Golfer Pacific NZ – July 2019

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Two defining moments for Woodland in final round of US Open PAGE 4 INSIDE // GOLF CLUBS SELL FOR $US40,000 // GOLF IN THE WINTERLESS NORTH

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EDITORIAL What’s the most important club in the golf bag? pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

I

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

s 14 clubs too many?

That was the question I was asking myself after playing in a fun event last month.

The team I play interclub for at my club won our grade this year — yes, I’m bragging — and we got together for a post-season celebration.

It was just a nine-hole event but with a limit of four clubs.

I made my decision well before tee-off which clubs I would choose.

Our golf course measures nearly 5900 metres off the members’ tees, which I believe is the longest in the lower North Island, even though it is only par 71.

For that reason my first choice of club was driver. I felt it was

important to maintain length off the tee to give myself a chance of making it to the green.

My second choice of club was a hybrid. There were two reasons for this selection. One was that it would give me some chance of getting to the green in two on par fours. (I can already hear my friends scoffing at that last statement.)

The second reason I chose the hybrid was that it would act as my putter. Clever thinking, I thought.

That left me with two more choices. I plumped for a pitching wedge for around the greens and a six iron as a middle club.

I was now set.

This was not a serious event, we had a bit of fun, I did not play well but I enjoyed myself.

However, coming to the sec-

ond-last of the nine holes I suddenly realised I had only used three of the four clubs. This was not intentional, it was just the way it happened.

The club I did not use at all was the six iron. I started to wonder why.

In the first instance I hardly got to a position where I would commonly use a six iron. But I also realised that when I got to a position that was a little outside my six iron-length, it was just as easy to hit a chopped down hybrid rather that a hard six iron.

But perhaps the biggest lesson I learned was that I could not putt with the hybrid. To be fair that is something I never practice, but three putts were common and there was one four-putt from a very moderate distance.

One of my playing partners gleefully told me afterwards that I had 29 putts over nine holes.

That is horrible.

But it hammered home to me the saying that the most important club in the bag is the putter.

Putt well and you’ll score well — even if the rest of your game is only average.

If I play a similar event again, my first choice of club will be the putter.

But the event also got me thinking about all the clubs we carry around in a normal round of golf. We are allowed 14 and we all put 14 in the bag.

We all try to act like the professionals and choose the perfect club but to be frank we can all improvise with most clubs, especially the mid-irons.

I rest my case.

NEW ZEALAND EDITORIAL Paul Gueorgieff pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz Ph: 64 4 565 0385 Mob: 64 27 227 1038 SALES & CLUB PACKAGE GOLF TRAILS & NOTICEBOARDS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 7 5504 6334 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 LAYOUT & DESIGN layout.golferpacificnz@gmail.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: Gary Woodland poses with the trophy following his three-stroke victory in the US Open at Pebble Beach. (Copyright USGA/ JD Cuban) 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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July 2019

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Amelia Garvey’s amazing run at British Amateur goes down to the wire

3 year warranty equals increased peace-of-mind

Emily Toy (left) and New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey with their trophies after finishing first and second in the Women’s Amateur in Northern Ireland last month. (Photo credit R&A)

N

ew Zealand golfer Amelia Garvey was pipped at the winning post in the Women’s Amateur Championship in Northern Ireland.

Garvey, from Christchurch, was beaten one down by Emily Toy from England in the 18-hole final of the tournament, commonly known as the British Amateur, at the renowned links course of Royal County Down last month.

Victory would have seen her become the first New Zealander to win the tournament since Marnie McGuire triumphed in 1986.

Garvey, 19, had a one up lead after the fifth hole when Toy made bogey. Toy, however, hit back immediately at the next hole with birdie to even the match.

The pair exchanged bogeys before another dropped shot from Toy handed Garvey the lead at the 11th.

Just when it looked like Garvey, who plays golf at the University of Southern California in the United States, might pull clear, she bogeyed the 14th to return the contest to all square.

Toy, attached to Carlyon Bay Golf Club, let a chance slip at the 16th when she three-putted but made no mistake at the 17th from 20 feet for birdie.

A par at the last was good enough for victory as Toy joined a roll of honour that also includes Anna Nordqvist (2008) and Céline Boutier (2015).

Toy became the first English player to win the title since Georgia Hall in 2013.

Her victory also meant she sealed a spot in the Women’s British Open at Woburn in August along with exemptions into the professional events of the Evian Championship in France and next year’s US Women’s Open and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

“It’s amazing to win,” Toy said.

“I played really solidly all week. I stayed in the moment in the final and handled my nerves.

“I really struggled this morning (in the semi-finals) off the tee but I found the fairways this afternoon, which gave me the chances. My putting was also really solid from long distance.”

Garvey said the runner-up placing was the highlight of golfing career to date.

“I gave it everything. I left it all out there, which is all I can ask for,’’ Garvey said.

“I’m really proud of the way I played. It’s been an amazing week.

“Emily played incredibly well, especially down the stretch. She slipped up once on 16 with a three putt but apart from that she didn’t miss many fairways or make many mistakes.

“I really wanted to win but playing in front of all those people and just getting to the final was a great thrill. This is my best achievement in golf so far and gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”

Garvey received the Diana Fishwick Cup as runner-up.

It was the 116th staging of the tournament and it was the ninth time it had been held at Royal County Down — exactly 120 years after its first staging.

An international team award was presented after the strokeplay qualifying rounds, with Italy taking the honours with an aggregate score of 296.

A 144-player international field made up of competitors from 26 countries assembled at Royal County Down for two rounds of 18-hole strokeplay qualifying before the lowest 64 scores progressed to the matchplay stage.

The 117th Women’s Amateur Championship will be played at Kilmarnock (Barassie) in Scotland from June 2327 next year.

GARVEY’S RESULTS AT WOMEN’S AMATEUR

Christchurch golfer Amelia Garvey’s results at the Women’s Amateur Championship in Northern Ireland last month were: Strokeplay qualifying: Finished fourth of 144 players with rounds of 72 and 72 (par 73).

Round one: Defeated Patricia Garre Munoz (Spain) 3 and 2.

Round two: Defeated Maria Harraez Galvez (Spain) 3 and 1.

Round three: Defeated Puk Lynn Thomsen (Denmark) 2 and 1.

Quarter finals: Defeated Kiir Riihijarvi (Finland) 3 and 2.

Semi-finals: Defeated Daniella Barrett (Finland) 3 and 1.

Final: Lost to Emily Toy (England) one down.

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GOLF NEWS 4

Two defining moments for Woodland in final round of US Open

W

hen it comes to the final round of an event like the United States Open there can often be one shot that the winner will be remembered for.

But in the case of last month’s US Open winner Gary Woodland, there were two shots of great significance.

The first of them came on the par five 14th hole.

Woodland decided to go for the green with his second shot with three wood from 240 metres.

The degree of difficulty was not so much the distance but a cavernous bunker that guarded the pin position and the fact that, at the time, he was clinging to a one-shot lead.

Woodland’s ball barely cleared the bunker and it finished just beyond the back of the green. It provided Woodland with a relatively simple up-anddown for birdie, which he achieved.

A television commentator couldn’t contain himself as the shot was made.

“What a shot that is. That takes a lot of guts,’’ the commentator said.

Woodland admitted afterwards it was a deliberate move to increase his lead.

“The idea was to play for the win,” Woodland said. “I could have laid up.

That three wood separated me a little bit.”

It was the shot of the tournament — until Woodland hit one even better.

That came at the tricky par three 17th hole of 200m.

Woodland hit five iron — that’s what you use from 200m, don’t you? — but he dropped the club from his hands in disappointment as the ball sailed well to the right on the edge of the green with the pin 90 feet away over a hump.

The putter was not a choice as the edge of the green narrowed so Woodland pulled out a lob wedge to go over it.

From the moment Woodland crisply hit the ball the television commentators were again getting excited.

“Sounded great,’’ said one commentator.

As the ball rolled towards the hole another commentator said: “Oh, look at this shot.”

The ball did not go in the hole but it nestled inches away and left Woodland with a tap in for par.

“I think that trumps the three wood on 14,’’ a commentator said.

Woodland later admitted the lob wedge was a nervous moment for him.

“I was just trying to get it over that hump,” Woodland said. “I thought it had a chance to go in, but it’s not one I want over.”

That shot effectively ended the US Open.

Woodland went to the last hole,

Gary Woodland acknowledges his victory in the United States Open

a par five, with a two-shot lead. He played the hole conservatively, reaching the green in three which provided him with the luxury of three putts to win from 30 feet.

But just to put an exclamation mark on the victory his first putt went in the hole with the crowd roaring in appreciation.

Woodland raised both arms in the air to salute the crowd, turned toward the Pacific Ocean and slammed down his fist.

It was the 35-year-old’s first win in a major championship and gave him the winner’s prize of $US2.25 million with a score of 13 under par.

Woodland’s game had been on the improve leading up to the US Open, entering the tournament ranked as the world No 25.

But one huge issue remained. Woodland had seldom won. And he never even got close in a major championship.

In his 13 years as a professional, he had only won three PGA Tour events.

The first 27 times he entered major championships, he never cracked the top 10. In two of his previous three majors, he improved to tied for sixth and eighth. But never a top-five finish.

Asked whether he had ever allowed himself to dream of victory, he answered, “No, I never did. That’s as good as I’ve ever been.”

Oddly enough Woodland’s main ri-

July 2019

val on the last day was his look-a-like Brooks Koepka who finished second and became first to shoot four rounds in the 60s at the US Open (69-69-69-68) and not win.

Koepka, who had won the two previous US Opens, paid tribute to Woodland.

“Gary played a hell of a round today,” Koepka said. “Props to him to hang in there. To go out in style like that is pretty cool.”

Woodland was a late-starter in becoming a golf obsessive. He played basketball and baseball in his teens and has been playing catch-up with players who were fanatics at age 10, while he wasn’t focused until college.

After his win, Woodland commiserated with Koepka, teasingly telling him: “You need to slow down. All day you were knocking on the door.”

Part of the tradition of the US Open is the connection to Father’s Day in the United States. Two years previous, when Woodland’s wife, Gabby, was pregnant with twins, one of the children died in a miscarriage, but Jaxson Lynn Woodland, who arrived 10 weeks early, is now a healthy two-year-old. In August, the Woodlands are expecting twin girls.

“Then life is going to get really real,” said Woodland.

WHAT THE WINNER RECEIVES

Among the benefits enjoyed by the

US Open winner are: * A US Open exemption for the next 10 years * An invitation to the next five US Masters tournaments * An invitation to the next five Open Championships, conducted by The R&A * An invitation to the next five PGA Championships * An invitation to the next five Players’ Championships * Exempt status on the PGA Tour for five years.

FUTURE US OPENS

The US Open roster for the next eight years is: June 18-21, 2020: Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course), Mamaroneck, New York June 17-20, 2021: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego, California June 16-19, 2022: The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts June 15-18, 2023: Los Angeles (California) Country Club (North Course) June 13-16, 2024: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina June 12-15, 2025: Oakmont (Pennysylvania) Country Club June 18-21, 2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York June 17-20, 2027: Pebble Beach (California) Golf Links

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NEWS

US OPEN LEADERBOARD AND PRIZEMONEY POS 1 2 T3 T3 T3 T3 T7 T7 T9 T9 T9 T12 T12 T12 T12 T16 T16 T16 T16 T16 T21 T21 T21 T21 T21 T21 T21 T28 T28 T28 T28 T32 T32 T32 T35 T35 T35 T35 T35 T35 T35 T35 T43 T43 T43 T43 T43 T43

PLAYER Gary Woodland Brooks Koepka Xander Schauffele Jon Rahm Chez Reavie Justin Rose Adam Scott Louis Oosthuizen Henrik Stenson Chesson Hadley Rory McIlroy Viktor Hovland (a) Matt Fitzpatrick Matt Wallace Danny Willett Webb Simpson Francesco Molinari Byeong Hun An Graeme McDowell Matt Kuchar Paul Casey Alex Prugh Tiger Woods Jason Day Tyrrell Hatton Hideki Matsuyama Patrick Cantlay Sepp Straka Shane Lowry Jim Furyk Nate Lashley Marcus Kinhult Patrick Reed Billy Horschel Aaron Wise Bryson DeChambeau Collin Morikawa Martin Kaymer Jason Dufner Marc Leishman Dustin Johnson Brandon Wu (a) Andrew Putnam Rory Sabbatini Erik Van Rooyen Tom Hoge Rickie Fowler Nick Taylor

TO PAR -13 -10 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 E E E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2

R1 68 69 66 69 68 65 70 66 68 68 68 69 69 70 71 74 68 70 69 69 70 75 70 70 70 69 73 68 75 73 67 74 71 73 66 69 71 69 70 69 71 71 73 72 71 71 66 74

R2 65 69 73 70 70 70 69 70 71 70 69 73 71 68 71 68 72 72 70 69 72 69 72 73 74 73 71 72 69 67 74 70 73 70 71 74 73 75 71 74 69 69 71 71 73 73 77 70

R3 69 68 71 70 68 68 71 70 70 70 70 71 72 71 67 73 71 68 70 70 73 70 71 70 69 70 68 76 70 72 70 74 72 71 79 73 72 71 73 70 71 71 73 73 72 71 71 70

R4 69 68 67 68 71 74 68 72 70 71 72 67 68 71 71 66 70 71 72 73 67 68 69 69 69 70 70 67 69 71 72 66 68 70 69 69 69 70 71 72 74 74 69 70 70 71 72 72

TOTAL 271 274 277 277 277 277 278 278 279 279 279 280 280 280 280 281 281 281 281 281 282 282 282 282 282 282 282 283 283 283 283 284 284 284 285 285 285 285 285 285 285 285 286 286 286 286 286 286

MONEY $2,250,000 $1,350,000 $581,872 $581,872 $581,872 $581,872 $367,387 $367,387 $288,715 $288,715 $288,715 $0 $226,609 $226,609 $226,609 $172,455 $172,455 $172,455 $172,455 $172,455 $117,598 $117,598 $117,598 $117,598 $117,598 $117,598 $117,598 $86,071 $86,071 $86,071 $86,071 $72,928 $72,928 $72,928 $57,853 $57,853 $57,853 $57,853 $57,853 $57,853 $57,853 $0 $41,500 $41,500 $41,500 $41,500 $41,500 $41,500

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New Zealand amateur Daniel Hillier played in the United States Open at Pebble Beach in Southern California last month. His caddie was one of New Zealand Golf’s high performance coaches Jay Carter. Hillier did not make the cut and the question now is what the player can learn, as Carter reported for New Zealand Golf’s website after Hillier’s second round. That report follows.

What’s to be learned from missing the cut at the US Open?

S

o the ride has come to an end but what a ride it was. Daniel was a great ambassador for New Zealand and New Zealand Golf. I am sure that all the fans here would agree, not just the Kiwi ones of which there are a few.

Dan needed to shoot three under today and he got off to a pretty good start with a birdie on the 516 yard par four — yes that is a 472 metre par four. After pumping his drive 298 metres, he hit his six iron from 180m to five feet and holed the putt, as we discussed that was possibly the most clinical hole he played.

Unfortunately each time he got on a wee roll there would be a little speed bump and I can assure you it doesn’t take much around here to get the speed wobbles. He got to two under though, after

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he two-putted the par five sixth from 14 feet and I was thinking at this point that he could get this done.

As I am sure you are aware it didn’t work out and we have to ensure that we don’t just use the cliché that it was a great learning experience and we do dig deep and truly find some valuable learning, it’s often too easy to put it down to experience.

We will let the dust settle on the event before we undertake that but there were some interesting scenarios in our threesome today.

We had one player who shot 83 yesterday, and was five over par after five today. Then he basically just threw caution to the wind and played the last 13 holes in four under par. He obviously reached

that point where he let himself go, and just played freely, the trick would be to get in to that mindset before you are 17 over.

The other player was right on the cut line and hanging in there by the skin of his teeth. You could see everything just get that little bit more tense; his reactions to shots and his body language all changed over the closing holes.

I get it as well, if these guys miss the cut, they don’t get paid so they “need” to make it and they probably wish they could just free up and play. This player had to hole an evil five foot putt on the last hole to make the cut and he drained it in the centre. As he walked off, he told us that at the forefront of his mind is that he had missed every single putt like that

July 2019

coming in.

The major lesson there is the ability to let go and unleash is powerful, but also very hard and often only attainable when it doesn’t matter. The other lesson is that these guys have negative thoughts just like the rest of us, they have the same doubts we have and sometimes the putt drops and sometimes it doesn’t. I suspect that our playing partner had more doubt and negative thoughts on that last putt than any other but he still made it.

Finally hats off to Dan who did a great job of living in the moment taking in the scenery and reminding himself that he was playing in a US Open at Pebble Beach. It didn’t go to plan this time but he loved every minute of it.

5

Late on Sunday afternoon Gary Woodland would carry his 36- and 54 -hole leads to winning his first major, but it would not be easy as he had plenty of major stars looking to overtake him throughout the weekend. Here is an overview of how the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach played out.

Woodland leads over the last two rounds in the US Open

By Randy Williams in the United States

T

he opening round was played under grey skies but with fog and cool temperatures keeping greens damp, which yielded plenty of scores in red fig-

ures.

Nearly 40 players bettered par, tying the record for the second-most in United States Open history.

Justin Rose, the 2013 champion, birdied his final three holes for a six-under-par 65, matching Tiger Woods’ opening round in 2000. That year, Woods went on to win by a record 15 strokes for the first of his three US Open titles.

Rose’s impressive round included an eagle and five birdies against one bogey, on the par four eighth hole.

“Obviously, a fun day of golf,” said Rose, whose only win in 2019 came in southern California at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, what will be the site of the 2021 US Open.

“I guess the round was going nicely. I was three under par, had a rough patch, had to scramble, work hard, keep my round together. Even when I made a mistake, I was willing to accept. And then got rewarded with a hot finish … [taking] a good round to a great round.”

Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Aaron Wise and Louis Oosthuizen were a shot back with 66s. The 2011 US Open champion Rory McIlroy and a pair of recent winners of The Open Championship, Henrik Stenson and Francesco Molinari, headlined a large group at 68. Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka and Woods carded 69 and 70, respectively, the latter doing it with 11 one-putts.

Brooks Koepka, the two-time defending champion, said of his two under 69: “You know this golf course you're going to struggle on when you miss it. And to grind out a couple of pars and really not make the big mistake was nice. I happened to squeak one by on 18.”

Favourable weather conditions for the second round continued, conducive to scoring opportunities.

With superb putting, which included sinking a birdie of nearly 50 feet on his last hole, Gary Woodland, a 35-year-old from Kansas who had never finished better than a tie for 23rd in eight previous US Open starts, carded a six-under, bogey-free 65 for a two-stroke lead into the weekend. However, many big names were right on his tail.

First round leader Justin Rose was just two back after rolling a 70.

Said Rose: "At this point there's not a lot to worry about. If you're one ahead, one behind, it's a lot of golf to be played. But I’m in a perfect spot."

Koepka continued his consistent play with another 69. Rory McIlroy shot a 69 following up his 68.

Said McIlroy: "The weekend will be a challenge. Mistakes will happen. I've got to bounce back from inevitable bogeys, but if I can get two more rounds in the 60s, I'll take my chances."

The third round is commonly referred to as “moving day” and surprise, surprise Koepka steadily climbed up the leaderboard with a 68. Seven under, he was just three back of Rose and four back of leader Woodland.

"What I'm doing is working," said Koepka. "I'm pleased with how I am striking the ball. We'll see what happens with the pressure tomorrow, but I like my position."

For a third consecutive day, the gusty winds that can permeate Pebble Beach stayed away, as the marine layer kept the breezes down and the temperatures in the 10 degrees celsius.

Woodland certainly maintained his cool. The leader never faltered, helped along by a couple of Houdini-like acts on Nos 12 and 14. He holed a 33-foot chip for par on the par three 12th and a 42-foot putt for par on the par five 14th.

“I have a short game now I can rely on,” said Woodland. “I don't have to focus on the ball-striking. This is a golf course I don't have to pound a lot of drivers. I can play a little more conservatively, stick to my game plan.

And like I said, it's nice to be where I'm at right now.

But looking forward to going out and doing it one more day.”

Hoping to celebrate his 49th birthday on Sunday with a US Open win for a career grand slam, Phil Mickelson shot himself out of contention with a 75 despite major backing from the crowd.

“I needed to go low today," said Mickelson. "I had opportunities, but finished poorly, but I look forward to playing tomorrow because this is a special place and I have much gratitude for the fan support."

Sunday's final would be an interesting mix of former US Open champions like Koepka, Rose and McIlroy not only fighting off each other, but other contenders hungry to win their first US Open including Woodland, Matt Kuchar and Louis Oosthuizen.

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion when it was last held at Pebble Beach, eagled the last hole to go four under then offered some advice.

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“Pebble Beach is a sleeping giant that requires you to stay in the moment,” McDowell said.

Sunday’s final round of the 119th US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links resembled the start of a formula one car race.

You had a pacesetter in 54-hole leader Woodland, the 35-year-old Kansas native who had never won a major nor played in the final group on Sunday. The three-time PGA Tour winner escaped a few potential disastrous holes on the second nine on Saturday to post a two under-par 69 for a three-round total of 11-under 202.

But there were several experienced stars ready to make a Sunday charge, including seven major champions within seven strokes of the lead.

Nevertheless, Woodland appeared quite confident.

“I'm getting more and more comfortable from the situation just because I've been in the situation a lot. I've had a lot of close calls even this year in tournaments.

“Obviously, I put myself in position in the PGA last year. It's one of those where the game is becoming more complete, and with that comes a lot of confidence and adds up to playing well,” said Woodland about being the 54-hole leader for the first time in a major.

The closest pursuer was former world No 1 and 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose, who was in Saturday’s final pairing with Woodland. Behind a gritty short game, Rose began the final round one shot back after a three-under 68.

Lurking four shots behind was Koepka (seven under 206), who was seeking to join Willie Anderson (1903-05) as the only players to claim the United States national open three consecutive years, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who was looking to join Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won majors at both Pebble Beach and the Old Course at St Andrews. Oosthuizen birdied three straight holes from No 15 to post a one under 70.

Koepka, who was pleased with his round and ready to

close in on the leader, stated his simple plan.

“Just keep doing what I'm doing,” said Koepka, who rallied from one back to win in 2017 at Erin Hills but was the 54-hole leader last year at Shinnecock Hills. “Obviously, whatever I'm doing is working. Make a couple of birdies [on Sunday], put some pressure on guys.”

However, the final round ended like the third round.

Woodland held off all challengers, including former champions, Koepka and Rose, to win the 119th US Open, his first major victory.

Having held 54-hole leads in seven previous tournaments and failing to hold on to any of them, there would be no denying Woodland this time.

The 35-year-old never lost his lead and punctuated his victory dropping a massive 30-foot birdie on the 72nd hole for an impressive three-stroke win at thirteen under 271, which included no three putts.

Koepka, who finished second (and the first player to post four rounds in the 60s and not win), could not help but be impressed.

“I gave it my all (but) Gary played a great four days of golf. That is what you have to do. He's worked hard and deserves it."

Rose, paired with Woodland, had a pair of bogeys on the back nine that put him out of contention. Still, he was impressed by his playing partner's poise.

"Gary hit all the shots when he needed to," said Rose.

"He was unflappable and finished great with the long birdie at the 72nd hole."

While a key to victory was his accuracy, hitting 73 percent of fairways and 72 percent of greens in regulation, Woodland attributed a lot to the mental side of the game.

"I never let my mind get ahead. Throughout the entire round I just stayed in the moment,” said Woodland.

"Getting birdies early on two and three really gave me confidence and I credit my caddy for believing in me to take aggressive angles all day."

British Open moves away from singleuse water bottles

T

he Open Championship, which will be held in Northern Ireland this month, will become one of the first major global sporting events to remove single-use plastic water bottles in a move supported by the United Nations.

The Open water initiative has been developed with Bluewater – the leading global innovator in drinking water solutions – to deliver a pioneering new approach to supplying drinking water at a major event by using water refilling stations and reusable stainless steel bottles to deliver pure fresh water directly to fans, players, staff and officials at The Open.

The project is supported by UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign and aims to raise awareness of the issue of global marine plastic pollution and the need to protect the world’s oceans and coastlines, including the marine life that inhabits them.

Daniel Cooney, communication deputy director from UN Environment, said: “Sport offers a unique opportunity to engage with a global audience on environmental issues. We commend this initiative to tackle marine plastic pollution. The Open offers a powerful platform to influence how people think about drinking water and its associated impact on the natural environment.”

More than 5000 special edition reusable bisphenol A-free stainless steel Bluewater water bottles will be given to fans free of charge at The Open and they will also be on sale throughout the venue for a special promotional price of less than five pounds. Fans will be welcome to bring their own refillable water bottles to use at the championship.

All golfers playing in The Open will be given a personalised players’ edition stainless steel Bluewater water bottle with their name laser-engraved on it. A limited

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number of the players’ edition bottles will be made available for sale in The Open shop and at The Open camping village for fans wishing to purchase a special souvenir gift.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “The Open has a close relationship with nature and the coastal system of the world’s finest links courses and it is important that we safeguard them for future generations.

“We have all learned so much of the destructive impact of plastic in the world’s oceans and we believe we have to take steps to remove all single-use plastic water bottles from The Open in order to encourage fans and players to use alternative and more sustainable materials.”

Anders Jacobson, co-founder and chief executive of Blue, the impact-led investment company which owns Stockholm-based Bluewater, said: “We are honoured and delighted to be collaborating with The R&A on The Open water project, which blazes a purposeful message of the key role world-class sporting organisations can play when it comes to leaving a cleaner planet for future generations.

“Bluewater technology offers solutions enabling water to be purified and dispensed locally at point of consumption – with minimal waste – thereby eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and their polluting transportation.”

Life Water aluminium cans will also be used as readysealed containers to provide water in some areas of the venue. The Life Water zero plastic cans are filled with natural British spring water and are made from 70 percent recycled aluminium. They are 100 percent recyclable and bisphenol A-free. Every can also helps to fund clean water projects across the globe.

July 2019

NEWS

The film about being a golf caddie

T

he most thorough feature-length film documentary ever developed on golf’s historic caddie profession, titled Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk, made its theatrical debut last month at approximately 100 locations in 30 states across the United States.

The film, narrated by famed actor Bill Murray, himself a former caddie, drew critical acclaim early in the year with positive reviews and best documentary awards from the Cleveland International Film Festival in early April and the Newport Beach (CA) Film Festival in early May. Directed by Californian film-maker Jason Baffa, the film concluded the film festival circuit this month with the Greenwich, CT, International Film Festival.

The documentary received its first public screening in the UK at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this month.

‘Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk’ was filmed at a variety of iconic golf courses in the United Kingdom, Ireland and America, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Prestwick, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes.

The documentary includes interviews with a wide range of major champions, including Sir Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller; while professional caddies who participated include Steve Williams, Carl Jackson, Fanny Sunesson, Pete Bender, Michael Greller and Jerry Beard. Golf journalists Rick Reilly, Michael Collins and Ward Clayton are also interviewed.

Among the many stories uncovered in Loopers includes that of Greg Puga, who grew up in Los Angeles, and went on to caddy at Bel-Air Country Club and qualified as an amateur to play in the US Masters.

Another is the compelling legacy of caddie-master Mike Kiely, who has been at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio for half-a-century and guided many caddies toward successful careers.

7

GOLF NEWS

Royal Wellington playing its part in improving world air quality

T

he Royal Wellington Golf Club features in a video that highlights the role golf is playing in helping to improve air quality.

The video, part of golf’s contribution to World Environment Day, seeks to acknowledge the positive impact golf courses can have, and the role

real-life ‘sustainability highlights’ from golf courses around the world, including Royal Wellington and Hong Kong’s Kau Sai Chau public golf course, both golf course facility members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

These are shared by clubs using the online, on-course programme for sustainable golf, which is developed and managed by Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) Foundation in collaboration with numerous international and national golf associations.

While Royal Wellington is cited for having renovated the river eco-system and native grasses, Kau Sai Chau’s move to a solar ferry and solar golf carts has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1280 tonnes per annum.

The video focuses on both sides of the air quality equation: Golf green spaces Golf courses are green spaces, acting as urban lungs which oxygenate, absorb gases and trap particulate matter. They are increasingly being naturalised in a bid to save time and money, enhance the playing experience, and maximise their overall eco-system

that course managers and designers are already playing by naturalising their landscapes and reducing fossil fuels.

At the same time, it seeks to encourage others to see what more they can do.

The video draws upon a selection of

services.

Clean energy, efficiency and reduced emissions In tandem with naturalisation, many golf facilities are also working to reduce emissions. They are doing this by transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources, by utilising new clean fuel technology, and through energy efficiency measures.

Jonathan Smith, executive director of GEO Foundation, said: “Locally, regionally and globally, golf can play a meaningful part in addressing key environmental and social issues such as air pollution. Every patch given over to nature is money saved, a potential course enhancement and a valuable new eco-system service.

“We are inviting all clubs and facilities to get on course, to deliver as much environmental and social value as they can, and to share the inspiring stories that do so much to show that golf is part of the solution to issues such as this.”

The video can be viewed at https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro7JlxedGSI

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8

July 2019

Mon 11:00-17:00 Tue 11:00-17:00 Wed 11:00-17:00 Thu 11:00-17:00 Fri 11:00-17:00 Sat 10:00-15:00 Sun Closed

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Set of golf clubs sell for nearly $US40,000 T

Warren Buffett’s golf bag and clubs, which sold for nearly $US40,000 at auction in the United States

he world’s third-richest person has sold his set of golf clubs — but if he was struggling financially it’s okay because he got a great price for them.

The clubs belonged to Warren Buffett, an American business magnate who is considered one of the most successful investors in the world.

Earlier this year Buffett’s net worth was valued at a mere $US82 billion by American business magazine Forbes. That placed him third on the magazine’s world rich-list behind Jeff Bezos (Amazon) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) at $US131 billion and $US96 billion respectively.

Bezos and Gates are now re-evaluating their worth after Buffett’s golf sticks were sold at a Boston auction for $US39,671.

But typical of Buffett’s eye to add value he did not simply offer a set of clubs and a golf bag. Attached to the bag were NetJet’s tags.

NetJet is the world’s largest private jet plane company and is a subsidiary of Buffett’s multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway.

Oh, and also, the bag had the name Warren Buffett embroidered on the front flap of the bag in gold. You have got your name in gold on your bag, haven’t you?

Yes, of course.

The bag and clubs were once given to

the one-time fiancée of Buffett’s granddaughter while wrapped around the handle of each of the 14 clubs is a Warren Buffett property tag, most reading: “Omaha Country Club, Warren Buffett, Omaha, NE 68152.”

The golf clubs included nine Ping Eye2 clubs (wedge, sand wedge, and irons 3-9), an older Ping putter, Callaway Heaven Wood, Callaway Divine Nine, and two Orlimar Trimetal drivers (13° and 16°).

Inside one of the bag’s pockets were an assortment of tees, markers from Augusta National and the Seminole Golf Club (two of the world’s most exclusive golf clubs), and bag tags from the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara.

The consignor noted: “The clubs were purchased for Warren by the director of the Buffett Foundation and given to Buffett sometime in the 90s. They were his only set of clubs from then until now.

“The bag was custom made for Warren

by NetJets. Warren personally handed me the clubs inside his home in 2016. He gave them to me after my clubs had been stolen. I was engaged to his granddaughter at the time and have had them in my possession up until this point.”

Auction executive Bobby Livingston told would-be buyers: “A reminder that more deals are done on the golf course

than in any boardroom.”

Other highlights from the same sale included: * Eddie Van Halen Frankenstrat Art Series guitar played by EVH at the Toyota Center in 2008 sold for $US18,750 * Benjamin Franklin document boldly signed as president in 1786 sold for $US17,500 * Albert Einstein hand-painted silhouette portrait of Einstein’s distinctive profile sold for $US15,678 * Howard Hughes vintage pearl-finish signed photo sold for $US7871

The name of Warren Buffett on his golf bag looks gold-coloured — mainly because it is gold

Lee Elder honoured by US Golf Association

T

he United States Golf Association (USGA) has honoured 2019 Bob Jones Award winner Lee Elder.

Presented annually since 1955, the Bob Jones Award recognises an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships.

Elder is the first African American to receive the USGA’s highest honour.

Stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment attended the dinner to celebrate Elder, including Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Jim Nantz.

In his speech, Player specifically noted Elder’s courage in accepting an invitation to play in South Africa, despite apartheid in operation.

Elder burst onto the PGA Tour in 1968, taking Nicklaus to a play-off in the American Golf Classic. He used his new-found fame to introduce disadvantaged youths

to the game through a variety of means, including after-school programmes at Langston Golf Course in Washington DC and the establishment of the Lee Elder scholarship fund to help young men and women attend college.

Overcoming personal tragedy and discrimination, he became the first African American to play in the US Masters, as well as the first African American to earn a spot on a Ryder Cup team.

Ryder Cup huge boost to French economy

L

ast year’s Ryder Cup boosted economic activity in France by more than 235 million euros (NZ$404 million), according to a new report commissioned

by Ryder Cup Europe and supported by the French Golf Federation (FGF).

More than 270,000 people attended last September’s contest at Le Golf National to see Europe defeat the United States 17½-10½ as France hosted the Ryder Cup for the first time.

It was only the second time the biennial contest had been played in continental Europe after Spain in 1997.

The economic benefits to the host country have been outlined in a report compiled by researchers from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre.

The figure of 235 million euros takes into account spending by all spectators and event attendees, plus all the organisa-

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tional spending, including by the FGF and French authorities on course and infrastructure upgrades, and the development of 100 municipal golf facilities inspired by the bid to host the event, as well as other indirect or induced spending.

It represents a significant increase on the £106 million (NZ$205 million) of economic activity in Scotland as a result of Gleneagles hosting the 2014 Ryder Cup. Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup director, said: “The 2018 Ryder Cup was undoubtedly the biggest and most successful to be staged in Europe, with the considerable achievements of Thomas Bjørn’s team at Le Golf National matched by the wider commercial impact the event had outside the ropes.

“The figures highlighted in this economic activity report demonstrate the major benefits hosting a Ryder Cup brings to a country through spectator and visitor

spending, in addition to the golfing legacy, which in France included the creation of 100 short courses.

“The significant increase from the 2014 economic activity in Scotland also underlines the continued growth of the Ryder Cup’s global appeal as one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Pascal Grizot, France Ryder Cup 2018 committee president, said: “From the beginning we always kept in mind that we wanted to show that our country, France, could benefit from hosting the Ryder Cup. The teamwork across the board helped deliver that and as a result the event at Le Golf National was one of the best golfing experiences ever. It has also dramatically improved the audience of golf in France and served the development of the game.

“A separate report from the French authorities will be released soon with

July 2019

comparable numbers, which confirms the very positive economic impact for the region of Paris and the city of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.”

Other key findings from the Ryder Cup Europe report revealed that spectators from more than 90 countries attended the matches in Paris, with almost half of those visiting coming from the United Kingdom (49 percent). In total, spectators generated 220,000 commercial bed nights in the Paris region, with eight percent of visitors choosing to extend their stay beyond Ryder Cup week.

Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre compiled the study based on primary research involving more than 6000 attendees and post-event consultations with stakeholders, including Ryder Cup Europe, the FFG and many key suppliers across Europe.

9

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PGAPARS

pga.org.nz

Are we listening to the future of our game?

By Dominic Sainsbury New Zealand PGA General Manager

H

ow young is too young to specialise in one sport?

To answer the question we first need to ascertain why children play sport.

In recent Sport New Zealand studies the overwhelming feedback is that children play sport for fun and to socialise with friends. Focusing on the fun and social elements of a sport leads to developing a passion and excitement about sport.

It’s undeniable that a variety of fundamental movement skills are key to the game of golf for our youth — from stability to manipulative skills.

However, these skills, amongst others, are transferrable and can be picked up in a variety of sporting environments.

Adapting to other learning environments can also have a positive psychological effect increasing versatility and resilience – traits that we should encourage in our young players and traits that will set up a child up for whatever path they take in life.

There is nothing wrong with kids play-

Dave Mangan is the general manager of championship and golf operations for New Zealand Golf. Since 2013, Dave has been New Zealand Golf’s representative on the R&A rules of golf committee and was involved in the five years of discussions on the 2019 rule changes.

Readers are invited to submit questions to Golfer Pacific editor Paul Gueorgieff by email to pgueorgieff@yahoo. co.nz. Please ensure you explain your questions and situations clearly.

SPLIT BALL Dave: In my 26 years of playing golf I have split over 30 golf balls. Rule 5-3 says that if the ball is split in half you may replay from the original place with no penalty.

In my case the balls have not split completely in half but have remained in one piece. Does the above rule still apply?

Colin Harrison.

Dave’s answer: Rule 5-3 was the old reference for this rule which has been replaced by rule 4-2b. It is still correct that if you split your ball into pieces then you must replay the shot. However under rule 4-2c, if you crack your ball then the previous shot would count but you are able to substitute another ball. Note

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ing multiple sports. In fact, in our view, it should be encouraged.

The correlation between childhood and adult success There are a multitude of studies showing that childhood success does not directly correlate with adult success, yet we as a sporting society still encourage it.

A proven aspect often ignored by parents is the distinct rise in overuse injuries that early specialisation is creating.

Children are constantly growing and their bodies changing, so when repetitive motions such as the golf swing are applied to joints that are not yet fully formed, unnecessary additional stresses are caused.

Alongside the physical pain there are other detrimental psychological effects. By setting an unrealistic bar for our children to reach in pigeon-holing them into a single discipline, we are in turn letting them take these stresses on board themselves and assuming they can cope.

These pressures go on to manifest into anxiety and depression with many la-

belled ‘child superstars’ burning out and dropping off completely.

In knowing this we should be adapting our own views and creating safe and encouraging environments for our youth to experiment and branch out into other areas, rather than continuing to push the ‘choose a sport and focus’ mentality.

Decline in sporting participation New Zealand, like so many other countries, is seeing a decline in sport participation numbers. The masses of misguided parents, teachers and coaches that are talent-scouting from a young age, who believe children must specialise early to receive any reward, are indirectly adding to that decline.

If sport is no longer enjoyable for our youth because we fail to let them experiment and have fun, then why would they want to continue? We’ve instilled a fear into our children of not being good enough.

This same notion is amplified by businesses that are cashing in on the early specialisation environment we have fostered, applying further pressure to children and parents alike.

With professional sport becoming more publicised, many envisage the heights of highly covered sports infamy as a goal for their children and are subsequently willing to spend ludicrous amounts of money at young ages, in the hope it’ll help their child to attain this goal.

The next step in the right direction Instead of focussing on creating the next major golf champion, we should be praising our kids for all the things they’re doing right, from the social skills they’re developing, to the emotional strength and resilience they’re exhibiting.

Those who don’t make the top cut tend to give up because we’ve (often unintentionally) instilled in them that they’re not good enough, or indeed denied them the opportunity to play and have fun with their mates, because in our eyes they aren’t in the same league.

Instead, if we had nurtured both a love for the game and sport overall in a safe and welcoming environment, perhaps they may have gone on to develop a similar level of skill and talent at a later stage in life, or at the very least they would still be playing today.

that you cannot substitute another ball if your original ball is only scratched or scraped or its paint is only damaged or discoloured.

alty enough.

If the condition of the course is such that a placing is needed, surely “15cm place on all closely mown fairways” would be the correct rule.

I have felt clubs restricting placing to “own mown fairway” to be wrong, but it seems no one agrees with me.

Would like to read your comments.

Pam Malcolm Dave’s answer: While in the past we have seen preferred lies limited to the closely mown fairway of the hole being played, it is now common practice on tours around the world and our own national events that this is written as any area cut to fairway height or less in the general area.

The local rule should read: “When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area: Reference point: Spot of the original ball.

Size of relief area measured from reference point: [Specify size of relief area, such as one club-length, one scorecard length or 6 inches] from the reference point, but with these limits: Limits on location of relief area: * Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and * Must be in the general area.

Dave: A friend recently proceeded to make a very short putt (only about one foot from the hole) and after he hit the ball his putter continued through and his putter clipped his ball a second time before the ball rolled into the hole. Is this counted as two strokes, or with the new rule that if you clip a ball a second time with the same stroke it is no longer considered a double stroke?

Michael, Hastings Dave’s answer: Under the old rules a double hit incurred one penalty stroke, under the new rules this is no longer a penalty.

PREFERRED LIES Dave: Many clubs have preferred lies or placing as a local rule.

They often take the form, for example, of: “15cm placing on own mown fairway”. The specimen local rules give examples where placing can be restricted to certain areas, perhaps because of remedial work done on a fairway, such as “placing is allowed on the 6th fairway.” Also when conditions are bad, “Placing is allowed through the green.”

However I take exception to the local rule that says “15cm place on own mown fairway.”

The preferred lie or placing is for the condition of the course, so how can placing on your own mown fairway be correct.

For example, playing the second hole the conditions are such that placing is allowed. However, when I play the adjoining sixth hole and have a bad shot, which is now out on the second hole fairway, I find the conditions have improved and I can no longer place my ball. Surely this local rule is being used as a restriction or penalty, which should not be the intention of the local rule. It is not there to penalise. Being on the wrong fairway is pen-

DOUBLE HIT WITH PUTTER

July 2019

CAN I IGNORE BALL NOT LOST? Dave: This did not happen but we wondered what the situation would be if it did occur.

A player hits her ball towards the out of bounds on a par three. She decides to play a provisional ball and it goes in the hole.

She declares her first ball lost but a playing partner subsequently finds her original ball, which is in play.

Our question is can the player still declare the first ball lost even though a playing partner has found the original ball?

Margaret, Taupo Dave’s answer: You are unable to declare a ball lost so if the original ball has been found then that is the ball in play and not the provisional.

11

5 Course Classic GOLF EVENT 12

36 years ago, at a Leaner in Omanu Golf Club, a few regular “Leaners” often discussed the idea of a Tournament involving the top courses in the Western Bay of Plenty.

They considered the five ingredients necessary to make such a vision work.

Locality? Perfect. Quality of courses?

Ideal. Climate? Outstanding.

However, the event would also need a sponsor and a tournament director to complete the recipe.

Retired bank manager and Omanu President Elwyn Mickell agreed to be the tournament director.

In 1996 iconic local winery Mills Reef agreed to be the major sponsor with Eves Realty and the local Honda dealer as supporting sponsors for the first 5 Course Classic.

Over the intervening years Eves Realty became the naming rights sponsor with Mills Reef Winery still involved as a secondary sponsor, and three of the host clubs were rostered to manage the event.

From these humble beginnings and approximately 250 entries the event quickly grew to the stage where numbers had to be capped at around 400 such was the tournament’s popularity.

Right from the early days the event

attracted hordes from across the ditch and just last year approximately 80 players entered from Australia along with a regular contingent from the Cook Islands and a growing number from Asia.

Eves Realty made the decision after the 2018 tournament to step down from their involvement after more than 20 years of fantastic support.

The host clubs of Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Omokoroa, Tauranga and Te Puke were indebted to have Metlifecare Retirement Villages come on board in 2019 to ensure the survival of the fixture as naming rights sponsor, and they have agreed to support the 2020 event, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the longest running multi-club stableford tournament in the country.

Planning is underway for the 2020 Metlifecare 5 Course Classic and the longevity of the event is testament to the great number of golfers that return each year.

The 2020 Metlifecare 5 Course Classic is located adjacent to the best beach in the country, which is a massive attraction.

Complementing this is the vast variety of accommodation available with

July 2019

hotels, apartments, motels, motorhome parking and these days Airbnb and holiday homes all provide great value options.

Although hugely popular for golfing couples, the location makes Tauranga/Mount Maunganui an ideal holiday destination for non-golfers to enjoy what the region has to offer.

In addition to the naming sponsor, Metlifecare, we are proud to announce the continued support of Mills Reef Winery, Wilson Staff, Independent Liquor by way of Asahi Beer and Pacific Golfer Magazine.

We have increased the number of local attractions that add value throughout the week with special deals for our golfers.

Entry is limited to the first 400 golf-

ers, who are split across four courses per day, with stableford scores accumulating over the five rounds. Men are grouped into three even handicap divisions and ladies into two divisions.

Additional to the massive final prize table, we have daily prize giving, plus daily draws for golf holiday packages, Asahi giveaways and Mills Reef wines.

A welcoming function will take place, along with wine tasting evenings and a mid-week dinner party night.

It is truly a celebration of golf that has stood the test of time and the 2020 event will be our biggest and best yet. We anticipate an over-subscription of entries, so we urge you to register early.

Register at www.5courseclassic. co.nz or email enquiries to jayne@ bopgolf.co.nz

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GOLFCOACHING

ianhardie.net

Is there really, a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ golf swing?

By Ian Hardie NZPGA Professional

A

while back I was talking to a golfer who said something that I’ve heard too many times over the years.

They were complaining how most of the things they did to hit their golf ball, weren’t ‘right’.

Now, I’ve heard and seen just about every theory on how golfers should hit the golf ball, and most of these theories stem from (what I believe to be) the false idea that there is such a thing as a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ golf swing.

These theories are generally developed using ideas that come from three separate directions: 1. An explanation of what famous golfer ‘X’ did or does.

Even though they may have been or are a genetic freak of nature, unless you are a near exact physical double of that golfer their golf action is irrelevant to you.

2. An extremely technical explanation of the golf action.

When in reality it’s essentially a couple of fairly simple body movements, not to mention the fact that good golfers aren’t thinking anything about how they hit the ball when they are playing the game.

Or the one I think is the most destructive of them all – a set of ideas based on the assumption that you are in some way able to: 3. Control many parts of your body during the less than two seconds it takes to hit a golf shot.

Ideas like trying to control your wrists, transferring your weight, keeping your left arm straight, keeping your head down, keeping your head still or taking the club straight back.

Now, let me make one thing clear before I go any further. I’m not saying that my opinions and ideas about golf are the ‘only way’ to play and learn the game.

What I’m attempting to do is get you to let go of the idea that there is a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ golf swing by thinking about what the most important part of a golf shot is.

Any idea what that might be?

Most golfers, when I ask that question tell me things that they have probably heard from other golfers or just think may be relevant like the grip, how good the back-swing is, the follow through, weight transfer.

In reality, even though some of those things may influence their golf shots to some degree, all the golf ball can do is react to the influence that you impart on it with your club face at impact.

Read that bit again as it was the important bit!

The nicest or most ‘right’ golf swing in the world that doesn’t hit the golf ball, doesn’t do much for you on the golf course, apart from creating the effect of your hand going into your pocket to buy a round of drinks for the other golfers you are with after the game!

It’s entirely up to you as a golfer to

make the golf ball go and your golf ball isn’t the slightest bit interested in how ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ your golf swing supposedly is as you do it.

So instead of filling your brain with theories and things that you think you can control, I suggest that you are better to spend some time on your practice area or at your local driving range, focussing entirely on hitting the golf ball and attempting to influence it in the best way you possibly can.

To help you with that, I happened to come across a great little video that was put together by the PGA Tour, that’s a collection of what someone there thought was the 10 most unusual golf swings they had seen on the PGA Tour over the years.

Your first reaction to that idea will probably be something like: I bet the golfers shown weren’t that good, as an unusual golf swing means they will be doing all sorts of things ‘wrong’.

So before you go take a look at it, I’m going to run you through each of the golfers shown.

10. Bubba Watson Bubba’s self-taught golf swing has made him one of the longest hitters of all time. At this point in time he has a mere eight PGA Tour wins and two majors to his name but plenty of years of golf left to win more events.

9. Paul Azinger Paul Azinger racked up 12 PGA Tour wins with a total of 17 wins worldwide, while spending over 300 weeks in the top 10 of the golf rankings.

8. Arnold Palmer Known as “The King”, Arnold Palmer is one of golf’s all-time greats with 62 PGA Tour wins out of a total of 95 wins worldwide. He was encouraged by his teaching pro father to ‘swing hard and hit it far’.

7. Hubert Green If you want to talk about a golfer that does things ‘wrong’, Hubert Green’s hands didn’t connect on the grip at all, combined with a short swing and a fast action. It must have been somewhat useful though as he had 19 PGA Tour wins out of his total of 28 worldwide (note the video says 26).

6. John Daly I’m not sure if John Daly really qualifies as having an unusual golf swing.

Throughout all of his troubles over the years he has managed to put together 5 PGA Tour wins out of 19 wins worldwide and in 1997 became first PGA Tour player to average over 300 yards driving distance for the whole season.

5. Calvin Peete This guy certainly qualifies as having as unusual golf swing. A broken arm at a young age gave Calvin Peete something that, according to all the golf experts around the world, ‘is completely wrong’: a bent left arm at impact.

12 PGA Tour wins out of 14 wins worldwide would suggest otherwise and I find it especially interesting that in ‘doing something so wrong’, he led the PGA

Ian Hardie is Golfer Pacific’s Golf Professional contributor. He is Club Professional at Omanu Golf Club in Mount Maunganui. Ian’s time is split between the pro shop at the club and helping people to improve, while enjoying their golf more as a result of his golf coaching. Over the past few years, in an effort to help as many golfers as he can, Ian has been sharing his common sense golf advice with golfers around the world through his website golfhabits.com. With over 500 articles to read, it’s a great resource for any golfer looking to improve their golf game.

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Tour in driving accuracy for nearly 10 years, hitting 80% of fairways from 1981 – 1990 with his bent left arm!

4. Allen Doyle This is the only guy on the video I hadn’t heard of before and have since found out that he was a hockey player in his younger days, meaning that he did not turn professional until he was 46 years old. In his first full professional season he won three times on what was then called the Nike Tour.

Once he became eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour Allen Doyle won 11 times on the Champions tour with his unorthodox ‘low swing’, which he said was developed by practicing in a room with a low ceiling. I’m not sure if that’s right or not but it sure was effective.

3. Jim Thorpe Probably my favourite golf swing to watch on the video. Jim Thorpe played the PGA Tour for four decades – yes, you read that right! Over that time he had three PGA Tour wins and 13 Champions Tour wins out of a total 19 worldwide wins. If his golf swing was as ‘wrong’ as most would say it was – how did that happen?

2. Lee Trevino Another one of the all-time greats of the game with 29 PGA Tour wins and 29 Champions Tour wins out of a total 89 worldwide wins. The golfer known as

‘The Merry Mex’ had one of the biggest slices ever seen. But despite playing the shot that most golfers would tell you is ‘the worst’, his golf ball continually ended up on the green and then found its way to the hole way more than most other golfer’s balls did.

1. Jim Furyk Still plying his trade on the PGA Tour, Jim Furyk currently has 17 PGA Tour wins out of 27 worldwide wins so far. Another golfer to have a golf pro father, Jim was encouraged at a young age to learn everything by feel and let the golf ball tell him how he was doing.

Once you have watched the video, I suggest that you take a few minutes to decide that it’s time to let go of the idea that there is such a thing as a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ golf swing It will enable you to get on with focusing entirely on hitting the golf ball and attempting to influence it in the best way you can, which is what every one of those guys in the video who played and won on the PGA Tour for many years understood was of more use to them than getting their ‘wrong’ golf swings ‘fixed’.

You can find this great little video here: golfhabits.com/the-top-10-unique-golfswings-on-the-pga-tour Play well.

TEACH GOLF

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Key content: practice and demonstration techniques, working on the range, simple fixes and common faults, short game chipping and sand play, positive mind game, club selection, ball flight, rules, video teaching and more.

July 2019

13

ONEKAKA LINKS GOLF CLUB: THE MOUNTAIN COURSE

by Chris Castle, President, Onekaka Links Golf Club

Onekaka Links Golf Club is a decade old and after 10 years, a body of opinion has evolved among the membership that seeks new challenges.

Accordingly the Course Committee was instructed to approach the best golf course architects available. The brief was to offer a course with a completely different character.

After extensive consultation we can announce that a completely different layout (over the same footprint but with 18 new holes) has been devised. Both courses co-exist.

The old course (The Links) was difficult but playable if carefully managed. Even then (and the course has been played on multiple occasions by several of the best amateur golfers in the country) the course record is 60, only four under par and one under the course rating.

The Mountain Course will break your heart, then your spirit. It can’t be played safely. Actually it can’t be played at all by many golfers.

Why is it so difficult? That will become obvious after reading the detailed course guide but in summary it features: • Serious trouble is constantly in evidence close to the driving lines • We have nine doglegs that can’t be overpowered by a long hitter • A number of testing teeshots (mostly steeply uphill over cliffs) and/or through narrow shutes • A binary outcome if these shots are not close to perfect. Short or slightly offline is dead and there are no friendly drop-zones • Other wind affected elevation changes that rigorously test player perceptions • A requirement for exceptional distance control for a number of second or third shots • Green side hazards are punitive and the approach shots are from much further away than on the Links Course.

These attributes will erode the confidence of most golfers (as they have already done so over the much easier Links course during the last decade). As a result melt-downs will be very frequent and inevitable. For similar reasons only five players have played to their handicap on the Links Course in that ten year period.

With the dual objectives of providing golfers with a new challenge, and also creating an income stream for the Club derived from the recovery and sale of lost golf balls, Onekaka Links Golf Club is pleased to announce the opening of the Mountain Course.

In summary: 1. We expect most people to play it only once.

2. We don’t expect that the course record will be much under par.

3. We expect that 99% of players won’t be able to achieve a net par round.

ONEKAKA LINKS GOLF CLUB MOUNTAIN COURSE – 4 HOLE SAMPLE

Hole Two – 273 metres An uphill slightly dog-legged par four that will play at least 15 metres longer than its measured distance.

The hole bends to the left in parallel with the seaside cliffs with the fairway crossed by ponds about 50 metres short of the green. The tee shot to a hidden, quite narrow fairway is particularly intimidating and needs to carry at least 170 metres.

The cliff can be avoided by going well to the right but there are trees present there and the second shot is much more difficult from that angle. The flag position is normally back right in a shallow section of the green with a bunker in front and a penalty area two metres behind the green. There is plenty of green to the left but undulations make the approach putt more challenging.

View from the tee – the ideal line is over the punga fern on the cliff edge

The gap is about 10 metres but it looks narrower than that. There is a penalty area on the right edge of the green, so long and leftish is the line. This green is rarely hit in regulation and the shot from the drop zone is no picnic either.

Short doesn’t work well

Tee shot must be straight and neither short nor long

Water Hazard (penalty area) over the back

Hole Eight – 140 metres Another really difficult and intimidating tee shot hit mostly over the ocean to a green perched on the edge of a cliff. Left is dead, long and straight is passable, anywhere right (long or short) is likely in a pond or a massive cross bunker.

The green is huge but a direct line to the hole may be interrupted by greenside trees or the cross bunker which meanders for 30 metres along the back edge of the green.

Easy once you get up there

Hole 12 – 333 metres A straightforward tee shot to a wide fairway followed by a completely blind second downhill to a undulating green protected by five bunkers. One of these bunkers and an adjacent Pohutakawa tree are in the middle of the green. There are three distinct zones on this green and four putts can happen very quickly if you finish up in the wrong zone. The second shot is very affected by the wind and precise distance control is challenging.

Second shot from ~ 120 metres – the line is at the twin high hills

Second shot to back right flag position

Hole Five – 110 metres A really intimidating tee shot steeply uphill to a hidden green with huge gum trees on both sides.

Tee shot

The 12th green – surrounded by 5 bunkers and ocean behind

ONEKAKA LINKS GOLF CLUB

Arguably New Zealand’s two most exclusive courses – at Onekaka in Golden Bay Established in 2009, the Onekaka Links The new Mountain Course is far more experience offers Kauri Cliffs/Pebble Beach- challenging with a number of truly like vistas and truly memorable golf. intimidating holes.

There are two 18-hole courses, the Links Course contains one par 5, eight par 4s and nine par 3 holes and the Mountain Course has two par 5s, eight par 4s and eight par 3s. All the holes are different despite the tiny footprint the Club occupies.

Both courses feature a number of fairly extreme green locations, including one double green and a triple green, severe elevation changes and penal bunkering.

Either the ocean, ponds, cliffs or metre high rough are adjacent to all greens.

The Links Course has been in operation for a decade and while not a long course it’s rarely been conquered.

The green fee of $100 per head (for 18 holes - $150 for 36) for a minimum of 4 players covers: • Drinks and snacks at the end of the round • Up to 6 holes practice before the first round • Exclusive use – no other players on the course that day • Golf cart and electric trundlers, laser distance finder • Two course guides (the club champion) and forecaddie (essential to track a number of blind tee shots) • A top-up supply of golf balls (after 5 per person have been lost...)

Both courses are only open for weekends in the summer and bookings must be made at least a month in advance with Chris Castle at 021 558 185 or chris@widespread.co.nz | Web: www.onekakalinks.com

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July 2019

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Ian Hardie is Club Professional at Omanu Golf Club in Mount Maunganui. Ian’s time is split between the pro shop at the club and helping people to improve, while enjoying their golf more as a result of his golf coaching. Readers are invited to submit questions to Ian Hardie at hardie_family@xtra.co.nz.

Hi Ian, I took up golf about 18 months ago, at a slightly older age than most people do and although I do enjoy the odd good shot that I have and being out in the fresh air – I’m finding it really frustrating that I seem to be taking so long to ‘pick the game up’, even though I have been reasonably good at other sports over the years.

Do you have any suggestions?

Beverly D, from Taupo Thanks for your question Beverly, unfortunately you are certainly not the first person to find the game of golf a frustrating one to take up, but the good news is that I do have some advice that can help you.

Firstly, even though you have been going for 18 months, I’d still consider you a new golfer and like most new golfers, I expect you will be thinking that you suffer from a lack of ability and in a way you do, but not for the reasons you think.

As a new golfer, you will see images of

golf in lots of places: the PGA Tour on television, glossy magazines that show how top players do their thing and books with titles that are all designed to inspire you to buy them to help your golf game, generally from those accomplished players with many years of golf under their belts.

Most of those golfers will have hit millions of golf shots and played thousands of golf holes over many years to get that good.

As a new golfer, your skill level and performance will be far from that.

Subconsciously, you will be thinking that you don’t measure up to that standard and you’d be right because you’re still new to the game.

You haven’t had enough time to develop the skills you need yet.

To compound this problem, you will also more than likely have been introduced to the game by an existing player or two.

Those golfers may well have a reasonable skill level at the game, which is another influence that gets stored away in your brain as “I’m not good enough compared to them”.

Over time, depending on your personal expectations, it all adds up and one fateful day after yet another poor round you start to think that you probably will never get this game worked out – maybe I should just give up!

So, how do you combat this problem?

I think there are two things you can do right now, to help suspend that frustration and move through this difficult patch.

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A patch that all golfers have gone through before.

The first is to understand where you are on the scale of learning this game.

Golf has to be one of (if not the) hardest sports to pick up and learn – irrespective of age.

To hit the ball, we are rotating our entire body one way and then turning it back the other way while accelerating a club we are holding back to a position within a fraction of where it started, while it is moving at 60 – 120mph in order to strike a golf ball that is 1.68 inches in diameter.

To do this we require the controlled and sequential use of 96% of the muscles and bones in the body.

Once we have hit it (if we did), we expect it to fly straight in the direction we think we are aiming to hit it, but it seldom does.

Not to mention that after figuring all that out, we then have all the subtleties to work out such as in between distances, trees and rough, different types of shots, sand traps and other hazards.

Then once finally at the green, we need to figure out how to read the green, and get the speed and direction of the putts correct.

What about the weather, other players and all the rest of the things we have going on in our lives that will be swimming around in our head at the same time?

Gee, now even I’m wondering how I can manage to play!

The best analogy I use when I’m coaching new golfers is to liken learning golf to

a baby learning to walk and then developing through life.

At first the baby starts to pull themselves up, then after a while they can stand then a tentative step or two, then the first wobbly steps, then sort of walking.

As all this is happening, there is a lot of falling down, a few tears and a lot of failing but instinctively as humans we don’t try and correct the baby’s technique, give an analysis of their step pattern or suggest they try to do it another way.

We simply keep encouraging the baby to keep trying until they get it.

And when they walk, we praise them flat out.

Is that how you are trying to learn golf or are you getting tied up in the adult mentality of analysing stuff, trying different techniques and theories?

Once the baby learns to walk, then over the course of time the child will move onto walking on different surfaces, start to run and eventually, if they are an athlete, after many years of dedicated training, focus and hard work, they may run extremely fast or long distances.

Which in this analogy is the level of the PGA Tour pro.

As a new golfer, your level is more that of the baby just learning to stand.

So give yourself a break Beverly, you are probably doing much better at the game of golf than you realise.

It’s just a learning curve that every golfer has to go through, to become a regular and competent golfer.

Play well.

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July 2019

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WINTER GOLF – THERE’S A BETTER WAY TO WIN For many club golfers the winter season brings boggy fairways, soft greens and climatic conditions that make you yearn for an armchair by the fire. Those lucky enough to play on a course that’s sand-based and on Northland’s (relatively) sheltered east coast have the best of it – and now have an added winning incentive to get out there and play through winter.

Mangawhai, one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded courses, is just over one hour north of Auckland’s CBD and this popular club is currently offering a further reason for visitors to make this easy trek to a very special destination.

Through the months of June, July, August and September, any NZ-resident golfer (affiliated or non-affiliated, but not Mangawhai members) who plays a paid 18-hole round gains free entry into Mangawhai’s 2019 promotion offering a trip for four golfers to play the beautiful Wairakei course and the Jack Nicklaus layout at Kinloch. Golf (one round for four players at each of these courses), carts and two nights luxury accommodation are included in the prize that has been expertly packaged by Experience Golf.

Visitors to Mangawhai can enter each time they play a paid 18-hole round. The winner will be drawn in early October and Experience Golf will make all the arrangements at a time that suits the winner. The prize is valued at over $3,000 and takes the winning team to enjoy quality golf on two outstanding courses in the Taupo area.

In itself, playing Mangawhai is a prize of great value. The sand-based championship layout offers groomed fairways, natural hazards and large greens that roll out superbly. The course quickly shrugs off even heavy rain, providing firm footing and a standard of winter golf that few others can match. Widely known as “Unbeatable Mangawhai”, the course’s challenge lies in the precise shotmaking required to master many of the holes, every one different in the way in which it rewards well thought out shots.

Mangawhai is always busy so bookings for tee times are necessary on all days of the week. The club has a fleet of Yamaha electric carts, and hire clubs and trundlers are also available from the well-stocked Golf Shop. The club’s Lounge Bar offers a stunning panorama of the course and the Cafe serves an outstanding array of snacks and meals.

For further details and tee bookings contact the Golf Shop at Mangawhai Golf Club, 221 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads. Phone 09 4314807 or email golfshop@mangawhaigolf.co.nz

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 

    Play a  Winter round (18 holes) at sensational sand-based Mangawhai during the months of June, July,   August & September and you can gain a free entry in our “Winter Winner” Lucky Draw.  Open to affiliated (not Mangawhai members) and non-affiliated  golfers. Conditions apply – see Entry Form.



The winning prize includes a round of golf for 4 at both Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary and Kinloch Golf Club, carts included,  plus 2 nights accommodation at “Sacred  Waters” Taupo Luxury Apartments.

  Book online at www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz or call 09 431 4807.

 July 2019 WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

17

F E AT U R E

GOLF IN THE WINTERLESS NORTH

This winter, pack up your clubs and head to the north for some great homeland golfing!

NORTHLAND GOLF CLUB Western Hills Drive, Whangarei

SHERWOOD PARK GOLF CLUB Millington Road, Maunu

A secluded setting, situated beneath the Maunu volcanic cone in Whangarei. Its rich soil, sub-tropical climate and groves of native trees, complemented by stone walls and water hazards, give this course a unique atmosphere. The club hosted the inter-provincials in 2002, after the club had a full-course irrigation system installed at a cost of $250,000. The signature hole is the par-3 14th at 188m which plays over a couple of ponds is rated among New Zealand’s best holes.

Sherwood Park started life as a nine-holer. »» www.sherwoodparkgolf.co.nz

Come and join in the fun at the friendly club! Located only 10 minutes north of central Whangarei, Northland Golf Club provides a scenic and challenging course for all levels of golf, all year round.

If you are looking to play and stay locally, go no further than Birchgrove Cottage, a modern standalone fully self-contained 1 bedroom holiday cottage situated right next to the golf course. Visit www.birchgrove.co.nz or call (09) 945 4236.

Visitors welcome and we provide full Clubhouse, onsite Café, covered modern driving range and Golf Shop facilities including carts, trundlers and clubs for hire. Contact the club on (09) 4351 777. »» www.golfnorthland.co.nz

WHANGAREI GOLF CLUB

Denby Cres, Tikipunga, Whangarei

This is the course where Sir Michael Hill first aquired his passion for golf, which ultimately led to the establishment of his fabulous course at Arrowtown, The Hills.

Originally known as Mt Denby, it is Whangarei’s oldest club (dating back to 1917) and is located on the road to Whangarei Falls and Tutukaka, only 5 minutes from the city centre. The course features bush-covered walkways and is a true test for any golfer. The club’s most famous landmark is the twin pine (split by lightning) aside the par-4 sixth hole. This is a beautiful course with tight driving holes. »» www.whangareigolfclub.co.nz

14 - 15 September 2019

   

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Two days of 18-hole stroke play.

Divisional Gross and Net prizes Longest drive Nearest the Pin.

July 2019

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

WAIPU GOLF CLUB

PEPPERS CARRINGTON RESORT, NORTHLAND GOLF

State Highway 1, Waipu

For a great day out on the golf course, or a stopover game on your way north, look no further than Waipu Golf Club.

Situated on State Highway 1, an easy 90 minute drive north of the Johnsons Hill Tunnel at Orewa, the course is an all-weather links style course playable in all conditions, with spectacular views over Bream Bay from all 18 holes.

The clubhouse is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily for hire carts, clubs and trundlers. Green fees range from $40 for 18 holes and $25 for 9 holes weekdays for affiliated members ($45 and $30 weekends). We also have our Thrifty Thursday special of $1 per hole for all. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Tee Café open from 8.30 am, with gluten free food a specialty.

If you need a place to stay, Ruakaka Beachfront Motel is a 10 minute drive away - phone 09 432 7166.

For more information or to book a tee time, call us on 09 432 0259 or email waipu@golf.co.nz.

Maitai Bay Road, Karikari Peninsula

The golf course is the jewel in the crown of the Pepper Resort a 3000-acre resort with a 4km coastline of secluded white sand on the Karikari Peninsula.

Designed by noted American course architect Matt Dye and opened in 2003, the course, that varies from rolling vales to challenging water holes, features one of New Zealand’s longest par-5s (at 569m) and one of the shortest par-3s (at 113m).

The course is sited to provide a variety of vistas, with ocean views to the north and east, and hillside vineyards to the south.

It is a hilly, parklands-style course with natural wetlands.

The resort also offers a vineyard, winery, a Black Angus stud farm and a beach while the hotel features an infinity swimming pool. If you play Carrington, be prepared for the par-3 seventh, a challenging hole that plays over water and flax to a severely sloping green. »» www.peppers.co.nz/carrington

»» www.waipugolfclub.org.nz

Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads

BAY OF ISLANDS GOLF CLUB, KERIKERI

Mangawhai is a true championship and consistently rates as one of New Zealand’s very best. Sand-based, always playable and making optimum use of natural terrain, the course is just over 1 hour north of Auckland’s CBD. Fairways are superbly groomed, the greens are famed for their pace and true roll, and every hole offers a different challenge for golfers of every level.

Fully stocked Golf Shop with carts and clubs for hire, spacious Lounge & Bar, quality catering and a spectacular coastal location … Mangawhai is truly unbeatable!

Email: golfshop@mangawhaigolf.co.nz for more information.

Just a few minutes from the bustling Kerikeri town centre, The Bay of Islands Golf Club, Kerikeri with its picturesque surroundings is a wonderful golfing experience in a sub-tropical climate.

This well-groomed and attractively tree-lined, 18-hole 6122 metre, par 73 championship layout provides the best in challenge or relaxation. There are also three 9-hole options available.

With panoramic views over the course, the superb clubhouse caters for weddings, private functions and business seminars.

Golfers of all ages and abilities are most welcome at this friendly club.

Phone the club on 09 407 8837 or email kerikeri@golf.co.nz

MANGAWHAI GOLF CLUB

»» www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz/

Golf View Road, Kerikeri

»» www.bayofislandsgolfclub.co.nz

“TEE FOR TWO” GOLF PACKAGE Play Kauri Cliffs + accommodation at Stone Store Lodge ü TWO golfers enjoy One Round of Golf each (Green Fees) at Kauri Cliffs Designed by David Harman **one of the top 100 courses in the world** www.kauricliffs.com ü TWO nights accommodation in a Deluxe Suite Dble/Twin suite with Inlet views, at Stone Store Lodge Kerikeri **201 Kerikeri Road** ü TWO for TEA (or coffee) each morning with continental or full breakfast at Stone Store Lodge ü TWO guests enjoy a delicious glass of wine with light snacks on night of arrival.

NZ$740 for TWO *

*Must be NZ residents. International Visitors ADD $280

Outs ide these dates please look at ou r webs ite

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Above pricing valid from 1st June to 31st August 2019.

1st September to 30th September 2019 NZ$760.00 for TWO NZ residents • International Visitors add $280.00 1st October to 13th December 2019 NZ$945.00 for TWO NZ residents • International Visitors add $555.00 14th December to 31st March 2020 NZ$1015.00 for TWO NZ residents • International Visitors add $555.00 • NON Golfer Substitute: A selection from Health-Herbal-body treatments • No refund for unused services • Rain check available due weather within validity • Based on two persons - share Twin or Double Occupancy • Air and land transportation not included • Prices are GST inclusive • Golf carts not included

KAURI CLIFFS GOLF COURSE

WELLSFORD GOLF CLUB

Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay

play the course including sister course

"The Friendliest Club in the North" Less than an hour North of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, situated on SH 1 -- 2km south of Wellsford. Established in 1930, this scenic 18 hole course is regarded by many golfers as a "hidden treasure" offering a challenging test with some of the cheapest green fees in the region. A friendly country atmosphere welcomes visitors of all abilities.

Cart hire available together with club and trundler hire. Bar and Catering facilities available for Corporate and Group Bookings.

Come join us for an enjoyable day golfing.

Cape Kidnappers located in the Hawkes

»» wellsfordgolf.co.nz

The Kauri Cliffs Golf Resort was designed by David Harman, ranks among

LODGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE!

the world’s top 50 courses. It isn’t a cheap

Min. 2 nights. Use our fully equipped kitchen, self-catering. Lodge serviced daily.

If you have more than 6 golfers or are international golfers please enquire.

outing, but what an experience. Fifteen of the holes view the Pacific Ocean with six of them playing along the cliffs that plunge to the Ocean. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. The complex includes a world-class practice range plus putting and chipping greens. In 2008 and 2009 the Kiwi Challenge brought four of the world’s best players to New Zealand to

For reservations contact richard@stonestorelodge.co.nz www.stonestorelodge.co.nz | Ph (09) 407-6693

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Bay. »» http://www.kauricliffs.com/

July 2019

19

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTHLAND

BRILLIANT GOLF BLITZ DELIVERS OUTSTANDING SCORES

Mangawhai’s annual Tom Bonnington Cup for elite men golfers this year attracted a field of outstanding calibre. With nearly half the field holding handicaps of scratch or better and the course being presented in brilliant condition meant that scoring was likely to be exceptional.

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And so it proved, with stand-out performances from young Jang Hyun Lee (Titirangi) and Joshua Bai (Akarana) alongside Mangawhai’s own Scott Wightman over the two rounds.

On Saturday May 25, Lee shot an exceptional 65 opening round (7 under par) to equal the Blue Championship Tees course record, while 13-year-old Bai scored an impressive 67. Wightman’s 70 kept him in touch with the two leaders, setting up a close contest on Sunday.

Saturday was warm and sunny with no wind while Sunday brought some overhead cloud and a little easterly breeze to test the golfers.

The three leaders, along with Kit Bittle (Gulf Harbour), were in the final playing group and there was a lot of interest among the many spectators as they teed off on Sunday morning. The opportunity was there for Wightman’s experience and local course knowledge to perhaps

put pressure on the two younger players but they held their nerve superbly in the face of Wightman’s impressive 68 second round. Lee’s final round was a 69 to go with his 65 and this saw him finish 3 ahead of Bai (a final round of 70) and 4 ahead of Wightman.

(Wightman, still considered a youngster by most Mangawhai members, was in the unusual position of playing with two players, Lee and Bai, whose combined ages totalled less than his own.)

In the Nett section, Lee Newman (Mangawhai) recorded nett rounds of 67 and 73 to head off Zane Hinton (Mangawhai) by 1 shot.

In all, some 64 players were entered in the Blue Tee division, coming from 27 different clubs as far north as Carrington and as south as Palmerston North. The entries reflected the status of “The Bonnington”, a New Zealand Golf Order of Merit tournament and a representative trial for Northland and North Harbour players. Men’s Club Captain Barry Brennan commented: “It’s a brilliant line-up and to see the course record equalled really made the weekend for us. We enjoy this opportunity to showcase our course and it’s rewarding to see so many top players stepping up to the challenge.

Having just won the Nobilo Championship Pennants title it gave us a chance to see some of our Pennants players in action against the best, and they did themselves proud.”

In all, nine of the players shot below par for the two rounds, showcasing both

July 2019

their golfing skills and the course’s fine presentation.

A White Tee Division was also played over the two days and the Nett prize was taken out by Ryan Xie (Maungakiekie) with a score of 76-64-140, beating local identity BK Kim on a countback, just one shot clear of BK’s son Phillip. The Stableford prize was won by local Larry Renner (75 points) ahead of club President Tony Vale (72 points).

A common talking point amongst the players was the outstanding quality of the putting surfaces. Running quick and true they rewarded good touch – and the players who had the skill to keep their approach shots below the hole. Overall, the course was well presented, always ready to show its teeth to those who thought they had the power game to conquer.

Mangawhai is not the longest course but it demands skill and placement at all times, with every hole offering a special challenge to even the very best of players.

Prizegiving was held in a packed clubhouse where Tournament Director Wayne Watts thanked the sponsors, The Clubroom and Frucor, for their contributions to the success of the tournament.

As always at Mangawhai, an outstanding team of volunteers put in many hours work to cover every detail and make the event a highly enjoyable one for all players. A very impressive prize table for all sections capped a weekend where, once again, Mangawhai lived up to its “unbeatable” reputation.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Results: Blue Tees Gross – Jang Hyun Lee (65-69-134); Joshua Bai (67-70-137); Scott Wightman (70-68138); Dale Clarke (Sherwood Park, 71-69-140); Luke Brown (The Pines, 72-70-142); Tyler Wood (Mangawhai, 71-71-142); Richard Squire (Mangawhai, 71,71); Kit Bittle (Gulf Harbour, 70-72142); James Hydes (Gulf Harbour, 70-72-142).

Nett – Lee Newman (67-73-140); Zane Hinton (69-72-141); Jay Law (72-74-145).

White Tees Nett – Ryan Xie (76-64-140); BK Kim (74-66-140); Phillip Kim (73-68-141), Shel Lloydd (Mangawhai, 74-68-142).

Stableford – Larry Renner (40-35-75); Tony Vale (31-41-72).

final putts of the respective number 1’s to decide the winner or the play off.

Hikurangi’s Craig Hockings had a 30foot putt miss to save a scrambling par to secure the match win. Whangaroa’s Evan Thompson had a tricky 5-footer for par to win the hole and get the vital half a point. Straight in the heart of the hole went the putt and the long-sought victory was Whangaroa’s! A fitting finale to a fantastic pennant season.

MEN’S 36 HOLE PENNANTS

Congratulations to the Whangaroa Golf Club who are the 2019 Champions! Congratulations Paul Moffat, Evan Thompson, Darcy Thorburn, Warren Martin, Stu Beresford, Kohai Kingi, Barry Carty and Shane Dormer.

Another epic battle played out on the fairways at Bay of Islands Golf Course, between Whangaroa and Hikurangi. With the morning foursomes being tied at 1.5 points each, it was always going to go down to the wire in the individual matches in the afternoon. The battle of the North vs South resumed and after the turn, both teams were up in 3 matches a piece. Another deadlock!

It came down to the final number 1 and 2 pairings going down the 18. Each match 1 up for each team. A huge fight back from dormy 3 against Darcy Thorburn saw Cole Allen of Hikurangi, secure a desperate half giving them a possible chance to continue in a playoff. The points sitting at Whangaroa 4.5, Hikurangi 3.5 with the

NORTHERN WAIROA GOLF CLUB MEN’S 54 HOLE ANNUAL TOURNAMENT

Eighty- five golfers battled the elements during the Men’s 54 Hole Tournament held over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Howling winds and squally rain made it a challenging day on Saturday, but Sunday’s weather eased and the sun came out.

Winner of the tournament was Brad Bonnington, Wellsford, with a Gross total of 219.

11th: Alan McEvoy 227 – Northern Wairoa

NORTH HARBOUR NEW NORTH GOLF WEBSITE LIVE Visit www.northgolf.nz

WOMEN’S 18-HOLE PENNANT WINNERS

Results: Division 1: Gross: 1st: Brad Bonnington 219 – Wellsford (above) 2nd: Kaden Neho 220 – Akarana Nett: 1st: Vaughan Witten 210 – Northland 2nd: Paul Allen 213 – Hikurangi 3rd: Geoff Finlay 214– Mangawhai 4th: Richard Middleton 214 – Omaha 5th: Steve Holford 215 – Okaihau 6th: Grant Campbell 216 – Bay of Islands – Kerikeri 7th: Hew Anderson 220 – Maungakiekie 8th: Christian Nitsche 221 – Akarana Division 2 Nett: 1st: Julian Rous 215 – Mangawhai 2nd: Ian Dunn 216 – Whangarei 3rd: Kevin Mitchell 219 – Wellsford 4th: Steve Leopard 220 – Helensville 5th: Ross Gillespie 221 – Northern Wairoa 6th: Jason Clark 221 – Waitangi 7th: Kevin McFarlane 222 – Northern Wairoa 8th: Denys Suckling 224 – Northern Wairoa 9th: Mark Tunnell 226 – Northern Wairoa 10th: Paul Burrell 227 – Northern Wairoa

Congratulations to our 2019 Pennant winners. There were some very close games in the new play-off format.

Premier Winners – North Shore GC Weekend Winners – Wainui GC Midweek Winners – Waitemata GC

HEALTHAIRE NORTH SHORE 54HOLE CLASSIC

Harbour reps Jason Gulasekharam and Yeonsoo Son have won the 2019 North Shore Classic. In a very strong men’s field, Jason went toe-to-toe with Auckland’s Jared Edwards on the final few holes to secure a two-stroke victory.

Yeonsoo’s 3 rounds score of 3 over par, ensured a 4-stroke victory over fellow Harbour players, Danika Lee and Anna An. Well done to both and congratulations to North Shore GC and its sponsors

This picturesque, well groomed 18 hole course is on flat easy walking land and is adjacent to the Tarawera River. Mountain views and the bird life add to the enjoyment for all players. The 6th, 15th and 18th holes, make the course a true test of a golfer’s skills. We are open all year round with no tee off times needed. Visitors are always welcome to join the club haggles. The course is only 40km east of Rotorua and situated at the south end of the Kawerau township.

kaweraugolf@xtra.co.nz Cobham Dr, Kawerau 3127, New Zealand  07 323 7095

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July 2019

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for a successful event.

2019 HARBOUR STROKE PLAY – 9-11 AUGUST 2019

Entries are open for the 2019 Harbour Stroke Play at Omaha Beach GC. This Order of Merit event attracts a great field of top amateurs. Enter online at www. northgolf.nz (link to entry form in News section on home page)

AUCKLAND 2019 COVIC SHIELD FINALISTS FOUND

Once again Wattle Downs Golf Club provided excellent weather and a well presented course and some fabulous food during and after the final COVIC Shield qualifying round.

As a result of Huntly-Waiterimu winning the day with a 143 team points score, they secured the fourth qualifying spot with 22Q points from five rounds.

Second team on the day was Hauraki with 138 points, which saw their best performance to date and a sixth placing with 29Q points. Third equal on 137 points were Waiuku and Pukekohe who qualified in 2nd (17Q points) and 3rd (19Q points) respectively.

So that left open the question of who would be the fifth team to qualify, and Onewhero, who had been fourth, stumbled in being 8th on the day (127 points) versus Awhitu’s fifth place on the day (135 points), so that both finished in fifth equal with 26Q points apiece. In the resulting four hole putt-off between Awhitu’s Brett Wilson (20 hcp) and Onewhero’s Dane Rasmussen (23 hcp), Rasmussen won the first hole with a 2, only to see Wilson do the same on the second hole. They halved the third hole with 3’s before Wilson putted to within a foot on the tricky downhill fourth hole. Rasmussen left his putt short and missed with his second to leave Wilson an easy putt for the win.

So Awhitu advance into the Shield as the fifth team and Onewhero will play for the Plate along with Hauraki (29Q), Wattle Downs (32Q) and Maramarua (34Q), plus a random team to be added, made up of playing team extras to be known as the COVIC Combined Team. This fifth team will help maintain balance of numbers throughout the finals.

In the Challenge Cup matchplay, Wattle Downs proved too strong on their home track against the Waiuku defenders to win 39 points to 33 points. They will now defend the Cup against Hauraki at Hauraki on Wednesday 31 July, where the first of the five final rounds will be held.

Best player on the day was Hauraki’s Ron Davis (29 handicap) with 41 stableford points and his effort was recognised as the Franklin Golf Shop’s player of the day and winner of the prestigious Claret Jacket. A group of three were next best on 38-points: Waiuku’s Tim Howard (14), Awhitu’s Chris Matthews (27) and Wattle Downs Barbara Gordon (22). Barbara was the best of the five women players with Waiterimu’s Pettina Northcott second, 1 point back on 37 points.

Of the three single figure handicappers in the field, Huntly’s Murray Liddle (6) returned an excellent gross 73, ahead of Clarks Beach Chris Hone (9) gross 76 and Waiuku’s Brett Dawson (8) gross 78. Lid-

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dle won 22 balls by scoring the only two of the day on the par three 6th, where he drilled a 15 foot downhill putt after finding the green with a well hit rescue club off the tee.

Entries or enquiries to the COVIC Convenor on 0273110256 rafnz@icloud.com.

AUCKLAND NOTICEBOARD 26 Jul

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Back Tee Challenge

WAIKATO WALTON 4 BALL TOURNAMENT

Walton Women’s golf welcomed players from 29 clubs for their annual 72 hole 2 day tournament held on the 16th and 17th May. The weather was kind on both days finishing in the light with eight ‘chip offs’ being held to establish winners.

Thursday night’s dress theme was black and white, along with a delicious dinner and great camaraderie, fun was had by all.

The course was looking spectacular and there were 24 2’s scored throughout the tournament.

Kevin Wiltshier, our professional, was on hand with his wares and helping run the tournament with the help of Graham Higgs.

Results: Division 1 – Jill Evans (Ingelwood) and Diane Morresey (Stratford) Runner Up – Cherie Bezer (Horsham Downs) and Karen Taylor (Horsham Downs) Division 2 – Beryl Sutton (Urenui) and Elaine Selby (Urenui) Runner Up – Carol Mahon (Walton) and Orana Harris (Tauranga) Division 3 – Robyn Marshall (Urenui) and Karen Luxton (Urenui) Runner Up – Jandy Morton (Mercury Bay) and Robyn Anderson (Mercury bay) Stableford – Hariata Butters (Urenui) and Michelle Grant (Urenui)

2019 ANNUAL WOMEN’S GOLF AWARDS

Junior Golfer of the Year – Zahraa Bester (Hamilton) Under 19 as at 12th October. The player who has achieved the highest and

been most consistent throughout the season. Playing at number one for both the junior and the senior team interprovincial teams in 2018.

Russell Grace Salver – Robyn Pellow (Ngaruawahia) Presented to the player who has had the most wins for the team at 2018 Interprovincial. The team consisted of five new members, Robyn being the only player to have represented previously.

Robyn won three, halved three and lost just one game playing at number two for the side.

Masters Golfer of the Year – Jill Morgan (Cambridge) Presented to the player who scores the highest Gross Stableford total during the NZ Women’s Masters at Inglewood, Taranaki where the Waikato team also won the national title.

Senior Golfer of the Year – Zahraa Bester (Hamilton) Presented to the player who has performed for Waikato most consistently throughout the year in Waikato based events along with representing Waikato nationally.

Waikato Women’s Player of the Year – Robyn Pellow (Ngaruawahia) & Jill Morgan (Cambridge) Presented to the player who has achieved the highest throughout the season. Both players stood out in selection for the NZ Masters Women’s Team of six to compete in the inaugural Trans-Tasman series held in Adelaide. This was matchplay format like the Ryder Cup with Foursomes, Fourball and Singles. Australia narrowly won by one match. To have two players from Waikato is an achievement and therefore the award is justifiably shared between both Robyn and Jill.

2019 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS PENNANTS WINNERS FOUND

The 2019 women’s championship pennants finals were held on Sunday the 26th of May at the Putaruru Golf Course.

The course was in fantastic condition and beautifully presented for the Women.

Three divisions were competing at the Putaruru Golf Course. The teams in divisions one and two were playing off for position on the finals day, while division three were playing their final round robin matches to see who would finish on top.

In division one Riverside met Hamilton to decide the champ. After Hamilton took an early lead in the foursomes 2-1, Riverside came storming back to win the singles matches 4.5 - 1.5, claiming the 2019 Division One Pennant 5.5 - 3.5.

Division two was a clash of the country powerhouses. Walton Golf Club was looking to fend off the challenge from the composite South Waikato pennants team. After the foursomes the South Waikato team were holding their own with the games split 1 - 1. The number 4 for Walton was the only team member not to do the business with the remaining Walton team winning the singles 3.5 - 0.5

July 2019

with Walton winning the 2019 Division Two Pennants 4.5 - 1.5.

Division three was the final round robin match for the teams. Hamilton Golf Club had an unassailable lead going into the final round with Cambridge Golf Club assured of second place. Hamilton Golf Club defeated the Ngaruawahia Golf Club 3.5 - 2.5 to put an exclamation mark on their 2019 division three pennant victory.

HUNTLY GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONS ARE FIRST IN FIVE YEARS

After a hiatus of five years, four club champions have been found following two weeks of qualifying play and four weeks of matchplay golf. The finals were played on a net handicap basis over 36 holes for the seniors and intermediates and 18 holes for the juniors and women.

Congratulations go to Jeffrey Rendall (Seniors), Michael Anderson (Intermediates), Graeme Tait (Juniors) and Maggie McMinn (Women).

In a tight senior match Jeff Rendall beat Wayne McMillan 2–1 after a lead seesawing and very competitive game. Michael Anderson progressively extended an early lead to beat Justin Liddle 7 – 6. Michael was the previous Intermediate Champion and Justin the Junior Champion. In the juniors division it was Graeme Tait who eventually beat Herbie Kaa on a first extra (19th) play-off hole, after a very evenly matched final. In the Women’s final it was Maggie McMinn who beat Kirsten Moreland on the last green, 1up, after a seesawing and exciting match that could have gone either way.

In the plate finals for first round losers, winners were Peter Davie (Seniors), Russ Ford (Intermediates), John Tawhara (Juniors). The best qualifying round went to junior qualifier Rangi Morgan who shot an impressive net 57. He was beaten in a close semi final by Graeme Tait who won 1up. Another close semi final saw Jeff Rendall taken to the 19th before he overcame a strong challenge from Michael Garrick.

All participants had a fun month of champs play and enjoyed the experience of playing ‘one on one’ matchplay with their opponents, as the matches were sent off as twosomes. Huntly members are now in the process of qualifying teams for ‘Top Dog’ pairs matchplay to be played throughout July. Strokeplay Champs will then follow in September being played in divisions over 72 holes

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across four consecutive weekends.

If you would like to learn to play golf, Huntly Golf Club is presently offering you the opportunity of a ‘Go Golfing Challenge’. Free Fridays after 3pm will include: free beginner’s lesson, free 9-hole green fee, free 9-hole club hire, free trundler use and free social drink after your round.

There are absolutely ‘No Obligations… just golf!’

WAIKATO NOTICEBOARD 13-14 Jul

Cambridge

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15-16 Jul

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19-21 Jul

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20 Jul

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07 829 4709

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20 Jul

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Mid-Winter Xmas Tournament

26 Jul

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28 Jul

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2-4 Aug

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Cambridge Classic

BAY OF PLENTY 2019 KAIMAI CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT

By Ray Horsfall, Tournament Convener A winter blast greeted the 132 players competing in the 2019 Kaimai Classic, the 35th annual golf tournament promoted by the Mount Maunganui and Omanu Golf Clubs.

Thirty-two golf clubs were represented with local players totalling 62 players (Omanu 39 and Mount Maunganui 23).

Round 1 at Omanu Golf Course Saturday proved challenging with the very brisk wind, showers along with some hail, keeping things from heating up.

As a result scoring was less than par as indicated in the respective divisions.

Results: Women Division: Gross lead of 79 was set by Susie Hikairo (Omanu) ahead of Wellsford golfer Alayna Cox on 81 and Jenny Peters (Northland) 86.

Stableford lead was a 40 by Jennifer Chadwick (Omanu) followed by Suzanne Keesing (Cambridge) 37 and Kaye Paulger (Turangi) 35.

Men Divisions: Senior Gross 70 by Jobey Hudson (Omanu) led out followed by a 71 by Brent Curnow (Mount Maunganui.

Stableford: Jobey Hudson (Omanu) with 39 was just ahead of Colin Harrison and Jordan Samuels (Omanu players) on 38 followed by Andrew Parsons (Pirongia) and Andrew Parsens (Omanu) on

38.

Intermediate division: Mitchell Sanson (Apiti) led out with 39 ahead of Derick Bezuidenhout (Omanu) 38 and Gordon Kirkham (Te Awamutu) 37.

Junior division: Closely contested with Wayne Thompson (Wairoa) 43 points lead out ahead of Mitchell Hunia (Kawerau) 42, Thomas Burton (Wairoa) 41 and Dave Wilkins (Omanu) 40. 11 others were within 2 shots.

Round 2 at Mount Maunganui Golf Club An improvement in the weather but still a brisk chilly wind to test the golfing skills and patience of many, with scoring a challenge.

Results: Women: What a difference a day makes!

Gross winner: Alanya Cox (Wellsford) with a 79 gross and total of 160 was well ahead of the next best Susie Hikairo and Jenny Peters on 167.

Stableford: Silver winner – Georgia Kaye (Tauranga) with a two round total of 70, a clear lead over Denise Orton (Onewhero) with 64.

Bronze winner – Jennifer Chadwick (Omanu) on a total of 80 well ahead of Kaye Paulger (Turangi) 71.

Men: Senior Men: Gross – Brent Curnow (Mount Maunganui) carded another 71 for a total of 142 to move ahead of Jobey Hudson (Omanu) with a 73 for a total of 143.

Stableford – Jobey Hudson (Omanu) winner, with two rounds 39 and 37, a total of 76, four ahead of 2nd place getter Andrew Wiggens (Omanu) on 72.

Intermediate division: Mitchell Sanson (Apiti) retained his lead position with a total of 75 (rounds of 34 & 41). Derek Bezuidenhout (Omanu) finished 2nd with total 72 (34 and 38) unable to overhaul Sanson.

Ken Bardsley (Pirongia) and George Kirkham (Te Awamutu) finishing on 71.

Junior division: This was where the action was to come. Seventeen players all within striking distance following their Round 1 totals of 36 to 43.

Winner – David Cho (Mt Maunganui) pushed to the front with a final round 40 points backing up his first round 39, for a total of 79 taking the lead.

Runner-up – John McDermid (St Andrews), his first round 37 and 41 final round for 78, was one short of catching David Cho, while Shannon Manukau (Round 1 leader) could also finish on 78.

We look forward to the 2020 Kaimai Classic with lead management to be by the Omanu Golf Club.

Mount Maunganui Golf Club will hold its 2019 72 hole “Pacific Lakes Village” Mixed Foursomes tournament Sat/Sun Labour weekend.

Sunday Mixed Open

Results: Women: Gross: Alayna Cox, Wellsford 81, 79, 160 Jenny Peters, Northland 86, 81, 167 Susie Hikairo, Omanu 79 88 167 Stableford: Silver: Georgia Kaye, Tauranga 33 37 70 Denise Orton, Onewhero 31 33 64 Bronze: Jennifer Chadwick, Omanu 40 40 80 Kaye Plauger, Turangi 35 36 71 Combined: Suzanne Keesing, Cambridge 37 31 68 Jenny Peters, Northland 31 31 62 Judi Coleman, Omanu 30 32 62 Melanie Cho, Mt Maunganui 27 35 62 Hinemoa Pohatu, Ngaruawahia 30 31 61

Above: Women Silver Winner Georgia Kaye, Tauranga and Men Gross Winner Brent Curnow, Mount Maunganui

Junior Stableford: David Cho, Mount Maunganui Men: Senior: Gross: Brent Curnow, Mt Maunganui 71 71 142 Jobey Hudson, Omanu 70 73 143 Scott Law, Pirongia 78 73 151 Stableford: Jobey Hudson, Omanu 39 36 75 Andrew Wiggens, Omanu 37 35 72 Jordan Samuels, Omanu 38 33 71 Brent Curnow, Mt Maunganui 35 36 71 Thomas Neylon, Remuera 36 34 70 Scott Law, Pirongia 32 38 70 Colin Harrison, Omanu 38 29 67 Ron Sisson, Omanu 36 31 67 Intermediate: Sanson Mitchell, Apiti 41 34 75 Derek Bezuidenhout, Omanu 38 34 72 Ken Bardsley, Pirongia 36 35 71 Gordon Kirkham, Te Awamutu 37 34 71 Doug Kingsford, Mt Maunganui 35 34 69 Hotene Samuels, Omanu 36 33 69 David Campbell, Waihi 34 34 68 Junior: David Cho, Mt Maunganui 39 40 79

John McDermid, St Andrews 37 41 78 Shannon Manukau, Wairoa 38 40 78 Raymond Dumble, Omanu 37 40 77 Stuart Orton, Onewhero 36 39 75 Fraser Hunia, Kawerau 39 36 75 Jayden Hunia, Omanu 36 39 75 Wayne Thompson, Wairoa 43 31 74 Eddie Moore, Pukekohe 37 36 73 Dave Wilkins, Omanu 40 33 73 Campbell Norton, Whitford Park 28 44 72 Thomas Burton, Wairoa 41 31 72 Clinton Stowers, Wairoa 36 34 70

2019 BAY OF PLENTY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANT TEAM AND JUNIOR PENNANT TEAM WINNERS

An historic day at Te Puke on Sunday 12th May with Kawerau winning their first ever Championship Title.

The mill town boys were up three zip after the foursomes and never let Omanu into the race.

Te Puke Golf Club was in great condition with pristine greens, although gusty rain squalls made it a long day and once Kawerau had 5 points in the bank both teams retreated to the clubhouse. If the games would have proceeded to their conclusion, Kawerau would have won 7.5 – 1.5, keeping in perspective that Omanu Golf Club has 900 members as opposed to Kawerau’s 121 members.

A special day for the Rangihika family who have been a massive influence on Kawerau golf over the years. Aaron as Team Manager and Selector had the thrill of witnessing brother Jordan and son Zane, assisted by Glenn Tait, Ruel Pedersen, Marcus Lloyd, James Tauariki and management team member and travelling reserve Tuakana August do the job with the support of 20 plus whanau and friends.

Congratulations also to the Kawerau Junior Pennant team who have won their title four times, three times in succession from 2017 – 2019. Well done Richie Anderson, Max Ratana, Roger Herewini, TY

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Dowie, Willie Copeland and Ray Samuels.

BAY OF PLENTY NOTICEBOARD 20-21 Jul

Whakatane

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BOP Masters

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY AND POVERTY BAY WOMEN 36 HOLE STROKE PLAY

Last month the 36 Hole Men’s and Women’s Stroke Play was held at the Maraenui Golf Club.

After a foggy start, everyone endeavoured to warm up and some wind kept things on the cool side on what was a beautiful day.

A wet week ensured some testing conditions but the course was in great order considering the rain.

The women’s gross event was won by Kathy Olsen, two shots ahead of Hanna Seol. In the nett section Trish McBride also won by two shots from Leigh Richardson.

In the men’s gross section, Tyson Tawera and Mako Thompson both shot 69

in the morning with a few 72’s 73’s and 74’s tucked in behind, so the scoring was very good. Mako stepped up in the afternoon with a 66 (total 135), showing his class pulling away from the field, winning by six shots over Tyson Tawera (141) Stu Duff was third (144). Mako just recently got invited by NZ Golf to a National Development Camp so his talents are not going by unnoticed.

In the men’s nett section, Richard Baines was the winner with a total nett score of 142, Jarod Lines was second on 144 and in third place was Carlos Tawera with 145.

Final Placings after 36 Hole Tournament at Maraenui June 16th 2019: Women Gross 1st Kathy Olsen 165 2nd Hanna Seol 167 3rd Martha Manaena 170 Women Nett 1st Trish McBride 153 2nd Leigh Richardson 155 Men Gross 1st Mako Thompson 135 2nd Tyson Tawera 141 3rd Stuart Duff 144 4th Jeff Tuoro 146 5th Ben Swinburne 146 6th Zac Swannick 153 Mens Nett 1st Richard Baines 142 2nd Jarod Lines 144 3rd Carlos Tawera 145 4th Kaleb Tawera 147 5th Shane Nikora 148 6th Nick Radonich 148 HAWKE’S BAY NOTICEBOARD 7 Jul

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3 Aug

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SHB 27 Hole Strokeplay (Rose Bowl)

17-18 Aug

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31 Aug

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Takapau 30 Hole Strokeplay

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI JOINT WINNERS AT HOROWHENUA OPEN The 2019 HMC Horowhenua Open was held last month in fine overhead conditions at Levin Golf Club. The 36 hole event attracted a decent field of players, which included most of our local rep players, a number of rep players from Wellington, and some exciting young prospects from Auckland.

The women’s field had a number of players that could have taken out the title, and after the morning round Manawatu Whanganui rep Zhuoyi Hu held a healthy three shot lead after firing an even par 72. However she could not continue the same form in tougher afternoon conditions, to return a 78.

That opened the door for other players to jump ahead, and Lisa Herbert and Tara Raj both finished one better to be joint winners of the event. Tara Raj was declared the winner on countback for the top prize. Both Tara and Lisa had rounds of 75 and 74.

In the men’s event young Royal Wellington player Paxton Jones, set the pace after a two under par 70 in the morning, but was closely followed by a number of players. The afternoon conditions was a bit tougher with a cold wind picking up.

Jones, however, did enough in the afternoon with a 75 to tie for the championship win with Levin’s Tyler Hodge (72, 73).

Hodge has just had his amateur status reinstated, so this was his first event back as an amateur player. Hodge claimed the top prize by countback. In 3rd place just one shot back was Manawatu’s Regan McConaghty with 74 and 72, followed a further shot back by Miramar’s Sam Marsters (73, 74).

The best score of the day was 69 by former NZ rep, Riki Kauika, who is also back playing as an amateur after a brief stint a few years back as a professional. Kauika finished tied for 5th, along with Levin’s Shaun Millard, Judgeford’s Jayden Ford, and Liam Finlayson from Feilding.

TAIHAPE CLAIM PRESIDENTS TROPHY

Taihape Golf Club last month won the 2019 Presidents Trophy competition.

Taihape defeated Linton Camp 11 – 1 in

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the final played at Marton Golf Club on Sunday.

WHANGANUI AND RANGITIKEI CLAIM PENNANTS

Congratulations to the Whanganui Golf Club team of Tara Raj and Carron Thompson for taking out the Championship Pennant title last month at Marton Golf Club.

Heading into the final round, Whanganui was narrowly trailing Manawatu White, so not only needed to defeat Rangitikei/Marton, but also had to rely on Manawatu Red defeating their clubmates, Manawatu White, in the final round. All went to plan for Whanganui with Tara Raj’s singles win over Jill Hall claiming victory for Whanganui, as Manawatu Red player Mudra Lakhani defeated clubmate Leander Tyacke to allow Whanganui to jump ahead of Manawatu White.

Great to see the Manawatu teams both playing hard for the team win, as the situation could have allowed the teams to conspire for a Manawatu pennant win, but that’s not what this competition is about, so well done by all. Toro reps Lisa Herbert and Lily Griffin battled out the other singles match between clubmates, with the experienced Lisa Herbert coming out on top.

A big win by Palmerston North’s Zhuoyi Hu and Katherine Paskins against Pahiatua propelled them into 2nd place overall, with the two Manawatu teams finishing 3rd and 4th.

In the Weekend Pennant competition played off handicap, Rangitikei took out the pennant after defeating Castlecliff 5 –

0 in the final round at Marton on Sunday.

people with physical disabilities to participate in sport.

Thank you to all who donated goods to the auction and everyone who supported the day.

The competition for the day was a stableford round for both the men and the ladies, with the men playing for the Workman Salver and the ladies playing for the Renall Salver.

The winner of the Workman Salver was Eric Collings with 41 stablefords and the winner of the Renall Salver was Vicki Bain with 38 stablefords.

Best Gross of the day also went to Eric Collings with 71.

The Rangitikei team in the final round was Deb Ward and Jayjay Boyland.

Heading into the final round Rangitikei held a healthy lead over second placed Whanganui. The Whanganui team also had a good win over Palmerston North 4 – 1 to hold onto 2nd overall. In the other match Feilding defeated Manawatu 4 – 1, to secure 3rd place.

WELLINGTON NOTICEBOARD

TE MARUA GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Te Marua Golf Club recently held their club championships.

Winners: Senior Men – Owen Lloyd Intermediate Men – Peter Gallen Junior Men – Andrew Black Women – Aimee Clisby

Above: Victorious Whanganui players, Carron Thompson (left), and Tara Raj. MANAWATU-WHANGANUI NOTICEBOARD 10 Oct

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27 Oct

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Manawatu Open

WELLINGTON

CARTERTON GOLF CLUB

A cold damp day with the icy chill of the snow on the ranges didn’t stop the keen golfers coming out to play on Halberg Day. A big field took to the fairways, 21 of which were members of the Eagles.

Once everyone was assembled after the day’s play, the Eagles held the Halberg Auction and the resulting amount raised was $1,321, which goes to the Halberg Disability Sports Foundation to support

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12 Jul

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13 Jul

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2019 Otaki 36 Hole Open

21 Jul

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24 Jul

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TASMAN QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY TOURNAMENT AT REEFTON

The weather was good for on Saturday and Sunday, but the week leading up to the tournament was very wet with a bit of casual water around the course. A big

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field for this tournament with 96 players making the weekend.

Results: Best Gross Over the Field: James Devlin 135 Best Net Over the Field: Matt Herd 136 Senior Gross: Shaun Allan 144 Senior R/u Gross: Sean Riordan 145 Senior Nett: Jeff Riordan 142 Senior R/u Nett: Carl Forbes 145 Senior Stableford: Murray Marsh 71 Senior R/u Stableford: Austin Hamilton 69 c/back Intermediate Gross: Justin Peat 163 Interediate R/u Gross: Grey Hateley 165 Intermediate Nett: Trevor Watts 139 Intermediate R/u Nett: Paul Joyce 141 Intermediate Stableford: Jono Jones 73 Intermediate R/u Stableford: Wayne Templeton 72 Junior Gross: Norman McLennan 174 Junior R/u Gross: Dave Ironside 182 Junior Nett: Mark Waghorn 140 Junior R/u Nett: Alton Michel 144 Junior Stableford: David Cammock 70 count back Junior R/u Stableford: Brian Fitzgerald 70 Ladies Gross: Kerry McConchie 167 Ladies R/u Gross: Lyn Robertson 172 Ladies Nett: Pat Simpson 145 Ladies R/u Nett: Wendy McLennan 146 Ladies Stableford: Brenda Climo 71 Ladies R/u Stableford: Maryanne Glasson 70 TASMAN NOTICEBOARD 11 Jul

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20 Jul

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CANTERBURY MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

The Canterbury Golf Men’s Champion of Champions Tournament was played at Waitikiri Golf Club last month in initially foggy conditions before clearing later to a fine day. The course was in great order for the day, in particular the greens receiving players’ approval.

67 current club champions competed in the event with the following results:

Boyle, Nic Kay, Peter Neylon absent) 2nd: Waitikiri 74 pts (Aaron Forsyth, Mike Bowden, Bill Blair)

Team Net Stableford 1st: Russley 103 pts (Taylor Hosking, Peter MacDonald, David Knowles pictured above) 2nd: Hagley 100 pts (Phil Potter, Peter Allsop, Murray Smith) Individual Gross Stableford Senior: Taylor Hosking (Russley) 35 pts on c/b from Nic Kay (Christchurch) Intermediate: Mike Petterson (Pegasus) 28 pts Junior: Andrew Wilkinson (Templeton) 25 pts Individual Net Stableford Senior: Ben Williamson (Waimairi Beach) 36 Pts Intermediate: Paul Robinson (Waimakariri Gorge) 36 pts on c/b from Mike Petterson Junior: Logan Edwards (Coringa) 37 pts

was played at Templeton last month between Christchurch and Russley Blue in fine cool conditions, with the course in great order.

After a delay due to a heavy frost, all matches got underway and were played in great spirit. All matches were very tight with the last two being decided on the 17th and 18th holes and the final could have gone either way.

In the end the Christchurch team of (from left above) Maadi Kirikiri, Anika Park, Mika MacDonald and Korban Turnbull prevailed after a great display of power hitting by Mika MacDonald with Anika Park continuing to apply pressure down the stretch in her match. They defeated Russley Blue’s Phong Nguyen, Cooper Moore, Ethan Lam and Yash Naicker 3–1.

THREE IN A ROW FOR WEEDONS RED

Results: Senior: North Canterbury won 12 – 6 games Masters: Central Canterbury won 5 – 4 games Intermediate: North Canterbury won 5 – 4 games

CHRISTCHURCH WIN JUNIOR INTERCLUB MATCHPLAY FINAL

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Amuri Men’s Mid Week Tournament

26 Jul

Waimairi

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Waimairi Beach Women’s Teams Stableford

31 Jul

Cheviot

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Cheviot Women’s 4BBB Stableford Tournament

27-29 Sep

McLean Island

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McLean Island Golf Club 50th Jubilee

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND WOMEN’S SILVER AND VETS PENNANT FINALS The Women’s Silver and Vets Pennant’s Finals were played at Lower Waitaki Golf Club last month in true winter conditions – rain, wind and a little sunshine.

Results: North Otago 7 – Gleniti 3 Singles: K Devlin def C Brand 1up J Knight def P Milne 5/3 K Rawcliffe lost to J Taylor 5/4 B Gilchrist def S Behrnes 4/3 4Ball:

The Canterbury Central Patterson Cup Final was played at Weedons Golf Club last month in an all Weedons affair with Weedons Red playing Weedons Black.

The Weedons Red team of (from left above) Dave Stubbs, Richard Poulsen, Glenn Hames, Mike Methven, Chris Hay and Dave Butts won the Patterson Cup 4–2, making it the third successive year and Weedons Black won the Smart Cup for runner-up. The match was extremely close and a bit tense with five of the six matches being decided on the 18th green. In what is believed to be a first in Canterbury Central Golf, two teams from the same club contested the Patterson Cup Final.

In the words of the Red team Captain Glenn Hames: “The Red team have done extremely well to win this competition for the third year running.”

CANTERBURY NOTICEBOARD

Team Gross Stableford 1st: Christchurch 82 pts, pictured above (Niven

Amuri

Silver Pennants

NORTH TAKE WIN OVER CENTRAL CANTERBURY

The annual fixture between North Canterbury and Central Canterbury was played last month at the Waimakariri Golf Club. With 48 players competing across senior, intermediate and masters teams it was a tight battle throughout the day, with very windy conditions adding to the challenge.

North Canterbury took the overall win 21–15 games with foursomes in the morning and singles matches in the afternoon. Thanks to the Waimakariri Golf Club for providing their course for this event.

24 Jul

12 Jul

Rangiora

03 388 8203

Rangiora Friday Tournament

14 Jul

Rangiora

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Ashby Bergh & McGuire Hendon Cup – Ashby Bergh Trophy

15 Jul

Rangiora

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Canterbury Junior July Tournament

18 Jul

Amberley

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Amberley Women’s Open Tournament

The Junior Interclub Matchplay Final

Devlin and Knight def Brand and Milne 2up Rawcliffe and Gilchrist lost to Taylor and Behrnes 1 down

Silver Pennant Champions, North Otago from left above: Kath Rawcliffe, Karen Devlin, Bronwyn Gilchrist and Julia Knight.

Vets Pennants Timaru 7 – North Otago 3 Singles: K Williams def J Wallace 7/6 M Burnside lost to D Jellyman 4/3 C Rodden def H Campbell 4/3 K McCreanor tied K Hobbs Sq 4Ball: Williams & Burnside def Wallace & Jellyman 5/3 Rodden & McCreanor def Campbell & Hobbs 6/4

C A M I O H A F L I E R F N C S T A T U E E T S T O O L B U D V A R I A T O N L E G E N D U E Y M E T A L W E T E H O L E

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July 2019

L O F I I L A M O U S T A P K I S E N G L K U O O W E E K M O D I O N S H S K S P R O C I E E O O D P I N A K C L E A T

L E Y H C H E R N A N D R L E Y O O M A S N E E D N R E C E R W S

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Vets Champions, Timaru above from left: Carol Rodden, Kath McCreanor, Miriam Burnside and Kathy Williams

Winning Captains from left: Kath Rawcliffe (North Otago), Cath Daniels (Aorangi Life Member) and Miriam Burnside (Timaru)

WOMEN’S OPEN PENNANT FINAL

The Aorangi Women’s Open Pennant Final was played at the Ashburton Golf Club last month in fine conditions.

Fairlie beat Rakaia (1) 9 – 1. The score didn’t reflect how close the matches were, with two being decided on the 17th hole and three on the 18th hole.

Team: (left to right) Denise Biggs, Georgie Wright, Anne Anderson and Marie Anderson.

Others that played in preliminary rounds were Janine Walker and Kelly Cassie.

MAHAL PEARCE APPOINTED GOLF OTAGO CHIEF EXECUTIVE

number of candidates who applied for the position. ”Golf Otago would have been well served by a number of the applicants but the panel believed that Mahal is well prepared to carry out the duties and advance golf in the province,” he said. ”He will become the public face of golf in Otago and will be based in an office at Sport Otago. ”He will serve the 49 clubs and 9000 golfers in Otago and will be required to reach out to community, business and not-for-profit groups to fund specific programmes including junior golf, the representative team development and tournament expenses.”

Pearce (43) started playing golf as an 11-year-old at Port Chalmers where he was coached by the late Ivan Forgie.

Upon entering Otago Boys’ High School, Pearce was already a talented single-figure player and he thrived in the competition for team places.

In his final year, he led the school team to win the national intercollegiate in Wellington and qualify to compete in the world final at St Andrews in Scotland.

He shot 71 on the Jubilee course and was close to par on the Old Course to finish as second individual and ensure Otago Boys’ finished as runner-up to French team Lycee Bellevue.

He left school and represented Otago for the next five years before moving to Wellington in 1997.

He won the New Zealand under-23 title in 1997 before turning professional in October 1997.

The highlight of his career came on the Middlemore course in Auckland in 2003 when he finished strongly to win the New Zealand Open.

He was in peak form at the time and finished third in the Jacobs Creek tournament in Adelaide three weeks later.

Pearce has already been involved with Golf Otago and is a senior and junior selector as well as managing the junior team, which finished second at Cambridge last year.

He has a varied work history having worked at Clive Wilson Switchboards when he left school.

When he moved to Wellington, he worked for Hertz Rental cars at the airport before going on the tour for the next five years.

He currently works at Telfer Electrical and is scheduled to take up his new role with Golf Otago in July.

Although he will be keenly involved with the amateur scene, Pearce intends to hold on to his professional status.

champion for 2019.

But it all came down to a winnertakes-all final and the Island Park players proved to be formidable opponents, taking on the Balmacewen team until the final putts dropped.

At the turn, Otago led in two games and Island Park in one, while the top three games were all tied up.

The Otago tail set the scene for Otago’s win with left-handed Ben Patston the first to finish, beating Mike Wray on the 14th green.

Playing partner No 6 Callum Judkins was the next to win, making it 2-0 to Otago when he beat the Park captain Michael Minty by 3 and 2.

In the battle of the No 4 players Chris Snow posted Park’s first win, beating Dylan Stock on the penultimate green.

But Otago No 1 Nick Borren gave Otago its third win and the contest went Otago’s way when No 2 Brandon Hodgson and No 4 Duncan Croudis both halved their games.

Park No 3 Michael Smith was one down after 16 holes but birdied the 17th hole to get back to square.

Both Smith and Croudis birdied the par-5 18th hole to halve their match and give Otago 4.5 games to win the title.

Otago No 2 Hodgson put the icing on the cake when he finished tied with former North Otago golfer Phil Bungard.

Island Park failed in its quest to become the first team from a nine-hole course to take the coveted title.

A combined Port Chalmers-Otakou team came close three decades ago but

OTAGO WINS METRO PENNANT

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throughout the year’s series, Island Park showed a Senior A pennant win may only be a matter of time.

SOUTHLAND HOME LINKS AND NANCY MACCORMICK WINNERS

Results: Nancy MacCormick Memorial Foursomes winners: Flo Fraser and Fran Baird, Greenacres Sue Bunt Salver: Robyn Millar, Invercargill Coronation Medal: Dianne Cleland , Waikaka Veterans Cup: Jennifer Wilson, Winton Aotearoa Cup: Tina Mann, Riversdale Best Gross Cup: Robyn Boniface, Queens Park OTAGO/SOUTHLAND NOTICEBOARD Aorangi 8 Jul

Pleasant Point

03 614 7304

Pleasant Point Women’s Open

25 Jul

Geraldine

027 842 2332

Geraldine Teams Tournament

29 Jul

Pleasant Point

03 614 7304

Pleasant Point Women’s Teams

14 Jul

Tapanui

03 204 8283

South Otago Championships & South Otago Junior Open

17 Jul

Otago Golf Club

03 467 2096

Otago GC Junior Open

18 Jul

St Clair

03 487 7076

St Clair Junior Open

19 Jul

Chisholm Links

03 455 0565

Chisholm Links Junior Open

10 Jul

Mataura

03 203 8427 027 294 9820

Mataura Mid Winter Ambrose

14 Jul

Drummond

027 471 2014 03 236 2897

Invercargill & Districts Victim Support Ambrose Tournament

19 Jul

Wyndham

03 206 4919

Wyndham 4BBB Stableford

27-28 Jul

Te Anau

03 249 7474

Fiordland Classic

Otago

Southland

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fun & affordability Former New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce has been appointed as chief executive of Golf Otago, replacing Doug Harradine who is retiring after 11 years in the position.

Golf Otago chairman Peter Devine was impressed by the quality, skill-set and the

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Otago won against Island Park 4-2 to win the final of the metropolitan men’s senior A pennant series on the Taieri Lakes course last month.

The team was dominant throughout the series with nine wins, and a half with Chisholm Links, and so was a worthy

July 2019

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