Golfer Pacific NZ - September 2016 by Golfer Pacific NZ

September 2016 11th year as NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive Golf club magazine

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ISSN 1178-0754 ISSN 1835-1336 XX 09

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A flying Fox in final round of Northern Ireland Open PAGE 3

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EDITORIAL

NEW ZEALAND EDITORIAL Paul Gueorgieff pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz Ph: 64 4 565 0385 Mob: 64 27 227 1038

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

olf at the Olympics: Was it a success at Rio? Should it remain at the Olympics? They were the burning questions for the sport following it’s re-introduction to the Olympics after an absence of 112 years for men and 116 years for women. Justin Rose won the men’s gold for Great Britain. Silver went to Henrik Stenson from Sweden and Matt Kuchar of the United States took the bronze. In the women’s section it was Inbee Park of South Korea who won gold. New Zealand darling Lydia Ko took the silver while the bronze went to Shanshan Feng of China. Let’s look at the women’s competition first. Given that there are restrictions to the number of players that could represent a country, virtually all of the world’s top women were at Rio de Janeiro. Full marks to the women. It was an excellent competition and the players were

Bring on the golf at the Tokyo Olympics effusive at being able to represent their country. You have to remember that for the other 51 weeks of the year they, in the main, are representing themselves. Now to the men. It was very disappointing that a number of high profile players elected to by-pass the Olympics. But even without them the competition was excellent. Rose and Stenson staged a battle royal in the final round similar to that of a month earlier when Stenson beat Phil Mickelson in the British Open. Once again the players were effusive at being able to represent their country and the final day’s play drew a sell-out crowd of 12,000. In my book golf was a success at Rio. And in my book golf should remain at the Olympics. I’m already looking forward to golf at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. And I’m sure there will not be the defections there were at Rio.

The notable absentees at Rio were Jason Day, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy. Golfer Pacific can advise that the world’s top four players, of the time, will be at Tokyo. They will all be from South Korea and we can reveal their names as Jay Sun Dae, Joor Dun Speek, Dee Jon Son and Mak Lee Roy. Golfer Pacific can also reveal the first controversy of the Tokyo Olympics. It is likely the games at Tokyo will be held a year earlier in 2019 because everything is ahead of schedule. You wont read this anywhere else but the main Olympic stadium was completed before the one at Rio. It is currently under a huge tarpaulin, hidden from the prying cameras of the news media until the official launch. The athletes’ village is already housing 10,000 locals who will be shifted to five star hotels during the games. The Australian competitors

don’t like the village and have advised they wont be staying there. The apartments are spotless but the Australians don’t like the attitude of the Japanese. They keep referring to the Aussies as mates. The Japanese have been very polite in that they refer to the men as Mr Mates and the women as Ms Mates. The Japanese language also allows them to call an older Australia woman as mar mate and a nonmeat eating Australian as a vege mate. The Japanese also have a cash crisis. Spending has come $US10 billion under budget and they don’t know what to do with the extra money. Some of the men golfers are demanding they should share in the cash overflow. The world’s top soccer players are also showing an interest in the money but most are saying it’s only $US10 billion. Roll on Tokyo.

SALES & CLUB PACKAGE GOLF TRAILS & NOTICEBOARDS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 7 5504 6334 Fax: 0061 7 5609 6061 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 LAYOUT & DESIGN Sarah Head layout.golferpacificnz@outlook.com PUBLISHER Golfer Pacific NZ LTD PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand ACCOUNTS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com SUBSCRIPTION $60.00 per annum including GST smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 5575 7444 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 NEW ZEALAND MAIL ADDRESS PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand AUSTRALIAN MAIL ADDRESS PO Box 264 Chevron Island QLD 4217, Australia COVER PHOTO: Ryan Fox. Photo: Golffile COPYRIGHT All material published in Golfer Pacific NZ is subject to all forms of copyright. Contents of this newspaper cannot be reproduced in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the editor. Views expressed in editorial contributions do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of this newspaper, its management. New Zealand Golfer Pacific is published Golfer Pacific NZ Limited. The company’s registered office is unit 10/7 Aruma St Chevron Island QLD 4217.

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September 2016

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A flying Fox in final round of Northern Ireland Open

yan Fox equalled the course record when he scored a brilliant nine-under par in the final round to win the Northern Ireland Open. The New Zealand golfer started the last day of the tournament three shots behind the leader but his amazing play in the last 18 holes saw him cruise to victory by four shots. Fox had two bogeys in the last round but he also racked up a sensational nine birdies and an eagle. The eagle came on the par four second hole in which he drove the green from 307m. His final round score of 62 equalled the course record at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club. The record had been set at the 2014 edition of the Northern Ireland Open. Fox had scores of 66, 68, 69 and 62 over the four rounds to finish at 19 under par. He said he impressed himself with his consistency. “To be honest, I played exactly how I played all week,” Fox said. “But I got really hot with the putter. I played solid from tee to green the whole week, and today I left myself a lot of makeable putts.’’ At one stage in the final round there was a chance Fox might score 59 but a bogey on the par four 16th scuppered that prospect. “It (the putter) got hot and it was nice to keep seeing the ball go in. I thought I was flirting with the magical number

for a while, but a three-putt on 16 didn’t help that.’’ Fox’s eagle on the second hole saw him three under par through the first two holes on the final day which was a turnaround from the previous day. “My start was a bit better than Saturday; I was one over after those two holes but (on Sunday) I holed a nice putt on the first and I was perfect off the tee to reach the green on the second hole. Yesterday, I went too far right, but I hit a great shot today and rolled in a nice putt from eight or nine feet.” Fox’s win meant he was the 15th different winner in 15 tournaments in the season to the time on the European’s Challenge Tour. It was also Fox’s second win on the Challenge Tour. He had won the Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in France in 2015. The Northern Ireland Open win earned Fox first prize of 27,200 euros, which is about $NZ42,000. It also took him to second on Challenge Tour’s league table, known as the Road to Oman, despite only having played five events. He had previously finished second, fourth, seventh and 18th. Fox said to register his second win on the Challenge Tour was very satisfying. “It’s hard to get your first win and sometimes it seems harder to keep doing it. It’s great to be a two-time winner on the Challenge Tour and build on the experience I had last year.”

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Ryan Fox with his trophy following his win in the Northern Ireland Open. Photo: Golffile

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September 2016

Ko nearly the youngest NZ woman to receive an Olympic medal GOLF NEWS 4

ydia Ko became the second-youngest New Zealand woman to win a medal at an Olympics when she finished second in the women’s golf event at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. She was aged 19 years, three months and 27 days. That was just 20 days older than the youngest who was Terina Te Tamaki. She gained a silver medal as part of the women’s rugby sevens team at the same Olympics. Ko went into the final round two shots behind Inbee Park of South Korea but missed several opportunities for birdies and finished the tournament at 11 under par. Park, on the other hand, scored a five-under par 66 on the final day and went on to win by five strokes at 16 under par. Ko got off to a slow start in the tournament with scores of 69 and 70 on the first two days. But she righted the ship with a brilliant six-under 65 on the third day and was delighted to receive an Olympic silver. “At the end of the second day I wasn’t in the greatest position but playing well in the last two days has led me to this point,’’ Ko said.

“I am so proud of myself and the team for getting this silver medal. It is a huge honour.” Ko holed a birdie putt on the last hole to avoid a play-off to determine the silver medalist. She was greatly relieved. “But for a crucial putt like that on the 18th [hole] to fall, I think I celebrated like the gold medallist,’’ she said, adding that the Olympic experience was a dream come true. “This means so much more to me. Since 2009 I’ve just dreamt and imagined myself to be here in Rio alongside the world’s best athletes. “Having this silver medal is just a dream come true. The Olympics isn’t about [whether] somebody lost to another player. It celebrates each and every athlete and we’ve all won. This week has just been surreal.” For 28-year-old Park, who is the LPGA’s youngest hall of fame qualifier, capped off an exceptional performance after recovering from injuries that kept her off the course for two months this year. “I feel extremely honoured and proud that I get to win a gold

medal in the Olympic Games,’’ Park said. “It feels truly unreal. I have won many tournaments but I have never felt this before. I really enjoyed being out here. Even if I hadn’t won a gold medal this week, it would have been a fantastic week. “There was nothing guaranteed because I hadn’t played well this season. I had to overcome a lot of obstacles,” the winner said, referring to her comeback from injury. Third was Shanshan Feng of China. She was not disappointed with bronze. “It’s unbelievable because I came in the last round in fourth and I knew I would have a chance but I didn’t want to give myself any pressure so I didn’t look at the leaderboard the whole time.” Golf returned to the Olympics this year after a more than a 100year absence. Park follows in the footsteps of American Margaret Abbott, who won the first and only women’s golf tournament at the Olympic Games, at the Paris 1900 Olympic Games, where USA also took silver and bronze.

September 2016

Lydia Ko at the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.

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NEWS

Lee and Fox bounce back on final day

ew Zealand golfers Danny Lee and Ryan Fox finished their Olympic campaign in Rio de Janeiro on a high note. Lee shot a solid two under par 69 to finish 27th equal in what was an exciting week for the Kiwi number one golfer. His round once again involved the odd bad hole mixed in with some exciting shotmaking which included five birdies. “It was a lot better than yesterday,” said Lee who had scored a horror five over par 76 the day before. “I was trying to hit lower and I probably tried to force myself too much. But it was a good round and good conditions.” He said it was difficult to put the previous day’s 76 behind him. “It’s really hard to come back from a five over round. But having one positive round to finish gives me a lot of confidence.” Lee said he had absolutely loved the Olympic experience. “I didn’t expect such big crowds. Golf is

not popular here, so it is great to see the crowds cheering us.” Fox also moved up the leaderboard in the final round shooting a three under 68 which placed him in a tie for 39th after four challenging rounds at the Olympic Golf Course. “It was really good today, I played by far the best I have all week,’’ Fox said. “It was a nice to finish this way and take some confidence from it and to prove I can foot it with the big boys.” He said organisers had done a wonderful job on the course. “The atmosphere has been great. I was lucky to play with a Brazilian the last two days and I have never heard a crowd cheer like that before. “All the guys have really enjoyed it. Golf in Brazil isn’t big, but it was sold out today, so it’s just going to get bigger and bigger.” The next Olympics are to be held at Tokyo in Japan in 2020.

The Carnoustie golf course in Scotland which is planning a major renovation of it’s clubhouse in time for the 2018 British Open.

Major renovation for Carnoustie clubhouse

arnoustie Golf Links in Scotland, hailed as the most challenging course on the British Open rota, has been given the go-ahead for a major redevelopment of its golf centre, with works due to be completed in time for The Open Championship in 2018. The planned enhancements will see the current club building receive a complete renovation with a focus on creating modern, open spaces for dining and relaxing after a round, said Pat Sawers, the chairman of the Carnoustie Golf Links management committee. “The planning permission has come through at an exciting time for us as we’ll be able to showcase the completed developments to a global audience during The Open Championship in 2018,” Sawers said. “The new facilities will offer twenty first

century style and convenience to all of our visitors throughout the year, whether they’re world class professionals from across the globe, or locals looking for a place to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.” The star feature of the project will be full length windows that will be installed throughout the upper floor of the building. This viewing gallery will reveal never-before-seen panoramas of the notoriously challenging closing holes of the links course, and will be accessible to all who visit the golf centre. As well as extensive renovations to the club building, cutting-edge golf simulator bays will be installed at the driving range to provide players with the latest technology to use during their warm-up and practice routines.

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September 2016

GOLF NEWS Photo: Douglas Sacha/Dreamstime

hen Justin Rose won the 2013 United States Open he earned more than $US1.4 million in prizemoney. It amounted to virtually $NZ2 million. But when the Briton won the Olympic gold medal for golf at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil last month there was not a single dollar involved. And it didn’t matter. “That felt better than anything I’ve ever won,” Rose said after defeating Henrik Stenson of Sweden in a tournament that went down to the last of the 72 holes. “It was the best tournament I’ve ever done. Hopefully we’ve shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves (but) for golf.” It was the first time golf had been staged at an Olympics for 112 years. The tournament looked like being a flop when a number of top players elected to by-pass the event including the game’s big four of Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith and Rory McIlroy. But interest grew as the event

Rose blooms into Olympic gold at Rio de Janeiro neared, culminating with a sell-out crowd of 12,000 on the final day’s play. “It’s a dream come true,” Rose added. “I’ve been thinking about Rio for a long, long time. I’ve been dreaming about coming here for a few years now. I was hoping my ranking would allow me to compete in the Olympic Games. “I came here in good form and I felt excited about competing, excited about giving it one hundred percent. “Then when I actually got down to Rio and experienced the whole vibe of the Olympics, to come out of it with a medal is incredible. To come out of it with gold — unbelievable.’’ Brazil is not one of the golfing world’s hotbeds and at least one of the spectators was not sure of the etiquette, as Rose himself found out. His tee shot on the second hole on the final day went into the crowd and a woman spectator raced to pick it up. Fellow spectators, watching in disbelief, urged the woman to let the ball go, which she did. Rose was drawing attention from the first day of the tournament. He scored

a hole-in-one with a seven iron on the fourth hole of 172m. It was the first hole-in-one in an Olympics. Rose, whose previous ace won him a new car, said he could not put a price on this historic one. “When you’re the first to do anything, no one can ever take it away from you, so it’s really cool,’’ Rose told The Mirror newspaper in England. “I’ll give the credit to my caddy because he told me to take a seven (iron) when I was going to take an eight. “From the tee you couldn’t really see where the ball had gone because the pin was at the back of the green; it was like one of those infinity drops.’’ Rose said the golfers who decided to by-pass the Olymics would be having second-thoughts. “I think the guys who aren’t here will be missing it. “The camaraderie in the athletes’ village and among competitors in different sports is terrific and the opportunity to be a part of something on this scale is really special.

September 2016

“Only in the Ryder Cup do you really play with real patriotic support but that’s what we got here — it had that feel to it.” Rose went on to score a four-under par 67 on the first day and followed up with scores of 69 and 65 on the second and third days. That left him with a one shot lead over Stenson and they were paired together for the final round. In a match that was similar to Stenson’s final round battle with Phil Michelson in the British Open a month earlier, the pair traded birdies all afternoon. Entering the 72nd hole, they were tied at 15 under par. Neither player could reach the par five 18th with their second shots and faced short pitch shots for up-and-down birdies. Stenson’s approach hit short of the pin and spun back, leaving him a 20-footer. Rose’s pitch hit and checked up inside three feet. Stenson went on to threeputt, and Rose tapped in for a birdie and the gold medal.

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Olympic Golf Leaderboards: Men and Women MEN POS.

GOLFER

COUNTRY

SCORE

TOTAL

Justin Rose

ENG

-16

268

Henrik Stenson

SWE

-14

270

Matt Kuchar

USA

-13

271

Thomas Pieters

BEL

-9

275

Rafael Cabrera-Bello

ESP

-8

276

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

THA

-8

276

Marcus Fraser

AUS

-8

276

Ryan Fox

NZL

285

Adilson Da Silva

BRA

285

Scott Hend

AUS

285

Jeunghun Wang

KOR

286

Espen Kofstad

NOR

286

Roope Kakko

FIN

286

Jose-Filipe Lima

PRT

288

Seiyoung Kim

KOR

-1

283

NOR

-1

283

Jhonattan Vegas

VEN

289

Marianne Skarpnord

284

Hao-Tong Li

CHN

289

Catriona Matthew

GBR

50 50

Shiv Chawrasia

IND

289

Alena Sharp

CAN

285

Gaby Lopez

MEX

286

Miguel Tabuena

PHL

291

Pernilla Lindberg

SWE

286

Shingo Katayama

JPN

292

Laetitia Beck

ISR

286

Stephanie Meadow

IRL

286

Byeong-Hun An

KOR

-6

278

Julien Quesne

FRA

293

David Lingmerth

SWE

-6

278

Brandon Stone

RSA

293

279

Anirban Lahiri

IND

294

279

Siddikur Rahman

BGD

295

Seamus Power

IRL

Thongchai Jaidee

THA

-5

279

Ricardo Gouveia

PRT

297

Fabrizio Zanotti

PRY

-5

279

Wen-tang Lin

TPE

154

Fabian Gomez

ARG

-5

279

Gregory Bourdy

FRA

-3

Padraig Harrington

IRL

-3

286

287

Tiffany Chan

HKG

288

Xiyu Lin

CHN

289

Carlota Ciganda

ESP

290

Gwladys Nocera Pucet

FRA

290

Aditi Ashok

IND

291

Shiho Oyama

JPN

292

Christine Wolf

AUT

293

Alejandra Llaneza

MEX

294

Julieta Granada

PAR

294

Karine Icher

FRA

294

Ursula Wikstrom

FIN

294

Noora Tamminen

FIN

295

Klara Spilkova

CZE

295

Ashleigh Simon

RSA

296

TOTAL

281

Inbee Park

KOR

-16

268

281

Lydia Ko

NZL

-11

273

281

Shanshan Feng

CHN

-10

274

281

Harukyo Nomura

JPN

-9

275

281

Stacy Lewis

USA

-9

275

Hee Young Yang

KOR

-9

275

Brooke Henderson

CAN

-8

276

Minjee Lee

AUS

-8

276

Charley Hull

GBR

-8

276

Kelly Tan

MAS

297

Miriam Nagl

BRA

298

Giulia Molinaro

ITA

300

Victoria Lovelady

BRA

300

Giulia Sergas

ITA

302

Chloe Leurquin

BEL

303

Fabienne In-Albon

SUI

306

Michelle Koh

MAS

308

Maha Haddioui

MAR

315

Ariya Jutanugarn

THA

-6

136

FIN

-3

281

-2

282

Matteo Manassero

ITA

-2

282

Joost Luiten

NLD

-2

282

Suzann Pettersen

NOR

-7

277

Anna Nordqvist

SWE

-6

278

Gerina Piller

USA

-6

278

Nanna Koerstz Madsen

DEN

-5

279

Su Oh

AUS

-5

279

In Gee Chun

KOR

-5

279

Maria Verchenova

RUS

-4

280

284

Teresa Lu

TPE

-4

280

284

Paula Reto

RSA

-4

280

285

Mariajo Uribe

COL

-3

281

CAN

-1

283

Nino Bertasio

ITA

-1

283

Wu Ashun

CHN

-1

283

Thorbjorn Olesen

DEN

-1

283

Nicolas Colsaerts

BEL

-1

283

Cheng-Tsung Pan

KOR

-1

283

Rodolfo Cazaubon

MEX

-1

283

Danny Willett

ENG

Rickie Fowler

USA

Felipe Aguilar

CHL

WHAT’S IN A GOLD MEDAL

o what’s an Olympic gold medal worth? Gold medals at the Olympics haven’t actually been 100 percent gold since the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, they’ve actually been mainly made of silver, with a gold plating on top to give them the appear-

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

NZL

DEN

SCORE

Danny Lee

TPE

Nicole Broch Larsen

COUNTRY

Mikko Ilonen

Candie Kung

GOLFER

David Hearn

WOMEN

POS.

282

283

278

-2

-1

-6

ESP

THA

AUT

-3

Azahara Munoz

Pornanong Phatlum

Bernd Wiesberger

-3

JPN

282

288

278

DEN

Soren Kjeldsen

Yuta Ikeda

-2

-6

SUI

MYS

USA

Albane Valenzuela

Danny Chia

Patrick Reed

282

283

277

-3

GER

Alex Cejka

280

-2

-1

-7

IRL

GER

ARG

Leona Maguire

Sandra Gal

Emiliano Grillo

282

287

277

-4

286

277

CAN

Graham Delaet

-2

GER

Caroline Masson

-5

281

-7

RSA

ESP

MYS

USA

-3

Jaco Van Zyl

Bubba Watson

-5

USA

Gavin Green

Sergio Garcia

GER

Lexi Thompson

Martin Kaymer

NEWS

ance of gold. At the Rio Olympics, the medals were composed of 98.8 percent silver (with a purity of 92.5 percent), with the gold plating (of 99.9 percent purity) making up just 1.2 peercent (six grams) of the 500 gram medal. The gold content is notable in that it is entirely free of mercury impurities. Compositions are variable at different Olympics;

September 2016

for example, at the London 2012 Olympics the gold medals consisted of gold (one percent), silver (92 percent) and copper (seven percent). The value of the Rio Olympics gold medal, based on its metal composition, is approximately $US565 ($NZ780). Contrast this with their value if they were composed of pure gold: their current market value would be $21,200 ($NZ29,000).

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Florida – More than just ‘gators’ J

OIN Denise & Kim from PaR nz Golfing Holidays on their 2017 Grand Florida USA Golf Tour that includes 18th Green grandstand tickets at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2017 to watch Aussie superstar and world number 1 Jason Day defend his newly won title. We present an overview of this golfing Mecca; “Beware the gators’ signs” are a thrilling part of playing golf in Florida, but a golf holiday to Florida can offer so much more. The ‘Sunshine State’ attracts huge numbers of golf-mad Americans and international golfers alike because it offers year-round opportunities to play some of the best courses in the US. Off the course, the choices seem endless with exciting theme parks, aeronautics, world-renowned restaurants, top hotels and spas, chic communities, ecological zones and 2170kms of whitesand beaches. Little wonder Florida has four beaches in the US Top 10. Attracting 95 million tourists annually, it often ranks above Rome and Paris as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. It is also one of the US’s fastest growing states, with more than 1000 people a week joining its base population of almost 20 million. Florida is a golfer’s paradise with over 1250 courses to play – more than any other state in the US. There is an array of spectacular courses designed by the legends of the game – Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones, and Gary Player to name a few. Florida courses host PGA, Champions and LPGA Tournaments annually on the Florida Swing. The PGA and LPGA make their home at Ponte Vedra Beach in north-east Florida. Just down the road at St Augustine, where the Spanish first settled the US in 1513, is The World Golf Hall of Fame and the spectacular, custom- built World Golf Village. You can find the lockers of Australians Kel Nagle, Greg Norman, Peter

Thomson, Walter Travis, Karrie Webb, and Kiwi Sir Bob Charles in the Hall of Fame and the museum houses a priceless collection of golf memorabilia of inducted golfing greats and historic records from the game itself. It is a must-visit for any golfer. In the World Golf Village are two, one-of-a-kind golf courses. The King & Bear is the only golf course in the world designed by Palmer and Nicklaus in collaboration. The other, The Slammer & Squire, is named in honour of golfing greats Sam ‘The Slammer’ Snead and Gene ‘The Squire’ Sarazen, who were consulted throughout its design. While many courses in Florida are open to the green-fee-paying public, access to playing the best courses does require skillful networking. Many courses are exclusively private and others have hotel partnerships that are ‘stay and play’ only. The best courses in Florida include TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, in northeast Florida, which is the host course of the so called ‘fifth major’, THE PLAYERS Championship. The 17th, a par 3 island green is one of the most recognised and notorious holes in golf. Sawgrass reports that more than 100,000 balls are collected each year from the water around this difficult course. The other top course is Seminole in Palm Beach, a classic-style course built in the 1920s by Donald Ross. Seminole was a favourite of resident Ben Hogan in his warmup for The Masters. Golf initiated in Florida near Palm Beach in 1896 with the building of The Breakers Ocean Course by railway tycoon and father of Florida tourism, Henry Flagler. On the same coast, Jupiter Island is the latest ‘hot- spot’ for pro-golfers and where you could to run into Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood or Ernie Els at the local supermarket. Jack Nicklaus started the exodus to Florida’s south-east coast 40 years ago and others followed, including the most recognised high- flying golfer Greg Norman, with most building

Trump Doral Blue Monster course

eight-figure-sum homes. US President Barack Obama has holidayed in Jupiter Island, playing a much publicised round with Tiger Woods Golfers are drawn to the Miami region for its superb beaches and nightlife. Arguably, the best course in Miami is the Trump Doral Blue Monster course with its extremely challenging 18th hole mastered by winner of The Doral Open in 2004, Craig Parry. Donald Trump, US Presidential Elect in 2016, purchased Doral in 2012 and completed a major renovation of the hotel and some of its five courses. Others include The PGA National with its famous ‘Bear Trap’ and home to The Honda Classic. The best course around Orlando is Bay Hill, where Arnold Palmer lives and plays. The course is host to the Bay Hill MasterCard Invitational. Other favourites include Reunion, Grand Cypress, Disney courses and the Greg Norman-designed Championsgate courses. Further inland to central Florida are the two new Streamsong courses, Red designed by Tom Doak who designed

September 2016

Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand and the Blue course designed by Coore & Crenshaw. Both are inland links courses which is unusual in Florida, both built on the site of an old phosphate mine. The courses and hotel are owned by mining company Mosaic and already the Red course is rated Florida’s best public course. The stretch of beach from Daytona to Jacksonville on the north-east coast boasts numerous golf resorts with great access to the Atlantic Ocean, including Amelia Island. For a more relaxing Florida experience, the Tampa and Naples coastal areas are emerging golf destinations. GolfAdvisor recently included the Nicklaus Old Corkscrew golf course in Naples in its Top 10 – and the Tiburon Gold Course is the most famous in that area as it hosts the Greg Norman Shark Shootout and the LPGA CME Global Trophy. Yes, for golfers, Florida is certainly worth the journey from Australia and New Zealand. For all details and registration forms, please refer denise@parnz.co.nz or call +64 9 486 1077.

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2017 GRAND FLORIDA USA GOLF TOUR INCLUDING INCLUDING THE THE PLAYERS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP 4th-20th 4th-20th MAY MAY 2017 2017

Playing

10 of

Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest Attend THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Play TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course Tiburon Gold Old Corkscrew Trump Doral Blue Monster Trump Doral Silver Fox Bay Hill Disney Magnolia World Golf Village Slammer & Squire World Golf Village King & Bear Ponte Vedra Beach Ocean Course

PaR n.z. drives

G O L F T R AV E L The Bluffs

Sky Lake Course

Vietnam golf explosion continues

2017 Vietnam & Cambodia Tour Release by PaR nz Golfing Holidays

ietnam launched itself on the golf market in the early 1990s and has grown substantially in popularity and golf offerings. Having travelled there for some years now, the team at PaR nz Golfing Holidays is staggered by how quickly this socialist republic has so many top courses being built with big name designers. Here’s an overview of three of the latest. Greg Norman’s 77th course, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, is getting rave reviews, some say it’s his best yet. Norman is carving out an impressive portfolio of world-renowned courses with 37 currently under construction, The Bluffs being his fifth in Vietnam. Sadly, there is none yet in New Zealand. The Bluffs hosted the inaugural Ho Tram Open, a lucrative US $1.5 million Asian Tour tournament in December last year. A links-style course along a natural coastline near the small town of Ho Tram, The Bluffs is about two hours southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Many fairways funnel into amphitheatre type fairways with sandy dunes on both sides covered with indigenous brush and trees called ‘tram’, pronounced ‘charm’. The course is subjected to high winds most days, however, it’s not all tough. There are wide fairways and a manageable 45 metres difference in elevation between the lowest and highest points. The 1st opens with a wide fairway joined with the 9th – so it’s important to take careful note of which hole you are playing. This start is typical of many of Norman’s holes with wide tee shots beckoning followed by challenging, tight approaches to the green. Jack Nicklaus is famous for his ‘risk and reward’ style of courses. Norman has his own catchphrase, ‘opportunity and danger’, which applies neatly to

The Bluffs. Norman stated confidently at the opening: “I absolutely believe The Bluffs has the potential to be one of the top courses in the world”. The total Ho Tram Strip complex, where construction started in 2006 after a two-year planning process, includes The Grand – a five-star, 541room hotel with a casino. Three more hotels are planned in a multi-million project undertaken by Ho Tram Project Company, which is owned by Canada-based Asian Coast Development Limited. New Zealander, 2005 US Open Winner Michael Campbell played in a charity exhibition match at the opening golf gala. Today, there are fewer than 50 golf courses in Vietnam, which for a population of more than 93 million may seem modest compared to New Zealand’s 400 courses for 4.5 million residents. What Vietnam lacks in course numbers, however, it makes up for in quality. Take, for instance, Sky Lake, Hanoi’s twin 18-hole PGA championship courses. Managed by IMG Prestige, the most recent of the two, the Sky Course has been open for only eighteen months, while its sibling, known as the Lake Course, opened in 2012. Ahn Moon Hwan, a Korea-based course architect, designed both courses, which stretch over countryside where French military and Vietnamese opposition forces clashed during the first ‘Indochina War’, which ended in 1954. Both courses are semi-private members clubs with limited public access. The Sky is the more accessible. Sky Lake is only 20km from Hanoi’s historic centre and offers stunning vistas off the tee and fairway with sweeping limestone mountain views of Van Son. The Vietnam Golf Association vot-

Sky Lake course

ed the Lake Course as the most challenging course in 2012-13 reviews. The Lake Course is a links-style challenge with grand lakes and mountain views surrounded by indigenous jungle. The Sky Course is more park-like with rolling hills and fairways, and farmland views. Recently opening is a world-first for the former number one, Luke Donald, Ba Na Hills also managed by IMG. Located about 30 minutes from Danang, on the Central Coast bordering the South China Sea, the course has minimal elevation changes and its bunkers are predicted to be a big feature. The bunkers include bright white sand with soft low sand lines, and big bold grass bunker edges leading onto soft long undulating greens. Ba Na Hills is not, however, another seaside

September 2016

course but a mountain course with a mix of topography and vegetation. The opening tee shots are aimed at generous fairways that tighten with the many bunkers planned. It’s a case of watch this space with Vietnam, as more golfers discover its charms. The number of domestic golfers is small, with only 5000 registered, but the fairways are being filled with international guests daily. The chance to now play these courses along with six other selected Vietnamese and Cambodian master-pieces, designed by Norman, Montgomery, Faldo to name but three, is real, on our 2017 Vietnam & Cambodia Tour! For all details and registration forms, please refer denise@parnz.co.nz or call +64 9 486 1077.

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2017 VIETNAM & CAMBODIA GOLF TOUR 28 28 JANUARY JANUARY TO TO 14 14 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY

Exciting and fascinating Golf Tour to Cambodia and Vietnam in 2017, hosted by experienced guides, Denise & Kim from PaR nz Golfing Holidays. Exceptional line up of courses including the world-acclaimed golf courses of Ba Na Hills in Danang designed by Luke Donald, Greg Norman’s The Bluffs in Ho Tram Strip and access to the private members course of Sky Lake in Hanoi. 18 days taking in Siem Reap and the amazing Angkor Wat Temples, time in Saigon, Danang, Halong Bay and Hanoi. 9 world-class championship golf courses, a visit to Hoi An and the Cu Chi Tunnels – and more!

Life on the Mekong

Booking Now – Will you join us?

PaR n.z. drives

Calling all scorecards By Bob Davies

Hello & Greetings from Australia. Please my I introduce myself, my name is Bob Davies and I am 72 years of age, Scottish but I now live in Australia with my wife Judy, I am a member of the Australian Golf Heritage Society and I am currently collecting and documenting the history of golf courses around the world by collecting a golf course scorecard from as many golf courses as I can from each and every country in the world that plays our great game golf. I took up playing golf about 15 years ago and after a few years I soon realized that I was never going to be a great golfer, now I more or less just play for the fun of it and making friends, about 10 years ago a friend asked me if I would like a couple of his used scorecards that he picked up in Fiji which I gratefully received, later on I thought to myself that this could be an interesting Idea to collect scorecards from all over the world Here I am 10 years later with scorecards from 253 different countries of the world, in my collection, including Algeria, Ethiopia, Syria, Ecuador, Fiji, Samoa, The Sudan, Mongolia, Antarctica, The Arctic Circle and many more. I am now concentrating on the Pacific Island’s and in particular your beautiful

Jerry King // Cartoonist // www.jerryking.com

country of New Zealand, I am very fortunate to have obtained a few scorecards from some of your more well known illustrious courses like Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, and Parapareumu Beach, but I would love to be able to add scorecards from some of the small towns and villages who might also have a golf course, as I believe that the small town golf courses are just as important as the more prestigious ones.

»» If you can help grow Bob’s collection, send your scorecard to Bob Davies P.O.Box 311 Monbulk, Victoria 3793 Australia

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Hong Kong tournament added to China PGA Tour

Hong Kong tournament has been added to the PGA Tour of China, making it the tour’s first event outside mainland China. The event is the Clearwater Bay Open which will be staged at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club from October 31-November 6. The tournament will field 120 players with total prizemoney of 1.2 million yuan, which is about $NZ250,000. Greg Gilligan, PGA Tour vice president and greater China managing director, said: “This new tournament marks further development of the PGA Tour China series’ presence and its impact in the greater China region. “We’d like to thank The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club for its commitment to the PGA Tour China series. I am sure the players will love the spectacular course and enjoy the tournament experience in Hong Kong, truly one of the world’s great cities.” The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, established in 1982, offers an 18-hole course divided into two parts: the highland nine and

the ocean nine. The club is located in the New Territories and is situated on a peninsula, with stunning views of the South China Sea and Hong Kong. After its initial opening, the team of Thomson Perrett redesigned the course layout to its current specifications. Peter Thomson, a principal in Thomson Perrett and an Australia native, is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a fivetime winner of The Open Championship and a three-time captain of The Presidents Cup international team. Thomson Perrett has designed or redesigned golf courses in 12 countries. Last October, The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club was the host venue for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, a tournament won by China teenager Jin Cheng, who is the only amateur to win a PGA Tour China series event—the 2014 Nine Dragons Open. The PGA Tour China series is in its third season with it’s top players graduating to the Web. com Tour in the United States.

NEWS

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem (left) and The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club Chairman Wyman Li following the agreement announcing a PGA Tour China Series event at the club.

Six of NZ’s best for Asia-Pacific tournament in Korea S ix of New Zealand’s top ranked amateur golfers will travel to Korea next month for the eighth edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The six are Nick Voke (Auckland), Ryan Chisnall (Tasman), Luke Toomey (Waikato), Nick Coxon (Waikato), Daniel Hillier (Wellington) and Luke Brown (Northland). The Asia-Pacific tournament is played annually at a different venue throughout the Asia-Pacific region and in 2017 will be staged in Wellington at the Royal Wellington Golf Club. The event is organised by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation in conjunction with the Masters Tournament and the Royal & Ancient. The winner receives an invitation to the US Masters and, along with the runner-up, gains entry to The Open qualifying series for The Open Championship. This year’s tournament, to be held from October 6-9, will be broadcast to more than 150 countries. This electrifying Kiwi side has a great

mix of experience and youth with Voke, Chisnall, Toomey and Coxon all being part of the 2015 side that impressed in Hong Kong. It is also an exciting opportunity for debutants such as Hillier who had a stand-out summer as he looks to test himself against the world’s best. Chisnall has been selected for many New Zealand sides but his excitement levels never change when he gets the chance to don clothing sporting the silver fern. “It's always an honour to play for your country and this year I believe we have an exciting team that can really compete well on the world stage," Chisnall said. "For sure, it's exciting to be returning but it's not just me having a bit of experience with Vokey, Luke and Nick there as well. The balance of the side this year is really nice and we will head to Korea with high hopes." There is an exciting aura about 18-yearold Hiller from Wellington’s Manor Park Golf Sanctuary as he looks set to make

his Asia-Pacific debut and for good reason. His trophy cabinet includes the New Zealand Amateur Championship, the New Zealand under-19 Strokeplay Championship and the Harewood Open on New Zealand’s Charles Tour. In March of this year Hillier was also the leading amateur at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown while in April he won the Australia Junior Champion, which has earned him a start in the Australian Open in November. Hillier found it hard to hide his joy when talking about the upcoming trip to Seoul in Korea. “I’m incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity,’’ Hillier said. “I’ve had some awesome experiences over the past 18 months, and being able to head to Seoul for my first Asia-Pacific Amateur will be an experience I’ll never forget. “It'll be my biggest amateur event to date and I'm sure I'll learn a lot about my-

self and my game during the week. To be able to head over there with some of the Kiwi lads who I have looked up to since I first started playing national events is a pretty cool feeling. I can't wait to get out there and enjoy the experience.” Brown will also make his Asia-Pacific debut after impressing throughout a northern hemisphere summer. The Northland No 1 has recently been touring around Europe and gaining vital experience on the international scene. Since its inauguration in 2009, the Asia-Pacific has produced an impressive list of winners, including two-time champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who has risen to world No 19 and continues to be dominant on the world stage. The tournament will feature 120 players from the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s 39 member associations and will be played over 72 holes of strokeplay, with a cut for the leading 60 players plus ties after 36 holes.

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Come along and reunite with fellow members and celebrate this hidden gem of a club! FRIDAY 14TH Jubilee Registrations & info packs 3pm Wine & cheese evening with a walk down memory lane from 5pm - Kawerau Golf Club SATURDAY 15TH Jubilee Tournament - Kawerau Golf Club Happy Hour mix & mingle from 6-7pm Social evening & dinner: presentations, cake, walk down memory lane cont. - Kawerau Cosmopolitan Club SUNDAY 16TH Memorial Service & BBQ brunch with entertainment by Pene Rangi - Kawerau Golf Club

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G O L F T R AV E L 14

Scotland or Ireland? Why Choose?

cotland and Ireland are both bucket list golfing destinations. There is much discourse as to which is best and when it comes to choosing one over the other, well, that’s open to debate. What we know for sure is the depth of great golf in both countries is such that you could make double-digit trips to the British Isles, playing different courses each time, without ever hitting a dud. There was passionate debate among our staff and tour hosts as to where we should go and what courses to play in both Scotland and Ireland. So we resorted to Guinness and Glenfiddich and a few late nights to come up with the ultimate bucket list tours to both destinations. In golfing terms, there isn’t one Ireland or one Scotland. They are both essentially three apiece. Ireland has the Northwest, the Southwest, and Northeast; Scotland has the West (Turnberry), East with St Andrews and the Highlands (Royal Dornoch). Unless you have unlimited time and money, (we’re here to help if you do!) when it comes to golf courses, like us, you’ll be faced with a plethora of choice and then challenging decisions.

There is no denying Scotland takes the crown when it comes to pedigree. It is the holy land of golf. The Scots developed the game, created the rules, built the courses and nurtured the first architects and champions. What makes it so unique is the land on which it is played. You don’t go to Scotland to play parkland or heathland courses. You go to Scotland to play on a ‘true’ Scottish links course. You go there to play one of the courses where history was created and where the temperamental wind and rain can embellish the challenge of hitting a small ball along ancient dunes covered with grass until it falls into a four and a quarter inch hole. It would be difficult to find a more fitting golf destination than St Andrews. The name is synonymous to golfing royalty and you’ll find some of Scotland’s finest links courses on its doorstep. With spectacular surroundings of beaches and medieval architecture, it is a lively little town thriving with tourists and students going to the historic University of St Andrews and more pubs per square-feet than anywhere else in the UK. Kingsbarns, eight miles away from

St Andrews, is relatively young and more man made than your average Scottish links. Yet it delivers a surreal, tiered amphitheater setting overlooking the sea. This modern layout is visually spectacular and tremendously fun to play. On a clear afternoon, you can often see across the North Sea to the small town of Carnoustie with its fearsome championship course that has tested the game’s best players for decades. And then, on our Scottish bucket list there is Turnberry, on the Atlantic, where we’ve picked the fantastic Ailsa course and the majestic Royal Troon.

September 2016

Our journey will take you to Loch Lomond where you’ll play the Carricks golf course. Now, what about Ireland? When it comes to links golf, it does pack a punch. For golfers, it doesn’t get any better than this. Ireland’s southwest is renowned for its string of links courses which stretch along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Fashioned along windswept beaches and between high dunes, it takes you back to the game’s origins. There is nothing artificial here; just golf on foot, dictated by the natural landscape, the elements and the luck of the bounce.

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Our Irish golf line-up is packed with the who’s who of links layouts. There’s the Alister MacKenzie classic - Lahinch, to the north, and embraces Ballybunion, Tralee, and the idyllic Waterville, on the Ring of Kerry to the south. And then there is the immaculate and awe inspiring Old Head Golf Club, peering down on the ocean from 300 foot cliffs, on a peninsula which resembles a diamond earring in shape.

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Waterville and Tralee boast some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. Bays, peninsulas, mountains and ocean add to these inspiring golf experiences, but playing them is even better. Waterville has the most elegant and rhythmic dune systems. It is a course which builds and builds, with the closing three holes streaking above the ocean in a dramatic par four, three, five finish. It is the most

picture perfect links in Ireland. Tralee was designed by Arnold Palmer and/or God… or so said Arnold Palmer of the majestic back nine which rises and falls to create many of the most impressive holes in the country. Little needs to be said about Ballybunion, a links which rose to prominence thanks to Tom Watson’s visit in the 1980s. It is another course of muscular dunes and an out-

September 2016

standing green setting. Old Head is an unbelievable cliff-top golf experience. It doesn’t get more thrilling than this, with nine of its holes literally clinging to the cliffs’ edge. From the iconic links to the breath-taking landscapes, not to mention the hospitality and the craic, not many golf destinations in the word can compete with Killarney and its accompanying golfing greats. We’ve hosted several tours to both Scotland and Ireland and while we might debate the merit of course inclusions, for lovers of golf and life, these tours are guaranteed to hit your sweet spot. Start your journey in Ireland with a 13-day golf tour that will see you play 6 rounds of magnificent links golf. The fully escorted tour will see you stay at Dromoland Castle, partake in a sumptuous medieval feast, soak in the Irish culture and history, take in the breathtaking rural landscape sprinkled with quaint villages and have the best time of your life playing golf. Continue onto Scotland to walk in the shoes of Open Champions like Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. It is a 13-day bucket list trip with 7 rounds of golf that will take you to St Andrews, the home of golf, Loch Lomond and Turnberry, and to Dundonald Links where you will experience the atmosphere of the final day at the 2017 Scottish Open. Sure, you can choose to just go to Scotland or to Ireland, but something tells me it will be too hard to choose. So let’s do both! Go to www.gogolfing.net.au for more information.

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LAND VS SOUTH I

Determining New Zealand’s best 18 holes (and 19th!) By Andrew Whiley

olfers love to talk about what are their favourite courses and golf holes, so now is the time to get involved and share your opinions with us. When I look around the golf courses of New Zealand, I have many favourite holes and I also definitely have some favourite 19th Holes! We want to hear what are your favourites? Every golf course usually has a signature golf hole that they use in their iconic shots for tourism advertising. I doubt there is a golfer in New Zealand that hasn’t seen the amazing vistas in the pho-

tos taken of the 7th or 8th Holes at Jacks Point. Nothing against them, but personally my favourite hole at Jacks Point is the Par 5, 5th Hole. My all-time favourite first hole in New Zealand has to be the 1st Hole at The Hills. Standing on that first tee is simply amazing, with the views, the tee shot needed and the challenges around the green. The 18th hole I most enjoy playing is the 18th (or 9th ) at Coronet Nine, which is a Par 5 with a challenging third shot over the pond in front of the Mill House. I’m also a fan of the 18th Hole at Clearwater that has been the scene of

many dramatic finishes in some of New Zealand’s great golf tournaments. When you look around the country there are many other great holes to be considered. The 17th at Paraparaumu Beach, the 11th at Waitangi, the 16th at Gulf Harbour, and don’t forget the 10th at Terrace Downs or the Par 4, 5th hole at Queenstown Golf Club. What is also important for most golfers is which golf club has the best 19th Hole! Now I have seen a few in my day, not only in New Zealand but internationally. Some are where I have spent many hours solving the world’s problems and some are

just a place I stop at when I play the golf course. Kauri Cliffs has my favourite for views; Balmacewan (Otago Golf Club) is my top for its history and definitely Balclutha for the banter and the best postround food made by members. And don’t forget the heat generated from its cosy log burner! Just a reminder for your submissions, each golf course can have no more than one hole nominated and we are after the best holes in the North Island and the South Island, plus your favourite clubhouse. Your input is important so please get your friends and club involved.

North Island Vs South Island

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NOMINATE EACH ISLAND’S FAVOURITE GOLF HOLES Here’s your chance to vote your region’s FAVOURITE 18 GOLF HOLES AND 19TH CLUB HOUSE. The judging team that announces New Zealand’s TOP GOLF COURSES has joined with GOLFER PACIFIC. Judge Coordinator, NZPGA Golf Professional Andrew Whiley sees this new feature as a natural progression of the top course ranking awards. “New Zealand is blessed with some great unique Golf Holes and great Clubs with history and great times,” said Andrew. Nominate North Island’s best 18 Golf holes and South Island’s best 18 golf holes – is it a par 3, par 4 or par 5? Sorry only one hole nominated per golf course. Then a public vote will take place with you the golfers able to vote on the best golf holes! We also want to find out who has the best club house and why! Results will be ranked, with top ranking holes declared National winners in Golfer Pacific NZ’s January 2017 issue, with entries closing December 20 2016.

Nominate online at www.golferpacific.co.nz/nominate

LAND VS SOUTH I

T&CS ONLY ONE HOLE NOMINATED PER GOLF COURSE. RESULTS WILL BE RANKED , WITH TOP RANKING HOLES DECLARED NATIONAL WINNERS IN GOLFER PACIFIC NZ’S JANUARY 2017 ISSUE, WITH ENTRIES CLOSING DECEMBER 20 2016.

September 2016

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GOLFCOMMENT

A hive of activity at Remuera By Andrew Whiley A voice from the south

ow does your golf course blend in with the local environment? The importance of a golf course as a “green’’ space is one discussion point that has been underrated in the argument about golf courses in Auckland. But this also applies to your golf course whether it’s in a semi rural area or a suburban setting. Golf courses today are dramatically more environmentally friendly than they were 10 or 20 years ago. The education of golf course superintendents really has made them conscious of the bio-diversity of the land which they work on. Last March, during the NZ PGA Championship, I learnt what the Remuera Golf Club was doing with beehives on the golf course. I was not aware of an urban golf course ever doing this before. Actually I don’t recall playing any rural golf course that has ever had beehives on them.

In talking with the Remuera greens keeping superintendent, Spencer Cooper, he told me that he and club management were mindful that their course lay in the heart of suburbia, right next to an enormously popular reserve with significant wetlands and magnificent birdlife (the Waiatarua Reserve). They are acutely aware that any poor management techniques on their part could have a detrimental impact – not only on the reserve and its birdlife, but also the club’s neighbours. Spencer went on to say that “bees were a vital part of the ecosystem as they are particularly susceptible to pollutants and pesticides. “If Remuera was to be a truly sustainable golf course, bees are an excellent indicator for us of the environmental health of the golf course and should we successfully maintain healthy populations then we know we are on the right track”. He added that golf courses world-wide have “copped a bad reputation for de-

stroying habitat, using too much water and polluting waterways” – in short, for poor sustainability practices. “We feel it’s important to counter that perception and show that golf courses – if managed well – can in fact offer a major environmental benefit to the local community”. When Spencer met a local beekeeper in the area, who was looking for a good spot for some of his hives, a relationship was established. In return he would educate the staff at the golf course and share some honey with the club. Spencer thought it would be a good way to start. So with four hives to begin with, they were able to assess the risks and benefits to the golf course. According to Spencer, the bees seem to thrive on the manuka trees on and around the golf course, as well as the neighbours’ beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Currently, most of the honey is retained by the beekeeper but the plan is to have some of the honey served in the clubhouse restaurant this summer and

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“we would like to sell some to the members and local golfers”. Spencer believes this is the perfect feel good story for the club and it helps to communicate what the club is trying to achieve environmentally. For the Remuera Golf Club this is only part of the story. The day before me talking to Spencer, they had a site visit and audit by a Golf Environment Organization (GEO – www.golfenvironment. org) representative. From this visit they are hoping to get some positive feedback from GEO with possible formal accreditation/certification from them. If this does transpire, they will be “the first golf course in New Zealand with this environmental certification which will be really exciting for us, especially considering we are the closest golf course to Auckland CBD”. So I challenge all golfers to ask their golf clubs, both staff and board members, what they are doing to be more environmentally friendly in their communities.



10 rounds of golf concession voucher

$350

(normally from $450)

 12 cart hire concession voucher

Pukekohe Golf Club

$395 (normally $480)

THE GOLF VOUCHERS CANNOT BE USED ON SATURDAYS

MEMBERSHIPS: Full: $1305 Intermediate I: 21 – 25 year olds - $520 Intermediate II: 26 – 35 years old - $825 For the best course in Auckland

(We hear this often so find out for yourself)

Phone: 09 294 8822 Email: fun@pukekohegolf.co.nz

PUK

EKOHE

DDI 09 536 4715 | golf@formosa.co.nz | www.formosa.co.nz GOLF COURSE • RESTAURANT • DRIVING RANGE • WEDDINGS • CONFERENCES • PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

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Nothing quite like the Ryder Cup By Duncan Simpson New Zealand PGA Secretary

t’s been a fantastic year for golf fans, with nine major championships and the reappearance of golf at the Olympic Games. Now comes, arguably, the icing on the cake with the staging of the 41st Ryder Cup matches at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, in the United States. Whether you are a regular follower of golf or not, there’s no event quite like the Ryder Cup. It creates the thrill of manto-man combat backed by unbelievable spectator commitment and national fervour. From humble beginnings in 1927 when seed merchant Sam Ryder donated £100 towards a gold cup to be played for between teams of professional golfers from Great Britain and the USA, it has grown to be at least the equal of any major championship in size and economic impact.

The 2014 event at Gleneagles in Scotland had a budget of £85 million, but the overall economic benefit to the host nation was probably even greater. Naturally, the PGAs of America and Great Britain and Ireland benefit from the revenue generated, but the majority of this is ploughed back into initiatives for growing the game of golf, such as the PGA Junior Golf League, which is about to be trialled here in New Zealand. In the end, it boils down to 28 matches contested by two teams of 12 players, playing foursomes and four balls on the first two days, with 12 singles matches on the final day. Behind the players is an entourage of captains and vice-captains: Davis Love for the USA, supported by Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods and Tom Lehman; and Darren Clarke for Europe, with no less than five vice captains: Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter and Sam Torrance.

You may well ask why so many are needed for what appears, on the surface, to be a fairly simple matchplay event? The reasoning is, firstly, that the support team can help the players get psychologically ready for the cauldron of the cup, drawing on their own vast experience and their knowledge of the opposition. Indeed it could be argued that some of the vice-captains (such as “Mr 58” Jim Furyk) are good enough to make the team in their own right, although none can be used as substitutes. The second reason is to help the captains get the pairings right, with these having to be decided at short notice between rounds on the first two days, and to determine the “batting order” for Sunday’s singles matches. A cynic might suggest that this is also a way of spreading the blame if things go wrong, and that it is easy to work out the best partnerships (who are not necessarily the top ranked players, as the disas-

trous pairing of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods at Oakland Hills in the 2004 Ryder Cup demonstrated). In the end, it will be the captain who finishes up as the hero –- Paul McGinley at Gleneagles in 2014 –- or the man who got it all wrong (Tom Watson at the same event), even if there’s little they can do to influence matters once the players step onto the first tee. Despite having lost six of the last seven cups, the USA goes to Hazeltine as the favourite. The course –- a massive 7021m with a course rating of 78 and a slope of 153 -– has clearly been selected to suit their big bombers, but whether this holds up under matchplay conditions is another question. For New Zealand fans, the Ryder Cup will be great live morning viewing, starting from Saturday, October 1 our time through to the following Monday. Don’t schedule any meetings that morning –- I expect it to go right down to the wire.

VISITING WELLINGTON? PLAY THE AREA’S INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED GOLF SANCTUARY 20 Minutes from CBD Wellington, commuter railway station; 50 metres from the Club gates. Green Fees $45 (all comers any day except Mad Monday $20)

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September 2016

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GOLFCOACHING

100percentgolf.com

Why don’t we practice more? around, long term swing tendencies or properly set out steps for improvement.

By Anthony Barkley NZPGA Professional

racticing your golf takes time and patience but is one of those important aspects that if done properly will improve your golf. I will emphasize that any golf practice needs to be done well to be effective as over the years I have also seen those that practice almost every day but make no progress or improvements. So what is it that we need to do to make our practice worthwhile?

HAVE SOMETHING TO PRACTICE

You need to have something to practice. Makes sense right, but often people don’t have a purpose for their practice meaning many leave the range feeling frustrated. If this is you, you need to seek advice from your professional or coach to be given correct forms of practice to make improvements for you. The internet will have loads of ideas, drills and advice but there is no individually based guidance that includes body issues to work

ON COURSE PRACTICE

ing potential quicker gains.

DRIVING RANGES

Is on course practice ok? Yes and no. Obviously to keep your course in good condition and keep angry green keepers of your back, never hit more than two balls while on the course. On course practice is great to fine tune your playing, not to make major swing changes. On course practice should be used as part of your game improvement plan or when you are peaking for a tournament.

Should you practice at driving ranges? Yes, if you can’t get to a normal practice range but you have to be more disciplined in your practice as human nature makes us want to smash a drive meaning you can lose focus on why you are there. But, if you have a plan go for it, at least you won’t have to pick up the balls. I myself am not a fan of hitting of mats as it gives you a false sense of impact but often the positives outweigh the negatives.

What about using cameras? I think advances in cameras and the fact that most phones have great video capabilities make using these an asset as long as you know what to look for. Again, your coach will guide you here. There are many great free coaching apps available these days and I have many students using ones that talk to each other meaning I can check their swings etc from their own course range. It’s about instant feedback mean-

It takes time to be able to hit lots of balls and I recommend no more than 3040 balls at a time for this reason. I also suggest you mix your practice up to include some skill based work. Challenge yourself to hit certain golf shots, create a reward if you achieve this challenge and train more like you play. If you love your practice and can be on the range for hours still add some skill based drills as

CAMERAS

WHAT IF HITTING BALLS IS BORING?

this will help your playing. Just remember that being able to get out of trouble can save a lot of shots per round but do we practice this enough?

QUICKEST WAY TO DECREASE SCORES

What’s the quickest way to decrease scores? Short game work like chipping and putting will improve your score no doubt, but having a very good understanding of your swing will give you confidence to play to your strengths. This is where coaching is going these days I feel. Its about working to control what you have unless you make a considerable commitment to change. Fundamental movement is still key but it doesn’t have to be perfect, just repeatable under pressure. Seek advice and start your golf improvements. If you would like help planning your practice and have someone keep track of things for you please contact me as for a small fee I can help you. Online video lessons are also a definite possibility so don’t hesitate to talk with me about this: ant@100percentgolf.com Days are getting longer, weather is getting warmer so it’s time to hit that range and start your improvements.

Anthony Barkley is Golfer Pacific’s Golf professional contributor. He is head professional at Rotorua Golf Club. “Ant” is responsible for many aspects of play at the club. One of the main things that he sees his role is to help people enjoy their golf more. Over the coming month’s he will write these articles with this intention of writing about club fitting, coaching, the mental game and will include the occasional review of new products.

Exclusively to

HEADLAND GOLF CLUB SUNSHINE COAST, QLD

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TECHNICAL - Improve you as an athlete, show them technique in coaching sessions, plus play and practice alongside the pro players I teach. ABILITY TO PLAY A COURSE Course management, how to create yardage books and strategy for your games, all hosted at Akarana Golf Club. ENJOYMENT - This great opportunity to have a team environment and have enjoyment along the way. It’s serious but this togetherness leads to success.

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Golf Links Rd, Buderim - just 5 minutes from Mooloolaba

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September 2016

Auckland Southern Country Golf Challenge GOLF EVENT

PLAY FOUR BEAUTIFUL COURSES, IN FOUR OUTSTANDING DAYS

he latest Festival of Golf launches late October 2016. The Auckland Southern Country Golf Challenge which incorporates Pukekohe, Onewhero, Whitford and Clarks Beach golf courses plays October 25-28 2016. The inaugural event now offers Greater Auckland Golfer’s and surrounds an event right on their doorstep! Ian Litchfield from the organising committee told Golfer Pacific, “the Auckland Southern Country Golf Challenge has very simple goals. These are for golfers and their partners to enjoy themselves, make new friends, try different golf courses and to become aware of what this region offers in terms of things to do and where to stay so close to Auckland City. Too often we hear people who do come here say “I didn’t know this was here,” “Wow. This is an amaz-

ing place to stay,” and “I didn’t know these golf courses were here.” This happens time and time again, yet people travel through this area via the motorway to places for things to do and to stay instead of trying those much closer to home. The format of the tournament is simple and that is to play each of four courses, one each day and the best golfers in the two or three men’s and two women’s section with some awesome prizes based around stableford competitions. At each venue, local tourism operators will be present for you to see what experiences are locally available to you. This will enable you and/ or your partner to explore this area outside of the tournament hours or, simply, to come back at a later date to explore what we have. Further, activ-

ities and accommodation options are detailed in "Things to Do" and "Accommodation" drop down boxes above. The entry fee will be $250. We believe that this represents great value to play four quality golf courses with the opportunity to win significant prizes as well as making new friends. All of this could not be made possible by the work of club members and staff at each course and we should not forget the significant support given to the tournament by the Franklin Local Board. We sincerely thank Andy Baker and his team for their support. Like all ventures like this it would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors. At this point, we thank Dean Littin and the team at the Pukekohe Mega Mitre 10 for their support around the purchase of prizes. Sean Newman

and the Traillite team have also added a participants prize of a 7 Day motorhome holiday valued at $3,500. This will be drawn at the presentation of prizes on the Friday afternoon. Finally, I thank all of you who have taken this chance to play these courses, enjoy our hospitality and our local experiences. Without you, the success of the Challenge would not happen. All we ask is that you enjoy yourself and tell others about how good the tournament was along with the experiences that you had here.” Thank you to you all. Contact Ian Litchfield »» Auckland Southern Country Golf Challenge »» fun@pukekohegolf.co.nz »» (09) 294 8822

Memberships Available: Full Playing $700, Eagle (new to golf) $395. Saturday November 5th: Northern Waikato 36 Hole Open $45 entry. Midweek Opens: $25 entry 1st Thursday of the month for legendary Home Kill meat raffles & prizes. September 1st, October 6th, November 3rd, December 1st. Phone 09 2334038 to book your place.

www.onewherogolf.co.nz

FULL GOLF SERVICES  Corporate Golf  Scotty’s Golf shop  Junior Academy  Driving Range

Pukekohe Golf Club

is located at the edge of Auckland City only 5 minutes away from the Drury offramp of the Southern Motorway. It is on the way to the rest of NZ south of Auckland. Your golf experience will include one of the best courses in Auckland with a parklands style golf course with tree lined fairways, ponds and a stream to provide a quality golf challenge. A cool drink or nice food afterwards will finish off the experience. If the golf wasn’t so good then the PGA pro will fix it for you.

Accommodation details Touchwood Motorlodge has had a long term play & stay relationship with Pukekohe Golf Club. They are only 5 minutes away from the course and to the centre of Pukekohe’s main street. See the website www.motorlodge.co.nz or 09 238 7205 to make bookings or for more information.

Check www.pukekohegolf.co.nz for more details or phone 09 294 8810 for a tee booking

58 WHITFORD PARK ROAD Whitford Auckland 2014 (09) 530 8357 www.whitfordpark.co.nz

Pukekohe Golf Club

6th Par-3 | 182m

The hole with a piece of everything! Into the prevailing westerly wind, from either of the elevated teeing grounds, and over the large lake that ends near a bunker tucked into the left front of the crescent-shaped green. The narrow “bail-out” fairway is protected by long-cut rough and the out of bounds fence-line running along the right side

September 2016

and behind the green. The direct line to the ‘classic’ pin placement, at back-left, requires total distance ‘carry’. Marker Men Women: Blue Par 3 182m Stroke: 9 Red Par 3 152m Stroke: 13 White Par 3 164m Stroke: 9 Yellow Par 3 134m Stroke: 13

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

fairways provide a delightful playing surface throughout the year. Regardless of skill levels the course offers all golfers the challenge of a great game in beautiful park like surroundings. You can play for a day as a visitor or become a member.

»» www.whitfordpark.co.nz

ONEWHERO GOLF CLUB

PUKEKOHE GOLF CLUB

The course is a championship quality 18 hole parklands style golf course with tree lined fairways, lakes and a river as part of the challenges you face when you take part in the Pukekohe golf experience. There is on-line tee booking from the website www. pukekohegolf.co.nz and follow the instructions or phone. The course is easy to find being only 5 minutes from the southern motorway exit 461 and follow the signs towards Pukekohe or place the address in your GPS location finder and it will lead you straight here. Once here, the PGA qualified professional will assist you with all of your needs including clubs and other playing gear. A cold drink and food available on most days from the cafe awaits you when you have finished your round.

Located at Pukekawa, only eight minutes from the State Highway One turnoff at Mercer. The 18 hole layout is set on a wonderful, volcanic free- draining terrain that ensures it is truly playable all year and is rarely closed. The many tree-lined fairways and areas of native bush add to the beauty of the course and ensure that golfers are presented with a solid but fair challenge. Fantails and native pigeons are also regulars on the course! You can enjoy a drink and a meal in the two- storey clubhouse, which

overlooks the picturesque 18th green and beyond,with all the facilities. The staff and members are inviting and friendly, providing a pleasant relaxed atmosphere that will ensure you always enjoy a warm welcome. »» www.onewherogolf.co.nz

AUCKLAND SOUTHERN COUNTRY GOLF CHALLENGE Supported by the Franklin Local Board

»» www.pukekohegolf.co.nz

CLARKS BEACH

TUESDAY 25 TH TO FRIDAY 28 TH OCTOBER 2016

ONEWHERO

CLARKS BEACH GOLF CLUB

Picturesque 18 hole golf course on the shores of the Manukau Harbour only 40 minutes from central Auckland. Great display of native trees and the Pohutukawa trees flowering in December provide an attractive showing. From every hole there are water views. The course is renown for its collection of par 3’s which professional golfers who have played the course remark that they would not be amiss any where in the country. Has been rated by Metro magazine as one of the best country courses in the North Island of New Zealand. The course is only 5319 metres long and ball placement is essential to gain maximum benefit from your shot. Several holes feature water displays. A course that offers an enjoyable challenge for high and low handicap golfers. »» clarksbeachgolfclub.co.nz

WHITFORD

PUKEKOHE

Play four beautiful courses, in four outstanding days Please register at:

www.ascgolfchallenge.co.nz 3 Men’s Divisions and 2 Ladies Division WHITFORD PARK

Whitford Park is a par 71 championship golf course, set amongst 254 acres of beautiful indigenous trees and streams. The 18 hole course measures 6250 metres from the Blue tees. The greens are consistently among the best available in New Zealand while the couch grass

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Prizes sponsored by Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega. Every participant is in a draw to win a 7 day Traillite motorhome holiday valued at $3,500.

September 2016

Hawkes Bay’s 4-Course Golf & Wine Classic By Denise Langdon

GOLF EVENT

our of Hawkes Bay’s best will line-up, in conjunction with PaR nz Golfing Holidays, to host the inaugural Hawkes Bay 4-Course Golf & Wine Classic from Monday October 31 to Thursday November 3 this year. Hastings, Maraenui, Napier and Hawkes Bay golf clubs have teamed up to present a 4-day event that includes gross, net and stableford prizes across age and handicap divisions. Hastings is one of New Zealand’s best-known club courses, as the host of many amateur events over the years and the proud home of one of New Zealand’s most successful amateur players, the late Stuart Jones. In addition to a raft of club and district titles, Jones won a staggering seven national amateur championships. He represented New Zealand from 1953 to 1975, playing in seven Eisenhower Trophy events. His most notable achievements came when he won two professional events and the 1967 Canadian Amateur Championship. Jones died in 2012, aged 87, but his legend lives on. Hastings Golf Club is an outstanding course, well known for the quality of its greens and beautiful grassed fairways. Napier Golf Club is presented by one of the country’s few female greenkeepers, Ingrid van Steenbergen. A former district representative, these days she balances her work-life with other interests and hobbies off the course. Napier also has a proud history of hosting many amateur events as well as being part of the 2016 Golf & Wine Classic. It will also host the 2017 New Zealand Women’s Senior Match Play Championships in February. One of the country’s oldest courses, formed in 1898 at the

current site of Waiohiki, it is laid out over three distinct areas of land separated by roadways. Distinctive woodcarvings and ancient Maori gravesites give this course a unique character. Maraenui Golf Club lies on the coast road between the two cities of Napier and Hastings. In addition to a quality 18-hole layout, the club also manages an adjacent nine-hole challenger for beginners and social players. Priding itself as being one of the ‘friendliest’ clubs, Maraenui has a tight, tree-lined challenge that demands accuracy, especially off the tee. Like Hastings and Napier, Maraenui is also an easy-walking course with sea breezes often coming into play. The last, but not least, host club is The Hawkes Bay Golf Club, opened in 1969, and formerly known as the Flaxmere Golf Club. The youngest of the four selected courses, Hawkes Bay is laid out on a pumice base and according to an original design by Commander John Harris. British golf course architect Harris is noted for his contribution to the world-renowned Wairakei Golf Course near Taupo. From the efforts of many hours work by volunteers carrying buckets of pumice away, the Hawkes Bay course now presents wide, tree-lined fairways with much wildlife on site including tui, doves, wild ducks, plovers and herons. Golfers are treated to wonderful views of Te Mata Peak and the northern Ruahine Range from many of the holes. The Hawkes Bay Golf & Wine Classic will be set in a rich region celebrated for its wines, food markets, unique gannet colony, and Art Deco architecture. Wine from the area, over 100 wineries to choice from, will feature strongly at the functions and prize table, of course. Perhaps most significant for golfing visitors,

however, is that it is on the doorstep of Tom Doak’s Cape Kidnappers masterpiece, which is currently [as at January 15, 2016 update] rated number 16 in the world by Golf Digest. All players in this year’s Hawkes Bay Golf & Wine Classic will be able to play golf at Cape Kidnappers on Friday, November 4. Now in its 12th year of operation, Cape Kidnappers continues to amaze all visitors with cliff-edge landscapes from the driving range to the 18th green. The course’s infinity hole and ‘pirateplanks’ are unique features. Tournament details and player registration are now available on line at www. parnz.co.nz/tournaments.

»» Directors: PaR nz Golfing Holidays Kim Buckley I 021 373 502 I kim@parnz.co.nz Denise Langdon I 0275 662385 I denise@ parnz.co.nz

MARAENUI GOLF CLUB

Maraenui Golf Club is one of Hawke’s Bay’s finest Golf Courses set in lovely

tree lined surrounds just off Marine Parade in Napier. With the gentle sea breeze slipping through the summer sun, you will enjoy your round on this 6,125 metre 18 hole picturesque golf course. Although flat and easy to walk, the course offers tightly sculptured tree lined fairways with creative greens complexes and bunkering for all levels to enjoy. Green fee players always welcome – only 5 minutes’ drive from Napier City and 15 minutes from Hastings. »» www.maraenuigolf.co.nz

••• The other 3 clubs participating in the Classic are: Hastings Golf Club www.hastingsgolfclub.co.nz

Hawkes Bay Golf Club www.hawkesbaygolfclub.co.nz

Napier Golf Club www.napiergolf.co.nz

Maraenui Golf Club

SPONSORED AMBROSE TOURNAMENT (with a difference)

Teams of 4: Mens, Womens and Mixed divisions

Played at Napier’s Maraenui Golf Club on Sunday 20th November 2016 Go in the w early bird dra d paid if entere d an r 2016 by 21st Octobe r entr y and w in yo u fee back plus . 2x$50 bar tabs

September 2016

36 Holes shot gun starts. Come and join in a fun day of golf sponsored by the team at Bayswater Subaru & Suzuki Napier. First round at 8am // Second round at 1pm Full details on website

Entry fee $40 per player (includes lunch) Entries close Monday 7th November 2016

Entry forms online www.maraenuigolf.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

John Cooper, mentor of Our Pacific’s golfing holiday programme, reckons our neighbours the Pacific Islands are awash with interesting golf courses – including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Niue, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and of course Fiji. Each Island and their courses have their own golf experience and all can be most enjoyable especially from April through November away from the cooler weather in New Zealand. Fiji is a wonderful playground for golfers – try your own circle island golfing tour, landing at Nadi airport, picking up a rental car and turn left on leaving the airport. Play Lautoka, Ba and Vatukoula. In Suva play the Fiji Golf Club at Vatuwaga with its very hospitable members. Journey on and play Pacific Harbour, the Yanuca Course at the Shangri La, followed by Natadola, the Nadi Golf Club, and finish up at the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club. Elsewhere in the Pacific, Samoa has the Royal Samoa Country Club near Apia, and work is planned for the 18 hole course Le Penina. Only a 20-minute flight away is American Samoa

The Sheraton Fiji Resort

with their scenic course in the Village of Lli’ili. Tahiti golf is available at the Olivier Breaud International course just 40 minutes from Papeete and a short ferry ride across on the island of Moorea at the Moorea Green Pearl Golf course. Vanuatu has the picturesque 18-hole Port Vila Golf and Country Club and the 12-hole resort course at the Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa. Why not combine your Vanuatu trip

with New Caledonia and play the new 18-hole Dye designed course at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort, the Golf de Tina just outside Noumea, and the course Paillottes de la Ouenghi not far from the International Airport. A useful tip prior to leaving home is to purchase a light weight golf bag from the Golf Warehouse or your pro shop then, as on occasions in the Pa-

cific, where there are no golf carts you can carry your own bag and/or have a local caddy. It will be tropical so a good brimmed hat or peaked cap, lots of sun cream is essential, and light cool clothing. You will find that most Island clubs are pretty casual as far as golf attire goes, however they generally require a collared golf shirt. Pacific holiday specialists, Our Pacific have packaged a unique Fiji golfing holiday for Kiwi golfers including return economy class airfares from Auckland, return private car airport transfers in Nadi, 7 nights accommodation at either of the three Starwood Fiji Resorts – The Sheraton Fiji, The Westin Fiji, and the Sheraton Villas, and UNLIMITED GOLF per person at the Denarau Golf Club (greens fees & shared golf cart). Golf packages can be tailor-made to suit you with extra nights available, accommodation upgrade options, flights ex Wellington & Christchurch, etc., so don’t hesitate to give the team at Our Pacific a call on 0800 500 598 or email info@ourpacific.co.nz.

G O L F T R AV E L

Golfing around the Pacific

DENARAU ISLAND, FIJI

UNLIMITED GOLF FOR YOUR ENTIRE STAY 0800 500 598 MONDAY - FRIDAY: 8:30am - 5:30pm

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info@ourpacific.co.nz OUR INCLUSIONS Airfares from Auckland to Nadi, flying Fiji Airways including all prepayable taxes & levies Accommodation share twin or double basis, except Sheraton Denarau Villas on share quad basis (2 couples) Meet & Greet and return private car transfers Bonus Offers as indicated

SHERATON FIJI RESORT, OR THE WESTIN DENARAU ISLAND RESORT & SPA

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Valid 01 Nov -15 Dec 16 & 16 Jan - 31 Mar 17 Visit website for further dates

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7 night package 2 BDM Garden Villa

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PERFECT FOR 2 COUPLES TRAVELLING TOGETHER YOUR BONUS: • Includes buffet breakfast daily for two and unlimited Golf for two at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club for the duration of your stay

YOUR BONUS: • Includes buffet breakfast daily for four and unlimited Golf for two couples at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club for the duration of your stay

FLIGHTS + HOTELS + BONUS OFFERS - WWW.OURPACIFIC.CO.NZ/GOLF FOR MORE DETAILS & DEALS TERMS & CONDITIONS: YOUR PAYMENTS TO OUR WORLD LTD ARE PROTECTED BY TAANZ. Unless otherwise stated, prices include return economy class airfares flying Fiji Airways from Auckland including prepayable airline surcharges, levies and airport taxes, share twin/double accommodation, and inclusions as specified. Special conditions apply for all Bonus Inclusions. Valid for travel commenced & completed as specified – refer to our website for other travel dates. Must be booked by 30 September 2016 with airfares fully paid within 72 hours of confi rmation. Prices are in NZ dollars and subject to currency fluctuations and are for payment by cash, eftpos or cheque only – QCard & credit card prices on application. Airfares and accommodation may not be available on all services and room categories, and capacity restrictions may apply. Amendment and cancellation fees do apply and airfares are non-refundable, non-transferable, and name changes are not permitted – please contact us for details. Prices were correct as of 19 August 2016 and are subject to change without notification and other conditions may apply. OP-PG-HP-01082016

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

September 2016

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTHLAND

64TH LADIES ANNUAL ELAINE BLEDISLOE TOURNAMENT

In late July Waitangi Golf Club hosted their Annual Elaine Bledisloe 72-hole Ladies Matchplay Tournament. The weather behaved reasonably for the weekend and the course was in good order although a little heavy under foot. One of the Saturday matches was held over until Sunday morning as the players were still on the couse at 5.45 pm and it became

impossible to see the ball. This match eventually finished on the 20th hole on Sunday morning. Pictured are the Cup Winners Pam Martin, Jenny McDowell, Kylie Jacoby, Jenny Peters, Pam Brown. There was a field of 72 players from 19 Clubs stretching from Auckland to Houhora. This Tournament also acts as part of the trials for the Northland Representative Team and again it was wonderful to see so many young guns in the top division competing for the right to represent Northland. The top division this year was made up of 8 players with handicaps ranging from 0 – 7 handicap. The format was two rounds of 18 holes on Saturday with the final round being played over 36 holes on Sunday. The fi-

nalists for this division (the Bledisloe Cup) were Kylie Jacoby (Waipu) and Sam Dangen (Whangaroa). The eventual winner after 38 holes was Kylie Jacoby. The final of the flight in this division was also played over 36 holes and the finalists were twins aged 16 years from Northland – Soktaera Sean and Soktaerodh Sean. This match also finished after 38 holes with the winner being Soktaera Sean. There were three more divisions playing 72 holes over the two days. The eventual winners of these divisions were: Division Two – Waitangi Cup – Jenny Peters, Division Three – KeriKeri Cup – Pam Brown Division Four – Kawakawa Cup – Jenny McDowell. There was also a division played over 18 holes each day for gross, net and stableford. This division was won by Pam Martin – Paihia Cup. As usual there needs to be a large thank you given to the band of men and women who spent two days, some out on the course for hours, helping run this Tournament and also to our fantastic sponsors. Congratulations to Flo Smith and Pam Brown who won our Early Bird accommodation draws which were sponsored by Craig and Penny from Admiral’s View Lodge and Jenny and Malcolm from Bay View Lodge in Paihia. Thanks once again to theses moteliers for your fantastic support. The Gold ‘N’ Gifts sponsored raffle prize of a bracelet and watch was won by Pam Martin. Thanks to Rex and Fiona for their great support.

Finally the winner of our Lucky draw prize of a Classic Holiday for 4 people in any one of Classic Holiday accommodation spots was Julie Carnachan of Kaitaia. RESULTS: Division 1 (Bledisloe Cup). Cup Winner – Kylie Jacoby, Cup R/Up – Sam Dangen. Flight Winner – Soktaera Sean, R/Up – Soktaerohn Sean Cup Consolation Winner – Ela Grimwood, R/Up – Alayna Cox Division 2 (Waitangi Cup); Cup Winner – Jenny Peters, Cup R/Up – Karyn Ferguson Flight Winner – Daniele Lowe, R/Up – Taimana Ngakaru Cup Consolation Winner – Aprile Everitt, R/Up – Karen Person Flight Consolation Winner – Alison Taylerson, R/ Up – Rebecca Tana Semi Finalist Winner – Joanne Ash, R/Up – Flo Smith. Division 3 (Keri Keri Cup): Cup Winner – Pam Brown, Cup R/Up – Karen Gray Flight Winner – Rebecca Moselen, R/Up – Moira Pullman Cup Consolation Winner – Ellen Wright, R/Up – Sharon Ball Flight Consolation Winner – Julie Carnachon, R/ Up – Glenys McEvoy Semi Finalist Winner – Trish Harding, R/Up Helen Schmidt Division 4 (Kawakawa Cup: Cup Winner – Jenny McDowell, R/Up – Trish Scott Flight Winner – Lorraine Stokes, R/Up – Dianne Norris Cup Consolation Winner – Maggie Ackland, R/Up – Beth Kelliher Flight Consolation Winner – Betty Southgate, R/ Up – Cheryl Voullaire

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Semi Finalist Winner – Cynthia Shailes, R/Up – Raewyn Hanlon Division 5 (Paihia Cup): Over 36 Holes: Cup Winner – Best Net – Pam Martin, R/Up – Caryn Attwood Gross Winner – Ann Hathaway Stableford Winner – Kerry Pevy, R/Up – Elaine Trivett 3rd Stableford – Jackie McGlasson, 4th Stableford – Nadine Fitness Novelty Prizes: Accuracy Drive – Saturday – Sharon Ball, Sunday – Dianne Norris Longest Drive – Saturday – Jenny Peters, Sunday – Sam Dangen Nearest the Pin – Division 1 – Kylie Jacoby, Division 2 – Flo Smith Nearest the Pin – Division 3 – Sharon Ball, Division 4 – Raewyn Hanlon Nearest the Pin (2nd shot) Division 5 Saturday, Karon Stewart, Sunday – Jackie McGlasson

THE GREAT NORTHERN BATTLE

Northland took on North Harbour for the Great Northern Battle in testing conditions at Mangawhai Golf Club on Sunday 17th July, 42 players both each province turned out to show their skills around the challenging par 72 championship course. Players were met with fine and sunny conditions to start their day but as they were making the turn in their round, the winds picked up and rain crept over the course which made play uncomfortable for players and spectators alike. Unfortunately for us, North Harbour took the honours this year by beating us in every match apart from the Senior Men which we won 7.5 games to 2.5 games. This was the first hit out of the season for most of the Northland sides and the senior men were boosted by the inclusion of Number one and NZ Academy member Luke Brown who has recently returned from Europe, Brown eased his way back into representative golf winning his number 1 match up easily while his playing partner Christian Nitsche also made a solid start to his representative campaign taking care of his counter part showing he has what it takes to compete at National level. Former NZ Amatuer champion, Kadin Neho slipped back into representative golf and didn’t miss a beat winning his match on the 16th. Other wins were recorded by Alex Neely, Sheldon Kearns

& Scott Wightman while Julian fowler recorded the only half of the day. A big thank you to Mangawhai for hosting us again this year and also all of the managers who took time to look after our sides on the day.

Golf Northland for hosting us!

BROWNIES BACK

Pictured above is Golf Northland Chairman John Smith with Boys division one winner Christian Nitsche. Below is John Smith with girls winner Brooke Kingi. Pictured is Northland Men’s Captain Lee Neumann accepting the trophy for the senior mens challenge from Golf Northland President Rob Pelsky.

KINGI GOES FOUR IN A ROW AT THE NORTHLAND JUNIOR CLASSIC

The Northland Junior classic was held at Sherwood Park Golf Club on the 12th and 13th of July with two boys divisions and an open girls division, we also had a 9 hole division for our purple tee players on Wednesday. Brooke Kingi has defended her title for the fourth consecutive year, sending the under 23 trophy back to Whangaroa for another year, this title was decided on the 36th and final hole making for a dramatic finish. In the boys division, Northlanders Christian Nitsche and Julian Fowler had to make a surge on day 2 to get into contention after North Harbour youngster Sam Yoshifuji lead with 69 in the opening round. Division one boys was won on the 36th and final hole as well where Fowler needed to hole a birdie chip to force a play off, this went sliding by and Nitsche took the title for the first time. In division two, 9 year old Robby Turnbull from Mangawhai won his division showing that he has a bright future in the game. Our 9 hole purple tee division was won by Rafe Fleming Bone who had 46, Aaron Halaapiapi won the best nett while Sam Hewson, Teneille Hiki and Jack Hay all showed great promise! A big thank you to Sherwood Park from

after holding the lead in the mornings matches. Congratulations Whangarei and well done to everybody that competed and supported the 2016 mens pennants competition. A big thank you to our wonderful sponsor OnCore Golf!

WHANGAREI SET THE BAR HIGH... AGAIN

After triumphing for the North & South Zone honours, Whangarei (South) and Okaihau (North) went head to head to decide the 2016 mens handicap pennant winners. Whangarei GC were chasing their fourth consecutive title while Okaihau were looking to cap a remarkable season after turning it around following a disappointing 2015 campaign. Players were met with a chilly frost to start their day delaying play by nearly an hour, once Jack Frost left them to compete it was Whangarei who found themselves up in the match after taking the morning foursomes with some very close matches, it was then up to Okaihau to have a big final 18 holes to pull the win out of the bag. Unfortunately with shorter winters days and the delayed start, the final two pairings on the golf course were stopped with 3 holes to play due to darkness setting in declaring Whangarei the winners

Northland men’s number One Luke Brown has once again shown his class with a 3rd place finish at the Waikato Winter Strokeplay held at Riversdale-Lochiel recently, battling with the elements with unpleasant windy and wet conditions in Waikato. Brown played solid golf throughout the weekend carding scores of 68, 72, 72, 72 to finish four under for the tournament, saying that he played solid all tournament but couldn’t quite get on the roll that he needed to catch the eventual winner Nick Coxon (-7). “I was within one shot of the lead with 5 to play but bogeyed the 15th and then found a hazard on the 17th which pretty much ruled out a hot finish to put any pressure on Nick”. While a 3rd place finish wasn’t exactly what he was after there were plenty of reasons to smile for Brown who has recently returned from Europe were he plied his trade against some of the best amateur golfers in the world in the most testing conditions and the experience seems to be paying off after defending his Bream Bay Classic title and now a 3rd place finish in tough conditions. “You learn pretty quickly that you either get the better of the conditions or let the conditions get the better of you”. “I’m feeling confident, the Europe trip definitely helped improve my game but mentally I’m stronger and digging deeper to grind out a score on the course, at Bream Bay I was four over through ten holes and still managed to fight back and win so I’m really happy with how things are progressing”. Luke also finished in fifth place at Whakatane Golf Club com-

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Links Rd, New Lynn, Auckland

petiting for the Bay of Plenty Open, again playing in tough conditions.

NORTHLAND NOTICEBOARD

GOLF NORTHLAND UPDATE

At the 2016 AGM, there was a new board elected, we are still looking for another female to join the board as a womens representative, if you are interested, please get in contact with us. Chairman – John Smith, Northland GC Mens President – Rob Pelsky, Waiotira GC; Womens Presdient – Sherrill Glen, Mangawhai GC; 9 Hole delegate – Colleen Bree, Ngunguru GC; Womens Representative – Colleen Atchison, Northland GC; Mens Representative – Kevin Pelsky, Sherwood Park GC; Mens Representative – Kohai Kingi, Whangaroa GC. At one of the recent Golf Northland Board meetings, we decided to reach out to all clubs and attempt to attend one of their upcoming club meetings where we wanted to discuss a number of issues that we are facing at the moment including, declining junior rates, Health and Safety, Levies, Golf Northland Website, Strategic Planning and more. To date we have visited Wellsford, Hikurangi, Waipu, Sherwood Park, Northland, Houhora and Waiotira with Whangaroa, Tapora, Ngunguru and The Pines all scheduled in for the next couple of months. We have had some really good responses and positive feedback from these clubs and we look forward to working and communicating with you all on a regular basis moving forward. One major issue we are facing at the moment is the declining rate of junior golfers across all clubs in Northland and NZ, we welcome ideas and discussion around how to make Golf a more appealing option to kids – It was great to see so many kids out and about with our recent junior classic but we want to double or triple the number we have there! Another hot topic was Health and Safety, it’s important that we are all taking the right steps to become health and safety compliant – if your club needs any assistance around this, please get in touch with our executive officer. We would also

4-Sep

Houroha

09 409 8266

Liquor King/Lion Red Mixed Open Houhora

4-Sep

Sherwood Park

09 434 6900

Junior Benefit 18 Hole Mixed Open Sherwood Park

8-Sep

Mangawhai

9-431 4807

Women's Teams Day

10-Sep

Kaikohe

09 401 0814

27 Hole Cederman Cup Kaikohe

15-Sep

Sherwood Park

09 434 6900

Northland Seniors Tournament Sherwood Park

16-Sep

Sherwood Park

09 434 6900

9 Hole Tournament Sherwood Park

17-Sep

Whangaroa

9-405 1808

Spring Open Mixed

18-Sep

Whangarei

9-437 0775

Junior Open

22-Sep

Waipu

9-432 0259

Women's Teams Tournament

22-24 Sep

Waitangi

09 402 8207

North Island Stroke Play OOM Waitangi

23-Sep

Nthern Wairoa

9-439 6599

9 Hole Vets Social Day Northern

24-Sep

Northland

09 435 0042

18 Hole Amateur Mixed Tournament Northland

25-Sep

Wellsford

9-423 8385

Timberworld Par 3 Mixed Open

13-Feb

Houhora

09 4098821

Women's Open

14-Feb

BOI

(09) 407 8837

Northland U21 Stroke Play

love to be able to promote your golf clubs and events as much as possible, if you have an upcoming tournament, results or a good news story, please share with us so we can post to our website/facebook page and communicate with the local media. You’ll notice there are some new photos on the golf northland website and we are looking at updating the page to really promote golf within Northland, If you have any photos of your clubhouse, signature hole/golf course, please send them through so we can update our website and promote your courses in the best way possible. If your club would like to see the Golf Northland board and our executive officer Sean, please get in touch with Sean on 0210747151 or

sean@golfnorthland.co.nz and he will arrange a date for you.

NORTH HARBOUR SENATIONAL FINISH TO NORTH HARBOUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Northland’s Luke Brown (The Pines) produced a sensational final round six under 66 at the Muriwai Links to claim the 2016 North Harbour Stroke Play Championship by a margin of one stroke from Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres and NZ Eisenhower team member ) and two strokes from 3rd placed Jason Gulasekharam (North Shore and North Harbour No.1). Starting the final round four shots back after three straight rounds of 71, Luke turned at -2 for the round (5 under for the tournament) before holing a short wedge shot for eagle on the 10th. This brought him firmly into contention after it seemed for a while the back nine would be a two horse race between Chisnall and Gulasekharam. From there Brown would improve another two shots to card a 66 (72 hole total of 279) meaning Ryan and Jason would need to birdie the difficult 72nd hole to tie and force a playoff. Jason’s second shot from the left rough would fall well short resulting in a tricky chip and ultimately a bogey. Ryan was well placed in two after a solid iron shot finished on the correct tear of the undulating last green. However his 20 foot putt to tie slid by narrowly on the left edge. Luke Brown would therefore finish one better than his runner-up place in last year’s tournament. It was a very strong showing for North Harbour players with Jason Gulasekah-

ram leading the way finishing solo third and 12 of the top 20 finishers being from the North Harbour district. However, the championship once again goes to a player from outside the area, and none are more deserving than Luke Brown who had to produce something very special on the last day and promptly did to win the title. 2016 marked the 25th time the tournament has been contested and the field was at a capacity of 102 players (with waiting list) for the this year. 52 players made the 36 hole cut at 157 (+13) and once again the Muriwai Links was in it’s fantastic winter shape for the tournament with dry fairways and slick greens. The top 20 from the tournament are shown below:

2016 NORTH HARBOUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP MURIWAI GOLF LINKS – 6186 Metres – Par 72 12TH to 14TH OF AUGUST 1st – Luke Brown (The Pines) – 71 71 71 66 – 279 2nd – Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres) – 71 70 68 71 – 280 3rd – Jason Gulasekharam (North Shore) – 74 66 70 71 – 281 4th – Mark Hutson (Muriwai) – 72 72 71 69 – 284 T5 – Johnny Tynan (Titirangi) – 76 70 72 69 – 287 T5 – Jordan Loof (Royal Wellingotn) – 70 71 72 74 – 287 7th – Jake Meenhorst (Huapai) – 75 68 73 72 – 288 T8 – Chang-gi Lee (Pupuke) – 72 77 70 70 – 289 T8 – Kevin Koong (Huapai) – 73 72 73 71 – 289 10th – James Hydes (Wainui) – 75 70 73 72 – 290 T11 – Bevan Dennison (Huapai) – 71 72 74 75 – 292 T11 – Nathan Kim (Pupuke) – 72 72 73 73 – 292 T13 – Cameron Jones (Muriwai) – 77 74 74 70 295 T13 – Nick Coxon (Riverside) – 77 73 73 72 – 295 15th – Brian Joe (Titrangi) – 79 75 70 72 – 296

NORTH HARBOUR MEN RECORD RESOUNDING WIN OVER BAY OF PLENTY

The annual Bay Harbour Challenge between North Harbour Open Grade men (8 players) and U19/U16 Junior Boys (8 players) was contested at North Shore Golf Club from the 20th/21st of August. The format is Gross Medal match with

North Island Vs South Island

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NORTH HARBOUR NOTICEBOARD 1- 30 Sept

Helensville

(09)4205454

Midweek Open Great Prize table

1- 30 Sept

Peninsula

(09)4264001

2nd week each month Mixed Monthly prize table

1 Sept30 Sept

Whangaparoa

09) 424 5441

Sunday- Friday 3pm onwards up to 9 holes Junioe player adult combo $10

12 sept

Huapai

09 412 8809

Huapai North Harbour Mens Seniors

August 26-28

Helensville

08 420 5454

Helensville‐Huapai‐Muriwai : North Harbour Men’s Seniors & Masters Tournament

Oct 17 – 18

Warkworth GC

09 557 2681

North Harbour Seniors Assn 2 days play**

Nov-07

Whangaparaoa GC

09 557 2681

North Harbour Seniors Assn A.G.M.

Nov-14

The Grange

09 557 2681

North Harbour Seniors Assn vs Auckland Seniors**

Dec-12

Warkworth GC

09 557 2681

North Harbour Seniors Assn

reverse singles taking place on Saturday afternoon and straight singles on Sunday morning. The North Harbour men and junior boys were utterly dominant on both days with a first round result of 14.5 to 1.5 and a 12 to 4 result on Sunday meaning they would win the Bay Harbour by a margin of 26.5 to 5.5. It was a fantastic result for the team of 16 extremely talented players as they build up to the national interprovincials (both juniors and open grade) taking place later in the year. The top 8 North Harbour women also competed against Bay of Plenty over the two days but lost narrowly by 8.5 / 7.5 to a very strong team from the Bay. The very young North Harbour team will be much better for the experience and took pride in winning 5 of the 8 matches on the last day. Overall it was a very successful weekend for top level representative golf in the North Harbour district.

NORTH HARBOUR REPRESENTATIVE SHANI WHITE GAINS US GOLF SCHOLARSHIP

Shani White (Gulf Harbour), one of North Harbour Golf’s top representative players has departed for US shores recently as she is taking up a golf scholarship with the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). In the last few years Shani’s golf improved in leaps and bounds culminating in a fantastic tournament at the 2015 interprovincial where she had one of the best records at the tournament. With all her hard work Shani has the game to make a strong impact on the US women’s college golf scene. Congratulations to Shani and all the best on her exciting new path. She will certainly be missed by her North Harbour teammates. All the best!

North Harbour junior side. The Senior team (Brittney Dryland, Rose Zheng, Siyi Keh, Yena Chang, Carmen Lim, Vivian Lu, Grace Jung and Fiona Xu) won their matches 6 / 2. The overall results: Auckland 8 – North Harbour 4 After three months of intensive competition the Youth Pennants was decided at the Remuera Golf Club on Sunday 8 August. Division I winners were Royal Auckland who defeated the Remuera II side in the final round by 3 matches to 1. Fox Claims Second Challenge Tour Title Auckland’s Ryan Fox has carded an incredible nine-under 62 to surge to victory in the European Challenge Tour’s Northern Ireland Open played late July.

NORTH HARBOUR PLAYERS COMPETING STRONGLY IN MID WINTER TOURNAMENTS

There have been many solid results over the mid-winter run of amateur stroke play events. Top 20 results from these events are as follows:

Waikato Winter Stroke Play 5th – Cam Jones (Muriwai) 7th – Mark Hutson (Muriwai) T14 – Jerry Ren (Gulf Harbour) T18 – Nathan Kim (Pupuke) Bay of Plenty Open 3rd – Mark Hutson (Muriwai) 4th – Jake Meenhorst (Huapai) 8th – Changgi Lee (Pupuke) T9 – Cam Jones (Muriwai) T13 – Kit Bittle (Wainui) / Nathan Kwang Hue Kim (Pupuke) T17- Nathan Mayes (Gulf Harbour) Cambridge Classic 4th – Jake Meenhorst (Huapai) 6th – Tadhg Campbell (Muriwai) 7th – Changgi Lee (Pupuke) T11 – Jimmy Hydes (Wainui) / Kevin Koong (Huapai) 19th – Jake Lee (Huapai) 20th – Jack Lee (Pupuke) Women’s Results (Top 10’s) Cambridge Classic (9th) – Ela Grimwood (Gulf Harbour) BOP Open (10th) – Olivia Choo (Gulf Harbour)

AUCKLAND WINNERS AT AUCKLAND

The Auckland team played extremely well at Omaha on Sunday, 14 August. The Junior team (Chloe Maguire, Daniela Jeremic, Sra Harlock and Sarah Murchison) came out with a half against a strong

Pictured are the winners of the Northern Taranaki Age Group Championships played recently: Grace Jung (Aviation) – Girls Under 15 Winner; Karl Jorgensen (Remuera) – Boys Under 15 Winner; Carmen Lim (Manukau) – Girls Under 19 Winner.

“CHOCTOBER” GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Ladies of Redwood Park Golf Club wish to extend an invitation to all keen golfing ladies to join us for a fantastic fun filled day with lots of golf, chocolates and other surprises. The “Choctober” Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday 18th October 2016 at Redwood Park Golf Club, Knox Road, Swanson, Auckland. Entry details are as follows: Teams of four. 1st Prize – Each team player receives 6 golf lessons sponsored by Golf Warehouse. Prizes for Best Gross, Best Nett, Closest to the Pin and Straightest Drive. Holes in Two – payable on the day. 8.30 – Morning tea provided. 9.15 – Shotgun start. Cost $100 per team. Team Competition – Hidden Stableford (Rules and Conditions of the competition given out with Team & Indivdual Score Cards). Prepaid

entries to include Club ID and Membership Number. Online Entries: Redwood Park Golf Club – Bank # 12-3252-0057875-00. Enter Particulars – Team Captain’s Name, Reference – Your Club. Email Team Names and Club Membership ID’s to: manager@ redwoodparkgolf.co.nz. Postal Entries: Redwood Park Golf Club, PO Box 95-142 Swanson, Auckland 0653. Attention: Theresa Dirks. For further information phone (09) 8338253. Entries Close 10th October 2016.

AWHITU’S COVIC TEAM MEMBER CLIFF HOBBS ACES THE 14TH

On Wednesday 24th August 2016 the Counties Manukau Veterans golfers played the second round of their finals series at the Waikare Golf Club in dry but cloudy conditions. A total of 86 players represented their twelve clubs in team pennants golf competition. Highlight of the day was Cliff Hobbs’ amazing hole-inone on the difficult 166 metre uphill Swan Road Par 3 fourteenth hole. Cliff told the after-match gathering, “I hit a six iron that flew pretty straight, pitched nicely and ran straight into the cup.” It was Hobbs first career Ace and he was awarded the Claret Jacket for most deserving Player of the Day. This was the first Hole in One during COVIC play in 2016. Huntly who have been the dominant club all year, had another amazing day winning their COVIC CUP Challenge against the previous holders Pukekohe. Huntly skipper Johnny Walker won his match against the previously unbeaten Murray Glasgow 9.5 to 8.5. John Tawhara drew 9 all with Terry Evans as did Graeme Tait with Alan Houghton. So with only 1-point between the teams and Pukekohe only needing a draw to retain the CUP, it was still anyone’s to win. The final match saw Huntly’s Graham Bowers beat Graeme Skipper 10 to 8 to secure Huntly the Cup 37.5 to 34.5. In the premier COVIC SHIELD division, Waikare put their home course advantage to good purpose, with its best four players amassing an impressive 156 points for the round win, 20-points ahead of Huntly and Hauraki in second place equal, with Clarks Beach 134, Maramarua 130 and Awhitu 129. These results see Huntly still in the lead with four rounds to go, Waikare climbed from fourth to second, Clarks Beach drop to third, Hauraki

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move up to fourth ahead of Maramaraua fifth and Awhitu sixth. In the PLATE division Waiuku won the day with 136-points, six ahead of Pakuranga with Wattle Downs third ahead of Onewhero, Manukau and Pukekohe. These results see Pakuranga maintain the top spot with Waiuku jumping from sixth to equal second with Wattle Downs, and in a tight division table the remaining three clubs are all equal fourth, only one point adrift of second place. The next COVIC round will be played at Waiuku Golf Club on Tuesday 13th September 2016, where Awhitu will be the CUP Challenger while Huntly and Pakuranga endeavour to hold onto their respective leads in the SHIELD and PLATE championships. COVIC PENNANTS FINALS TABLE AFTER TWO ROUNDS SHIELD DIVISION: Club Points Round Finals Huntly1362nd =1st Waikare1561st 2nd Clarks Beach1344th 3rd Hauraki1362nd =4th Maramarua1305th5th Awhitu1296th6th PLATE DIVISION: Club Points Round Finals Pakuranga 1302nd 1st Waiuku1361st2nd = Wattle Downs 1283rd2nd = Pukekohe 1226th 4th = Manukau 1235th 4th = Onewhero 1264th 4th = CHALLENGE CUP Matchplay: Huntly beat Pukekohe 37.5 to 34.5.

COVIC GOLF: A 20-YEAR SUCCESS STORY

Fifteen annual tournaments attracting an average of 100 players per event, and collectively generating club revenues of close to $50,000 per annum. Any golf club would be excited to claim this level of event success and benefit from participation in the generated financial contribution. Over the first 20 years of its existence,

the COVIC (Counties Manukau Veterans Inter-Club Community) golfers are estimated to have contributed well over a half a million dollars in revenues to participating member clubs. It is anticipated that they will contribute close to one million dollars across the next twenty years. It is little wonder therefore, that they are deemed deserving of discounted playing fees by member clubs keen to host larger event fields who also readily contribute significant bar and kitchen turn-

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Two golfers enjoy

Two for tea (or coffee) each morning with continental or full breakfast at Stone Store Lodge

over. Given the fact that the majority of COVIC players are retirees living on limited incomes, any reduction of their playing costs assists their ability to continue playing competitive, yet fun, golf. Without COVIC many would be reduced to the occasional club game if not retire from the game earlier than they would really wish to. Originally formed in 1997 as a collective of club vets from within the Counties District, the Counties Veterans Inter Club covered the existing Franklin territorial authority districts of the upper Waikato River catchment and the lower rural Auckland region. In 2010 government reforms saw the northern parts of the Franklin districts become part of the Auckland (Super) City and southern districts part of the Waikato District Council. As a result regional sporting clubs wishing to sustain their regional identity rebranded themselves Counties-Manukau and COVIC followed suit as the Counties-Manukau Veterans Inter Club. It was not a surprise, therefore, when in 2011 COVIC expanded to include the Pakuranga GC as a means of sustaining its 12-club format following the closure of the Papakura GC. It had all started when a Clarks Beach member, Graham Jackson, decided that there was a need for an Inter Club competition that empowered 50+ aged golfers to continue playing in pennants golf. He became the inaugural COVIC convenor until around 2005 when he passed the reigns to another Graham – Corporal

*Must be Affiliated NZ Players TERMS & CONDITIONS

Prices outside these dates contact Stone Store Lodge • Based on two persons twin share – golf cart not included. • No refund for unused services. • Rain check available within validity dates due weather. • Air and land transport not included. • Each round of golf based on green fees only.

Outside these dates please look at our website For reservations contact richard@stonestorelodge.co.nz www.stonestorelodge.co.nz | Ph (09) 407-6693

September 2016

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AUCKLAND NOTICEBOARD 1 Sept -30 Sept

Akarana

(09)6210024 x1

Pro shop. Love Golf $99. PGA Golf clinic 3 Rounds - Mt Roskill

5-Sep

Pakuranga

(09)2948822

Pakuranga Auckland Seniors Vets – 7.30am

8-Sep

Waiuku

9-235 9489

Waiuku Monthly Midweek Mixed Open

13-Sep

Waiuku

9-235 9489

Waiuku COVIC Interclub Shield & Plate Round 4

15-Sep

Aviation

09 2754601

Aviation Pak ‘n Save Monthly Midweek Mixed

30-Sep

Titirangi

09 8273967

Back Tee Challenge

Jones to his mates – who worked hard at maintaining COVIC as a fun day out event until he retired as Convenor in 2015. Today Convener liaison oversight is the responsibility of Russ Ford, a member of Maramarua GC. While twelve clubs presently make up the COVIC community - namely: Pakuranga, Manukau, Wattle Downs, Pukekohe, Clarks Beach, Awhitu, Waiuku, Onewhero, Maramarua, Hauraki, Waikare and Huntly – expansion to 14 clubs is eventually desired as a means of more easily maintaining 100+ event numbers. COVIC clubs are a mixture of urban, city boundary and rural courses spread across South Auckland and North Waikato regions and offer participating golfers an excellent variety in design while playing a variety of grass and soil types. The significant feature about COVIC golf is its Interclub Pennants Competition format of play. Under its present 12-club format, six qualifying rounds are played on six different member courses. A mid-year split then takes place into two divisions that see the top six clubs playing for the COVIC SHIELD, while the remainder play for the COVIC PLATE, on the remaining six courses. In each round, teams of five players represent their clubs with their best four aggregated stableford scores being the club score for the day. The club with the highest round aggregate score

is awarded 1 competition point, second 2 points, third 3 points, etc. The 2-teams with least 6-round point tally after the final, are declared the SHIELD and PLATE champions. In addition to each competition round throughout the year, two clubs play for the COVIC CHALLENGE CUP, where a holder club defends the CUP against a challenger club. Teams of 4-players play in seeded match play games each scored on a net medal basis for one-point per hole over eighteen holes. All 4 player’s scores are then added to tally each club’s aggregate points total. The challenger club must win to lift the Cup, and any 36:36 draw results see the defender club retain the Cup. Club team of 5 for the Shield and Plate round events, and a team of 4 for any Challenge Cup events, are selected by each club’s appointed COVIC Convenor. In addition some reserve or extra players are invited and encouraged to play in each round’s event haggle as a means of introducing them to COVIC or maintaining their involvement. The volunteer Club Conveners are appointed on an annual basis and together they make up a COVIC Conveners Committee and meet 2 or 3 times a year. Under the guidance of the COVIC Convenor they agree on setting annual fixture dates and a common annual event fee that need to be approved by their clubs. While it is unheard of for golf association pennants players to pay any event fees, COVIC desires to make a contribution toward the financial health and well-being of its member clubs. We do so, however, while remaining conscious of the restricted income of our retired vets and our primary goal to assist them in ‘achieving affordable golf’ designed to maintain their playing participation during their latter years of life. By doing so, we recognize the great many combined years of financial contribution they have made to their clubs, associations and support of many association pennant and club open tournament events. It is also these devout ‘game eager’ players who have been responsible

PLAY GOLF AT ARIKIKAPAKAPA

for introducing many others to the game of golf, many who have become club members, or at least regular green fee players. Finally, many of these club stalwarts have given many years of their time toward administration, through club and association committees, event sponsorship and management, rules and course rating oversight. In addition to the pennant competition events COVIC runs three annual tournament events at the start of season, mid season and end of season, designed to provide opportunity for playing various other formats of the game. The VVV Classic is a season opening 2-person team event played either on a combined stableford score, or on an Ambrose format. The JJJ Cup is a mid winter 3-person Teams Ambrose event played on a neutral dry course. The COVIC CHAMPS is an individual net and stableford stroke play tournament played in two divisions over 18-holes. The VVV and JJJ events are rotationally hosted so as to offer COVIC clubs an opportunity to host one extra COVIC event every 6 years. In summary, the COVIC goal is one of coordinating veteran players, who are all too easily forgotten or taken for granted by their clubs, to continue playing competitive but fun interclub pennants format golf as representatives of their clubs; while providing member clubs with regular events of high playing numbers, designed to achieve a respectable levels of event revenues that are recognized and valued as being financially beneficial.

WAIKATO WILLS CUP WINNERS FOUND AT NGARUAWAHIA

Finals day of the Wills cup were held on Friday 12th August, hosted by the Ngaruawahia Golf Club. The ladies from the Riverside Golf Club produced the most team points to be the 2016 Wills Cup Winners on 119 points. Tirau finished a narrow 2nd on 115 points. In the Jug the Ngahinepouri ladies had

a 118 point win over Matamata in a close 2nd on 115 points.

WINNERS FOUND AT WAIKATO MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2016 ProDrive Waikato Masters Championships were held on Sunday 14th August at the Waikere Golf Course. The team from Waikere had the course in pristine condition with the greens rolling hard and fast and the pins in very testing places.

Pictured are Angus Mills, Ian Garside (WGA Men’s Committee), and Gareth Chitty. With a one shot lead after the first round it was Auckland Masters Representative Gareth Chitty (Titirangi) who kicked on and took out the 2016 title. Gareth had rounds of 70, 71 to finish on a total of 141, five shots clear of James Gardiner on 146. Waikato’s Wybo Veldman put together two constant rounds of 75, 71 to lead the large Waikato contingent of players. Riversides Angus Mills came out on top in the Nett division with nett scores of 68, 70 for a total of 138 over Ngahinepouri’s John Mohn on 139.

ROTORUA GOLF CLUB

s e p GOLF t eCLUB m VETERANS ber ROTORUA

ANNUAL VETERANS MATCH PLAY TOURNAMENT LABOUR 89TH WEEKEND MIXED FOURSOMES HANDICAP MATCH PLAY 19TH – 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2016 SATURDAY/SUNDAY/MONDAY 20th - 22nd OCTOBER, 2012

ROTORUA & SPRINGFIELD GOLF CLUBS GEYSER GOLF CLASSIC CHARITY TOURNAMENT (HOSPICE)

18 holes Saturday, 36 holes Sunday, 18 holes Monday. Entries limited to first 64 paid entries

85th ANNUAL VETERANS MATCH PLAY 2016 TOURNAMENT SATURDAY 8TH & SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER, GROSS/NETT/STABLEFORD DIVISIONS MONDAY 10th SEPTEMBER - FRIDAYIN14th SEPTEMBER, 2012

Contact the Rotorua Golf Club Ph: 07 348 4051 Email: rotorua@golf.co.nz www.rotoruagolfclub.co.nz

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September 2016

A huge thankyou to ProDrive Golf for their sponsorship of prizes and continued support in this prestigious event.

DEFENDING CHAMPS BACK ON TRACK

The most recent round of the Thames Valley High School Series was played at Te Aroha Golf Club last month, in somewhat cold and wet conditions. Players had to endure continuous showers throughout the day, and a very wet underfoot golf course. However, this did not dampen the spirits of those who were playing in

the event. With a couple of late withdrawals, the individual section of the event was fought out by Robson Tarrant (Matamata College) and new comer to Division One Max Bromley (Thames High School). Robson Tarrant playing off an 11 handicap had a great day on the mountain, with a 68 nett, proving too good for Max, and taking out the round and the valuable points that go with it. Overall, Robson has a total of 140 points for the series, now 10 points clear of Keegan Walsh (Hauraki) who was unable to play the latest round. In Division Two (Ambrose section) the trophy was back up for grabs, and it was the 2015 Champions Thames High School who braved the conditions best, shooting an event par 35 off their 5 handicap. Closely following behind Thames was Hauraki Plains who played well and notched up a further 40 points in the overall standings. The Matamata Boys’ team who seem to be getting better at each event, clinched the last podium spot, taking home the bronze medal and 30 points for their trouble. Co-leaders

after three rounds Paeroa, picked up 20 points and will be looking for a win the final round to have a chance of taking the 2016 title. The final round will take us to the Hauraki Plains, where teams will fight it out for the overall trophies for 2016. The stage is set for an exciting finale, bring on the 16th September. Overall Standings after 4 rounds are as follows (Division Two): Thames High School 170points Matamata College 140points Paeroa College 140points Hauraki Plains College 90points Te Aroha College 30points

POWERCO 36 HOLE THAMES VALLEY STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

The Te Aroha Golf Club are pleased to announce the upcoming Powerco 36 Hole Thames Valley Stroke Play Championship, which will be held on Sunday, September 25. The 2016 event will mark the 85th edition of the annual tournament, which is one of the biggest competitions the club holds each year.

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Registrations are now open, with entry restricted to the first 80 paid players. The tournament has a handicap index limit of 24.4. Entry is just $50 which includes lunch on the day. Te Aroha Golf Club president Mike Priest said it promised to be an exciting occasion. “We are expecting a fantastic tournament to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Powerco 36 Hole Thames Valley Stroke Play Championship,” Priest said. “It’s always good to see some quality talent come out to play, while from a social point of view it’s a really good day. “It is also going to be a welcome into the warmer and drier months, with the course getting through winter in good shape.” Defending champion, Mark Wilson of Te Aroha, is set to return this year along with a host of other top golfers from inside and outside the district. Previously up-and-coming talents such as current Waikato representative Sam Vincent have played at the event. Te Aroha Golf Club would like to acknowledge the support of Powerco, whose generous support enables the championship to be held each year.

Summer is here!! Hopefully Friday opens are on again 1st Friday of every month Make a weekend of the trip, Stay at Matakana Outback, visit the markets and wineries

Everyone is welcome at Warkworth 11.30 SHOTGUN START MEN & WOMEN DIVISIONS Separate 2’s competition

BOOK YOUR TEE AT THE DIVOT - GOLF SHOP TEL: 09 425 8248 EMAIL: THEDIVOT@WARKWORTHGOLFCLUB.CO.NZ

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September 2016

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WAIKATO NOTICEBOARD 1 Sep-30 sep

Whangamata

07 8698479

Friday Freebies 2 for 1 Golf

1 Sep-30 sep

Lake View

(07)3572343

Veterans Day every Tuesday 9.30am, Friday Haggle

1 Sep-30 sep

Walton

(07)8883731

Hidden Gem 20 mins from Hamilton 40 mins Tauranga 90 mins Auckland

3-6-Sep

Taumaranui

07 896 7257

Bower Motors Taumaranui Left Handers T’ment

3-Sep

Putaruru

07 883 8231

Putararu Putararu Maori Tournament

8-Sep

Waikare

07 826 3574

Monthly Midweek Mixed Open Starter

8-Sep

Thames

7-868 9062

Harvey World Travel Open Thames

9-Sep

Whangamata

07 865 8479

Whangamata 9hole Mixed Open

10-Sep

Te Awamutu

7-871 5661

Maori Tournament

10-Sep

Pio Pio Aria

07 877 8195

Great Western Open

11-Sep

Stewart Alexander

07 871 7907

Kirstie McGrail $100 Open

15-Sep

Hauraki

07 867 3197

Monthly Midweek Mixed Open Starter

15-Sep

Paeroa

07 862 7993

Open Tournament

16-Sep

Pirongia

7-871 9640

Di Storey Tournament

18-Sep

Waihi

07 863 8678

Birchwood Open Teams Tournament

19-Sep

Taumaranui

07 896 7257

Ladies Ferguson Lawn Mowing 27 Hole foursomes tournament

19-Sep

Morrinsvile

7-889 6696

Ferguson Lawnmowing Foursomes 27 holes

25-Sep

Morrinsvile

7-889 6696

Meat Pack Tournament

22-23 Oct

Taumaranui

07 896 7257

The Bowyer Motors Main Trunk Scramble. This event is pairs with 1 round of foursomes, 4 Ball best ball and on Sunday Ambrose

30-Oct

Morrinsvile

7-889 6696

Meat Pack Tournament

by two shots. The first round on Friday was played in blustery conditions with rain showers sweeping through. Pictured is Luke Toomey with the Trophy.

KAWERAU GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Kawerau Golf Club Championships played on a beautiful Sunday the 14th of August.

Results: Mens C Grade Division Pa Williams vs Whitu Kingi: Pa Williams won on 21st Hole Junior Division. Alby Oakes vs Chris Hiwarau :Alby Oakes on the 34th hole Intermediate Division.Flash Rowlands vs Tray Kingi:Flash Rowlands on the 36th hole Seniors Division.Glen Tait vs Zane Rangihika:Glen Tait on the 36th hole Womens Silver Division.Aroha Chrichton uncontested Bronze 1 Division:Hanah Bae vs Wendy Bowden:Hanah Bae 36th hole Bronze 2 Division:Jenny Chapman vs Sheryl Cotter:Jenny Chapman.

Very good games played by our finalist.

OHOPE GOLF CLUB

Pictured are the senior winner Glen Tait (left) and runner up Zane Rangihika (right) PHOTO: AARON RANGIHIKA/KAWERAU GOLF CLUB FACEBOOK PAGE.

BAY OF PLENTY EISENHOWER PLAYERS BATTLE IT OUT TO TAKE BAY OF PLENTY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

In horrendous weather Eisenhower representatives Luke Toomey and Ryan Chisnall put on a masterful display of golf with Toomey coming through late to win

Mount Tarawera and Mount Ngongotaha can also be seen as you play your way around Lakeview. The peace and tranquility of Lakeview along with the extraordinary native birdlife makes this a unique golfing experience. You might find yourself singing with the birds when you make a few birds yourself! There is always a warm welcome for visiting golfers. Once you play the course you will put it on your “play it again” list. So come and play Lakeview and find out for yourself why people enjoy this beautiful country course, only fifteen minutes from Rotorua city. Check out our website. www.lakeviewgolf.co.nz or phone 07 357 2341 to book a tee time.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE OF LAKEVIEW

The next time you are down in Rotorua come up for a round of golf at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. The course will certainly challenge you without punishing you. It is always in good condition- there is no trudge in the sludge here!!. You will enjoy the stunning views of Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island and the surrounding hills.

The Ohope International Golf Club is preparing for a busy summer of golf, a season book-ended by two major tournaments, first the club’s flagship tournament, the Ohope 10,000 Men’s Open Tournament and then the New Zealand Seniors Championship. In between these two tournaments there will be a host of other club golfing activities designed to cater for not only the expanding club membership but also holidaymakers from other parts of the country and the influx of ‘wintering’ golfers from the Northern Hemisphere. The 18-hole Ohope golf course, set on a natural peninsula in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with expansive ocean and harbour views, has become a magnet for many of the country’s top golfers who enjoy a unique challenge. Greg Turner, professional golfer and course architect/ designer, rates the seaside terrain of the course, with its exceptional views, as dramatic as anything in Great Britain – ‘This is links golf to match the very best anywhere’. The Ohope 10,000 Men’s Open Tournament has become a prominent, annual fixture on the Bay of Plenty golfing calendar, attracting a capacity field of 130 plus

players from both the region and from throughout the North Island. This year’s 36-hole tournament will be played over Labour Weekend 22/23 October, with the popular Sponsors’ Day on the Friday preceding the tournament. The tournament earns its moniker from the value of the prize table with over $10,000 worth of prizes for the golfers who master the course. Entry to the tournament is now open and interest to date suggests this year’s tournament will again be popular. The New Zealand Seniors Championship, a 54-hole stroke play tournament with 18 holes played over three successive days, will be hosted by the club from Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 February, with a likely capacity field of 170 or so players. Sanctioned by New Zealand Golf, and open to players aged 50 and over at the time of the tournament, the Seniors Championship was first played in 1982 at Taupo Golf Club with the inaugural winner NZ Golf Hall of Fame member Stuart Jones. He repeated his win in 1984 and 1993 and other winners have included many acclaimed New Zealand golfers. The Ohope Golf Club is not just about golf. With its well-appointed Clubhouse lounges and extensive wooden decking and grassed terrace affording a spectacular vista over the peninsula, the site has become a premier destination for weddings and functions. So, if you are a golfer or a potential wedding suitor place the Ohope Golf Club high on your list of ‘must do’s’ this summer. The club’s motto says it all – ‘we love it, so will you’.

TAUPO GOLF CLUB LADIES MIDWINTER PAIRS TOURNAMENT

Taupo Golf Club Ladies Mid winter Pairs tournament was held on the 4-5th of August. 92 women representing 26 Golf Clubs played in Winter conditions. Scores on the first day, which was best ball Stableford, yielded 14 pairs with over

Special Thanks to our Gold Sponsors . . . Husqvarna Chainsaws & Mowers (Whakatane) Whakatane Beacon • Craigs Investment Partners Ltd • Nicholson Motors Sponsors Day - Friday 21st October, 2016

OHOPE 10,000 MEN’S OPEN 36 HOLE GOLF TOURNAMENT

11.30am - Light Lunch Provided • 12 - 12.30pm - 18 Hole Golf 5pm - Cocktail Function (Complimentary drinks and nibbles) Prize Giving • Guest Speaker

Labour Weekend Sat/Sun 22/23 October, 2016

The Ladies Ohope Beach Resort Ohiwa Challenge

Massive ($10,000+) Prize Table 3 Divisions - Nett - Stableford Winner Overall Gross (36 Holes) - “Ohope Amateur Open Trophy” Course Record - Prize $500 Voucher First to Hole in One - Husqvarna Chainsaw

A 27 hole event staged over 2 days will be played on the Labour Day weekend - 22nd /23rd October, 2016 18 Holes on the Saturday and 9 Holes on the Sunday Tee times commence from 12.30pm on Saturday This event is restricted to the first 32 entries, maximum handicap 40.4

Entry forms via our web site - www.ohopegolf.co.nz Email ohope@golf.co.nz • Phone 07 312 4486

Entry Fee $65 • Tee Start Times - Saturday 7.30am - 12.30pm Seeded Multi Start Sunday from 10.30am

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September 2016

BAY OF PLENTY NOTICEBOARD 1-30 Sept

Lake view

(07)3572343

Veterans Day every Tuesday 9.30am, Friday Haggle 12.00pm and Meat Tournament 1st each month.

1-30 Sept

Rotorua GC

(07)3484051

Summer Membership Special $350.00 November 2015 – March 2016.

1-30 Sept

Rotorua GC

(07)3484051

Men’s Wednesday Haggle every Wednesday from 10.00am.

19-21 Sept

Rotorua GC

12-Sep

Tairua

(07)3484051

7-864 8416

89th Annual VeteransMatch play Tournament Pairs Open

15-Sep

Paeroa

7-862 7993

Open

19-Sep

Springfield

7-348 2748

Dorothy Garland

22-Sep

Whangamata

7-865 8479

Teams Tournament

23-Sep

Whakatane

7-308 8117

Women's Open

29-Sep

Nw Plymouth

06) 7551349

Taranaki Open M&W

26-30 Sept

Cambridge

7-827 6381

Boys & Girls Interprovincials

6-Oct

Hauraki

7-867 3197

27 Hole T’ment

9-Oct

Rotorua GC

(07)3484051

Geyser Golf Classic and Charity T’ment

11-Oct

Rotorua GC

(07)3484051

Clarins T’ment

14-Oct

Otumoetai

7-576 9739

Open Pairs Day

15-16 Oct

Te Awamutu

7-871 5661

Dunes Quad

40 points, however the second day of foursomes sorted the field out. The winning pair was from Rangatira GC, Nicola Martin & Marie Brennan, who amassed 44 points on Day 1 and a further 39 on Day 2, making a total of 83 and winning in convincing fashion over Jill Lloyd (Wairakei) and June A’Court (Taupo) who had a score of 81.

Prizes and first day dinner were Christmas themed, with the winners taking away hams and festive hampers to reward them for their efforts. Vaughan Nairn, owner of the VineEatery was on hand to present the prizes. The organising committee thanked resident caterer at the golf club, Daryl Morris, who was a major sponsor of the tournament alongside the VineEatery & Bar in Taupo.

HAWKES BAY/POVERTY BAY HAWKES BAY WOMENS PENNANTS FINALS 2016

The Pennants finals were played on Monday 25th July at Maraenui GC (Division 1) and Hawkes Bay GC (Division 2)

MANAWATU WANGANUI

TARANKI NOTICEBOARD

HOROWHENUA OPEN RESULTS

Levin Golf Club’s prestigious annual tournament was played last month. The Horowhenua Open 36 hole stroke play sponsored by Horowhenua Motor Company. The course was in great order but the wind got up and by lunchtime is was deemed dangerous. Club management were nervous for the golfers safety and accordingly reduced the event to just the one round. 96 golfers played the Open, which was won by Tony Chettleburh from Feilding with a 75 gross. The wind was too tough for a play off and the computer decided Junior Tatana from Foxton Golf Club was the runner up also shooting 75. The Women’s Open was won by Tara Raj from Wanganui and Runner up Jenny Ritchie from Marton. 3rd. Tania Hook. Division 1 Men Winner David Ponse. 2nd Peter Spearman-Burn. 3rd Cameron Elers. Net. Shay Mellis and 2nd equal StuHAWKES BAY/POVERTY BAY NOTICEBOARD

Division 1 – There were five teams in contention on the final day. However, after some close matches Dannevirke GC were the winners with 9 points and 39.5 individual match wins. They were closely followed by Napier Rimu with 9 points and 35.5 matches, and Maraenui were third with 9 points and 33.0 matches. An incredibly close competition. Division 2 – Maraenui were clear winners with 11 points, having won all their rounds apart from one, which was halved. Runners up were combined on 8 points. Congratulations to the winning teams. Thank you to all clubs who hosted the competitions and to all players who represented their clubs.

3rd Sep

Takapau

6-885 8385

Mixed Foursomes

9-Sep

Waipukurau

6-858 9598

18 Hole Foursomes

11-Sep

Napier

6-844 7913

Golf HB 36 Stroke Play-Masters Trial

17-18 Sep

Waipawa

6-857 8089

Men's & Women's Open Match Play

11-Sep

Napier

6-844 7913

GHB & PBW 36 Hole Tournament

14-Sep

Poverty Bay

6-867 4402

Taste One First Light Frozen Tournament

15-Sep

Porangahau

6-374 8992