it went. Playing Russley’s 10th and 18th holes, a result came on the 3rd play-off hole where Matthews prevailed, and Bottle Lake retained their spot in Blank Cup for 2026.
It was a day of good tense matches, tight results and in the end, on-course drama and heartbreak. Congratulations to all the clubs and their players. Thanks too to the Referees, and to Russley Golf Club for providing the venue and supporting the last act of the 2026 men’s premier interclub season.
