Golfer Pacific NZ – January 2021

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Auckland’s ninth win in last 10 years at women’s Interprovincial PAGE 5 INSIDE // MI PAD QUEENSTOWN CLASSIC // XDL LONG BLACKS 2021 REGISTER TODAY

EDITORIAL

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

To fist pump or not to fist pump

D

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

o you fist pump when you hole a putt?

The reason I ask this question was because of the smile that came to my face when watching Tiger Woods’ 11-yearold son Charlie do exactly that in a televised teams’ event in the United States last month.

Charlie holed a putt and punched a fist downwards like a ball going into the hole. It was a replica of what has almost become a Tiger trademark. Son has obviously been watching dad.

So do you fist pump when you sink a putt?

The answer for myself is no and it started me thinking why not?

It didn’t take long to come up with an answer. I haven’t holed a putt that was important enough

to warrant a fist pump.

I haven’t holed a putt that could win me a PGA Tour tournament. I haven’t holed a putt that could win me a British Open. I haven’t holed a putt that could win me a US Masters.

But there are still many players who have holed putts that could win them a British Open or a US Masters who have not pumped a fist like Tiger or Charlie would do.

It all comes down to your nature. We are all delighted to hole a putt of significance but we all express ourselves differently. It could be a Tiger-like first pump or it could merely be turning a frown to the hint of a smile.

If I sink a putt beyond 20 feet it is usually accompanied with disbelief. That’s an exaggeration. I actually mean beyond 10 feet.

If I sink a putt inside six feet it is usually greeted with huge

relief. That’s an exaggeration. I actually mean inside three feet.

After watching Charlie do his fist pump I thought to myself that I would copy Charlie and Tiger and do the same in the future.

I have being doing it for the last four weeks now but I have, as yet, to actually do a fist pump because I have, as yet, hole a putt beyond 10 feet. I exaggerate. I mean hole a putt beyond five feet.

I have never scored a hole in one and I now wonder if I ever did would I make a fist pump?

I’m not sure of the answer but I have already rehearsed what I would say.

“I was aiming for that,” I would say in a matter of fact way, because that was what I was doing in a matter of fact way.

I have written stories about people who have scored holes-

in-one. Once at my course we had three players score aces on the same day and my story made the front page of The Dominion Post newspaper in Wellington.

I was intrigued by the various descriptions from the players involved.

One said the shot looked good from the moment he hit it and a second said she only realised the ball may have gone in the hole from the reaction of the group ahead of her on the green.

The third thought the ball might have gone close but wasn’t convinced and initially looked for his ball beyond the back of the green.

“The last place I looked was in the hole and there it was,” the player told me.

When I go to the practice putting green these days, I not only practice my putts but also practice my fist pumps, just in case I one day hole a putt of importance inside five feet.

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: The winning Auckland team at the women’s New Zealand Interprovincial.

Back row (from left to right): Grace Jung, Caryn Khoo (co-captain), Carmen Lim (co-captain), and Fiona Xu. Front row (from left to right): Aileen Du, Chloe Lam and Vivian Lu. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

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James Anstiss posts his third win on the Charles’ Tour

J

ames Anstiss racked up his third won on New Zealand’s Charles’ Tour when taking out the Mount Open at Mount Maunganui Golf Club in Tauranga.

Anstiss began the final day of last month’s tournament, sponsored by Christies’ Flooring, with a one-shot lead over Daniel Hillier and increased it to two shots following rounds of 68, 64, 69 and 68 to be 19-under par.

The Queenstown professional’s other two wins on the Charles’ Tour are the 2018 Harewood Open in Christchurch and the 2019 Muriwai Open in Auckland. A total of 10 males and four females have won three times or more on the Charles Tour.

“This is an awesome feeling,” Anstiss said after the latest win.

“It’s never easy to win a golf tournament and I had a real battle on my hands with Dan [Hillier] and Kit [Bittle who finished third].

“Dan put it on me early. I think he had the lead through the first six or seven holes and I just kept pressing.

“I made a couple of really good saves along with some key birdies late in the back nine and managed to get over the line.”

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Anstiss as Hillier flew out of the blocks with three birdies in his opening four holes to snatch the lead from Anstiss.

However, bogeys at seven and eight gifted the lead back to Anstiss who went into the final nine holes with a one-shot lead.

Anstiss then made birdies at the 10th, 12th, and 13th holes to pick up another shot over Hillier and Bittle who had stormed back into contention with a handful of birdies of his own.

Anstiss showed his winning pedigree with a clutch birdie at the 15th followed by an uncharacteristic bogey by Hillier at the 16th, and the tournament was in Anstiss’ grasp.

Anstiss said it was a relief to get over the line after struggling earlier in the year.

“I was nervous out there.

The adrenaline was pumping, and I was trying to pull off some big shots and hole some putts. It’s never easy.

Queenstown professional golfer James Anstiss after his win in the Mount Open at Mount Maunganui last month.

Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

“I managed to get the ball in the hole today and to get the win feels awesome.

“I lost a bit of form in the middle of the year and I put in a bunch of hard work in the gym and on the golf course.

It’s awesome to see that hard work pay off with a win at the final Jennian Homes Charles Tour event of the year.’’

While Hillier fell just short of the title, he still walked away with a piece of silverware of his own.

Hillier has captured the season-long points’ race for the Jennian Homes Trophy after a stellar year on the circuit.

Despite coming up shy on the day, Hillier said he re-

mained proud of his efforts in what has been a tough year for professional golfers.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling for sure,’’ Hillier said.

“I wanted to put up a good fight but I had a bit of a slow patch in the middle of my round and made a costly mistake on 16, which I actually kind of got away with but that dropped shot made it extremely hard to win the tournament.

“Big credit needs to go to James though. He played really solidly all day and forced me to hit some aggressive shots and I couldn’t pull them off, so full credit to him.

“It’s an honour to be

crowned the Jennian Homes champion. It’s great that I was able to put up a good fight to finish off the season on a high.

I’m really happy.”

SCORES:

269 James Anstiss (PGA New Zealand) 68 64 69 68 271 Daniel Hillier (PGA New Zealand) 66 66 70 69 274 Kit Bittle (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 67 66 71 70 276 Josh Geary (PGA New Zealand) 69 70 73 64 277 James Hydes (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 70 69 70 68 280 Will O’Connor (Royal Wellington) 72 65 75 68, Mark Hutson (PGA New Zealand) 65 76 71 68, Luke Brown (PGA New Zealand) 71 69 69 71 281 Tae Koh (Windross Farm Golf Course) 67 69 73 72, Dongwoo

Daniel Hillier with his Jennian Homes Trophy for the leading golfer in New Zealand in 2020.

Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

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January 2021

Kang (PGA New Zealand) 71 68 70 72, Jimmy Zheng (Howick) 68 69 71 73, Zachary May (Russley) 65 72 69 75 282 Sung Jin Yeo (PGA New Zealand) 69 69 75 69, Woonchul Na (PGA New Zealand) 70 75 67 70, Mako Thompson (Maraenui) 71 68 72 71, Gareth Paddison (PGA New Zealand) 70 69 72 71, Kazuma Kobori (Rangiora) 70 70 71 71, Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 72 69 69 72, Fraser MacLachlan (PGA New Zealand) 70 69 70 73 283 Jerry (Xiangming) Ren (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 72 67 73 71, Chang Gi Lee (PGA New Zealand) 67 70 72 74 284 Michael Hendry (PGA New Zealand) 68 75 71 70 285 Troy Ropiha (PGA New Zealand) 69 75 74 67, Shaun Campbell (Omanu) 73 72 70 70, Jordan Woodall (Cambridge) 69 72 73 71, Taylor Gill (PGA New Zealand) 69 74 70 72 286 Jayden Ford (Judgeford) 72 71 73 70, Jared Pender (Te Puke) 72 74 69 71, Hiroki Miya (Russley) 69 71 75 71, Cameron Jones (PGA New Zealand) 72 71 69 74 287 Robby Turnbull (Remuera) 70 73 73 71, Munchin Keh (P) 69 70 72 76, Jordan Loof (PGA New Zealand) 70 67 74 76, Luke Toomey (PGA New Zealand) 74 68 68 77 288 Fiona Xu (Titirangi) 71 74 75 68, Wenyung Keh (P) 72 71 76 69, Lachie McDonald (Marton) 73 71 73 71, Mason Lee (PGA New Zealand) 70 73 74 71 289 Sam An (Titirangi) 69 78 73 69, Sam Reese (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 72 73 73 71, Jaeseung Na (Whitford Park) 67 74 74 74, Jared Edwards (Royal Auckland and Grange) 68 69 77 75 290 Mark Brown (PGA New Zealand) 71 70 76 73, Anna An (Muriwai) 75 72 70 73 291 Joshua Bai (Akarana) 76 70 75 70, Johnny Tynan (Titirangi) 71 75 72 73 292 Stephen Liu (Whitford Park) 71 74 75 72, Momoka Kobori (Rangiora) 72 72 75 73, Sam Vincent (Riverside) 73 72 71 76 293 Ryan Rooney (Feilding) 68 76 75 74 294 Cameron Harlock (Royal Auckland and Grange) 72 74 75 73, Trevor Marshall (PGA New Zealand) 72 71 73 78 295 Matthew Morris (Royal Wellington) 71 75 72 77 296 Darae Chung (Shandon) 75 71 80 70, Kevin Koong (Muriwai) 72 75 77 72, Rhys Thomas (Futures Waikato) 72 73 75 76, Cosmo Graham (Hastings) 71 76 72 77 297 Mitchell Kale (Tauranga) 74 73 74 76 298 Thomas Woods (Miramar) 74 73 77 74 300 James Tauariki (Futures Geyserland) 75 72 78 75 301 Liam Hewitt (Queens Park) 72 75 80 74, James Watkins (Royal Wellington) 70 77 78 76

3

GOLF NEWS

A

Auckland’s ninth win in last 10 years at women’s Interprovincial

uckland continued its dominance at the New Zealand women’s Interprovincial, winning a fifth title in a row at Akarana Golf Club in Auckland last month.

Auckland played Canterbury in the final and the southerners were looking to replicate the Canterbury’s mens’ team which had won the men’s Interprovincial the previous week.

But it was not to be with Auckland sweeping aside Canterbury 5-0 and in the process winning the title for the ninth time in the last 10 years and creating all kinds of history at the event in the process.

Co-captain and Auckland No 3 Carmen Lim said it was never easy winning the event, so to win five in a row felt really special.

“This feels really good. I’m really proud of the way we played all week,’’ Lim said.

“I had a lot of fun and I know the rest of the team did as well.”

Auckland got out of the blocks quickly with their No 5 Grace Jung making the turn at four up. She had plenty of back-up behind her with co-captain Lim also being four up, and No 2 and reigning New Zealand Amateur

Vivian Lu who was named player of the tournament after Auckland’s win at the women’s New Zealand Interprovincial. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

champion Fiona Xu also being four up through nine.

That left Canterbury a mountain to climb if they were to turn things around.

Canterbury No 4 Catherine Bell was playing her part for the visitors be-

ing one up over Caryn Khoo who was sharing leadership duties with Lim for the Auckland side. Canterbury No 1 Momoka Kobori also made the turn at two up to give Canterbury a glimmer of hope.

However, those matches quickly

swung around in Auckland’s favour.

After Jung recorded a 6 and 5 win, Lim winning 4 and 3, and Xu winning 6 and 5 the tournament was already Auckland’s. Khoo swung her match around to win 2 and 1 and Auckland No 1 Vivian Lu won her final hole to win one up over Kobori.

Co-captain Khoo said the team aspect of the event seemed to lift the Aucklanders every year.

“We feel so supported by the team when we are out there,’’ Khoo said. ``There is plenty of good energy and it’s easy to lift for your teammates when we are all competing for the same trophy.

“We gel as a team really well.

Throughout the year we all play individually, and this is one of a few chances we get to play as a team and I think we come together really well.”

Lu was awarded player of the tournament as she won six of eight games in the top spot.

Auckland went through the tournament with a perfect undefeated recorded, with its last loss coming at the hands of Manawatu-Whanganui in 2019.

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4

January 2021

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Women’s Interprovincial results RESULTS FROM THE 2020 NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S INTEPROVINCIAL PLAYED AT THE AKARANA GOLF CLUB, AUCKLAND, FROM DECEMBER 1-5.

Round one: Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay 2.5 Northland 2.5 Tessa McDonald def Shardae Bulkeley 4/3, Janie Field def Jenny Peters 1up, Martha Manaena lost to Kylie Jacoby 6/5, Chare Choi halved with Maraea Durie, Fiona Ellis lost to Alayna Cox 5/4 Bay of Plenty 5 Waikato 0 Caitlin Maurice def Robyn Pellow 6/4, Alanna Campbell def Sian Stevenosn 5/4, Jessica Green def Taimana Ngakuru 8/7, Taylor-Rose Perrett def Jennifer Kerr 8/6, Heather Keefe def Gemma Towers 3/2 Wellington 4 Aorangi 1 Darae Chung def Lynda Brown 7/5, Erika Cui def Ginny Bolderston 4/2, Victoria Li lost to Rachel Elder 1up, Yewoo Hyun def Marg Coughlan 4/3, Dakota Asi def Sharon Bradford 1up Canterbury 5 Taranaki 0 Momoka Kobori def Lucinda Searle 7/6, Hillary O’Connor def Debbie McCallum 6/4, Maddie May def Joanne McDonald 6/4, Catherine Bell def Rochelle Keegan 3/2, Amy Weng def Somporn Kretschmar 6/5 Otago 4 Tasman 1 Sumin Kang lost to Aroha Minhinnick 3/1, Yoonae Jeong def Tracy Barry 4/3, Abby Crawford def Michele Reardon 3/2, Kathryn Baker def Lee Willetts 1up, Rebecca Calder def Annie Tiller 2/1 Round two: Auckland 5 Taranaki 0 Vivian Lu def Lucinda Searle 7/5, Fiona Xu def Debbie McCallum 7/5, Caryn Khoo def Joanne McDonald 8/6, Aileen Du def Rochelle Keegan 3/1, Chloe Lam def Somporn Kretschmar 6/5 North Harbour 5 Tasman 0 Eunseo Choi Aroha Minhinnick 3/2, Anna An def Tracy Barry 6/5, Yeonsoo Son def Michele Reardon 7/6, Amy Im def Lee Willetts 4/3, Vaha Fapiano def Annie Tiller 9/7 Wellington 4 Northland 1 Darae Chung def Shardae Bulkeley 6/5, Erika Cui def Jenny Peters 5/4, Victoria Li lost to Kylie Jacoby 5/4,Yewoo Hyun def Maraea Durie 1up, Dakota Asi def Alayna Cox 3/2 Manawatu-Whanganui 3 Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay 2 Tara Raj def Tessa McDonald 1up, Lisa Herbert def Janie Field 4/3, Brydie Hodge def Martha Manaena 2up, Sera Raj lost to Clare Choi 1up,

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Natalie Lyttle lost to Aseri Miekle 6/4 Canterbury 5 Waikato 0 Momoka Kobori def Robyn Pellow 7/5, Hilliary O’Connor def Sian Stevenosn 3/2, Maddie May def Taimana Ngakuru 5/4, Catherine Bell def Jennifer Kerr 9/7, Amy Weng def Gemma Towers 3/2 Otago 4 Aorangi 1 Sumin Kang def Lynda Brown 2up, Yoonae Jeong def Ginny Bolderston 4/3, Abby Crawford lost to Rachel Elder 1up, Kathryn Baker def Marg Couglan 3/1, Rebecca Calder def Sharon Bradford 4/3 Round three: Bay of Plenty 4 Otago 1 Caitlin Maurice lost to Sumin Kang 4/2, Alanna Campbell def Yoonae Jeong 7/5, Jessica Green def Abby Crawford 4/3, Taylor-Rose Perrett def Kathryn Baker 6/5, Heather Keefe def Rebecca Calder 3/2 Wellington 4 Waikato 1 Darae Chiung def Robyn Pellows 5/3, Erika Cui lost to Sian Stevenson 1up, Victoria Li def Jennifer Kerr 2up, Yewoo Hyun def Gemma Towers 3/2, Dakota Asi def Bianca Stephens 3/2 Taranaki 3 def Northland 2 Holly Winter def Shardae Bulkeley 2/1, Lucinda Searle def Jenny peters 1up, Debbie McCallum def Kylie Jacoby 1up, Joanne McDonald lost to Maraea Durie 6/5, Rochelle Keegan lost to Alayna Cox 8/7 North Harbour 4.5 Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay 0.5 Eunseo Choi def Tessa McDonald 6/5, Anna An def Martha Manaena 5/3, Yeonsoo Son def Clare Choi 2/1, Amy Im def Fiona Eills 6/5, Carolyn Cressey halved with Aseri Miekle Canterbury 5 Tasman 0 Momoka Kobori def Aroha Minhinnick 6/5, Hillary O’Connor def Tracy Bary 4/3, Maddie May def Michele Reardon 4/3, Catherine Bell def Lee Willetts 6/4, Amy Weng def Anita Newman 7/5 Auckland 5 Man-Wang 0 Vivan Lu def Tara Raj 2/1, Fiona Xu def Lisa Herbert 4/2, Caryn Khoo def Brydie Hodge 3/2, Grace Jung def Sera Raj 1up, Aileen Du def Natalie Lyttle 4/3 Round four: North Harbour 4 Otago 1 Eunseo Choi def Sumin Kang 2/1, Anna An def Yoonae Jeong 6/5, Yeonsoo Son lost Abby Crawford 4/3, Amy Im def Kathryn Baker 4/3, Vaha Fapiano def Rebecca Calder Auckland 5 Aorangi 0 Vivan Lu def Lynda Brown 5/4, Fiona Xu def Ginny Bolderston 7/6, Caryn Khoo def Rachel Eder 3/2, Aileen Du def Marg Coughlan 5/3, Chloe Lam def Sharon Bradford 7/6 Northland 3 Man-Wang 2

Shardae Bulkeley lost to Tara Raj 3/2, Jenny Peters lost to Lisa Herbert 6/4, Kylie Jacoby def Brydie Hodge 5/4, Maraea Durie def Sera Raj 4/3, Alayna Cox def Natalie Lyttle 5/4 Bay of Plenty 4.5 Tasman 0.5 Caitlin Maurice halved with Aroha Minhinnick, Alanna Campbell def Tracy Bary 3/2, Jessica Green def Michele Reardon 9/8, Taylor-Rose Perrett def Lee Willetts 7/6, Heather Keefe def Annie Tiller 8/7 Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay 4 Taranaki 1 Tessa McDonald def Holly Winter 4/3, Janie Field lost Lucinda Searle 3/2, Matha Manaena def Debbie McCallum 2up, Clare Choi def Joanne McDonald 3/2 Aseri Miekle def Rochelle Keegan 1up Round five: Wellington 2.5 Taranaki 2.5 Darae Chung lost to Hollie Winter 1up, Erika Cui def Lucinda Searle 4/3, Yewoo Hyun halved with Debbie McCallum, Dakota Asi lost to Joanna McDonald 4/3, Charlotte Gillespie def Rochelle Keegan 3/1 Manawatu-Whanganui 1 North Harbour 4 Tara Raj lost to Eunseo Choi 1up, Lisa Herbert halved with Anna An, Brydie Hodge lost to Yeonsoo Son 5/3, Sera Raj halved with Amy Im, Natalie Lyttle lost to Vaha Fapiano 5/4 Waikato 3 Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay 2 Tessa McDonald def Robyn Pellow 3/2, Janie Field lost to Sian Stevenson 5/3, Martha Manaena def Taimana Ngakuru, Clare Choi lost to Jennifer Kerr 1up, Aseri Miekle def Gemma Towers 5/3 Auckland 3 ½ - Canterbury 1 ½ Vivian Lu def Momoka Kobori 3/2, Fiona Xu def Hillary O’Connor 4/2, Carmen Lim halved with Maddie May, Caryn Khoo def Catherine Bell 4/3, Grace Jung lost to Amy Weng 1 down Bay of Plenty 5 – Aorangi 0 Caitlin Maurice def Lynda Brown 5/4, Alanna Campbell def Ginny Bolderston 6/4, Jessica Green def Rachel Eder 2/1, Taylor-Rose Perrett def Marg Coughlan 5/3, Heather Keefe def Sharon Bradford 5/4 Round six: Canterbury 5 – Northland 0 Momoka Kobori def Shardae Bulkeley 5/4, Hillary O’Connor def Jenny Peters 2 up, Maddie May def Kylie Jacoby 4/3, Catherine Bell def Maraea Durie 2/1, Amy Weng def Alayna Cox 4/2 Otago 3 – Taranaki 2 Sumin Kang def Hollie EWinter 4/3, Yoonae Jeong def Lucinda Searle 1 up, Abby Crawford lost to Debbie McCallum 3/2, Kathryn Baker def Joanne McDonald 3/2, Rebecca Calder lost to Rochelle Keegan 6/5

January 2021

NEWS Tasman 4 – Aorangi 1 Aroha Minhinnick def Lynda Brown 5/3, Tracy Bary def Ginny Bolderston 1 up, Michele Reardon halved with Rachel Eder, Lee Willetts def Marg Coughlan 6/5, Annie Tiller halved with Sharon Bradford Manawatu Wanganui 3 ½ - Waikato 1 ½ Tara Raj def Robyn Pellow 5/3, Lisa Herbert halved with Sian Stevenson, Brydie Hodge def Taimana Ngakuru 5/4, Sera Raj def Jennifer Kerr 2/1, Natalie Lyttle lost to Gemma Towers 1 down Auckland 4 – Wellington 1 Vivian Lu lost to Darae Chung 2/1, Fiona Xu def Erika Cui 6/5, Carmen Lim def Victoria Li 5/4, Caryn Khoo def Yewoo Hyun 3/1, Grace Jung def Charlotte Gillespie 4/3 Bay of Plenty 4 – North Harbour 1 Caitlin Maurice lost to Eunseo Choi 6/5, Alanna Campbell def Anna An 3/2, Jessica Green def Yeonsoo Son 1 up, Taylor-Rose Perrett def Amy Im 2/1, Heather Keefe def Vaha Fapiano 4/2 Round seven: Northland 3 – Aorangi 2 Shardae Bulkeley def Lynda Brown 1 up, Jenny Peters lost to Ginny Bolderston 1 down, Kylie Jacoby def Rachel Eder 3/2, Maraea Durie def Marg Coughland 6/5, Alayna Cox lost to Sharon Bradford 4/2 Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay 4 – Tasman 1 Tessa McDonald def Aroha Minhinnick 1 up, Janie Field lost to Tracy Bary 1 down, Martha Manaena def Michele Reardon 7/5, Clare Choi def Lee Willetts 4/2, Aseri Miekle def Annie Tiller 6/4 Auckland 3 - Bay of Plenty 2 Vivian Lu lost to Caitlin Maurice 2/1, Fiona Xu lost to Alanna Campbell 3/2, Carmen Lim def Jessica Green 4/3, Caryn Khoo def Taylor-Rose Perrett 4/2, Grace Jung def Heather Keefe 6/4 Otago 5 - Waikato 0 Sumin Kang def Robyn Pellow 2/1, Yoonae Jeong def Sian Stevenson 5/4, Abby Crawford def Taimana Ngakuru 2/1, Kathryn Baker def Jennifer Kerr 1 up, Rebecca Calder def Bianca Stephens 3/2 North Harbour 4 – Wellington 1 Eunseo Choi lost to Darae Chung 1 down, Anna An def Erika Cui 4/3, Yeonsoo Son def Victoria Li 5/3, Amy Im def Yewoo Hyun 6/5, Vaha Fapiano def Charlotte Gillespie 4/3 Canterbury 4 ½ - Manawatu Wanganui ½ Momoka Kobori def Tara Raj 1 up, Hillary O’Connor def Lisa Herbert 5/4, Maddie May def Brydie Hodge 2/1, Catherine Bell halved with Sera Raj, Amy Weng def Natalie Lyttle 3/1

5

Mark Brown now a home boy

By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

W

hen have you retired from your profession yet not quite retired?

Answer: When you are Mark Brown, professional golfer, now a pro coach and a sometimes player on the New Zealand circuit.

We first spoke with Brown in January of last year at The Hills after his impressive victory in The Hills Pro-Am, at which stage he had made his decision to retire from play on overseas PGA tours.

“I lost my Aussie card for this year which didn’t matter as I was coming to the end anyway,’’ Brown said at the time.

“With a young child it will be good to have more home time.”

Brown who considers himself something of a veteran after 25 years as a touring professional golfer said “We have some good young players coming through which is great. They can take on the mantle and play some good golf while I fade away.”

Fast forward to last month at The Hills Invitation Pro-Am where his title defence came up short. After a birdie on the first hole in the second round he was reasonably placed at three under par but four bogeys and two late birdies left him in 11th place. Still a useful effort from Brown who as we find, is not fading away but in reality just shifting focus.

Does he miss touring?

“Sometimes, but it was taken out of our hands this year anyway. Yes, I miss parts of it for sure but I don’t miss the travel.

“Looking ahead to 2021 I will play some Charles’ Tour events. It is good not having to travel and the tour is getting better with more events.”

As for current work he says: “I’m at Mount Maunganui where the club professional is Jimmy Napier. So I do some contract coaching. Didn’t know if I would enjoy it but I am very much.

There are some good members there.

It has been great as I am only two minutes from the club, so it is a breeze to do some lessons, then home again.”

Favourite places and courses in your travels?

“Canada was a lot of fun. I’ve been to a lot of places over my 25 years. Golf is the easy part. Travel is not so. Flying Sunday night to the next place is the drag.

“If it was just golf I might still be doing it. When you are young it is exciting but as you get older you can dread the travel somewhat. As for courses I loved the Melbourne sandbelt and British Open style courses.”

As for career highlights there are several.

“I guess winning the 2008 Johnny Walker Classic and the five years on the European Tour it gave me.

“The money was good and it also gave me opportunities to play majors

and WGC (World Golf Championship) events.

“I competed in two British Opens and a USPGA where I played okay.

You grow up wanting to play a major.

The thing I enjoyed about them was they were difficult so you didn’t have to shoot 25 under par. Par was mostly a good score. That is the kind of golf I enjoy. Having to go low doesn’t suit me that well. So it was a great time during my early 30s.”

“I have had top threes in the New Zealand Open. One year I was leading by three shots in the last round at Clearwater but couldn’t hold on.’’

He has also had high finishes at The Hills.

“That is probably my biggest regret.

I would love to have won a New Zealand Open.”

How do New Zealand courses compare?

“My favourite has always been Paraparaumu (north of Wellington) because I love links’ golf. There are some good resort courses now and I enjoy Kinloch.

The good thing about newer courses is they all have good practice facilities.

That is what is needed generally for youngsters as they grow.”

So what does the future hold?

“The good thing about coaching is it is giving me time to think about what I want to do so I’ll keep on with that. Don’t think I will play seniors’ golf (tours). I still enjoy playing, but not the practice, so will play some Charles’ Tour events

Mark Brown, these days happy to be playing golf in New Zealand rather than overseas.

in 2021. Also I like having the girls playing with the boys on our tour now. That is how it should be and the spectators are enjoying it too.”

Brown broke off early from a family six week road trip to play at The Hills.

That is how much he enjoys The Hills event but was pleased to be getting back with family.

His final quip was: “I think I might play a bit next year(2021).” To which we replied: “You played a bit this year (2020).”

Dongwoo Kang holds nerve on 18th to prevail at The Hills

By Neville Idour

A

uckland club professional Dongwoo Kang (from Gulf Harbour) held his nerve on the 18th hole in the final round of The Hills’ Invitation Pro-Am at Sir Michael Hill’s Arrowtown course to score a one shot win over Wellington’s Gareth Paddison (Manor Park).

Both Kang and Queenstown’s James Anstiss started the day on seven under par after first round 65s and after a neck and neck battle through 14 holes in the second round they were still tied on 10 under par.

Meanwhile, Paddison was already in the clubhouse having just finished an outstanding eight under of 64 to tie the leaders on 10 under and a playoff looked very possible. Paddison stormed home on the back nine with five birdies and an amazing eagle on the 344-metre 15th hole. His drive finished one foot from the hole. Kang had also eagled 15 in the first round.

Kang birdied No 15 in his second round to take a one shot lead. Anstiss, however, made the same mistake as many others on the notorious par three 16th. The difficult pin placement towards the rear of the green required a precise tee shot. Unfortunately he came up a little short and found the creek. His three shots after the penalty left him with double bogey to fall back to eight under par. A birdie on 17 and a par on 18 left him tied third on nine under.

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Auckland professional Dongwoo Kang pumps his fist after sinking the winning putt in The Hills Pro-Am. Photo credit: Luke Leesburg.

It was now Kang’s to lose, knowing a par on 18 would secure the win. He misjudged the following wind, thinking it was a slight headwind and he overshot the green by several metres down into testing rough. Paddison was now wondering if he may have to get the clubs

January 2021

out again.

Kang had to play a precise high lob shot to avoid a two putt and a playoff. His shot was brilliant landing short of the pin and rolling just past the hole. A nervy four footer was no problem for Kang and a well earned win was his.

Kang was thrilled with his win and is looking forward to enjoying the one year membership at The Hills which is in addition to the $10,000 winner’s purse. He spent a further week at Millbrook with his young family before returning to Auckland.

Harry Na produced a flawless six birdie final round 66 to snare third place. Two solid rounds earned Luke Toomey fifth place. Ben Campbell, in his first competitive outing since early in the year, finished sixth on six under. He was close to the lead after nine holes but a one over par final nine ended his challenge.

For the most part the weather was kind and the weekend was enjoyed by all 80 players (20 pros plus 60 Hills members).

LEADING SCORES:

Dongwoo Kang 65,68. 133.

Gareth Paddison 70, 64. 134.

James Anstiss 65, 70; Harry Na 69, 66. 135.

Luke Toomey 68, 69. 137.

Ben Campbell 67, 71. 138.

Ryan Chisnall 140.

Josh Geary, Jordan Loof, Daniel Pearce 142.

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Under-16 winner at 24 under par GOLF NEWS

Auckland golfer Joshua Bai who scored an amazing 24 under par to win the under-16 division of the New Zealand Age Group Championships held in Hamilton last month. Photo credit Golf New Zealand

T

he weather conditions were benign and the tees were forward but Joshua Bai could not have been more impressive in winning the under-16 division of the New Zealand Age Group Championships at the Ngaruawahia Golf Club in Hamilton.

Bai, from the Akarana Golf Club in Auckland, fired a final round of 10-under par 62 to get to 24-under for last month’s tournament.

He had 66 and 64 for the first two rounds of the 54-hole event.

Bai was able to hit all the par fives in two.

He won by 10 shots over Zack Swanwick and finished with an astonishing five birdies on the trot.

In the under-16 girl’s division, Fiona Xu came out on top to win by 11 shots at

five-under par.

Xu, from the Titirangi Golf Club in Auckland, carded rounds of 71, 67, and 73 to win her second national title of the year.

Meanwhile Zach May continued his impressive run of form carding a final round of six-under to win the under-19 boys division by eight shots.

May got to 13-under with rounds of 65, 72, and 66 to cap off what’s been a great last month for the Cantabrian.

Carmen Lim, from Auckland, took out the under-19 girls division by eight shots over fellow national academy player Darae Chung of Wellington.

Lim shot rounds of 73, 67, and 68 to finish at eight-under par.

A seventh tournament for the Charles’ Tour in 2021 T he Charles’ Tour continues to grow with the addition of the Gulf Harbour Open to the New Zealand golf calendar in 2021.

The Gulf Harbour Open, sponsored by The Clubroom, will be played from April 1-4 and is the seventh Charles’ Tour event on the calendar this year, highlighting how the tour is going from strength to strength.

The beginning of 2020 saw the Charles’ Tour, sponsored by Jennian Homes, become mixed gender to provide both men and women with equal playing opportunities and help grow the women’s game in New Zealand.

The addition of the Gulf Harbour Open provides another opportunity for New Zealand’s professionals and amateurs a place to test themselves on a world class golf course.

Dave Mangan, New Zealand Golf general manager for championships and golf operations, said it was a privilege to be able to host another Charles’ Tour event at Gulf Harbour Country Club.

“Golf New Zealand is looking forward to adding the Gulf Harbour Country Club as the 14th club to host a Jennian Homes Charles’ Tour event,’’ Mangan said.

“This venue has hosted two European Tour events and a World Cup of Golf, so is a true championship golf course. It will provide the players with a really strong test of their skills, which is one of the things we are try-

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ing to do with the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.”

Gulf Harbour Country Club director of golf Frazer Bond was also excited to be able to host the newest Charles’ Tour event at one of the country’s premier golf courses.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining The Clubroom to create a new Jennian Homes Charles’ Tour event at one of New Zealand’s marquee courses.,’’ Bond said.

“Bringing a tournament of this level to Gulf Harbour shows how the course is growing and continuing to progress.”

The Clubroom have also come onboard as a naming right sponsor for the new event.

The Clubroom director David Feeney said the Charles’ Tour was helping breed the next wave of golfers this country has to offer and being able to be a part of that was something The Clubroom has been keen to do for a while.

Feeney said: “Several players, both amateurs and professionals, that play in these events support The Clubroom for their golfing needs, and we’re ecstatic to be able to help return the favour by supporting local events for these players to play in.

“The Clubroom is always looking for ways we can help improve our golfers and aligning ourselves further with Golf New Zealand and the Jennian Homes Charles’ Tour is a fitting way to do that. We’re excited for the new event.”

January 2021

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Young men the driving force behind Australian golf’s surge GOLF NEWS

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ustralian golf’s 2020 boom continues at pace, with a surge in interest from young men its driving force.

In its latest report entitled ‘New member demand … the impact of covid-19’, Golf Australia confirms that more than 42,000 people have joined golf clubs in the 10 months to the end of October.

That represents a surge in new membership demand of 126 percent nationally – despite the lengthy covid-19 shutdown in metropolitan Melbourne – and on track for

a five percent overall annual rise, which would represent the best number since 1989.

David Gallichio, Golf Australia’s general manager of golf development, was optimistic about the findings, compiled

by Golf Business Advisory Services.

Gallichio pointed to the encouraging immediate results for Australian clubs and facilities, but highlighted the “critical’’ need for the industry to sustain the long-term interest.

“The numbers themselves are important right now,” Gallichio said.

“But what is paramount for the game’s future is for us to ensure the retention of the new members and players by extrapolating the data and taking those lessons to our clubs and facilities.”

The strongest growth has been among males aged 2049 with almost 75 percent of male membership growth from that cohort.

Male membership growth has represented 88 percent of the total surge and it is women aged 50-plus who have been responsible for more than 56 percent of the female growth.

Gallichio said the research also pointed to the different ways new members were using their clubs.

In the corresponding sixmonth period in 2019, new members played 64 percent of their golf at weekends.

“This year’s newcomers have switched that up to the point that only 56 percent are playing across weekends,” Gallichio said.

“And we’ve been excited to see a 133 percent spike in new members in regional areas this year (to the end of October), too.

“These are just some of the lessons we have to take on as an industry to ensure that new members get the most value from their investment and continue long-term.’’

Rounds growth has also continued. The report reveals that year-to-date October data (excluding Victoria) shows rounds eight percent up on 2019 – and 22 percent in the months May to October.

For this latter period, male and female rounds demand is up by 22 and 20 percent, respectively.

Covid-19 fear has turned to optimism in golf, according to US survey

U

ncertainty and fear felt by golf course operators in April due to the coronavirus pandemic has been tempered and replaced with optimism, according to results from the latest golf operation impact survey conducted by GolfNow in the United States.

More than 300 owners and managers, mostly from public and semi-private clubs and representing 45 states in the United States, six Canadian provinces and several international properties, participated in the survey. Questions were designed to help them better understand the pandemic’s long-term impact on the game and answers were anonymous.

Overall, the 2021 outlook is generally positive based on the survey results, despite some stumbling blocks in certain segments.

Two-thirds of the respondents are very optimistic that golf will be able to capitalise on the surge of interest and newcomers to the game. Roughly 51 percent of respondents agree, at least somewhat, that the pandemic is a new silver lining for the game of golf, and 46 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that the new interest in golf will be short-lived.

“We remain positive for the future and we have learned a lot in 2020,” reads a comment from one survey participant.

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“The golf industry will have a great year in 2021. I am convinced with the generation of 25/35 (year-olds) who have just discovered golf. Our industry will do well.”

The positive outlook is being fuelled by the more than 81 percent of facilities that reported rounds increased year to date (through September), including 36 percent where revenue was up more than 25 percent during the peak summer season. Online (85 percent) and mobile (81 percent) tee time bookings are outpacing in-person bookings (74 percent).

More golfers meant big summer revenue gains in many categories compared to last year – green fees (77 percent), cart fees (70 percent), pro shop (36 percent), on-course food and beverage (34 percent), instruction/ lessons (26 percent) and clubhouse food and beverage (22 percent).

With an eye toward the future, more facilities may begin utilising technology more than ever before. Precovid, only four percent of facilities said technology investment was important. That number nearly tripled to 11 percent. Almost half (47 percent) now believe technology is a priority, up from 27 percent pre-pandemic.

Some facilities went to prepaid tee times to promote contactless check-in, with 31 percent saying it will become a standardised feature moving forward, while 54

January 2021

percent are still undecided.

“The ability to book online was great. So glad we invested in GolfNow late last season,” wrote one operator. “We were ahead of a lot of other courses that didn’t have that ability.”

On the flip side, among facilities that host wedding/ events businesses, 74 percent have virtually seen their bookings vanish. Additionally, the group/golf outing business was down 86 percent at all facilities. Among resort courses, which rely on travelling golfers staying in hotels, 31 percent are not at all optimistic.

More than half of respondents (54 percent) spent the northern hemisphere spring and summer without their second-biggest asset – the clubhouse. Roughly 69 percent had reduced food and beverage operations. Almost 75 percent of courses began to offer grab-and-go choices to boost sales, with one operator noting that building a new snack shack at the turn was an innovative way to solve the problem.

“Keeps people from going inside,” the anonymous comment read. “They like it and cannot miss it (drive right past it). Keeps pace of play moving also. No bar open and beer sales are up 20 percent this year. Partly due to more players, but mostly due to making it easy for people to grab it before they start and at the turn.”

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date and are determined to house the Stingray on home turf. Training for the win!.

O

​Official water to New Zealand Long Blacks

​Official

Enter and register today www.iganz.co.nz

Sports history brought to life in a global pandemic

By Olna Ford

the Australian Long Ballers was formed.

tional team of longest and fastest hitters to golf. I formed the New Zealand Long Blacks in 2017 to profile the sport of Long Drive, and grow the sport internationally. New Zealand Long Blacks were named by the nation with a clever (name-our-team promotion) I asked the Crowd Goes Wild for media support and with this the national team’s logo was revealed on television (Long Blacks coming in as the hot favourite) Our national team was scouted at the first IGANZ North & South Long Drive Championships and within 8 months the Trans Tasman Clash was announced to bring the sport alive with our fellow neighbours. I quickly pushed for our New Zealand Long Blacks to compete in Australia and with this

marked at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club, Sydney, NSW, with the 1st Trans Tasman Clash, successfully completed. The Australian Long Ballers took the win and the famous Darren Wise - Stingray Trophy remained on Aussie turf this occasion.

Both teams signatures reside on the wall of fame at the Greg Norman course and the Trans Tasman Clash, an annual event.

The TTC hosting alternates between countries with a few challenges such as Australian bushfires and the pandemic pushing out original dates. The statement to plant the seed firmly in the ground for the sport took on a literal sense when a time capsule was laid in Papamoa to celebrate the first anniversary of the sport at national team level. Papamoa was the location of the first IGANZ Long Drive

championship and where the 1st New that has been a part of the New Zealand Zealand Long Blacks were discovered. Long Blacks, bred from pure passion for The time capsule is famously located at sport and drive to grow Xtreme Drivers the Pap House (Locals lounge). Fast track League. A special thanks to the amazing to 2020 and in the midst of a global pan- Darren Wise - Stainless Steel Sculpture demic, the New Zealand Long Blacks are Artist for producing IGANZ masterpiecat the forefront of further sports history es including the famous Trans Tasman with a registered trademark to launch Clash Stingray and believing in the IGANZ Xtreme Drivers League now recognised vision.. The Stingray currently resides at on New Zealand Long Blacks logo. XDL is the home club of the New Zealand Long the sport that has successfully highlight- Blacks (Pupuke Golf Club) The New Zeaed the variables that pertain only to the land Long Blacks are back-to-back cham Xtreme Drivers and separates it from the pions to date and are determined to house the Stingray on home turf.

Trainterm GOLF. About to make some Sports noise I History brought to life in a Global Pandem thought it was fitting to register our ta- ing for the win!

gline - Golf Just Got LOUD! with 7 other trademarks that encompass the sport Xtreme Drivers League. The New Zealand Long Blacks were proud major sponsors of the Nelson PGA Pro-Am this year. The sponsorship was a new initiative to support golf in New Zealand, whilst growing the profile and sport of Xtreme Drivers League. Mr Paul West is captain of the New Zealand Long Blacks, I feel so fortunate to have Paul at the helm as he is the most honourable guy you could ask for, to lead a national team. There are so many new ventures to be excited about in 2021, such as the promotion of the New Zealand Long Blacks (women’s team), the announcement of Phillis Meti as captain; she is currently our 2 x New Zealand women’s XDL champion, 3 x world champion and 2 x world record breaker. A national teams website and

e-store are being worked on and launching in February 2021. Thanking everyone New Zealand Long Blacks Captain - Paul West New Zealand Long Blacks Captain - Paul West

2017, history was landSportsewHistory brought toDecember life in15th a Global Pandemic Zealand Long Blacks are the na-

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“Building business on and off the tee with Cavalier Homes!” collaboration and got things across the line, at great speed. Super excited to work with JP and his team both hat a way to start the year 2021 smashing out in New Zealand and Australia. Happy to announce a two the event calendar with an agreement to have year partnership that will see events grow in regions of Cavalier Homes as title sponsor for XDL events interest to Cavalier Homes. From the first Long Drive nationwide. Thanks to JP Liebenberg who headed the championship in 2017 with our Golden Cap - Sam Jones taking the New Zealand title, it’s been a long journey seeking the right corporates to work alongside with.

Fast track to 2021 we are growing three divisions; Men’s Open, Women’s and Master’s and with this our demographic reach is vast as this dynamic sport is not golf. It’s the one sport that allows participation of other sports codes so our spectators will see professional sportsmen such as rugby and cricket players smashing it out for tiNew Zealand Long Blacks Captaintles.

- Paul West The phones off and quiet at the tee is thrown out for our events as our sport turns up the volume with a DJ playing. It’s fun for everyone with a kids event to keep

By Olna Ford

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“Building business on and off the tee with Cavalier Homes!”

January 2021

our little champs entertained and no shortage of laughs and wows screaming from spectators as we see personalities flourish and talents unfold before our eyes. It is definitely a right fit to collaborate with Cavalier Homes as we bring the community together for entertainment Cavalier Homes is the trusted company that builds beautiful houses we all wish to go home to. Together we will grow business and sport throughout both New Zealand and Australia. I know after picking up the phone to many corporations, those who will go the extra miles with you and for you...Cavalier Homes is more than a title sponsor they are part of our team, together we are stronger and our reach is greater because we stand with a heartfelt business that understands about solid foundations. Excited beyond words to have Cavalier Homes at the forefront of XDL championships New Zealand & Australia.

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Sustaining the economic and environmental viability of golf GOLF NEWS

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he United States Golf Association (USGA) has embarked on a new collaborative body of work in its on-going efforts to sustain the economic and environmental viability of golf courses and improve the golfer experience, which are seen as the main elements critical to golf’s future.

Driven by the global release of the February 2020 distance insights report and independent from a review of equipment standards, the work focuses on evolving the game’s approach to factors such as golf course set-up, maintenance and tee placement/selection, while improving golfer satisfaction and reducing course operating costs.

It will be led by a team of experts within the USGA ``green section’’ with collaboration from several national golf organisations.

“This critical work has implications for the entire game – from golfers to architects to course operators, as we

come together to solve golf’s challenges, including the present and future availability of land, increasing scarcity of water, and the growing capital costs owners face as they feel the pressure to lengthen their golf courses,” said Mike Davis, chief executive of the USGA. Over time, the work will mature into industry-wide recommendations and best management practices designed to serve and benefit golf courses and golfers. Outcomes will be released throughout 2021.

“Many golfers and golf courses already are directly impacted by longer rounds and increasing costs, and our research shows that many of our public courses are facing real economic challenges related to golf course maintenance that are simply unsustainable,” Davis added.

“Through active industry collaboration championed by the USGA, combined with the direct input of golfers

and golf course operators, this work will provide guidance on best practices as we chart an economic and environmental path in which the game can thrive.”

Current and on-going work will build upon research delivered last year related to increased playing distance and the documented lengthening of golf courses over time. As owners feel the pressure to lengthen courses, they face significant capital expenditures and larger areas to maintain, which have contributed to an average increase of 6.7 percent in maintenance costs.

At the same time, other published research shows that only eight percent of US golf courses offer a shorter playing length that would correspond to an average driving distance of about 150 yards. This work aims to provide guidance and solutions to address those issues moving forward.

The USGA green section is working

with representatives from many of golf’s leading organisations – including the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), Golf Course Builders’ Association of America (GCBAA), Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of America (GCSAA), Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA), National Golf Course Owners’ Association (NGCOA) and PGA of America (PGA) – to advance the outcomes of this project.

The working teams are dedicated to golfer-centric programmes such as golfer segmentation, performance, on-course golfer experience and decision-making, with additional research dedicated to field studies of golfer behaviour across every level of the game.

Additional efforts are focused on golf course-related factors such as course conditions, resource usage, use of available forward tees, design and setup effects, and projected golf course capital costs.

Volunteers being recognised by PGA in Great Britain I t was three months ago that the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Great Britain & Ireland announced details of one of the most significant changes to the membership structure in the association’s 119-year history.

In addition to changing the way PGA professionals are categorised, the 2020 vision initiative – which went live last month – sees the launch of two new membership groups which are open to people who work or volunteer in golf.

Designed to reflect the evolving role of PGA professionals and the PGA itself within golf, 2020 Vision is the culmination of almost two years’ planning and offers increased specialisation for PGA professionals plus group membership opportunities for all who work in the golf industry – including business professionals and club volunteers.

2020 Vision sees the traditional PGA professional membership category evolve into three clearly defined categories – PGA professional, PGA coach and PGA manager – enabling PGA members to select a specialism that better reflects

12

their role and area of expertise.

The new structure also sees the creation of two new industry membership groups, called the business management group and club volunteer by PGA, which will both be open to everyone who is either employed in the golf industry or working as a volunteer.

With a clear aim of pulling the business of golf together for the good of the game, these groups will offer world-class support, education and networking services, and bring all those who work and volunteer in golf under the umbrella of a single professional body – The PGA. “This is one of the most significant moments in the 119-year history of the PGA,” said Robert Maxfield, chief executive of the PGA. “The PGA in 2020 needs to represent a very different model to that of the PGA of the last 20 years. That’s why we’ve undertaken the enormous challenge to evolve our membership structure and ensure that our members – and us as an organisation – remain relevant to golf in the 21st century.

“By enabling present and future PGA members to specialise and develop further in their chosen areas, we are recognising and championing their expertise.

January 2021

By bringing all those who work and volunteer in golf under the umbrella of the PGA, we’re positioning ourselves at the heart of the game for years to come.”

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Technology behind irrigation continues to advance

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ne of Germany’s top golf courses is an example of what some of the world’s top courses are doing regarding irrigation.

Winston Golf, which in 2019 was rated Germany’s number one golf venue, has announced a new partnership with wireless underground soil monitoring solution Soil Scout to further its vision of becoming Europe’s forerunner in greenkeeping technology.

After an initial pilot using 27 sensors in one green at three different depths to find an optimal all-round wetting agent, Winston Golf will deploy Soil Scout’s sensors to its open and links course greens.

Winston Golf is well known for its unique topography. Often nicknamed the moonscape course after its unusual hills and crater-like bunkers, the course presents moisture retention challenges for head greenkeeper Erwan Le Cocq.

“Soil Scout has been a game-changer for us in our search for the perfect wetting agent, which are notoriously difficult to programme,’’ Le Cocq said.

“Our main aim was to find the perfect wetting agent that holds enough moisture at high points but also drains enough moisture lower down. The only way to efficiently understand the physics

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of the green and moisture penetration was to measure at depths of 6.5, 15 and 25 centimetres, using Soil Scout’s underground soil monitoring solution.’’

Unlike above-ground solutions, Soil Scout’s sensor is the only system capable of transmitting moisture, temperature, and salinity data in near real-time from up to two metres below the surface, for up to 20 years, maintenance-free.

Le Cocq added: “Because we’ve had so much rainfall recently, it would be impossible to accurately sample and measure moisture levels without Soil Scout. By the time you start taking samples and the time you finish, your data is redundant.

With the sensors in place, I can get an accurate near real-time snapshot on my phone while I’m in the office or at home.”

Using the wrong wetting agent and holding moisture in the wrong layers can change the uniformity of the playing surface, and need reactive maintenance changes.

“When a product is this expensive, it is important to get the application right. Assisted by the Soil Scout data I knew I was applying it at the most effective times by using it at the correct soil moisture instead of guessing or sampling and guaranteeing a greatly improved effect,” said Le Cocq.

NEWS

The voice of golf dies aged 89

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eter Alliss, known globally as the voice of golf, died last month.

An eight-time Ryder Cup player, 31-time tournament winner, golf course designer, author and legendary golf commentator, Alliss died aged 89 suddenly and peacefully at home.

In 2012, Alliss was inducted into the World Golf hall of fame for his services to golf and as recently as last November he commentated for the final time on the BBC’s coverage of the 2020 Masters’ Tournament from home.

Former top golfer Jack Nicklaus: “Sad to learn that golf lost one of its great players, broadcasters, writers, ambassadors and, most important, one of the game’s true friends, with the unexpected passing of Peter Alliss. Peter was a dear friend to Barbara and me for probably over 60 years.’’

Tom Watson tweeted: “You made our game richer and funnier, Peter. We thank you. RIP.” Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Alliss, truly one of golf’s greats. Peter made an indelible mark on everything he did in our game, but especially as a player and a broadcaster, and he leaves a remarkable legacy. Our thoughts are with his wife Jackie and the Alliss family.”

Former Ryder Cup captain and player Brian Huggett, who was part of three Great Britain & Ireland Ryder Cup teams in the 1960s alongside Alliss, said: “Peter did so much for golf, both on and off the course. His wonderful voice, humour and knowledge will be missed by golfers everywhere.”

Among non-golfers to send their condolences to the Alliss family was actor and comedian John Cleese. “Sad to hear of Peter Alliss’s death. The most sane and comforting voice I ever heard. I always thought that I could cope with the ending of the world, if only Peter was commentating on it,” Cleese said in a

January 2021

tweet message.

Son of Percy Alliss, a prominent golfer in the 1920s and 1930s who played in four Ryder Cups, Peter turned professional aged 16 and became an assistant professional to his father at Ferndown Golf Club.

After serving two years of national service for the Royal Air Force between 1949 and 1951, he started to find success in the professional game, winning his first title in the 1952 Gor-Ray Cup – the PGA Assistant Professionals Championship at the time.

After a top-10 in the Open Championship in 1953, followed by a third placed finish in the Irish Open, Alliss earned selection for his first Ryder Cup appearance. With the exception of the 1955 edition, he represented Great Britain and Ireland in each Ryder Cup until 1969 – winning once in 1957.

In 1958, Alliss won three national Opens in a row, in the Italian Open, Spanish Open and Portugal Open, while in 1961, he worked his first tournament as a broadcaster for the BBC – The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale – where he also played. He retired as a playing professional and became BBC’s lead commentator in 1978.

In a broadcasting career which spanned more than 40 years, Alliss developed into one of the game’s greatest commentators, winning the hearts of Britain and the world with his dulcet tones and sharp wit.

As well as commentating regularly for the BBC, he also worked for ESPN and ABC Sports as well as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

As a much-loved broadcasting personality in Britain, he appeared on various television shows, while his illustrated book Peter Alliss’ Golf Heroes won the best Illustrated book category of the British Sports Book Awards in 2003.

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Annika Sorenstam new president of International Golf Federation GOLF NEWS

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nnika Sorenstam has replaced Peter Dawson as president of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

The former world No 1 golfer took over the presidency on January 1 after Dawson stood down following 10 years in the position.

Dawson, formerly chief executive at The R&A, said at a meeting focused on this year’s Olympic Games: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to serve as IGF president.

“Golf’s reinstatement to the Olympic programme was a landmark for our sport and it was a true thrill to witness our return at Rio (de Janeiro) 2016. Our Olympic status has been a strong catalyst for increasing co-operation and co-ordination between the major organisations in golf and has significantly strengthened the bonds between the IGF and our national federations.

“My thanks go to so many people in golf and in

the Olympic family for their support over the past 10 years. Their help and goodwill have been invaluable. I wish my successor, Annika Sorenstam, every success.

The IGF could not be in better hands.”

IGF board chairman Jay Monahan commended Dawson for his decade of service with the IGF. “On behalf of the IGF board, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Peter for the outstanding job he has done over the past decade on behalf of the IGF, including helping to assure golf’s highly successful return to the Olympic Games,” said Monahan, who is also commissioner of the PGA Tour in the United States.

“Peter has had a distinguished career dedicated to the growth of golf and the IGF has been fortunate to have him as such a strong advocate.

“With Peter’s impending departure, we are thrilled to have someone as accomplished and universally respected as Annika Sorenstam to move into the role

as IGF president. As a generational talent in women’s golf, Annika played a prominent role in golf’s successful Olympic bid by serving as a global ambassador with Jack Nicklaus and since retiring from competition, has been dedicated to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. She is the ideal person to succeed Peter in this role.”

Sorenstam said: “Peter did a great job the last 10 years as IGF president and I am humbled and honoured to have been asked to succeed him. As an international player, having golf back in the Olympics means so much to me and to our sport. I very much look forward to working with the board, the International Olympic Committee and the governing bodies of golf in their efforts to continue to grow the game globally.”

In addition to naming Sorenstam as the new IGF president, the board appointed PGA Tour executive Ty Votaw to another term as IGF vice president.

Golf carts with brake lights, turn signals and a horn G olf carts continue to get fancier.

Club Car in England has launched a new version of its best-selling Villager car. Designed to transport six or eight passengers, the updated model builds on the Villager’s reputation for durability and performance, adding modern styling, superior ergonomics and enhanced amenities to move people in style and comfort.

“The Villager has long been one of our most popular cars and this new design makes it our most stylish and sophisticated transport vehicle yet,” said Pierre Lhernould, head of marketing at Club Car. “Club Car continues to raise the bar for innovation, providing vehicles for our customers which are not only reliable and durable, but sleek and aesthetically pleasing. The enhanced features to the Villager offer premium comfort and bestin-class manoeuvrability,” he added.

The Villager 6 can transform from a six-passenger vehicle to four with space for cargo thanks to its fold-down rear seat option, while the Villager 8 is the stretch limo of guest transportation, suitable for narrow areas not accessible to conventional vehicles.

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The new model features refreshed automotive styling consistent with Club Car’s two and four-passenger vehicles. Its updated cowl is very similar to the Tempo model, another of Club Car’s best-sellers.

It is the only car in its class to have daytime-running LED headlights as standard, and brake lights, turn signals and a horn are also on every car for enhanced safety.

The design provides more space for operators and those on board, and the canopy has been updated to reduce noise and vibration. The canopy struts have also moved from aluminium to steel, adding more durability and stability over the life of the car.

Several custom options have been up-

January 2021

graded or added to provide more productivity, convenience or protection to the vehicle, such as USB charging points, cup holders and rain enclosures.

Both the Villager 6 and Villager 8 can be custom built, with a choice of body colour, seat colour and other options such as wheel type.

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Quarantine at a golf course in Thailand

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hailand is allowing golf courses to become coronavirus quarantine centres.

“There are, of course, strict rules and regulations for safety with this type of quarantine but this is a significant step forward for those who do not wish to stay in a single room or area for several weeks,” said a newspaper report.

A government report said: “Golf quarantine means the detention of people entering the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of exercising by playing golf. Playing rounds and do-

ing health activities during quarantine is according to a service programme scheduled in advance by the golf business.

“It is a quarantine, surveillance, prevention and control facility for covid-19, along with playing golf and doing health activities for a period of time according to the Infectious Disease Situation Management Centre.”

Individuals can apply for this type of quarantine through their local embassy or consulate, according to the Thai government cabinet.

NEWS

$750 million golf resort planned

By Neville Idour

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he $750 million Gibbston Valley Resort, including a nine-hole golf course, near Queenstown, may be about to gain some traction. The resort will include 120 homes and accommodation in 180 units for tourists.

The golf course has been designed by local Greg Turner. A wine themed village is also proposed with restaurants, shops

and a farmers’ market. Greg Hunt, the co-owner of the project was formerly involved in the development of both Millbrook Resort and Pegasus town near Christchurch.

Promotion or the resort is already under way with a showroom and office open at the Gibbston Valley Winery where 24 luxury units and a spa were opened a year ago.

Queenstown Golf Club environment friendly

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ueenstown Lakes’ District Council is pleased to see a golf club involved in a local initiative.

In it’s latest newsletter it said the Queenstown Golf Club (Kelvin Heights) had custom-built a composting system as part of the council’s waste composting Initiative.

Club general manager Matthew Judd said a council grant enabled it to purchase the necessary materials to build the compost system.

“I have lived onsite for three years and it was painful to see the amount of foodwaste that ends up in the bin … and ultimately in landfill. Knowing how simple

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it is to compost food waste inspired the project.”

The club is fortunate to have very skilled woodworking greenkeeping staff who constructed the bins on site. The course itself features many very attractive wooden seats along with ball washers and rubbish receptacles that are not an eyesore and that were built by staff.

The club will have a case study on all aspects of the project that will be shared with all clubs through Golf New Zealand.

It will also use the compost on the course and look to use more organic fertilisers on course.

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PGAPARS

pga.org.nz

Plenty to look forward to in 2021 for the PGA of NZ

By Dominic Sainsbury New Zealand PGA General Manager

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appy New Year golfing friends, After a real roller coaster of a year in 2020 we at the Professional Golfers’ Association of New Zealand are looking forward to a less traumatic 2021 and enjoying a number of events coming up in the year, starting with a recognition of PGA members that have made a huge impact on inspiring more people to play golf.

Sir Bob Charles celebrates his 60th year as a PGA of New Zealand member.

Sir Bob joined the PGA in 1961 and two years later went on to claim the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club in England.

For more than 60 years Sir Bob has inspired us all to play golf. He is the consummate professional and has made this complex game look so easy and effortless to play.

We will celebrate our current PGA president Dennis M Clark, along with Murray Macklin and Wayne Davies who are celebrating 50 years of PGA membership.

All these great men have dedicated their

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professional lives to the game of golf and have impacted so many lives with their dedicated passion to get more people playing our game over their 50 years as dedicated PGA professionals.

In 2020 we welcomed 14 new PGA members, all who had graduated through our PGA trainee apprenticeship programme.

I am looking forward to seeing the continued impact they have on the game. They approach their leadership roles at clubs and facilities with passion, enthusiasm and innovation with the result being an enhanced experience for the golfing consumer.

The re-launch of the national PGA Scramble event is something we at the PGA are really looking forward to. This is one of the most successful teams based golf events to be played, with the three stages of the event all creating a real buzz, the first with local clubs hosting a PGA scramble event where teams of three amateur golfers compete for the chance to go through to the regional stage where they are joined by their PGA club professional to compete against the other club stage winners.

Those teams that progress through

the regional stage to the national final at Jacks Point will be joined by a PGA of NZ tour professional and play in the ultimate team of five against the other regional stage winners. Friends are bounded and memories that last a life time are made in this unique teams’ experienced based event.

There is of course our domestic PGA pro-am and Charles’ Tour events. These events allow the golfing public to play and compete with New Zealand’s present and future golfing stars. The events continue to be innovative with us always trying new ways to engage with local communities and bring golf to more people. This year brings in new events and established iconic events that have evolved into highlights of their clubs’ calendar.

We look forward to seeing the PGA professional continuing to work passionately for our great game. PGA professionals have trained and are skilled in coaching, events, equipment technology, club fitting, golf operations, business and management. Daily they apply these skills and knowledge at their facilities to deliver enhanced experiences for all.

January 2021

Lastly I am looking forward to playing more golf and especially ticking off a few more hidden gem golf courses around New Zealand. Play well New Zealand and have fun out there and please remember if you have any issue with your golf game or have a new year resolution to play better in 2021 then get in contact with you local PGA professional you can find them and there profiles at https://www. pga.org.nz/find-a-pga-pro?ComeFromCat=875

Sir Bob Charles with Peter Ranford from Boom Golf.

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THE BEST FROM IAN HARDIE How to decide when to change something in your golf game ianhardie.net

By Ian Hardie NZPGA Professional

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ecently, I was talking with a golfer who had just played a game of golf which resulted (in their eyes) in a very poor score for them.

When I say in ‘their eyes’, it’s because the golfer played on a very low single figure handicap, which meant that a score that was made up of 6 pars and 12 bogeys was much higher than the sort of score they would normally have.

However, as you may be aware, 12 over par for a round of 18 holes is still quite a bit lower than the average golfer would have for most rounds, so it was really only a poor score from that golfers’ perspective.

It’s the sort of thing that a lot of golfers experience every week and it got me to thinking, that most golfers react to a game where they score much higher than usual by trying to work out what they ‘did wrong’ and then changing something in their game.

Usually, those changes involve technique or trying ‘something new’.

So, I asked the golfer if I could go over a few things about their game and themselves to see if I could be of any help.

In other words, I wanted to find out if there were some things that weren’t directly related to the golfer’s technique that had contributed to it.

Firstly, I noted the weather conditions.

It was a very windy day, with the wind direction being a little different than normal for the course, which made a lot of approach shots subject to strong crosswinds - 13 out of the 18 holes in fact.

This meant the course was playing considerably more difficult than normal.

Secondly, the golfers physical state.

It turns out they had been doing some heavy landscaping work around their

home a few days beforehand, as well as spending the morning before playing doing all sorts of physical things like mowing the lawn and stacking firewood.

Logically, that would have had an effect on their body in some way, probably making it a little tight and inflexible.

From there it transpired that the golfer had re-injured an old back injury a month or so earlier, which was no doubt having an effect on their ability to turn through their full range of motion.

If you want a little golf analysis from that, it was causing them to hit weak, push fades.

Not the ideal shot to be hitting in strong winds or anytime really!

I then asked about the golfer’s current form.

Their previous game had been 10 days earlier and was a reasonable round of one over par, consisting of 11 pars, 4 bogeys and 3 birdies.

During which they had hit a lot of good shots and holed some good putts.

That to me, meant that heading into the round they had just played, there weren’t any massive technique problems or concerns about their game.

So, let’s summarise my findings – the wind was making the course play much harder than usual, the golfer had been doing a lot of physical work and was carrying a back injury that was producing a less than ideal shot that day but up until that round the golfer had been playing okay.

At this point, I’m pretty sure that like me, you are probably not surprised the golfer had the score they did in that round but that is not how most golfers would view a game like that.

They would no doubt, spend a signifi-

cant amount of time deciding whether the poor round was due to their grip or their left elbow or whatever other body parts they think they can have control of when hitting golf shots.

Once they had figured that out, they would rush out to the driving range, the practice area or the golf course and change something.

Which would create a new set of problems!

And on it goes.

Play poorly.

Change something Different problems arrive.

Still playing poorly.

Change something else.

Another set of problems arrive.

Still playing poorly.

Change something…………….

And finally, another frustrated golfer ready to give up golf!

So, next time you have a round of golf in which you score poorly before you do anything else.

Take some time to sit for a few minutes and consider everything that would have contributed to that performance in the 2 weeks leading up to your game.

Did all the other things you have to do in everyday life contribute to your score?

Did you have great preparation?

Was the weather poor – cold, raining or windy?

Did you play at a different time than normal?

Were you in top physical state?

How about your mental state – were you ‘ready to play’?

Or did you rush to the course and jump on the tee?

Were there any significant shot problems – like shanks, tops, and hooks?

Or did you just hit a bunch of shots that were ok but not great?

Nine times out of ten, your poor round will be a result of a combination of some or all of the above factors.

Some of which you will be able to control and some of which you probably won’t be able to but none of them would indicate a need to change anything in your game.

It just means you are human and playing a game, which on that day wasn’t so good.

And it happens to all of us occasionally.

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.

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January 2021

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Nelson Festival of Golf 2021 May 2 – May 7 GOLF EVENT NELSON FESTIVAL OF GOLF THE COMPETITIONS

We will be continuing the formula that has worked so well in our previous events. This will involve a team day and three individual days of golf.

Please be assured that we wish to keep the fun element to our tournament and any decision we make will be done on that basis. We want you all enjoy yourselves while you are here in Nelson, and go away very happy.

The great thing about a shotgun start, is the terrific atmosphere in the clubhouses after the golf. Our event is known as “the friendly tournament” and it is our aim to make sure everyone enjoys their week and goes away with great memories and new friends, and maybe a few new jokes !!

There will be a Team Competition on the Monday. This is the only team competition of the week. The actual format of the Team event has yet to be decided but we will update you on that.

Teams of 4 will play together for team prizes, teams can be all men, all women or mixed. No worries if you don’t have a team of 4, we will make sure everyone is included in a team, just let us know on your entry form if you require help with that.

There will be a daily individual Stableford competition on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, we will have handicap divisions based on the numbers of men and women entering the tournament.

There will also be a cumulative weekly individual Stableford competition, split into the same divisions from the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday scores.

With players split into divisions everyone will be in with a chance to win a prize.

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All golfers are aware that things don’t always go right on the course and good scores are very difficult to achieve on a regular basis. We understand that, so every day of the tournament we have a selection of “Lucky Draws” which gives everyone in the clubhouse at that time, the chance to win a prize. Usually it’s a voucher for a local restaurant or activity, and it means just for being here you could still be a winner!

ENTRY DETAILS

$265 which includes 4 rounds of competition golf, 1 round of practice golf, prize giving dinner, plus a golf gift on registration. There is also an optional Two’s comp for the week at $10.

Entry is restricted to members of golf clubs and the maximum handicaps are 30 for men and 36 for ladies.

At the Prize Giving Dinner, non playing partners are very welcome, just tick the box on the entry form and pay the amount due.

For 2021 we are proposing to run a Quiz night during the week which will include a main course meal. Cost would be $25. Please note we will need a minimum of 60 entries to make this work.

ITINERARY FOR 2021 NELSON FESTIVAL OF GOLF

Sunday 2nd May Registration day at Nelson Golf Club.

Between 12noon and 3pm We welcome participants along to register for the tournament You can: * Sign up for the 2’s competition throughout the week * Ask any questions of the committee * Pick up your goody bags and generally meet old friends in the comfort of the clubhouse. The café will be open so you can chat over a coffee

or have a nice lunch whilst enjoying the views over the course.

As in previous years, Nelson Golf Club offers you courtesy of the course to go out and play 9 or 18 holes to get a feel for the course, especially useful if you’re a newcomer to the tournament.

Please call the pro shop to arrange this. 03-548-5028 Monday 3rd May at Nelson Golf Club Team Day The competition of the day will be a team format, yet to be confirmed, as it keeps everybody involved and allows you to ignore the odd bad shot on your first day of competition. It will be a good fun day and a great start to our week.

Today, we have the qualifying for the Long Putt competition. Over the last few years this has proved to be a great success and everyone has one putt to see if they can qualify for Friday’s Final Putt Off. Don’t miss your chance!

There will be a daily prize giving event after play in the clubhouse.

Tuesday 4th May at Motueka Golf Club First day of the individual tournament, with a shotgun start at 9.45am.

There will be handicap divisions in both male and female groups. There will be a daily prize giving event after play in the clubhouse. For returning competitors, you will notice we are now going to alternate each year on the playing days for the Motueka and Greenacres courses. This year we visit Greenacres first.

Wednesday 5th May: This is your rest day to explore all that our region has to offer. If you are looking for options, just ask us!

Thursday 6th May at Greenacres Golf Club:

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Second day of the individual tournament, with a shotgun start at 9.45am.

You will be staying in the same divisions as you started the tournament, even if the day falls on a day when handicaps have changed. You will, however, be playing off your new handicaps. There will be a daily prize giving after play in the clubhouse.

Friday 7th May at Nelson Golf Club: The third and final round of the individual competition, so it’s all to play for today! Today’s shotgun start will be at 9.15am – so make sure you’re not late! The reason for this earlier start time is to allow the caterers time to get the room ready for the evening dinner after we have our daily prize giving for the day’s round. We will also be holding the final of our Long Putt competition at the end of play today when everyone not taking part can stand on the balcony and watch/cheer/heckle as the lucky qualifiers do battle on the 18th green!

This evening we will hold our Tournament Dinner and Grand Prize-Giving at Nelson Golf Clubhouse. Timings are approximate at this stage but we plan for arrival around 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner.

If you have any questions regarding the itinerary, or the tournament in general, please contact us directly on our email address, which is: nelsonfestivalofgolf@gmail.com and we shall endeavour to get back to you with an answer to your query as soon as possible.

We very much look forward to seeing our returning competitors and also meeting all the new ones for what will be a fantastic week here in the beautiful Nelson Tasman region.

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GOLF NELSON

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Play the Nelson region’s beautiful golf courses 2nd May – 7th May 2021 Nelson Golf Club Greenacres Golf Club, Best Island, Richmond Motueka Golf Club, Motueka

ENTRY FEE: $265 SUNDAY – REGISTRATION DAY MONDAY – Team Competition TUES, THURS & FRIDAY – Individual Stableford Competition in grade divisions Daily Prize Giving and Major Prize Giving Dinner on Friday night

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT AND HOW TO ENTER CHECK OUT www.nelsongolf.co.nz then click on the 2021 Festival of Golf box FOR MORE INFORMATION OR HELP WITH ENTRIES contact Nelson Golf Club on 03-548-5029 or email nelsonfestivalofgolf@gmail.com

GOLF EVENT

West Coast Golf Challenge 2021 Course Review West Coast Golf has a long history and is proud to offer the West Coast Golf Challenge, a great experience for both local golfers and friends from ‘away’ – which is every part of the world that is not on ‘The Coast’.

March 2nd – March 5th 2021 will be the 9th h edition of the West Coast Golf Challenge. Event Director Brian Hampton told Golfer Pacific that this year’s event was sold out with a waiting list.

It is a great opportunity to combine four rounds of golf on four quite different courses with the chance to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

The four hosting clubs are Westport on their Kawatiri links at Carters’ Beach, Reefton on their Glenburnie course, Hokitika on their links course

at Mahinapua, and Greymouth on their course at Kaiata.

All of the courses will offer different challenges, from the links courses of Hokitika and Westport to the parklands layouts of Reefton and Greymouth, and all will be well prepared and presented.

Good hospitality is guaranteed.

This is the West Coast after all!

Visitors are encouraged to take time either before, during or after the tournament to visit picturesque landmarks such as Denniston, Cape Foulwind, Charleston, Punakaiki, Oceana Gold mine, Lake Brunner, Brunner Mine, Shantytown, Lake Kaniere, Hokitika Gorge or The Glaciers and all of the beauty that lies between and beyond.

The chance should also be taken to

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be impressed by and get your own examples of the wonderful art and crafts that the West Coast prides itself on.

A good variety of accommodation and restaurants are available in all of the towns and visitors can choose to relocate for the next day’s play, which the schedule readily allows for, or make any of the towns their base for the duration of the tournament. The courses will be played in the following order: Westport, Reefton, Hokitika and finally Greymouth. Tournament organisers are confident that visitors and locals alike will be impressed with the $11,500-plus value prize list. The tournament will be a stableford in three divisions, one for women and two for the men.

Photo: westcoastgolfchallenge.com

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through, enjoy our legendary hospitality and join us during our weekend club days, or if you prefer, simply play at a time

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he Greymouth Golf Club is located on Golf Links Road approximately 6km east of Greymouth town centre.

The course is acknowledged as having the best manicured fairways of the 18 hole courses on the West Coast, and while not long at about 5600 metres it provides an interesting test of golf.

Most of the Club’s major tournaments are played in the period from January to March, starting with the New Year’s Day tournament, followed by the Westland Classic in mid February, and as one leg of the West Coast four course challenge in early March.

Hole No 8 is the club’s signature hole. While not long, the 329 metre par 4 dog-leg left has an out-of -bounds on the left. There are also two strategically positioned mature kahikatea to manoeuvre past in the fairway. Sir Bob Charles has described this hole as one of his top 18 holes of golf in New Zealand.

Greymouth’s Kaiata links course really is a gem in the crown of local sporting facilities in Greymouth.

Green fees are a competitive $25 per round.

HOKITIKA GOLF CLUB

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lay on one of New Zealand’s few true links courses at Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island. Just 3 minutes south of Hokitika, (first turn right over the Hokitika River bridge), Mahinapua Links is the only golf course in New Zealand with outstanding views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and the majestic Southern Alps.

If you are staying in Hokitika, or just passing

to suit yourself.

The links are open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and bookings are not required. Greens fees on this unique links are a modest $25 for all players except students under 18 for which the green fee is $5. If you have not come prepared, hire clubs are available from Heritage Highway Motels (ph 03755 8098) right next to the northern approach to the Hokitika River bridge.

Enjoy spectacular views of the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea on a delightful links course set in the heart of scenic Westland. Contact the Hokitika Golf Club on 03 755 8549.

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Play the picturesque, well-presented 18 hole course situated just 5 kms out of Greymouth.

VISITORS VERY WELCOME!

Green fees: $25 for 18 holes (or $15 for 9 holes) Hire clubs available: $10 (with trundler) Golf cart available for hire: $20 (subject to availability)

www.greymouthgolf.com

For more information phone 03 7328575 (clubhouse) or 0273100500 (Murray Rennie) • Email reeftongolf@gmail.com Reefton Golf Course • 74 Anderson Road, Reefton

Golf Link Road, GREYMOUTH, Buller/Westland Phone(s): +64 (03) 768 5332 • Fax: +64 (03) 768 7504

WESTPORT

golf club

• Play on one of New Zealand’s few true links courses

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he Westport Golf Club – is a beautiful seaside “links with trees” course of some 5600 metres.

Near the village of Carters Beach some 4km only from Westport, this 18 hole gem is a pitching wedge, maybe 9 iron from the Tasman Sea.All the while surrounded by the Paparoa Mountain Range and National Park. An overview of the course can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIWt7SQ7J_0&feature=youtu.be Slick and firm greens await visitors who can join club day matches – Tuesday vets (no restriction on age), Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Green fees are only $30 and group discount by arrangement. All club day matches tee off at 11.30am, followed by hospitality hour.

For further information please email our Secretary at joyboy6@ hotmail.com.

he club began playing on this course, the Glenburnie course, in 1960, having been previously sited at Waitahu and prior to that, in the centre of the Reefton Race Course. The course has twelve holes, with holes 1-6 also being holes 13-18, although with different tees. Course is a par 72 and 5511 meters. Green fee players and visitors most welcome to play and enjoy the views.

Green fees are set at $20/day. Club days are Sundays.

The course is

A twelve hole par 72 course (yardage 5,511m). Easy walking with tree lined fairways and creeks featuring on 6 holes.

Fairways and greens well grassed. The course is beautifully set amoung the hills and is sheltered from strong winds. The club house is open Sunday during club days with snacks and bar service. Changing and shower facilities. Green fees from $20

• Green Fees from $25

WESTPORT GOLF CLUB

REEFTON GOLF CLUB

Reefton Golf Course

• Just 3 minutes south of Hokitika

open all day, every day, with the greens mown twice weekly. Although there is a small club membership of 40 the high standard of the course is completely achieved through voluntary contributions of time.

We have two main tournaments each year, the first at Queen’s Birthday weekend and the second being the Inangahua open which is held in November each year and over 2 days, each of 18 holes. Club members are proud to be part of the West Coast Golf challenge.

Golf Course is set on the banks of the Inangahua River and is the centre for farming, gold, coal and forestry. The town of Reefton has a population of about 1000 people, with some very good accommodation in hotels and motels. Any more info on Reefton golf please contact the club on 03 7328 575 (clubhouse) or 0273100500 Murray Rennie); or email reeftongolf@ gmail.com as clubhouse is only manned on Sundays.

GOLF EVENT

GREYMOUTH GOLF CLUB

Situated at Carters beach 7km’s south of Westport Playable all year round due to its sand base and provides a stern yet enjoyable test for golfers of all abilities

Hokitika GolF Club

Golf link Road RD 3 Hokitika, buller/Westland

Ph +64 (03) 755 8549 www.hokitika.org

A links course of 5617m for the Men and 5039m for the Ladies A warm welcome awaits you. Green Fees from $25

Marine Parade WESTPORT, Buller/Westland +64 (03) 789 8132

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GOLF TRAILS

NORTH HARBOUR

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

OMAHA BEACH GOLF CLUB NEWS - EVENTS - RESULTS

NORTHLAND

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NORTH HARBOUR NOTICEBOARD 22 Jan25 Jan

Redwood Park

09 833 8253

Redwood Park Masters

AUCKLAND COMBINED GMANZ/NZGCSA SUMMIT AND FINE TURF SEMINAR

Introducing the Combined GMANZ/ NZGCSA Summit and Fine Turf Seminar themed “Prospering in an unreal world” 13-15 June 2021 Vodafone Events Centre Manukau.

INVITATION TO REGISTER Combined GMANZ/NZGCSA Summit and Fine Turf Seminar “Prospering in an unreal world” The Golf Managers Association of New Zealand (GMANZ) and the New Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association Inc.(NZGCSA) we would like to extend a warm welcome to you, your fellow staff and board members to be our guests to attend the Combined GMANZ/NZGCSA Summit and Fine Turf Seminar 13-15 June 2021 Vodafone Events Centre Manukau as delegates, trade exhibitors, partners or trade exhibitor suppliers.

In these uncertain times it is the obliga-

January 2021

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tion of both our Associations to provide the best outcomes for New Zealand’s Golf industry by bringing golf managers and golf course superintendents together under Alert Level 1 in a safe and collaborative manner to discuss opportunities to grow our game in these unusual times.

Working in our own silos will not have the impact needed to survive in what is a highly competitive sporting environment.

We need to be able to work together across both our sectors if we are going to have a real impact.

The secret about collaborating and cross sectoral work is it requires us to work in new and different ways. It can be hard, and it requires us to give things up, or to renegotiate loyalties. It requires us to care about the things that our collaborators care about. But when it works, it can be very powerful.

We expect to attract 180+ delegates to the event starting with an opening night networking session in the suppliers pavilion followed by the first day of the Summit with experts from within the industry sharing their knowledge and advice on topics of a general interest in Q&A sessions and workshops. The second day including the Fine Turf Seminar will follow the same presentation format with the topics addressed being very specific to the two industry sectors.

Preliminary Programme Day 1 Sunday June 13, 2021 8.30am Trade show setup.

7.00pm Trade show opening complimentary drinks.

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Day 2 Monday June 14, 2021 8.30am Summit and Fine Turf Seminar – Day 1 opens 1.00pm Trade show presentations 5.00pm Summit and Fine Turf Seminar – Day 1 closes 7.00pm Summit and Fine Turf Power Turf Dinner 8.30pm GMANZ and NZGCSA Awards Day 3 Tuesday June 15, 2021 8.30am Summit and Fine Turf Seminar Day 2 opens 4.00pm Summit and Fine Turf Seminar Day closes Preliminary list of topics to be covered by our experts include: Monday 14 June 2021 Planning Data Intelligence Digital innovation Diversity and inclusion Golf and Mental Health Governance Golf Sustainability Leadership Tuesday 15 June including the NZGCSA Fine Turf Seminar Financial forecasting in an unreal world Financial benchmarking Membership growth and retention The Casual Golfer/Green fee growth Social Media for clubs Golf Course Design Public Relations Managing people Productivity Growing Degree Days Supplier relationships Asset Management Shared value creations Manager & Superintendent relationships To keep abreast of developments especially from an environmentally friend-

ly perspective we expect to attract a full book of partners and trade exhibitors to showcase their latest developments. One session will be put aside for suppliers to give a 2-minute presentation to delegates.

We think it is important that we share what we are learning. We are not great at collaboration in Aotearoa New Zealand and the challenges we need to navigate are going to force us to do more and more of it. So, if we are going to get better at it, let us learn from each other.

Chris Davies Jason Perkins President GMANZ - President - NZGCSA Early bird delegate registrations, trade exhibitors and partner registrations can be actioned by clicking on the link https://www.golfmanagers.co.nz/conferences/2021-combined-summit/registration.html Enquiries can be addressed to the 2021 Combined GMANZ/NZGCSA Summit and Fine Turf Seminar organiser Des Topp t:021-392007 E: eo@gmanz. co.nz.

WAIKATO HUNTLY GOLF CLUB – THORNBURN BUILDERS OPEN – THE RESULTS ARE IN – HUGE GOLF EVENT HELD AT HUNTLY

After two years of solid recovery, Huntly Golf Club achieved something many might once have thought impossible, a golf open event with 160 players in attendance. The Thorburn Builders Open was

January 2021

held on Sunday 13th December 2020 with a prize table worth over $5,000 and a massive Hangi prepared meal thrown in. During the round players were kept refreshed with liquid stops and free barbecue sausages thanks to a Dairy Care sponsorship. The prize table included Christmas Hams, Meat Packs, Farming product, EZGO, Golf Product and novelty award prizes and a variety of confectionaries. Club Manager Russ Ford summed up the day by saying, “All in all it was an amazing celebration day of golf where a large amount of people had a lot of fun.

We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors, so thanks have to go to Thorburn Builders, On Par Electrical, Dairy Care, EZGO, Smiths Golf, Franklin Golf Shop Pukekohe, Placemakers Huntly and Nu Look Windows Huntly, and all our invaluable hard working club volunteers.”

Huntly Golf Club’s next major event is their Te Ohaaki Waiting Weekend Strokeplay Open Tournament, to be played on Sunday 7th February 2021.

RESULTS FOR THORBURN BUILDERS AMBROSE 2020 Place Team Name Nett 1st Team Warren Smith (Huntly) 55.1 2nd Team Muthu Samy (Waiterimu) 56.75 3rd Team Grim Hayden (Horsham Downs) 57.5 4th= Team Terry Broughton & Team Karl Palone 57.625 6th Team Tim Utteridge 57.875 7th Club Captain’s Team 58.25 8th= Manager’s Team & Team Barry

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Mills 58.375 10th= Team Cody McKinnon & Team Bob Pohatu 58.75 12th President’s Team 58.875 13th= Team Jeff Watson & Team John Dudson 59.0 15th= Team Rodney Montford & Team Emma Inglis 59.125 17th Team Simon Hauraki 59.3 18th= Team Warren Epiha & Team Paul Anderson 59.275 20th Team Chopper 59.7 21st Team Pawhere Brown 59.875 22nd Team Jason Williams 60.0 23rd Team Zahid Abrahams 60.5 24th= Team Handley & Team Rawendra Prakesh 61.0 26th Team Te Iwi Morgan 61.25 27th Team Myles Ormsby 61.365 28th Team Nells 61.4 29th Team Mark Thorburn 61.75 30th Team Jack Thorburn 62.0 31st Team Mike Barry 62.075 32nd Team Terry Newson 62.5 33rd Team On Par Electrical 62.75 34th Club Secretary’s Team 63.0 35th Team Brian Watson 63.25 36th Team Ricky Scammell 63.5 37th Team Kirsten Morland 63.625 38th Team Murray Friend 64.15 39th Team Mike Barry 65.5 40th Team Mike Rix 67.25

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WAIKATO NOTICEBOARD 16 Jan

Putaruru

07 883 8231

Maori Golf Tournament

16-17 Jan

Matamata

07 888 6109

East Waikato Open

21 Jan

Hauraki

07 867 3197

Hauraki Mid-Week Open

30-31 Jan

Whaingaroa

07 825 8483

Whaingaroa Golf Tournament 36 Holes

BAY OF PLENTY JUNIOR GOLF AT THE OPOTIKI GOLF CLUB

Junior Golf at the Opotiki Golf Club is growing, and the Junior Committee is looking at ways to provide a meaningful programme to encourage youth to play and enjoy the game of golf. The delivery of coaching clinics and assisting kids to participate in Bay of Plenty and NZ Golf fixtures is the purpose of the committee.

We have golfers who have represented the Bay of Plenty at national tournaments, as well 3-year olds who like to go chipping and putting with nanna and poppa!

To fund our junior programme, we are holding an Ambrose Tournament on 27th February 2021.

Sponsorship of our event will provide the Junior Committee with the means to deliver coaching clinics to our junior members and assist with access to BOP and National events. In return for your support we will run on course advertising for your business, as well as social media advertising associating your business with the tournament. You will also get a buzz from the fact that you have contributed to supporting kids who are learning skills for life!

If you would like to jump at the opportunity to support our main fundraising event for Junior Golf please contact Jascoe Ngaia on 027 575 5126 or email jascoe@toacontracting.co.nz. She can talk you through options, or how we can make a sponsorship package work for you.

These kids are good kids who passionately love the game of golf. We want to give them every opportunity to be successful at what they love – who knows we might have the next Dustin Johnson amongst us!

January 2021

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY NOTICEBOARD 13-14 Jan

Maraenui

06 835 8273

Women’s 54 Hole Match Play & 36 Hole Stableford Open

TARANAKI TARANAKI NOTICEBOARD 2 Jan

Patea

06 273 8250

Roger Rei Memorial

17 Jan

Opunake

027 212 7115

The Opunake Open

30-31 Jan

New Plymouth Golf Club

027 412 6103

2021 Taranaki Men’s Stroke Play Championships

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WELLINGTON SHANDON WIN NATIONAL WOMEN’S ROSEBOWL

The 2020 Wellington District Women’s Champion of Champions team Shandon have gone on to win the national title in a repeat of the 2019 team’s success in also winning this trophy.

An event with a strong history, approaching its 50th year, first won by Geraldine GC in 1976, Shandon have joined Pakuranga and Manawatu Golf clubs as the only 3 time national champions.

The Darae Chung lead team, had Regina Kang from last year’s winning team and the young Toaiva Faafia making up their winning combination.

Wellington clubs have some history in this event, Hutt GC (now BFHGC) winning in 1984 with the then NZ Rep Tracey Hanson (now Bishop) leading the valley side to victory.

Daisy Seiringer lead her Manor Park team to succes in 1979 and then lead Trentham to the same result in 1993, an effort matched by Margot Thomson (now Oliver) leading Shandon in 1983 and then Wellington (now Royal Wellington) in 1995.

The 2019 Shandon winning side was piloted by Yewoo Hyun, and the team doubled up on this success this year with

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Darae at the helm. This years victory was even more remarkable given the extremely challenging conditions (100kph+ winds) that the district event was completed in.

WELLINGTON NOTICEBOARD Jan

Judgeford

04 235 7633

Junior Twilight Series weekly

8 Jan

Riversdale

06 372 3416

2021 Riversdale Junior Open

23 Jan

BFGC

04 567 4722 Ext 1

2021 Hutt City New World BFHGC 36 Hole Open

TASMAN TASMAN NOTICEBOARD 9-10 Jan

Motueka

03 528 8998

2021 NBS Motueka Open

2-7 May

Nelson, Greenacres, Motueka

03 548 5029

Nelson Festival of Golf 2021

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY MEN’S INTERCLUB FINALS DAY AT WAITIKIRI - CLEAN SWEEP FOR RUSSLEY!

Woodward Cup Final In the final played last month between Russley and Christchurch it was Russley that were out of the blocks early building a nice lead through nine holes. Reid Hilton and Hiroki Miya were in superb form early with Hilton chipping in for eagle on the 4th hole, and was one inch from a hole-in-one on the 9th. Miya made birdie from the trees on the 5th hole. Both went to the turn 3up over Mike Toeke and Jordan Bakermans respectively. They were joined by Regan Kilpatrick, Michael McAuley and Hayato Miya who also had leads at half time. For Christchurch only young Mika MacDonald had a lead. To their credit Christchurch fought hard and fought back. John Rademakers snuffed out Owen Burgess on the last hole to

January 2021

win 1up, and Nick Franzmann took care of Taylor Hosking 2/1. However veteran Andrew Dufton hung in, winning the last two holes, and took a half with Mike MacDonald. The rest of the games continued to their conclusion from the nine hole scores. The match ended on the 17th when Miya beat Toeke, and by that time Bakermans had got back to square with Hilton and they agreed on a half - the final result 5-3.

Blank Cup Final Russley were to good for Clearwater beating them 6-2. Russley were dominant at the bottom of the order with Simon Murphy, Denis Kelliher, and Andy Richardson all getting runs on the board early each winning 4/3, Hamish Kerr and Connell Kilpatrick both won 3/2, and with halves to Yuki Miya against Geoff Clarke, and Jake Roberts against Leon Yee, Russley had their six games. Only Martin Taylor had a win for Clearwater narrowly beating Paul Fitzsimmons 1up.

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Simon Cup Final Again Russley were too strong beating Christchurch 6-2. In many respects the young guns outgunned the veterans. Pint sized young superstar Cooper Moore beat Karl Kitchingham 3/1, Sam Harris beat Gary Gillard 5/3, and Phong Nguyen beat Brad Clark. Other wins went to Nick Roberts, Hugo Daly and Peter Jones. For Christchurch Charles Whitwham and Tim Seeto won.

CANTERBURY NOTICEBOARD 6 Jan

Greendale

9 Jan

Amberley

10 Jan

021 225 8806

Men’s & Women’s Midweek Open Tournament

03 314 8735

Waimairi Beach

03 383 0307

Aorangi

Amberley Open Team Stableford New Year Mixed Canadian Foursomes

10 Jan

Weedons

03 347 8519

Men’s Open

10 Jan

Hororata

03 318 2887

Sponsored Tournament

24 Jan

Waimairi Beach

03 383 0307

Seaside Open

30 Jan

Templeton

03 349 7571

New Year Classic

31 Jan

Weedons

03 347 8519

Arthur Chambers Memorial Tournament

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND OTAGO/SOUTHLAND NOTICEBOARD

9 Jan

Rakaia

03 302 7114

New Year Tournament

17 Jan

Pleasant Point

03 614 7304

New World Sponsored Open Teams Stableford

30 Jan

Methven, Terrace Downs

03 302 8438

Methven / Terrace Downs High Country

30 Jan

Ashburton

03 308 6371

The Brandon Open

31 Jan

Geraldine

027 842 2332

RSA Tournament

Otago 8 Jan

Alexandra

03 448 8204

Holden Scramble

9 Jan

Owaka

022 5415836

Owaka Lions Tournament

23-24 Jan

Cromwell

03 445 0165

Legends 2021

9 Jan

Waikaia

027 444 6982

Switzers Cup

10 Jan

Riversdale

03 202 5886

Riversdale Holiday Tournament

31 Jan

Riverton

022 534 8873

Riverton Summer Ambrose

Southland

The Te Ohaki WAITANGI WEEKEND Open Huntly Golf Club 10am Sunday 7th February 2021

Te Ohaki i te Awa Waikato me te Ara roa Aotearoa

FORMAT: 18-holes of Men’s Strokeplay Competition in 3 Divisions: SENIOR (+3-9.9: Gross and Net; INTERMEDIATE (10-21.9) Net & Stableford; JUNIOR (22-36) Stableford. NOTE: This Event is a

WAIKATO TAINUI RAUPATU LANDS

FUNDRAISER for Junior Golf Equipment & School Coaching Programs.

ENTRY FEE $40pp; Early Bird Payment $35pp Closes 18 Jan, Fee includes aftermatch Hangi Meal. Barbecue & Refreshments on Course.

PROGRAM: By 9.30am Registration; 9.40am Official Welcome; 10am Shot Gun Start; 3pm Hangi Meal; 3.30pm Prizegiving; 4pm Farewell.

HUNTLY GOLF CLUB 450 TE OHAKI ROAD TE OHAKI RD1 HUNTLY 3772 Email: huntlygolf@xtra.co.nz Club 07 828 8305 Manager 027 311 0256

2021 COUNTIES-MANUKAU VETERANS INTER-CLUB COMMUNITY 2021 Round

Club Venue®

SGS

Date

Cup Challenger

Host Convenor

VVV CUP WAITERIMU*

9.30 Mon 15 FEB^ Alternate Shot Pairs Paul Heath

Qualify 1 AWHITU*

9.30 Tue 2 MAR^

Qualify 2 CLARKS BEACH 9.30 Tue 30 MAR Qualify 3 ONEWHERO†

9.30 Fri 23 APR

Awhitu Clarks Beach Onewhero

Phone

Email: Entry or Enquiry New Year W1/1-M 6/1

027 2911125

pgheath@xtra.co.nz

Bruce Wilson

09 2351299

awhitugolf@xtra.co.nz

Nev McSweney

021 869 434

nevillejud@xtra.co.nz

Les Johns

021 565411

lesleoniejohns@gmail.com

Qualify 4 WAIUKU

9.30 Tue 18 MAY^

Waiuku

Tim Howard

021 155 4113 alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk

Qualify 5 WAIKARE

9.30 Wed 16 JUNE

Waikare

Noel Steele

021 155 4113 waikaregolf@xtra.co.nz

3-Person Ambrose

Steve Ryan

021 294 8580 s.j.ryan@hotmail.com

JJJ CUP

WATTLE DWNS* 9.30 Thu 29 JULY

Final 1

HAURAKI†

9.30 Wed 1 SEPT

Hauraki

Final 2

MARAMARUA

9.30 Thu 30 SEPT

Maramarua

Final 3

HUNTLY

9.30 Tue 12 OCT

Final 4

PUKEKOHE

9.00 Mon 8 NOV

CCC CUP WAIUKU†

9.30 Tue 23 NOV^

Huntly/Waiterimu Pukekohe Nett Strokeplay

SteveCrooymans 027 467 3209 crooymansfamily@xtra.co.nz AndreRuiterman 09 236 0513

027 813 6000 mrrayntl@hotmail.com

David Gardiner

027 280 0515 gpesl@xtra.co.nz

Tim Howard

021 155 4113 alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk

® FEES: Q&F Rounds $20pp; Pukekohe F4, VVV, JJJ, CCC = $25pp. Note: Clubs may vary rate. † CONVENORS MEETING: Held in Clubrooms 90-Mins before Start | ^ Changed event dates.

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acsr@actrix.gen.nz

Murray Liddle

* 9-HOLE COURSE PLAYER LIMITS: BB Stroke Play 72; AS Pairs Play 84; 3-Person Ambrose 96.

January 2021

Public Holidays Auckland Ann Mn 28/1 Waitangi Th 6/2 School Hol 28/3-14/4 Easter Fr 2-Mn 5/4 Anzac St 24-Mn 26/4 Queens B’Day Mn 1/6 School Hols 4-19/7 Monthly 5th Th 30/7 School Hol 26/9-11/10 Labour Day Mn 26/10 Monthly 5th Th 29/10 School Hol 17/12-22/1

YOUR LATEST COVIC & GOLFING NEWS FROM ACROSS NZ AND AROUND THE WORLD

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