Golfer Pacific NZ – May 2020 by Golfer Pacific NZ

May 2020 16th year as NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive Golf club magazine

Suppor ter of

/golferpacificnz

US Masters for November PAGE 3

ISSN 1178-0754 ISSN 1835-1336 XX 05

NZD $5.00 Subscription $60 per annum

INSIDE // FASHIONABLE GOLFING FOOTWEAR // QUEENSTOWN GOLFING MECCA

G710 To understand the unique feeling of MP20 get Custom Fitted Now

The most forgiving and longest iron. Get Custom Fitted today. .

Get Custom fitted today. For your nearest MIZUNO and PING stockist contact Sports Network Ltd. Ph: 0508 776 786

EDITORIAL

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

The real reason we play golf S

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

o we are now allowed to play golf. But have you done so? I haven’t. I would only be able to play by myself under alert level three of the coronavirus pandemic. Playing 18 holes by myself has little appeal. Playing to a hole with no flagstick has little appeal. Hitting a ball to a cup that has been turned upside down and raised above the ground has little appeal. That would mean putting everything firm, not having to think about the putt being

too fast. New Zealand Golf is not accepting any scores. Playing 18 holes where the score doesn’t matter has little appeal. Don’t get me wrong. It is better to be able to play golf than not being able to play golf. I could imagine starting out playing for real and keeping my score. But as I missed a putt or hit a ball into the rough, I could also imagine not keeping the score any longer. I have preferred to practise under alert level three. Hitting balls and trying to improve my golf swing and then maybe playing a few holes by myself. All of this has reminded me of

the main reason we play golf. It’s not so much about playing golf, it’s about mixing with friends and socialising. It’s what we as humans like to do. Humans like to compete. To compete you need to have someone to compete with. I love the competition we have amongst our group of four of the day and our competition for the day. I love the socialising afterwards. I love the banter, whether I’ve scored 28 stableford points or 38 stableford points. It’s always good fun. A group of nearly 30 of us from our golf club were to have gone, last month, on a golf trip

to Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales. Golf was the common factor but the real appeal would have been the travelling together as a group and the socialising and banter that would have gone with it. Next year’s equivalent tournament of the Coffs Harbour event is to be held in Adelaide. Let’s pray we are able to travel by then because I am already looking forward to going to Adelaide for the socialising and the banter, whether I score 28 stableford points or 38 stableford points.

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: Augusta National golf course 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.

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS 1.1 All advertisements accepted for publication are subject in every respect to the approval of Golfer Pacific NZ Limited. The conditions set out in any Rate Card and Golfer Pacific NZ Limited Advertising Order Form are the rules applicable to advertising as laid down from time to time by the Australian Newspaper Council and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). 1.2 While every care is taken in the publication of advertisements, errors may sometimes occur. In such cases, no claim shall be made by or on behalf of the advertiser in respect of any error or its subsequent effects. If brought to our attention within 24 hours of publication, adjustments may be made, but only for the space actually occupied by an error. No responsibility is taken for any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear according to any instructions. No guarantee is given regarding the positioning of any advertisements. 1.3 Golfer Pacific NZ Limited reserves the right to change position, cancel, refuse, omit or postpone publication of any advertisement in any issue. 1.4 The word “advertisement” will be included in an advertisement if, in the opinion of Golfer Pacific NZ Limited, it resembles editorial matter. 1.5 If a proof is required prior to the publication, the advertisement must be a minimum size of 5cm x 1 column. One proof is provided for text corrections only; any additional layout revisions requested at the publication’s discretion and will incur a (non-commissionable) production fee. Advertisers will be charged for author’s text alterations required on third and subsequent proofs. 1.6 No responsibility is accepted for any error or omission of key numbers or telephoned alterations to copy. 1.7 No arrangements concerning an order can be recognised unless authorised or approved by Golfer Pacific NZ Limited in writing. 1.8 Requests for advertisements to be printed upside down or side-on or any particular arrangements of type or display are subject to rejections without notice. 1.9 All publishers’ conditions apply equally to all Golfer Pacific NZ Limited products, electronic or printed format. 1.10 Tear-sheets for advertisement publication verifi cation are available. Golfer Pacific NZ retains the right to publish advertiser and editorial content online using social media, the company and third party wesbites and our fortnightly email newsletter. Deadlines – The responsibility for supplying booked material by the required deadline lies with the advertiser/agency. Golfer Pacific NZ Limited accepts no responsibility for material not received by deadline and charges will apply.

NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST RANGE OF SECOND HAND GOLF CLUBS. Quality, used golf clubs from Japan. Includes all major brands: Titleist, Nike, Callaway, Ping, Honma, Mizuno, Srixon, Yamaha TRADE IN YOUR OLD GOLF EQUIPMENT TO TRADE UP! OPENING HOURS

Level 2, 13-15 Aintree Ave, Airport Oaks, Mangere, Auckland j-golf.nz www.facebook.com/jgolf.nz/ Phone 09 379 5729

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

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

GOLF NEWS

US Masters for November

Augusta National golf course, the venue for the US Masters, which will now be held in November.

he United States Masters is to be held in November. The tournament is normally held in the first full week of April. The tournament is normally the first of the four major championships. Now it will be the last of three majors with The Open Championship in England postponed to next year. The new dates for the US Masters at Augusta National in Georgia are November 12-15. The weather in Georgia will be much cooler than April and that could make for much tougher scoring. Zach Johnson, in 2007, won on a cold, windy week with a score of one over 289. It was the first over-par

winning score at Augusta National in four decades. The course will likely play longer and softer in November. It could result in few players attempting to reach three of the par fives — holes 8, 13 and 15 — in two. Johnson, in 2007, laid up on all par fives when he won. There will also be about two hours less daylight in November than in April. That will mean earlier tee times and perhaps two-tee starts, which is not normal practice. The make up of the field should not be any different. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said: “We intend to invite those professionals and amateurs

who would have qualified for our original April date.” That means the 92 golfers who had already secured their spots will still be eligible to play. Once the golf world resumes its schedule, players who win events between then and the Masters evidently will qualify for the 2021 Masters in its regular April slot – but not the November Masters. Are there azaleas in November? Every April, bountiful azaleas in brilliant hues — Augusta National has 30 different varieties — share centre stage with the world’s best golfers. In November, maybe not so much.

• Rated in the top 20 courses in NZ • Simply spectacular location • Challenging 18 holes links course • Clubhouse available for private functions

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

Affiliated Members always welcome!

Mid-June start planned for PGA Tour GOLF NEWS

he PGA Tour in the United States is planned to restart its season in mid-June and the first four events will be closed to the general public. The adjusted 2019-20 season, which was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to resume from June 11-15 in Texas with the Charles Schwab Challenge that was originally set to be held this month. The PGA Tour said it would continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities. “As we’ve stressed on several occasions, we will resume competition only when … it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a state-

* June 8-14: Charles Schwab Challenge, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas. * June 15-21: RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina. * June 22-28: Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut. * July 2-5: Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan. * July 6-12: John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois. * July 13-19: the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio. * July 20-26: 3M Open, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota. * July 27-August 2: World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational,

ment. The second event will be the RBC Heritage in South Carolina from June 18-21, which was originally cancelled but will now fill the week vacated by the US Open, which has been moved to September. The other two events set to be played with no spectators are the Travelers Championship in Connecticut from June 22-28 and the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit from July 2-5. If play restarts as planned, the PGA Tour’s season, which has played 22 events through the Arnold Palmer Invitational, will now consist of 36 events. The Canadian Open, originally scheduled for June 11-14, has been cancelled. The revised schedule through to the beginning of September is:

TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee. * July 27-August 2: Barracuda Championship, Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California. * August 3-9: PGA Championship, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California. * August 10-16: Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina. * August 17-23: The Northern Trust, TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts. * August 24-30: BMW Championship, Olympia Fields Country Club (North), Olympia Fields, Illinois. * August 31-September 7: Tour Championship, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia.

The Open to remain at Royal St George’s next year T he Open Championship has been postponed to next year. The Royal & Ancient last month announced the postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s open was due to be played at Royal St George’s in Kent but the venue will be retained for next year. This year’s postponement is the first time the tournament has been called off since World War II. The dates for next year’s open, the 149th, will be July 11-18. The 150th open will be played at St Andrews in Scotland from July 10-17 in 2022. R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing the open this year but it is not going to be possible.” The R&A will transfer over tickets and hospitality packages purchased for this year’s championship to next year. Purchasers who no longer wish to (or are no longer able to) attend in 2021 will receive a full refund. Further information on this process was to be sent directly to ticket and hospitality purchasers. Slumbers added: “Our absolute priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, players, officials, volunteers and staff involved in The Open. We care deeply

The Claret Jug, the trophy awarded to the winner of The Open.

about this historic championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. “We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do. “I can assure everyone that we have explored every

option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible. “There are many different considerations that go into organising a major sporting event of this scale. We rely on the support of the emergency services, local authorities and a range of other organisations to stage the championship and it would be unreasonable to place any additional demands on them when they have far more urgent priorities to deal with. “In recent weeks we have been working closely with those organisations as well as Royal St George’s, St Andrews Links Trust and the other golf bodies to resolve the remaining external factors and have done so as soon as we possibly could. We are grateful to all of them for their assistance and co-operation throughout this process. “Most of all I would like to thank our fans around the world and all of our partners for their support and understanding. At a difficult time like this we have to recognise that sport must stand aside to let people focus on keeping themselves and their families healthy and safe. We are committed to supporting our community in the weeks and months ahead and will do everything in our power to help golf come through this crisis.”

Book Now! www.titirangigolf.co.nz or on DotGolf

Full Playing Membership Special From now until the end of 2020 – ONLY $795 Only available to New Members who haven’t been a member at Helensville Golf Club at any time in the past 5 years.

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

New date for Saudi Arabia’s first women’s professional tournament

he first women’s professional golf tournament in Saudi Arabia has been postponed to October because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Saudi Ladies’ International was to be held in March. It is part of the Ladies’ European Tour (LET) and carries prizemoney of $US1 million. The new date is October 8-11 and the tournament will remain at the Royal Greens & Country Club. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “We are working towards a new date of October 8-11 for the Aramco Saudi Ladies’ International. We will, of course, continue to work closely with health authorities both domestically and across the region in the interim but are hopeful that we will be able to bring this momentous occasion to Saudi Arabia in six months’ time. “As we focus upon the necessary precautions, we would like to pay particular thanks to all of our sponsors, partners and players, who have shown unwaver-

ing commitment through these unprecedented times and it is due to their support that we are now able to announce a revised date for this landmark occasion.” The tournament will be a watershed moment for the country and will mark the first time that professional female golfers have played there competitively, breaking new ground in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation as part of Vision 2030. LET chief chief executive Alexandra Armas added: “We have been extremely impressed by Golf Saudi’s commitment to working through the challenges and making this historic event happen. We would like to thank all stakeholders for their incredible support, and I am sure that this fantastic new tournament will be one of the major highlights of 2020.” One of the richest tournaments on the LET schedule, the Saudi Ladies’ International demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increase golf participation significantly in the years to come through the world’s most ambitious development programme.

NEWS

Welsh golfer Amy Boulden helping a younger player. Boulden is a likely contender for the Saudi Ladies’ International.

New & Used

NEW D ZEALAN

WIDE

Yamaha Golf Cars On Site Servicing Parts & Accessories

0800 867 686 | www.parkland.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

Fashionable footwear in the golf world GOLF NEWS

Pretty bold by the sport’s leading shoe maker to re-design one of its top sellers, but the resulting increase in stability, traction and comfort of Foot Joy’s Pro S/L will help maximise the release of power in your swing.

Popularised by Jon Rahm, this high-top version of Adidas Codechaos, the Boa with its primeknit waterproof upper, comes with a laceless fitting system that allows quick, micro-adjustable fit with the simple twist of the dial.

Designed with a crossover look of modern street with a classic golf style, these Club Crocos from Royal Albartross are handmade in Italy. This model is equal parts sophisticated and casual, refined and functional offering a monochromatic look that wears well with almost anything.

Versatile is the word for these XPs from Foot Joy. Versa-Trax maximises traction during your swing and provides exceptional grip when walking the course (and beyond). Quite light, available in multiple colours, these will be your most comfortable shoes on and off the course.

By Randy O Williams in the United States

play as they walk off the 18th green. That word is comfort. “Comfort is king,’’ said Andrew Lawson, product line manager at Puma Golf Footwear. “That’s what consumers are looking for first and foremost. If your shoes are uncomfortable then you won’t perform at your best, and definitely won’t be able to enjoy your round of golf. “With all of the technology and style we put into our footwear designs, we never forget that at the end of the day the shoe must be comfortable as well.” As part of that, and with consumers used to having everything now, one of the challenges for manufacturers is to reduce the break-in period as players these days want to take the shoes right out of the box to the first tee. Still, even in a high-tech world, some manufacturers are savvy that footwear

out on the golf course can get more technical than the clubs they’re using and more often than not, too many bells and whistles are not a good thing. K C Clarke, senior marketing of Cuater, a partner of Travis Mathew Apparel, said: “Overall, the market has been overly technical with the features and benefits of the various golf footwear products, a lot of them very unnecessary and cluttering design.” Manufacturers like Cuater are driven by delivering that combination of “technology you actually need and the style you want.” And the style that is most wanted off the course, also tends to be of the classic look variety with a sporty component as providers are focused on providing that clean, modern aesthetic incorporating elements of the best-selling golf shoes.

Melissa Jones, vice president of Brand Management at Samuel Hubbard, said: “The men’s casual shoe designs have trended toward what we would describe as fashionable athletic. “Predominantly, the new men’s casuals are built on light EVA soles and the upper styling is derived from classic athletic profiles with new materials. From a technical point of view, we are seeing ever lighter constructions and the widespread use of various kinds of memory foams.” On and off the course, shoe fashions are driven by technical enhancements that provide stability while getting lighter and lighter. But at the end of the day when the golf and socialising are through, the real answer comes at home in the evening when your feet will provide you with their response to your style choices. Take your time and choose well because it is true – comfort is king.

he latest trend in golf footwear is combining classic designs with the latest technical enhancements using the best elements. Robin McNesby, vice president for Royal Albartross, explains: “We believe that quality components are key to making the best golf shoes in the world and in turn, to elevating the golf experience. “High-end leather uppers are coupled with bio-mechanical interior design to improve strength and balance. These attributes are combined with an exterior outsole to offer maximum traction and stabilisation.” Of course, looking good and shoes made of premium materials are important considerations, but what consumer research shows is that players are willing to pay a premium for the best as long as one key word is still in

Using 100 percent waterproof smooth full grain leather in a classic style, the Cap Toe Gallivanter from G/Fore features a triple density removable and washable foam footbed. A cool form of massage for your feet.

The Under Armour HOVR Drive, with advanced cushioning offering energy return with each step and the comfort of knowing you’ll stay dry with Gore-tex, here’s your all-season footwear.

Handmade in Portugal using the best Italian leather, The Driver 63 from Royal Albartross is one of the premium hybrid shoes available. A limited edition, each one is numbered and produced with an individual certificate of authenticity and gold hand-stamped logo.

Fully leather lined, Anthony Veer’s Kennedy loafer combines classic design with modern tech. Premium full-grain calfskin leather is combined with Goodyear welt construction. You’ll see and feel the attention to detail in every stitch. Available in black, tan and oxblood colours.

A special occasion deserves a special shoe. With its sleek profile and clean design, the Florsheim Tux Cap Toe Oxford is made of soft patent leather complimented with the comfort of a fully cushioned memory foam footbed.

Handcrafted in Portugal, you’ll find yourself drawn to the unexpected pairing of a casual cool silhouette and the sleek sophistication of the materials in this go- anywhere style of Samuel Hubbard’s Dress Fast model. Hand-lasted construction for a sock-like fit and maximum flexibility with a triple-density memory foam insole.

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

NEWS

Cloak and daggers at the New Zealand Open By Neville Idour

rom my observations during the recent New Zealand Open everyone involved for the whole week, including organisers New Zealand Golf, The Clubhouse, the 521 volunteers, the players and spectators in their thousands, felt the tournament was a success in every way. But wait, someone found a perceived error from a photograph and rushed to the news media to let the world know that the furore of last year needed to be regurgitated. This is about the now unfairly maligned, infamous and quite spectacular korowai cloak, named Te Ati a-toa, draped over the winner Brad Kennedy after receiving the trophy, which he proudly wore throughout the closing ceremony and then for some time afterwards when he spent time with the volunteers and many others before handing it back to the or-

ganisers. It is a pity that the facts surrounding the origins of the cloak and New Zealand Golf’s part in the process were not researched. Levelling any criticism at New Zealand Golf is unfair. New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy, New Zealand Maori Golf general manager Mark Tito, vice president Crete Wana and its patron Waihoroi Shortland, a respected Maori identity and former broadcaster, were all on the same wavelength in feeling shocked and disappointed at the criticism. For 18 months New Zealand Golf and New Zeland Maori Golf worked closely in forging a strong ongoing relationship. It opened the path for a Maori amateur to play in the open. Therefore the Maori connection, according to Tito, was about creating a complete authentic cultural experience. This included an authentic formal powhiri one-hour ceremony on the Wednesday of the tournament culminating in the

closing ceremony at the prizegiving. All these aspects of the event including the cloak were in the hands of New Zealand Maori Golf in consultation with Ngai Tahu and appropriate iwi. Tito added: “The whole experience was genuine and the presentation this year was fantastic.” Wana said: “We spent months speaking with Ngai Tahu to get all protocols right. Our aim was to help make the event a success and to add value to each other’s organisations. The cloak was made by a now elderly lady who has been coming to the New Zealand Maori Golf Championships for many years. She gifted the korowai cloak to us and we lend it to New Zealand Golf for the event then it comes back to us.” Shortland did not mince words. “Unworthy, ill-informed mischief-making. A cheap shot at best,’’ Shortland said. “Unworthy, as it sought to diminish an occasion that brought dignity and ceremony to mark the 101st New Zealand Open in a way that truly celebrates the cultural heritage we share as a na-

tion participating in a sport we love. “It is unworthy to throw disdain upon the work of another weaver. Also those who seek to pass criticism again a year later have never offered a solution. “There are no rules about making a korowai. It was woven in a traditional manner. The lining, colour of the feathers and fabric do not make it genuine. “I don’t know of any restrictions on the use of plumage and this is not the first korowai to be lined in this way. Lining may be used to protect and prolong the life of the cloak. When the cloak is finally placed on the winner it is saying to the best of our traditions, he is the best of the best.” It is not difficult to see why Murphy has full confidence in their Maori connections and also why New Zealand Golf should not be the target. If there are any complaints they should be directed at Ngai Tahu and the New Zealand Maori Golf Association.

“TEE FOR TWO” GOLF PACKAGE

AUCKLAND’S OPEN ACCESS GOLF COURSE 220 TEE TIMES AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK GOLF GROUPS WELCOME

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 Continental breakfast for two, self-service.

NZ$945 for TWO *

*Must be NZ residents. International players ADD $555

Outs ide these dates please look at ou r webs ite

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Above pricing valid until 30th April 2020. 1st of April to 30th April $945.00 • International players 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

LODGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE! 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.

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

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

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

James Anstiss’ excellent start cut short By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

ueenstown professional James Anstiss wasted no time getting back from the United States when he learned New Zealand borders were closed to non-citizens. “When I heard that and the fact we were going into lockdown in a few days, I made a quick decision to fly back home the next day,” Anstiss said. Before this sudden stop to his pro career, Anstiss had made a very promising start to the year. His 24th place at the New Zealand Open was a solid effort before he left the country. “After the New Zealand Open finished on the Sunday I flew to Auckland then on to Mexico the next day for the first event on the PGA Latino America Tour, the Estrella del Mar Open. “The scoring was red hot that week with the cut at

seven under (par), being the lowest ever on that tour.” Anstiss comfortably made the cut and played well with scores of 67, 67, 68 and 71 to finish 15 under par in a tie for 35th. The winner scored an amazing 29 under. “Following that I flew to the US to compete in the Coke Dr Pepper Open, an All Pro Tour event in Alexandria, Louisiana. “It was played on two courses, Bayou and Oakwing. I scored 67, 71 to make the cut on six under (par). “We then got the news the Players’ Champs had been cancelled plus PGA events for the next four weeks, meaning no more Latin American Tour. However the All Pro Tour was determined to finish their event and I scored 67, 66 to finish 17 under and in a tie for 11th.” Anstiss hoped to keep playing. “My plan was to play the next week on the All Pro

Tour before heading to Argentina for three events in April on the LA tour. “However the APT event was cancelled so suddenly there was nothing to play in. I hung around in Louisiana for a few days playing golf with some of my old teammates from my college days before the New Zealand border closure news ended that.” With his hopes of playing many events in Mexico and the United States dashed for the foreseeable future, Anstiss has to make the best of his time at home in Queenstown. “I have now been home three weeks and have set up a make-do driving range in my garage hitting balls off a range mat into a few blankets. I am really looking forward to getting back out to the golf course and hoping the world can get back to some normality soon and hopefully we can play some tournaments later in the year.”

PGA Tour offers cash advances to top players By Neville Idour

ith the world in turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic, the PGA Tour in the United States has informed its members that players ranked 1-150 in the FedEx Cup standings would be entitled to receive a cash advance of up to $US100,000. The amount varies and reduces according to ranking, for example the 60th ranked player is entitled to $US75,000. However these payments will be repaid by being offset against future earnings when the PGA Tour resumes. It is worth noting that No 1 Sungjae Im has earned $US3.862 million to date and No 2 Justin Thomas has banked $US4.214 million. The 50th-ranked Dylan Fritteli has earned $US970,000, the 100th-ranked Matthew Fitzpatrick has pocketed $US646,000 and the 150th-ranked Austin Cook has earned $US280,000. New Zealand’s Danny Lee is doing nicely at 21st with $US1.795 million and Palmerston North’s Tim Wilkinson is 152nd with $US242,000.

A PGA Tour spokesman said: “We are pleased to have found a creative solution to advance payments to players for current and future performance and/ or services which is consistent with our business.” Caddies were also included in the memo. “The tour is supporting a partial mid-season distribution of an endorsement programme specifically for caddies and they will be able to make financial requests to the caddie benevolent fund.” The obvious question that arises is why only those players ranked 1-150 should be offered the cash advance. When the 100th ranked played has banked almost $US646,000, it is hard to imagine why most of them would need or indeed want such an advance. Bearing in mind the costs to players of travel, coaches and caddies are substantial, the Otago Golf Club director and professional coach Shelley Duncan said: “It may have made more sense to start at say the 100th ranked player.” The tour would then offer something to those below that and even maybe include some of the Korn Ferry secondary

tour players in the advances. The spread of the money could cover more players who actually need the assistance. Former tour professional and now golf course designer Greg Turner, who has always felt the cash distribution on the tours is somewhat askew in terms of fair-

ness, was more forthright. “I think it is a cheap loan scheme for millionaires,” Turner said. While it may seem admirable the PGA Tour is making this move it just seems a case for many players of the haves helping the haves.

VISITING WELLINGTON? 20 MINUTES FROM CBD WELLINGTON, COMMUTER RAILWAY STATION 50 METRES FROM CLUB GATES

Come and play a round or two at our fabulous all weather golf course and enjoy our wildlife sanctuary.

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Golf clubs face uncertain future post Covid-19

“The overall impact will be a decline in golf participation, which will have a significant impact on our governing body through reduced fee income. As a club we already offer a non-affiliated membership. If this category allows us to retain or increase membership we will market it. A fee that represents nearly 10% of our subscription fee makes a serious difference.” What strategies is your golf club considering once play can commence again? “I completed a three part business plan, which was circulated to board members, allowing for multiple starts and options based on the stage the country is at with the virus. We have options that allow full play facilities through to no visitors allowed, no bar or cooking facilities.” PGA of New Zealand General Manager and Golfer Pacific columnist Dominic Sainsbury remained optimistic for the NZ game. “NZG have been doing a good job in talking with the Government and advocating for courses to be maintained while we are in lockdown. We have been completely supporting their advocacy as we believe it is important that courses have vital maintenance. (Golf course managers returned last week to assess turf maintenance.) “This would really lift the spirits of the

AY F • P OR T

GH T I N

golfers across our country.” 1. Can golf clubs, courses, golf shops and the general golf industry survive post Covid-19? “This will depend on the facility. We have a number of very well run courses, shops, ranges and other facilities across New Zealand and people will be looking to play golf once we are allowed to again, those that are prepared should do well and will be providing a great service to their community as people will be looking for ways to spend their leisure time.” 2. What has been the economic impact to your golf club, community and golf region? “Loss of playing opportunities, tournaments and events. These tournaments that we run are a great way for golfers to connect and grow their love for the game. They are also a way a number of PGA professionals make an income and this has hurt.” 3. What strategies is your golf club considering once play can commence again? “We are looking at a number of innovative ideas and strategies to engage with golfers once we get back playing again. A number of PGA members are doing a great job in staying connected to the golfers they serve with ways of them inspiring them to keep golf fit while in isolation.”

Up & Running

2 Y PA Y 3 STA

N IGHT S A

IS F RE

international tourists, including my club. That income is gone for a long time. Golf is also an expensive activity. Pensioners may be best shielded from the income effect but they also are the lowest return for a club, looking always for the cheapest deal. The young with mortgages and children will quickly drop subscriptions, as will all those unemployed. Our club is depression ready in the sense we have one green keeper, a helper and volunteers but we all know maintenance is very expensive. Managers’ roles, mine, will be the first thing to go. Clubs with severely reduced income have to look to reduce expenditure and every club can go into survival mode, which will not include a manager. “Clubs with independent pros who own the golf carts will able to cut them loose. Those with employed pros and on lease carts will struggle as cart hireage will decline enormously as this is another luxury purchase. “Rural clubs with a strong family base will probably continue as before. Resort or holiday destination clubs will struggle immensely and the property values in those towns will drop as mortgaged holiday homes are disposed of out of necessity or out of need for cash for other purposes. Country/secondary members’ numbers will drop at all these clubs.

olf Clubs have expressed concerns and uncertain times as they await clearance to resume operations. The President of a South Island golf club contacted Golfer Pacific: “I hope we can survive post Covid-19. We depend on green fees, especially from tourists, to supplement our income. Being a small club with an average age of 70+ we cannot increase our subs greatly without losing members. Our members depend on golf for fitness, socialising and an outing to look forward to. We are planning to return to our normal programme as soon as the lockdown is complete and the Government gives the go-ahead at Level 2. We are looking at a recovery plan and cutting our expenses to help this. We are also hoping the Government changes its ruling so we can have a single green keeper looking after the greens so they will survive, otherwise we as a club will find the financial burden a very difficult task.” A North Island rural club manager spoke to Golfer Pacific on the potential impact on heartland golf. Can golf clubs survive? “This is a massive question with the answer determined by the depth of the depression/recession the Government-led response to a flu virus has caused. Many clubs receive considerable income from

Once we’re back to ‘normal’ and up and running, make sure you take time to enjoy the things you love to do.

TH E T H I R D

Relax and unwind in your own, private, luxury cottage and enjoy some beautiful Northland golf courses in New Zealand’s winterless North – the Bay of Islands. There’s no better time to book your change of scene, pay for 2 nights and we’ll give you a third night free – all you have to do is decide where to play...

To book call 09 407 1311, email info@treghan.co.nz or visit us online at treghan.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

PGAPARS

pga.org.nz

Some thoughts about what happens next By Dominic Sainsbury New Zealand PGA General Manager

ver the past two months we have experienced a pandemic that has rocked the whole world we all live

in. A number of businesses, including golf clubs, are going to be looking at the way they operate and this may include making staff cuts. We know the golfer is the most important asset to our game, as without golfers our game will not exist. To that point a focus on getting new golfers (whether these be new members, golf events, green fee players, causal players, corporate memberships etc), retaining existing golfers and showing how we are getting both new and existing golfers to spend more time and money with the facility, is now more important than ever. This month the PGA of New Zealand spoke to three leading professionals who are responsible for the operational sustainability of their facilities and asked questions about what they are doing as leaders to show their value and what they are looking for from key operational staff going forward. Those three were Shelley Duncan (director of golf from the Otago Golf Club), Aiden Berry (general manager (head super) from the Pegasus Golf & Sports Club) and Frazer Bond (director of golf from the Gulf Harbour Country Club). The PGA would like to thank Shelley, Aiden and Frazer for giving up their time and being courageous in sharing with us their insights. Shelley Duncan We are in unprecedented times with a level of uncertainty around the future, how are you looking at changing and adapting the way Otago Golf Club oper-

ates moving forward? “Communication and clear concise information to our golfing network has been vitally important for the past six weeks and we have gone on this journey together with our golfers. “We have assessed our club culture and have a mantra of the Otago Golf Club being a happy place for all golfers that visit here going forward. “We are going to experience a downturn in international green fees and clubhouse revenue and are making plans as to how we increase our engagement with the local community especially our young people and student population. “We will be focusing on running new golf programmes with a focus on getting people onto the golf course and having fun straight away. “We will focus on our members with events and club social functions as soon as the government restrictions allow this. We are optimistic and believe golf offers so much more than just a game to New Zealanders.” Aiden Berry It seems our whole world has been turned upside down over the past six weeks. As we head back to golf what are some of the new customer engagement initiatives you will be looking at implementing as we head into level two that will make Pegasus a club of the future? “We will be focusing on five key areas: “1: Club Culture. If we have a strong, positive culture this filters through into every aspect of our operation. We have a connection philosophy and have implemented a staff cross-training initiative where staff from different departments work for a day in a new area of the business. This allows us to understand each other better and our roles. It has created a real appreciation for what we all do and has brought us all close together as

a team. “2. Providing an Experience. Retaining golfers is vital and to have an experience from the moment you arrive at Pegasus to the moment you leave is very important to us. We have knowledgeable friendly professional staff and a course that is kept in the highest possible condition. We invest in our staff and course so we can deliver experiences that create lasting memories “3. Community Engagement. In the eyes of a lot of New Zealanders, golf is their favourite second sport. We are reaching out to the winter codes (rugby, netball, soccer, hockey), who might not be able to play this year, offering golf specials to our local club players. This includes coaching programmes and playing opportunities for all ages and abilities. “4. Business Networking. With all business hurting due to coronavirus we have set up a business networking support club where members with business and club commercial partners can network and support each others’ businesses. It is a great value-add to the members of the club and helps to retain them as members and commercial partners. “5. Giving to Charity. Charity is vitally important to us, being able to support the charities around our region that do much great work for our community is a key to our operation. We offer our course to many charities.’’ Frazer Bond As a director of golf what is your golf staff’s value to the club and how do you measure this? “Staff are vitally import to the success of any business and without great staff we could not provide the level of service and experience we want. I measure value in two ways. “1. Tangible – this is around the amount of revenue they bring into the facili-

ty through coaching, equipment sales, membership recruitment and member retention, green fees, corporate days and events. We keep a record of revenue each operational staff member brings in and set annual targets around services provided to new and existing golfers. “2. Intangible – this is the passion my staff have, the job and the members and visitors to the Gulf Harbour Country Club, a can do attitude where no task is too big or too small. Having a resilience team that is solution and partnership focused. A love of the game and all those who play it. Golfers can be a fickle bunch and understanding those intricacies is very important. “We have worked very hard to grow the profile of golf in our community and broken down barriers about the perception of golf and the Gulf Harbour Country Club. One way we do this is through our charity work and last year we raised over $100,000 for charities. We are actively involved in our community, not just in providing golf but also other events. We had a concert on the 16th hole overlooking the Hauraki Gulf in November and have coaching programmes that focus on making friends and socialising while at the same time learning to play golf. “The future is uncertain but we are adaptable and people-focused — staff, members and all visitors to our club.” We are very lucky to have great people working in our game. My advice to clubs at this difficult time is to invest in your staff and facility as without good, skilled people and a quality golf course it will be hard to get new golfers and retain the ones you have. Kia kaha New Zealand. Dominic Sainsbury PGA of NZ

The 10th tee at the Pegasus Golf & Sports Club in Christchurch

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

GOLFCOACHING

ianhardie.net

The ultimate chipping question — up or along? By Ian Hardie NZPGA Professional

any times over the years I have been asked by golfers: ‘Should I use a wedge and get the ball up in the air or should I run the ball along the ground when chipping?’ The first part of my answer is always: ‘It depends’, which is not the most definitive answer but it’s the truth. The first things to consider are whether there is anything between the golf ball and the hole, like a sand trap, a reasonable patch of rough, a ridge running through the green that will potentially influence the path of the golf ball, or whether the hole is on an upper tier of the green and tricky to get to. Other considerations include how the golf ball is lying in or on the grass and what the weather is doing, which could possibly reduce the options of shots you can play. So, the rule of thumb I use to decide in most situations is that I generally look to play a shot along the ground when there is no trouble between the ball and the hole, which leaves me looking to a shot up in the air when there is something between the ball and the hole, something that would be beneficial to play over as opposed to trying to run over or through it. If you are not sure of the difference between the two types of shot, here it is: With a shot along the ground you are trying to strike the ball with a club that will get the golf ball briefly into the air, having it come down on the green as soon as possible, then the golf ball rolls the rest of the way to the hole. As you will have guessed by now, that sort of shot has a low trajectory because it is not intended to be used to hit the ball

over any trouble. When playing it you are usually fairly close to the green and most golfers would use a #7 or an #8 iron but it can be played with longer clubs as, if you were some distance from the hole, it could be useful to play a shot that could easily call for a #5 iron to be used to get the distance right. A shot that’s played into the air is obviously a higher trajectory shot that is intentionally played to get the golf ball up in the air quickly in an effort to land the ball close to the hole and have it stop very quickly afterwards. A very effective shot to play when there is trouble between the golf ball and the hole, it is generally attempted with the golfer’s pitching, sand or lob wedge. So, while the first part of my answer to this question is always ‘It depends’, the second part is usually ‘It depends’ as well. Way to definitively answer the tough questions Ian! But it really does depend on your personal competence with both types of shot and your preference and experience when it comes to deciding which way to go. My suggestion is that you need to spend some time either on the golf course or around a practice green and put a few golf balls down in a bunch of different situations, then hit each golf ball with a different club, watching how the golf ball reacts, where it finishes and taking note of whether you feel confident in reproducing that shot in a game. Or did the shot go poorly, as it simply wasn’t the right one to play? After a few weeks of doing this you can build up an incredibly good mental framework as to which shot and club suit which situations around the green for

you personally. A final point that may help you to decide. Many years ago, as a young professional I played almost every shot around the green as an up in the air shot, mainly because I was pretty good at it as well as the fun I had putting a load of backspin on the golf ball while doing it. Anyway, one day I was playing a round with a very experienced Tour Pro and having come out of the trees for my second shot (which was fairly usual back then), I ended up about 30 feet short of the green, and as I did back then, I played a shot up into the air towards the hole. I expect I was probably trying to demonstrate my skill at spinning the golf ball to the Tour Pro, even though there was nothing to go over between my golf ball and the hole. I struck it perfectly and as a result it hit the green with a significant amount of spin but instead of stopping by the hole, it bit and spun sideways about 4 feet from the hole. Next to play from a similar position, the

Tour Pro calmly selected a #7 iron from his bag, played a simple shot along the ground that rolled on a direct line to the hole and fell in for birdie. After I subsequently missed my par putt, he took me aside and explained that many years ago he played a lot of shots like I had tried to play on that hole but years of experience on the Tour had taught him that the most consistent way to play those shots — and in the process avoid stupid bogeys like I had just made — was to select the club and the shot that gets the golf ball onto the green and rolling towards the hole as soon as possible, instead of trying to figure out if the ball will spin sideways when it lands and inviting the possibility of bogey or worse. It was good advice, both for my game since that day and as the basis for how I coach golfers to improve their chipping, in my extremely popular small group coaching offering, The Chipping Workshop. You can find out more about that at: ianhardie.net/the-chipping-workshop Play well.

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.

ups

ro lf g

lc we

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Only 5 mins drive from Waitangi Golf Club!

2 Puketona Rd • Paihia • Ph +64 (9) 402 8660 info@gatewaymotel.co.nz • www.gatewaymotel.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

Wanganui Golf Club

n his 1971 book “Golf in New Zealand”, celebrating the centennial of the game in this country, author

G.M.Kelly wrote that the Wanganui

F E AT U R E

Golf Club’s Belmont course resonated with those links courses in Scotland, with great features of strength and simplicity. Half a century on and Kelly’s words are worth recalling. The Wanganui Golf Club is one of New Zealand’s oldest courses and last October celebrated its 125th anniversary. The Belmont course has hosted major national tournaments through-

two distinctly differing nine holes of

Praise for the course has come

the holes Doak and Johnson men-

undulating rolling fairways to the flat-

from some notables in the game,

tioned, the course boasts five holes

ter almost links-like back nine and is

such as international course design-

that offer blind tee shots. One of

renowned for the quality of its greens.

ers. Tom Doak said course highlights

those is the 11th, a par 5 which starts

Set on the outskirts of Whanganui

for him were the second green, from

with a blind tee shot from above

city, the Belmont links provide su-

its elevated tee shot dropping onto

a steep bluff. And then there’s the

perb views of the Tasman Sea. But be

a green with a steep fall at the left

18th — arguably one of the tough-

warned: the prevailing westerly also

front. “So too the tumbling par-4 5th,

est finishing holes in the country,

has a bite and golfers need to bring

and the short 9th wedged into a little

with the distance, a fairway ridge at

their whole game with them. Measur-

corner of ground with cows grazing

the halfway point and the prevailing

ing over 6000m from the back tees,

on the hill behind the green.”

westerly winds. The course was rat-

this par 70 course provides the ultimate challenge for any golfer.

Clyde Johnson said the Belmont links must rate as the North Island’s

ed among the top 25 courses by NZ Golf Digest last year.

The Wanganui Golf Club boasts a

best provincial course “by a relative

Former NZ Open champion and

out those years, most notably the NZ

modern, well appointed clubhouse

margin”. Johnson also talked up the

touring professional Simon Owen

Open Championships on seven occa-

offering unsurpassed views of the

second hole: “At the toe of a spur it’s

played at Belmont as well as the late

sions between 1911 and 1978.

back eight holes of the course, out to

bettered only by the up and over two-

Bryan Silk, regarded as the country’s

shot 10th.”

most outstanding amateur. At the

The course presents a real chal-

the city’s iconic Bastia Hill water tow-

lenge for players of all abilities, and

er and eastern hill suburbs. It is also

Belmont is ranked one of the

club’s 125th anniversary celebrations

is enjoyed by all those who play its

a perfect venue for functions and

top two courses in the Whan-

last year, Silk was inducted into the

sand-based fairways. The club has

non-golf events.

ganui-Manawatu region. Apart from

NZ Golf Hall of Fame.

Voted NZ’s most beautiful city for 2019

7 x NZ Opens Rated in the NZ Top 50 “The best provincial course in North Island by a relative margin.” Clyde Johnson, Course Designer

Fly to

‘WHANGAVEGAS’ for 3 days of golf Packages from $289pp Includes: - 2 rounds at Wanganui - 1 round at Waverley or Marton - Airport and course transfers - 2 nights hotel twin-share

Book your golf package (06) 344-7465 info@takeiteasytours.nz

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

DISCOVER OUR VERY OWN KIWI BACKYARD .

The Greenkeepers are back tending the courses and it won’t be too long before we are all enjoying our golf again. Whilst we won’t be able to enjoy far-flung championship courses just yet, we can look forward to discovering some wonderful courses in this magnificent country of ours. We are putting together some exciting experiences for you and your golfing buddies to enjoy once we are out of coronavirus restrictions. Keep checking our website for more details. In the meantime, keep safe and stay well.

Photo credit: Arrowtown Golf Club courtesy of Gary Lisbon

0800 377 479

FREEPHONE OR VISIT GOLFENCOUNTERS.CO.NZ Golf Encounters - Travel Encounters t/a Golf Encounters. Travel Encounters Ltd is an approved Travel Broker for the Travel Managers Group Ltd. The Travel Managers Group is a bonded member of IATA.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

Queenstown Golfing Mecca G O L F T R AV E L

GOLF COURSES IN QUEENSTOWN

ueenstown is home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in New Zealand. Six golf courses, all within a 25 minute drive, appeal to every level of golfer – whether it’s the lush immaculately groomed greens of a resort

QUEENSTOWN GOLF CLUB (KELVIN HEIGHTS)

course. With a proud and loyal membership,Queenstown golf club has a long history and welcomes visitors year-round. Equippedwith 36 modern motorised carts, a PGA Professional, Pro shop, 7 day a week Café specialising in home-made faire and fully licenced Bar ensures all your golfing needs are met and exceeded. The signature hole and probably one of the more scenic photographs on a New Zealand golf course would be the par 4 5th that curves left around the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu to an elevated green. Driving line is key as an over aggressive line combined with a miss-timed drive will see you ending up in the drink,however, the hole sets up for a right to left shaped drive which will carve yardage off yourapproach shot. The facilities are excellent, carts and club hire available from the pro shop. Green fees range from $60-95 depending on seasons.

• Blue 6102m • White 5839m • Ladies 5141m • Red 4100m EVER seen a post-card of Queenstown? If so then it has probably been taken from the top of Skyline Gondola and has the Queenstown Golf Club in it! This picturesque golf club offers not only Stunning views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu but is an exciting and challenging golf experience. Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown, or 5 minutes by water taxi, this is one of New Zealand’s iconic golf clubs which is a ‘must play’ for all golfers visiting the region. The Course is surrounded by lake Wakatipu and cradled by stunning mountain ranges so every tee and green has a view which makes it hard to keep your head down! Signature hole’s take on a whole new level at the Queenstown golf club especially the 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, 14th and 17th which could be signature holes on any

» www.queenstowngolf.co.nz » Email: proshop@queenstowngolf.co.nz » Phone: 03-442 9169

course or a simple fairway with rugged mountain peaks as a backdrop. The golf clubs and golf courses in Queenstown all offer spectacular scenery and varying par levels and difficulty. There is a course whether you are a serious golfer or just starting out.

WANAKA GOLF CLUB • Blue 5770m • White 5484m • Ladies 5029m A one hour scenic drive from Queenstown, the township of Wanaka is a stunning and tranquil holiday destination in the heart of the Queenstown Lakes region. Perched above the picturesque township is the lovely Wanaka golf club; the biggest club in the South Island with over 1070 members. Host to the NZ Mixed foursomes, the NZ Women’s and Men’s Seniors events. Wanaka Golf Club boasts a well maintained, charming and challenging layout, with magnificent views. Measuring 5770m (blues) and 5484m (whites) the course isn’t long by modern standards, but careful course management and the ability to shape your shots is important if you want to score well. The small greens and natural contours of the land also present their own challenge, so playing safe to the middle of the greens is recommended. It’s also important to try and keep your eye

on the ball, as the spectacular views across the town and lake to Mount Aspiring National Park are some of the best in New Zealand, and can certainly add an extra distraction to your game. The two nines are very different. The frontnine, which was established in the 1930s, features an undulating layout with small greens nestled amongst the rolling terrain. The back nine, which was added across the road in 1967, is much longer and slightly flatter—but no less spectacular. The club continues to progress significantly with capital improvements and course upgrades, making it one of the most scenic and playable courses around. The club features all the usual facilities you’d expect from a quality golf club, including club and cart hire, fully-stocked pro shop, recently upgraded practice range facility and a café and bar. » www.wanakagolf.co.nz » Email: wanaka@golf.co.nz » Phone: +64 3 443 7888

“New Zealand’s most scenic golf course”

www.queenstowngolf.co.nz

+64 3 442 9169

proshop@queenstowngolf.co.nz

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

CROMWELL GOLF CLUB

ALEXANDRA GOLF CLUB

ARROWTOWN GOLF CLUB

• Black 6462m • Blue 6234m • White 5844m • Yellow 5204m • Red 4468m THE Cromwell Golf Course is a sand based, links style course located further from the sea than any other in New Zealand. Its fairways follow the natural lie of the land and features a sandy, wasteland feel, rough with patches of marram grass and large undulating greens. The course has 5 tee locations ranging from beginner to championship providing a real challenge for all levels of golfer and was rated inside the top 30 NZ courses in NZ Golf Magazine’s 2019 rankings. The Cromwell course hosts the New Zealand Open final qualifying event annually. Course facilities include a full length driving range and large multi-tier putting and chipping green, on-site PGA Professional, fully stocked pro-shop along with electric cart, trundle, and club hire. Situated on the 45th parallel, the inland location and surrounding mountains creates a microclimate nearing semi-arid. With less than 400mm (<15 inches) of evenly spread rain and 2200 hours of sunshine per year, golf can be played comfortably year-round with dry underfoot conditions. In winter a crisp white frost usually ensures a brilliantly sunny day in which to enjoy a round of golf on a course maintained to a consistently high standard. The golf course is in the centre of the town, which in turn is surrounded by vine yards and orchards. This is the centre of the world renown Central Otago Pinot Noir producing locations of Bannockburn, Bendigo and Lowburn so wine tasting opportunities are numerous. The town is also located adjacent to Lake Dunstan and the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers.

• Blue 6000m • White 5718m • Ladies 5179m

• White 5495m • Ladies 5035m ARROWTOWN GOLF CLUB is the jewel in the crown literally as it sits below the Crown Range and runs alongside the famous Arrow river which over 100 years ago was once a hive of activity during the gold rush era. The course borders the outskirts of Arrowtown which is about 20km from the centre of Queenstown and offers stunning views of some well known ski fields, the Remarkables and Coronet Peak. If you are lucky enough to play on this hidden gem then you’ll will no doubt be blown away by the unique layout of the course as the narrow rolling fairways weave their way through valleys and rocky pillars very much like Roxburgh golf club. In the summertime the Browntop grass in the long rough is left to seed, leaving a colour scheme that represents a truly natural setting and makes the course look like a postcard. In 2012 the course won the New Zealand Golf Course Superintendants Association (NZGCSA) Environment award which recognises New Zealand’s leading golf course in relation to their environmental management practices. The club under took the removal of wilding trees and broom, while re-establishing Matagouri amongst the schist rock outcrops. From a playability perspective, the course is the shortest out of the top 5 but probably requires the most accuracy from tee to greens. Again like Wanaka, Roxburgh and North Otago, the greens are very small. However for any big hitters, there are a lot of risk and reward holes that can provide a lot of birdies but also double bogeys and beyond. One of the best holes is the 18th which requires a blind shot over a hill to a fairway that slopes to the left towards a pond. A good drive leaves only a wedge shot to the green and a good birdie opportunity however getting a good drive away is the key. Club hire is available and green fees are $50.00 for NZ Affiliated and $95.00 for Non Affiliated.

» www.cromwellgolf.co.nz » Cromwell 9310, New Zealand » Phone: 03 445 0165

ALEXANDRA lies in the beautiful Manuherikia valley at the confluence of the Manuherikia and Clutha rivers. Surrounded by the high mountain ranges of the Old Man, Dunstan and Hawkduns, and with the barren Knobby Range as its background, this is a special part of Central Otago featuring stunning scenery, great history as well as plenty of things to do for golfers and non golfers alike. The pines bordering the golf course along State Highway 8 were originally planted to contain the desert sands that prevailed in the area. Most find it hard to imagine that today’s stunning golf course could be created from such beginnings. The course features a flat but undulating desert type terrain with fully irrigated fairways from tee to green. Narrow fairways mean accuracy is of prime importance if you are to avoid the desert remnants in the rough and the many trees lining the fairways. Of interest, and one reason why golfers find their round at Alexandra appears to go so quickly, is the lack of continuous holes of same par value! Only twice in the 18 holes do you play consecutive holes of equal par! With the high ranges viewable from most parts of the course golfers find this is a most scenic as well as challenging course. At just over an hour drive from Queenstown and Wanaka the golf course and this unique area are well worth a visit. Come and see what we mean, phone SubPar golf shop at 03 448 8374 or email SubPar@xtra.co.nz to book a tee time now. Green fees are $35 for NZ affiliated players with group discounts available.

» www.alexandragolf.co.nz » State Highway 8, Alexandra 9340 » Tel/Fax: 03 448 8204

» www.arrowtowngolf.co.nz » 166 Centennial Ave, Arrow Junction 9371 » Phone: 03-442 1719

Playing golf in Queenstown? Just 20 minutes drive from Queenstown and rated 10th best course in New Zealand the Arrowtown Golf Course is a must play. The picturesque Arrowtown Golf Club is set in Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s most historic and scenic regions. This Golf Course is a must when playing Queenstown Golf, surrounded by mountains the 18 hole course has superb views from every fairway. The Arrowtown Golf Club is open all year round. Golf clubs, trundlers and electric carts are available for hire. Concessions for groups. Please enquire at the clubhouse.

166 Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown • Tel: 03 442 1719 www.arrowtowngolf.co.nz

WH AT’S NE W

PING introduces Heppler putters

mploying high-pressure aluminum casting for the first time in the manufacturing of its putters, PING introduced the Heppler putters today, an eye-catching, nine-model family of blades and multi-material mid-mallets and mallets differentiated by solid- face technology and extremely high inertia properties. The custom-fit putters are available for pre-order at authorized PING golf shops around the world beginning today. “With the Heppler series, we’re providing golfers a firmer-feeling putter in highly forgiving models to ensure a choice that fits their stroke and eye,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “We’ve chosen a very precise manufacturing process that’s significantly advanced our ability to create high-MOI mid-mallets and mallets by combining aerospace-grade aluminum with steel. The contrasting copper and black finish provides alignment cues and a visually appealing, premium look that’s attracting a lot of interest on tour.” “Fitting continues to be an important part of our putter technology as well,” Solheim said. “We’ve made improvements to the feel of our adjustable-length shaft technology, and the new putters are available to fit every stroke type so golfers can find a putter to match their stance and stroke.” Solid-Face Technology A firmer feel and sound is the result of the machined, flat face. The face material – either aluminum or steel – varies by model, depending on the placement of the materials, which is strategically positioned to maximize forgiveness and optimize the center of gravity. Extensive testing revealed the auditory feedback of the flat metal face had a positive effect on the player’s confidence by providing a distinct impact experience without compromising performance. “We saw a high percentage of testers improve their ‘Strokes Gained’ results with a Heppler model, indicating that many golfers prefer the firmer sound and feel of a solid-face design,” said Solheim. “We see the new putters as an appealing alternative to our Sigma 2 series, which offers a softer feel and sound through its dual-durometer insert and TR face technology. Our primary goal is to provide golfers a custom-fit putter with their desired feel and sound while delivering the performance and consistency they need to hole more putts.” Pressure-Cast Aluminum; Multi-material Designs PING engineers combined a lightweight aluminum with steel through strategic shaping and weight placement to produce extremely high MOI designs. The aluminum

casting process creates precise detail and exceptional quality in the mid-mallets and mallets. The new Tomcat 14 has the highest MOI in the line and features a 14-dot alignment aid inspired by the lights on an airport runway. “The advantage of pressure casting is we can achieve highly precise design details while allowing our engineers much greater freedom to position weight where it benefits the putter’s performance the most,” said Solheim. “As a result, we improved the performance of existing models and developed two entirely new designs. Golfers will also find a variety of alignment features to help ensure accuracy and match their preferred look.” Black Chrome, Adjustable-Length Shaft Advancements to the adjustable-length shaft technology introduced in the Sigma 2 family produce a firmer feel with less flexing. Finished in an eye-catching black chrome, the adjustable-length shaft is lightweight, easy to use and sleekly concealed beneath the grip, allowing golfers to customize length between 32” and 36” to fit their stroke and posture. The process is quick and intuitive through the use of an adjustment tool that inserts into the top of the grip. One full turn causes approximately a ¼” adjustment up or down, and the grip remains perfectly aligned during the adjustment process. “We’ve taken a very complex technical challenge and simplified it for the benefit of golfers,” said Solheim. “It allows you to experiment with various lengths and ultimately fit yourself. You simply adjust it until you’re comfortable, ideally with your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside the line. The performance improvements with a putter fit to the proper length are significant. We strongly encourage golfers to take advantage of this innovative feature.” PING Pistol Grip Options Four PING grip designs allow golfers to find their optimal fit and feel. The PP59 is the standard grip, inspired by the popular PP58. The PP60 is midsize and lightweight, designed to fit the contours of the hands with flats on the top and sides. Slightly heavier, the PP61 has an exaggerated pistol shape. The PP62, while still lightweight, has a larger, more rounded shape to promote quieter hands. Name Pays Tribute to Longtime Employee The new putter family is named in honor of Rick Heppler, a longtime PING employee who began his career with the company as a teenager in 1966. The son of a General Electric co-worker of PING Founder Karsten Solheim, Rick was hired by Karsten to help John A. Solheim build putters in the family garage. Rick eventually held several management positions at Karsten Manufacturing Corporation before passing away in a motorcycle accident in 2013. “Rick was part of the PING family for almost 50 years,” said John. “He was a dear friend who contributed greatly to our suc-

cess in all that he did. Naming this putter series after him is a tribute to his dedication to our company and its employees.”

HEPPLER MODELS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Anser 2 – Bearing the same heel-toe weighting that helped make the original Anser 2 so popular, the Heppler version also shares the original’s angled heel ballast. The all-steel Heppler Anser 2 stands apart with color blocking that creates its own eye-pleasing alignment assistance. * Putter Type: Blade * Material: Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 350g * Stroke Type: Slight Arc * Lie Angle: 20° ±4° * Loft: 3° ±3° ZB3 – A larger section of the cavity was carved out and the heel-toe ballasts are larger than those in the ZB 2 to achieve a high MOI in this strong-arc blade. The alignment dot is a product of our research showing this cue makes aiming easier for strongarc players. * Putter Type: Blade * Material: Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 355g * Stroke Type: Strong Arc * Lie Angle: 20° ±4° * Loft: 3° ±3° Piper C – Players who prefer center-shafted putters will find the Piper C gives them a performance edge. Relative to other center-shafted models, the CG is lower, and MOI is higher because of steel heel and toe weights integrated with the aluminum body. * Putter Type: Mid-mallet * Material: Aluminum/Steel face * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 365g * Stroke Type: Straight * Lie Angle: 20° ±4° * Loft: 3° ±1° Tyne 3 – At address, the ratio of aluminum to steel appears to be 50/50; in fact, steel accounts for 2/3 of the weight, created by a thick back flange, resulting in a lower, much deeper CG and a higher MOI. * Putter Type: Mallet * Material: Aluminum face/Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 360g * Stroke Type: Slight Arc * Lie Angle: 20° ±4° * Loft: 3° ±3° Fetch – To elevate MOI over the Sigma 2 Fetch, which has steel bordering the center cutout, designers used aluminum, then steel in the heel-toe ballasting for increasing forgiveness. The color contrasting helps golfers focus on the alignment lines, causing the holed-out section to fade and not be the primary focus. * Putter Type: Mallet * Material: Aluminum/Steel face * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 365g * Stroke Type: Straight

* Lie Angle: 20° ±2° * Loft: 3° ±3° Ketsch – Its sole is steel, which also wraps the perimeter, a big reason this ½ steel, ½ aluminum Ketsch nearly doubles the MOI of the PING Vault 2.0 Ketsch. Like all the Heppler mallets, it effectively utilizes multi-material construction, and is the only putter in the family with three alignment lines, which frame the ball. * Putter Type: Mallet * Material: Aluminum face/Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 370g * Stroke Type: Slight Arc or Straight * Lie Angle: 20° ±2° * Loft: 3° ±3° Floki – The strong-arc mallet is enjoying popularity, and the Floki expands a player’s fitting options while boasting the second-highest MOI in the Heppler line, owing to its 2/3 steel, 1/3 aluminum construction. Significant steel around the perimeter prevents twisting and its copper color contrasted against the black aluminum is designed to inspire confidence. * Putter Type: Mallet * Material: Aluminum face/Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 365g * Stroke Type: Strong Arc * Lie Angle: 20° ±4° * Loft: 3° ±3° Tomcat 14 – Airport runway lights inspired the alignment dots in the highest-MOI model in the Heppler family. The dots get closer together front to back to simulate motion, help with eye tracking, and frame the ball. The back ballasts are cored out and steel filled in this ½ steel, ½ aluminum putter. * Putter Type: Mallet * Material: Aluminum face/Steel * Adjustable-Length Black Chrome Shaft: 32” to 36” range * Head Weight: 370g * Stroke Type: Slight Arc or Straight * Lie Angle: 20° ±2° * Loft: 3° ±3° Piper Armlock – A mid-mallet is the predominant putter style among armlock players for its desirable head shape, and this Piper relies on the same low-CG, high-MOI, heel-toe weighted Piper C head. The difference is a double-bend shaft (std. length 41 ½”) and it attaches heel-side as opposed to the center, a 21-inch grip, and standard loft is 6°. * Putter Type: Mid-Mallet * Material: Aluminum/Steel face * Standard length: 41.5” (Non-adjustable. Custom lengths available) * Head Weight: 355g * Stroke Type: Slight Arc or Straight * Lie Angle: 20° ±2° * Standard Loft: 6° (custom lofts available) Get custom fit today. For your nearest PING stockist contact Sports Network Ltd. Ph: 0508 776 786.

WH AT’S N EW

PING introduces G710 distance iron

n the new G710 irons, PING engineers deliver golfers more distance and forgiveness in a sleek, dark finish, PING President John K. Solheim announced earlier this year. The new irons are available for custom fitting and pre-order at authorized PING golf shops around the world beginning today. “The G710 iron is our longest, most forgiving iron to date. It’s engineered for golfers who want to maximize both distance and forgiveness,” Solheim said. “In designing it, we also advanced other important attributes such as consistency, sound and feel without sacrificing performance. The hydropearl stealth chrome finish gives it a very sleek and attractive look. It’s a beautiful, high-performance design that will have broad appeal for golfers who want to hit the ball longer and straighter. Solheim also announced the new G710 irons come standard with Arccos Caddie Smart Grips and a free trial of the Arccos Caddie app. “I personally started using Arccos more than a year ago and have seen significant improvement across my entire game,” he said. “It helps me during a round with club selection, and I really enjoy analyzing all the data after the round to uncover areas to help me play better. The Arccos Caddie app is a tremendous shot-tracking tool to help golfers lower their scores and have more fun on the course.” Precision Machined, Maraging Steel

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Face One of the strongest aerospace-grade alloys in the world, maraging steel provides strength and flexibility for launching shots higher and farther. High durability coupled with a machined variable-thickness face make an ideal pairing for distance. “We’ve continued to employ maraging steel in several products where maximizing face flexing is a performance priority,” said Solheim. “Our engineers have optimized the bending of the G710 face to increase ball speeds for more distance and higher trajectories, producing shots that land softer and hold the green. It’s a distance iron that delivers consistent distance, a very rare combination for an iron of this type.” 5% Higher MOI High-density tungsten toe and heel weights optimally positioned in the 17-4 stainless body increase the MOI by 5% compared to the G700, producing exceptional forgiveness for more distance and accuracy, especially for mid-to-high handicaps and slower swing speeds. “Forgiveness continues to be at the top of our list when it comes to iron design,” Solheim said. “In a hollow-body design, our goal is to balance a variety of attributes to help golfers hit the ball significantly farther while hitting more greens. The G710 iron’s extremely high MOI is a result of strategically positioning weight on the toe and inside the hosel to make it

our most forgiving iron. We’ve also greatly enhanced the feel and sound through extensive modal analysis, which helped us eliminate certain undesirable frequencies.” Hydropearl Stealth Chrome Finish A hydropearl chrome finish with black PVD coating provides hydrophobicity to repel water and improve performance through the turf and in wet conditions. The two-stage coating process ensures durability and the darker finish creates the perception of a smaller, more compact head. Alta Distanza Black 40 Graphite Shaft The proprietary PING shaft is a no-upcharge option in the G710 iron and offers the lightest weight and max trajectory height available in a PING iron shaft. A more active tip in the 43-gram shaft delivers higher trajectories and best matches golfers with slower swing speeds. Arccos Caddie Smart Grip & Arccos Caddie app The Arccos Caddie Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet Smart Grip is standard on every G710 iron in one of three sizes (Aqua -1/64”, White Std., Gold +1/32”). Each iron is custom built with an embedded sensor in the grip to automatically record and analyze every shot taken during a round when paired with the Arccos Caddie app. Golfers receive a 90-day free trial of the app (then $99.99 annual subscription) and eight additional screw-in sensors at

May 2020

no charge after the purchase of six or more G710 irons. Fulfillment of the additional free sensors comes directly from PING and requires users to first download the Arccos Caddie app. G710 Iron Specifications: Multi-material design: Hollow-body 17-4 stainless steel head, plasma-welded maraging steel face, machined face and grooves, tungsten toe and hosel weights Finish: Hydropearl Stealth Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW in 10 color codes (lie angle). Black is standard. Standard grips: Arccos Caddie Smart Grip/Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in three sizes (Aqua -1/64”, White Std., Gold +1/32”) Optional grips: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”, Red -1/32”, Aqua -1/64”, White Std., Gold +1/32”, Orange +1/16”) Shaft options: Stock steel shaft -- PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X); Stock graphite shafts -Alta CB Red (counter-balanced) powered by AWT (SR, R, X), Alta Distanza Black 40, UST Recoil 760 ES SMACWRAP (A), UST Recoil 780 ES SMACWRAP (R, S) Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X) Get custom fit today. For your nearest PING stockist contact Sports Network Ltd. Ph: 0508 776 786.

Restaurant & Bar

Black Tee Challenge

• Weddings & Functions

1st Friday every month • Play the championship tees • 18 hole competition • Great prizes

• Corporate Events

Cost $69.00 pp

• Indoor/Outdoor dining • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTHLAND

WHANGAROA GOLF CLUB PRE-LOCKDOWN – CORING OF THE GREENS CREW

were 11-up added 7-up in Week 2 for a winning total of 18-up. Malcolm Hunt and John O’Neill were 10-up on Week 2 to collect the lion’s share of the auction cash. Also profiting were Kohai Kingi and Richard Stewart, and Barry and Noel. NORTHLAND NOTICEBOARD

Twenty volunteers turned up to help with the coring of the greens on Sunday 22nd March, which meant that they were done in quick time. Who knew that this was probably the biggest gathering before the Covid-19 Lockdown?

THE BRACKENRIDGE TROPHY WHANGAROA GOLF CLUB

2 May

Kaitaia

09 409 4833

Women’s 18 Hole Tournament

3 May

Ngunguru

09 434 4290

Men’s 2 Day 36 Hole Open

9 May

Kaitaia

09 409 4833

Farmland Men’s Open

17 May

Paparoa

021 0810 8870

Mixed Open

NORTH HARBOUR NORTH HARBOUR NOTICEBOARD 16-17 May

North Shore

09 415 9924

Mixed Classic

18 May

Helensville

09 420 5454

Mixed 9 Hole Open

21 May

Pupuke

09 410 7906

Women’s Teams Open Day

28 May

Muriwai

09 411 8454

Women’s Open Day

WAIKATO WALTON LADIES 9 HOLE GOLF

The first Men’s Trophy of the year was decided on 7th March 2020. After Week 1, the leaders were Dave Nicholas and Larry Berridge at 13-up, however, they were unable to maintain this standard and Barry Carty and Noel Taylor who

Ladies 9 Hole Golf – (March) This season has commenced with a record number of members teeing off. Round 1 of the putting competition was won jointly by Carolyn Osborne and Bev King. In the recent Waikato 10 Hole Foursomes Tournament Carolyn Osborne and Fiona Pickett won the trophy for best gross. Bev King and Joanne Williams won a nett prize. Men’s 18 Hole Golf – Alan Wiles won the 54 hole par James Cup competition. The pennants team are currently top of the table with Hamilton on 17 points. Ladies 18 Hole Golf – Winners of the Nancy McCormack 36 Hole Foursomes were Jan MacIntyre and Joan Eden. Our Champion Pennants team played at Waitomo, coming away with six wins against Hamilton’s two. 18 Hole Mixed Competition – The Watson Shield Mixed Foursomes with Best Nett was won by Dianne Sweeney and Rodney Luxton with a score of 66.5 nett. Best stableford of the day was Rene Rutten and Jan Morgan with 40 points.

Another of the Great Walks

Situated next to spectacular Lake Te Anau and surrounded by the Fiordland National Park, the Te Anau Golf Club is a hidden gem and one of New Zealand’s most picturesque golf courses.

Ph: +64 3 249 7474 | Email: teanaugolf@xtra.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

to bring an event like this to a relatively small town, where we can make a really tangible difference to some massively deserving local organisations.” As for the future, Fox was keen, schedule-allowing, to make it a regular event. “The initial thoughts are that it’s gone really well and the community down in Waihi Beach have been really receptive to it so if we get a chance, I’d love to do it again.” The Fox results: Largest kahawai: Nigel Swain (Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service) 2.203kg. Largest trevally: Brent Agar (3 Yanks & a Kiwi) 2.643kg. Largest snapper: Kelly Higgins (Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service) 3.394kg. Golf results (Ambrose format): Team Expol 53.4 1, Team Aristocrat Technology 56.1 2, Team Shimano 57.2 3. Fox Fishing & Golf Festival champions (combining fishing and golf): Team Expol (Terry Mischefski, Mark Mischefski, Wayne Watson, Tim Parish) 5-7 WAIKATO NOTICEBOARD

FOX FESTIVAL A HUGE SUCCESS

Snapper, kahawai, foxes and birdies – and two vital Waihi Beach rescue services are now $24,000 better off after a wildlife-themed sporting extravaganza. The Fox Fishing and Golf Festival – hosted by top New Zealand professional golfer Ryan Fox – attracted 15 teams to Waihi Beach from March 5-7 Thursday to Saturday, joined by Fox’s fellow sporting celebrities Israel Dagg, Mark Richardson and Simon van Velthooven. It featured a day of fishing on Friday, with local skippers providing boats and expert knowledge, followed by a longdrive competition, golf tournament and charity auction on Saturday. Fox was delighted with the success of the inaugural tournament, which raised funds for the Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service and the Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard. “It’s a pretty cool concept and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” Fox, the son

of former All Black great Grant Fox, said. “My folks have had a place down here for well over 10 years now and we’ve got both sides covered, with a decent golf course and some great fishing, whether it be in the harbour or further offshore, so it was a pretty good fit. The old man does a bit of work already with the surf club for their rugby day every year and it’s also nice to support the Coastguard, considering all the fishing I do.” More than $8000 was raised by auctioning off the sporting celebrities into teams on Thursday night at the surf club. Strong winds meant Friday’s fishing tournament was confined to the harbour – although Kelly Higgins’ 3.394kg snapper and a host of decent kahawai and trevally proved there were still plenty of fish to be had. Saturday’s golf day dawned beautiful, with Team Expol (Terry Mischefski, Mark Mischefski, Wayne Watson and Tim Parish) taking out the Ambrose format with

a nett 53.4, also handing them the overall win. Flat White Cafe hosted the prizegiving function, which included a charity auction. “It’s my first time down here and I’m really enjoying the occasion,” former All Black fullback Dagg said. “It’s a wonderful event to be a part of but we’re mainly doing it for the charities involved, like the Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and the Waihi Beach Coastguard – they save a lot of lives and don’t always get a lot of praise for what they do so it’s great to be able to raise some money for them.” Tournament organiser, Sports Inc’s Kelsen Butler, said the first year of the tournament was always an unknown. “To get 15 teams and the support of some great sporting celebrities has made it hugely successful and paves the way for similar events in future,” Butler said. “My wife’s family has had a bach at Waihi Beach for years and it’s really satisfying

1 May

Walton

07 888 3731

Vet’s Tournament

2-3 May

Te Kowhai

07 829 8703

4 Man Ambrose Tournament

8 May

Waitomo

07 873 7978

Ladies Open Tournament

8 May

Horsham Downs

07 829 4709

Ladies Pairs Open Tournament

9-10 May

Narrows

07 843 6287

Masters Tournament

10 May

Te Awamutu

07 871 5661

Open Tournament

13 May

Walton

07 888 3731

Midweek Open Tournament

14-15 May

Walton

07 888 3731

72 Hole Four Ball Best Ball

15-16 May

Pauanui

07 864 8695

Open Tournament

15 May

Hamilton

07 849 2069

Waikato King Country Lady Vets Tournament

16-17 May

Hauraki

07 867 3197

54 Hole Open

BAY OF PLENTY HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY NOTICEBOARD 7 May

Cape Turnagain

06 374 3670

18 Holes Open

9 May

Tolaga Bay

08 863 8363

Queen of the Coast

30 May1 Jun

Maraenui

06 835 8273

Maraenui Open

30 MINUTES FROM HAMILTON • 40 MINUTES FROM TAURANGA • 90 MINUTES FROM AUCKLAND

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. 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

Play at New Zealand’s Walton Golf Club

in heartland Waikato

www.waltongolf.co.nz

CARTS AVAILABLE BY ARRANGEMENT PH OR EMAIL • GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WELCOME

1928 MORRINSVILLE-WALTON ROAD • PHONE (07) 8883731 • EMAIL waltongolf@outlook.com

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI NATIONAL GOLF AWARDS – PIRE WEHI CURRENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Pire Wehi was the winner of the Volunteer of the Year award at the National Golf Awards held earlier this year. He hails out of Rangitikei Golf Club and is passionate about giving back to his club.

Here is what winning the Volunteer of the Year award meant for him and Rangitikei Golf Club: “I felt really honoured to have received the award. It was something I didn’t expect as I was simply taking up a role where I tried to help the club. I was both overwhelmed and extremely proud at the same time. “The club was very pleased for me. It gave them some exposure and as a

we were very profitable. We managed to become financially very stable. “I’m a people’s person. I like to get out of the office and talk to people, which has helped me get a lot of sponsorship and grants. I’ve actually managed to raise over $700,000 through grants and sponsorship so I’m really pleased with that. “I also make a point of welcoming visitors to the club; I sometimes will give up my own golf to welcome new people to the club to make sure that they have a positive first experience at Rangitikei Golf Club. I’ll also have a drink with them after their golf as well. It’s just the way I am, and I try to do everything I can do to help get the club thriving. This place means a lot to me and I love helping where I can.” What do you have in the pipeline for Rangitikei Golf Club? “I’m still the president of the club and there are always things that we need to do. We have got some new machinery and we are looking at getting some more. Upgrading our facilities is also a big one. We’re looking to get some new carpet in the club house so it’s just a matter of ticking one thing off at a time. There are various things happening and something could come up that needs attention tomorrow. I just like to take each day as it comes and making sure myself and the club is prepared for what might pop up. I take great pleasure in watching the golf club thrive and I hope that I can keep doing that.”

small country club that was hugely beneficial. Any sort of recognition that I was given was a great reflection on Rangitikei Golf Club as well. It meant a tremendous amount to both me and the golf club.” How long have you been involved at Rangitikei Golf Club? “I got involved just over 20 years ago when my son started playing. I used to pick him up and drop him off to golf as he was really keen on the game at the time. I eventually started managing the junior team they had there, and I started noticing some areas around the club that needed attention so I thought I might be able to help them along. One thing led to another and all of a sudden, I found myself on the committee and I was taking on various roles which led me to becoming the president of the golf club after I continued offering my services.” What is it about the golf club that makes you want to stay involved and keep helping out? “We are a small club and we rely on volunteers, sponsorship, and grants to help keep the golf club alive. We must do everything that we possibly can to help get the club thriving. There were periods where the club was struggling financially and were operating at a loss. I became president of the golf club and I looked at what needed to be done and in my first year we made a tiny profit, the following year we made bit more of a profit, and my third year as president

4 8

13 14

16 17 18

23 24

26 27

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

May 2020

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI NOTICEBOARD 8 May

Marton

06 327 6912

Open Day Women

22 May

Palmerston North

06 351 0700

Open Day Women

24 May

Levin

06 368 6189

Horowhenua Open

30-31 May

Feilding

06 323 5976

Queen’s Birthday 54 Hole Open Matchplay

WELLINGTON CARTERTON GOLF CLUB

By Wendy Wills In March, Carterton Golf Club hosted our annual four day Vets Tournament, one of the many that is held throughout New Zealand. Our vets, led by Jim Harris who organised the tournament, many thanks Jim, ran the tournament very successfully. The car park and surrounds were filled with many motor homes and caravans and the camaraderie among

the players both on and off the course was amazing, which could be seen by the smiles on faces and the laughter coming from the clubhouse. The tournament was held over four days, Monday through to Friday with a rest day on the Wednesday, which enabled people to go out and enjoy the Wairarapa and join in with our twilight golf on the Wednesday night. Personally myself I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing in the tournament and highly recommend it to others. The competition was stableford with scores accumulative over the four days. The overall winners were: Men’s Div. 1: Peter Thompson (Fielding) with 159 Men’s Div. 2: Michael Lack (Levin Inc) with 169 Women Div. 1: Sharyn Buchanan (Strathmore) with 159 Women Div. 2: Faye Lack (Levin Inc) with 170

WELLINGTON NOTICEBOARD 5 Jul

Carterton

06 379 8457

2020 Wairarapa Men’s Foursomes

TASMAN TASMAN NOTICEBOARD 6 May

Awatere

03 570 5399

18 Hole Pink Ribbon Tournament

7 May

Totaradale

03 541 8030

Old Hickory

9 May

Motueka

03 528 8998

Open Foursomes 36 Holes (Sat Only)

10 May

Golden Downs

03 522 4134

Girvin and Foulsham Memorial

10 May

Nelson

03 548 5029

Westrupp

11 May

Picton

03 573 7750

Marlborough Vets

11 May

Nelson

03 548 5029

Nelson Vets

The best team gross was won by the St Andrews College team of, from left below, Mika MacDonald, Maddie May, Seb May and Hayden Lam. They were two shots clear of the Burnside High School 1 team of Amy Weng, Jasmine Clancy, Hayato Miya and Yuki Miya. Third on 250 were the Christchurch Boys High School team of Ed Dickinson, Mitchell Green, George Lamb and Rahil Krishna.

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY SECONDARY SCHOOLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The Canterbury Secondary Schools Golf Championship was played early March at Waitikiri Golf Course in warm, sunny conditions and the course in great order. 37 players from 12 schools in the Canterbury region, together with Ashburton and Mount Hutt College, enjoyed a great day’s golf in perfect playing conditions.

Individual honours were taken out by Maddie May with an excellent gross 68 (adjusted) and Annabelle Rushton-Pearce with a stunning net 41.

EVERGLADES TR

637 Marshland Road

GOLF

Christchurch

PLAYERS OF ALL AGES AND STAGES CATERED FOR Enquire about our new purple shortened course, suitable for beginners, those wanting to practise their short game, and social groups. Summer, Winter or Full Year Subscriptions available. MEMBERS DAYS: MEN - 18 holes, Saturday and Wednesday WOMEN - 18 holes, Saturday and Tuesday 9 holes - Tuesday For further details contact Miles Ruddenklau phone (03) 323 7678 email evergladescgc@xtra.co.nz

May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

division with rounds of 77 and 72. John Smitheram took out the Men’s Masters division with rounds of 74 and 75. Pokoina Paraia won the Men’s Division 2 title with rounds of 72 and 75. Ngutokoa Teata claimed the best nett over the field with a total of 134.

CANTERBURY NOTICEBOARD 4 May

Waitikiri

03 383 1400

Open 36 Hole Round 6

6 May

Coringa

03 359 7174

Watering Tournament

7 May

Avondale

03 388 8203

Women’s 50+ Stableford Tournament

8 May

Rangiora

03 313 6666

Friday Tournament

15 May

Rawhiti

03 388 6626

Women’s Teams Stableford

18 May

Waitikiri

03 383 1400

9 Hole Tournament

22 May

Bottle Lake

03 383 1403

Women’s Teams Stableford

23 May

Waimakariri

03 312 4339

Men’s 36 Hole Open

24 May

Scargill

027 369 1941

Men’s Open

29 May

Kaiapoi

03 327 7320

Ladies Teams Tournament

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND OTAGO/SOUTHLAND NOTICEBOARD Aorangi 7 May

FUTURES JUNIOR OPEN

In the U16 and U19 Boys section the winning gross was Sam Harris (Russley) with 74, one shot clear of Yuki Miya (Russley). Simon Reid (Rangiora) won the stableford with 49 points from Rahil Krishna (Russley) on 42 points.

Above: Aorangi Open Men’s Champion Josh Smith with Aorangi Chairperson Blair Franklin.

Gleniti

03 686 0305

Women’s 2BBB Tournament

7 May

Mayfield

0 33036342

9 Hole Tournament

9 May

Geraldine

027 842 2332

36 Hole Mixed Tournament

9 May

Mt Nessing

03 685 5806

MacKenzie Men’s Championships

28 May

Waimate

03 689 7659

Teams Tournament

Otago 22-23 Aug

Lake Dunstan

03 449 2729

Open Tournament

Southland

New Members & Visitors Welcome 10 May Lumsden 03 248 7213 Open Stroke New Members & Visitors Welcome GOLF OMANU

A field of over 40 players enjoyed the Futures Junior Open event held at Rangiora Golf Club in early March. Twelve players ranging in age from 5 to 12 enjoyed the nine hole event played from the purple course. Scoring was very impressive with Selwyn Hub member Emma Harrison winning with 29 stableford points, one shot clear of fellow hub member Benji Willliams. In the 18 hole event Lexi Thomson-Hall (Selwyn Hub) won the Girls Stableford with 39 points. Cooper Moore (Russley) won the U13 Boys gross with 74, with Maadi Kirikiri (Christchurch) with the best stableford on 47 points from Louis Edwards (Avondale) on 42 points.

VVV CUP ONEWHERO †

SGS

Date

10.00 Mon10 FEB

The Aorangi Open was played at the Tinwald Golf Course in March. The course was in outstanding condition, which was resembled in the great scoring. With other events clashing with the open this year, the field was down slightly on the previous year but the quality was still extremely high. Josh Smith took out the Men’s Open division with rounds of 69 and 70. Yo Yo Fu claimed the Women’s Open

Cup Challenger

Host Convenor

Above: Aorangi Open Women’s Champion Yo Yo Fu is congratulated by Aorangi Chairperson Blair Franklin.

Stableford Pairs Les Johns

Holidays

Phone

Email: Entry or Enquiry

NewYear W1/1-M6/1

09 266 5411

lesleoniejohns@gmail.com

Auck Ann Mon 28/1

9.30 Mon 2 MAR

No Challenge

Paul Heath

027 291 1125 pgheath@xtra.co.nz

Qual 2

CLARKS BEACH

9.30 Tue 24 MAR

Clarks Beach

Neville McSweney 021 869 434

nevillejud@xtra.co.nz

2020 COVIC SHIELD CUP CALENDAR 2020 Qual 3 AWHITU* 9.30 Tue 7PLATE APRIL Awhitu& SPECIAL Bruce Wilson EVENTS 09 235 1299 awhitugolf@xtra.co.nz

Waitangi Th 6/2 School Hols 10-27/4

Holidays Easter F10-M13/4

Anzac Day M 27/4 Wattle Downs Steve Ryan 09 269 7249 s.j.ryan@hotmail.com Cup Challenger Host Convenor Phone Email: Entry or Enquiry NewYear W1/1-M6/1 Th28/1 30/4 HaurakiPairs Les Steve Crooymans 09 027266 4675411 3209 lesleoniejohns@gmail.com crooymansfamily@xtra.co.nz Monthly Stableford Johns Auck Ann5th Mon

NGARUAWAHIA 10.00 Fri 192 JUNE Teams3 WAITERIMU* 9.30 Mon MAR Ambrose No Challenge HUNTLY 4 AUG Huntly CLARKS BEACH 9.30 Tue 24 MAR Clarks Beach WAIUKU 9.30 25APRIL AUG Waiuku AWHITU* 9.30 Tue 7 Awhitu ONEWHERO † 9.30 Th Fri 30 18 APRIL SEPT Onewhero WATTLE DOWNS*9.30 Wattle Downs PUKEKOHE 9.00 Pukekohe HAURAKI † 9.30 Mon Wed 12 20 OCT MAY Hauraki MARAMARUA 9.30 Fri Th 19 29JUNE OCT Ambrose Maramarua NGARUAWAHIA 10.00 Teams3

Russ Heath Ford 0256 Paul 027 311 291 1125 Murray McSweney Liddle 027 869 813 6000 Neville 021 434 Tim Howard 021235 1551299 4113 Bruce Wilson 09 Les Johns 266 7249 5411 Steve Ryan 09 269

rafnz@icloud.com pgheath@xtra.co.nz mrrayntl@hotmail.com nevillejud@xtra.co.nz

Queens B’DayTh M 6/2 1/6 Waitangi SchoolHols Hols10-27/4 4-19/7 School

SchEaster Hols 26/9-11/10 F10-M13/4 Labour Day MnM26/10 Anzac Day 27/4 Final 4 David Monthly5th 5thTh Th29/10 30/4 Qual 5 Steve Gardiner Crooymans 027 280 467 0515 3209 gpesl@xtra.co.nz crooymansfamily@xtra.co.nz Monthly Sch HolsB’Day Start 17/12 Final 5 AndreFord Ruiterman 027 09 236 acsr@actrix.gen.nz Queens M 1/6 JJJ CUP Russ 3110513 0256 rafnz@icloud.com Xmas F 25 - M4-19/7 28/12 CHAMPS WAIUKU † 10.00 Tue 4 17AUG NOV Nett Huntly Strokeplay Murray Tim Howard 027 813 155 6000 4113 mrrayntl@hotmail.com alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk School Hols Final 1 HUNTLY 9.30 Tue Liddle 027 * 9-HOLE COURSE numbers limited (cƒ.18-hole courses have a 120-player limit). Sch Hols 26/9-11/10 Final 2 WAIUKU 9.30 Tue to 2580-players AUG Waiuku Tim Howard 021 155 4113 alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk YOUR LATEST GOLF Final 3 2 Qual Final 4 3 Qual

alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk awhitugolf@xtra.co.nz

lesleoniejohns@gmail.com s.j.ryan@hotmail.com

® PLAYING FEES: SHIELD=$20 player; CHAMPS=$25Les perJohns player; JJJ=$80 Final 3 ONEWHERO † 9.30 per Fri 18 SEPTVVV &Onewhero 09 per 266 team. 5411 lesleoniejohns@gmail.com † CONVENORS MEETING: Held Clubrooms before Tee David Time (subject Final 4 PUKEKOHE 9.00inMon 12 OCT 90-Mins Pukekohe Gardinerto confirmation) 027 280 0515 gpesl@xtra.co.nz Final 5

MARAMARUA

9.30 Th 29 OCT

Ladies 0-40.4

03 202 5886

Ladies 0-40.4

25 May

Te Anau

03 249 7474

Ladies 4BBB

THE AORANGI OPEN

WAITERIMU*

JJJ CUP Qual 1 Final 2 1 Qual

03 248 7213

Riversdale

EXPERIENCE

Qual 1

Qual 4 ® WATTLE DOWNS*9.30 APRIL Round Club Venue SGS Th 30 Date Qual CUP 5 HAURAKI † † 10.00 9.30 Mon10 Wed 20FEB MAY VVV ONEWHERO

Lumsden

18 May

GOLF OMANU THE BAYS THE BAYS BEST GOLFING New Members Welcome BEST GOLFING EXPERIENCE

2020 COVIC SHIELD PLATE CUP & SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 2020 Round ® Club Venue

14 May

Maramarua

Andre Ruiterman 09 236 0513

acsr@actrix.gen.nz

CHAMPS WAIUKU † 10.00 Tue 17 NOV Nett Strokeplay Tim Howard 027 155 4113 alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk * 9-HOLE COURSE numbers limited to 80-players (cƒ.18-hole courses have a 120-player limit). May 2020

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ ® PLAYING FEES: SHIELD=$20 per player; VVV & CHAMPS=$25 per player; JJJ=$80 per team. † CONVENORS MEETING: Held in Clubrooms 90-Mins before Tee Time (subject to confirmation)

LabourFROM Day Mn 26/10 NEWS ACROSS NZ AND THE WORLD Monthly 5th Th 29/10 Sch Hols Start 17/12

Xmas F 25 - M 28/12 YOUR LATEST GOLF NEWS FROM ACROSS NZ AND THE WORLD

Forcourse course availability availability book online For book online or phone phone +64 5957 or +6477575 575 5957 98 Matapihi Rd, Mt Maunganui 98 Matapihi Rd, Mt Maunganui

www.omanugolf.co.nz

CROSSWORDSOLUTION

March S E E T S C X A R O N P R L T A A N T E N N A D M A R C N E B M I C H A E E E L A N S T I S D S N O L I V E W O S S E N D E N

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

M I N W O O L E E T R A I N

E D E U L A N Y E O R E D A E N I T E L

Your Local PGA Professional is ready to get your golf game back to full swing! We at the NZPGA know your golf has had a mandatory layoff.

WANT TO PLAY BETTER GOLF?

Many golf clubs have a Pro-shop and a Professional available to help. PGA Professionals are also available through the numerous golf driving range facilities throughout New Zealand. The cost of a session can vary depending on location and the experience of the professional. Group coaching can cost as little as $10 per session and is a great way to meet golfers at the same level as you. Long term coaching (not lessons!) can be a game changer to the enjoyment that you can experience through the game. Only PGA Professionals have received the training necessary to improve your game â&#x20AC;&#x201C; make sure you look for the PGA logo or ensure that the Professional you see is a member of the PGA of New Zealand.

May 2020 www.pga.org.nz/find-a-pga-pro