Tue, Dec 15, 2020 5:47 PM

It's a family affair

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Peter Jones

It has often been stated that golf is a game for all the family.

That is certainly the case for one Marlborough clan.

In 1974, the Betts Memorial Trophy was donated to the Marlborough Golf Club by Marge Betts in memory of her late husband Fred, a keen golfer and regular at the Fairhall course.

Marge, a Marlborough GC and latterly Rarangi GC member, passed away four years ago, with the trophy now being contested on an annual basis in memory of both her and Fred.

So it was particularly appropriate a few weeks ago when the prize was claimed by two members of the Betts family - Marge and Fred’s son Mike Betts, now based in Napier, and Serena Brailsford, their granddaughter, who is not currently an active member but dusts off her clubs once a year to play in the event.

The trophy is contested in a four ball-best ball nett format and, as often happens, turned into a tight battle, with the Betts’ duo managing to come out on top, albeit on a countback basis.

“It was close, but we’ll take it,” said Serena with a smile.

“I have won [the trophy] a couple of times before,” she said, “but my uncle has not won it. He was super-stoked because it is the first time the name Betts will be inscribed on the trophy.”

Serena played off a 19 handicap, Mike off 10, as they held off a strong field of around 50 to lay claim to a unique piece of their family history.

“I’m sure my grandparents would have been very proud to see Mike and I get our hands on the silverware after all these years. [The trophy] has always been well supported by the club, which we are grateful for, plus, all the proceeds on the day go towards junior golf development.”

Serena expects Mike to make the trip south again next year to try and defend their prize.

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