Golfer Pacific NZ – February 2021

February 2021 17th year as NZ’s exclusive Golf club magazine

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Amelia Garvey

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– from the US Open to the Augusta National Amateur PAGE 3 INSIDE // 2021 CENTRAL OTAGO AUTUMN GOLF CLASSIC // XTREME DRIVERS LEAGUE

EDITORIAL

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

From Dubai to Switzerland to California to New Zealand

I

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

was watching golf from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates recently.

The tournament was the Dubai Desert Classic which is played at the Emirates Golf Club.

Almost all the pictures showed stunning backdrops of skyscrapers, blue skies with lush green fairways in the foreground.

It got me thinking that the golf courses in the United Arab Emirates would have to be the most glamorous in the world — as long as not too much of the often neighbouring sand wasteland can be seen.

The Dubai Desert Classic comes in the middle of the northern hemisphere winter yet the temperatures were in the mid20s. In other words, delightful.

It got me thinking of other stunning golf venues.

The first to come to my mind was a course in Switzerland. The tournament is the Swiss Open which is held at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf-Club in the Swiss Alps.

Television pictures provide spectacular views of the alps and I am always amazed the golf course is covered in snow for a couple of months of the year.

The United States has countless courses which provide amazing pictures for the television cameras and I find it hard to remember them all.

But one that does stand out for me is Pebble Beach in California. It hugs a rugged coastline and provides wide open and spectacular views out to the Pacific Ocean.

From the spectacular to the not so specular. I am always disappointed with the smog-filled grey skies of golf courses in China.

When I was a racing reporter, I

once covered a major race meeting in Hong Kong and my hotel accommodation was high up in a building that looked over the harbour.

On about the fourth day, when I opened the curtains in the morning, I noticed all these buildings on the other side of the harbour.

Where did they come from, was my immediate thought.

I had not seen the buildings on the first three days because they had been hidden by the smog. It felt like the buildings had been built the night before and suddenly they could be seen.

The smog-filled skies of places like China always make me feel privileged to be in a place like New Zealand where the only grey in the skies is that of rain clouds.

New Zealand also has stunning backdrops in places like Queen-

stown, to name just one region.

You don’t have to go far in New Zealand to find a golf course with stunning scenery.

I am headed on a golf trip to Whanganui-Taranaki later this month and am already looking forward to playing the likes of the New Plymouth Golf Club.

One of the par threes looks straight out to the Tasman Sea and depending on the wind direction the tee shot can be anything between a short iron and a three wood.

Also on a good day, Mount Taranaki dominates the skyline.

We will also be playing at Wanganui (Belmont Links), Te Ngutu in Hawera, Westown in New Plymouth, Rangitikei and Levin.

I have played Levin before but not the other three. But I know I will not be disappointed because New Zealand itself provides magnificent views.

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: Amelia Garvey who will play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

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Amelia Garvey — from the US Open to the Augusta National Amateur

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irst it was playing in the United States Women’s Open. Now it’s strutting the hallowed fairways of Augusta National.

Canterbury golfer Amelia Garvey achieved a career milestone when she got to play in the US Women’s Open last December and made a promising start.

She scored a one under par 70 in her first round to be right in contention but a five over par 76 in the second round saw her miss the cut by one shot.

Now it’s time for Garvey to reset her ambitions with a start confirmed for the second Augusta National Women’s Amateur to be played March 31-April 3 which is played at both Augusta National and the nearby Champions Retreat Golf Club in Georgia.

Garvey, who remains an amateur, qualified through her world amateur ranking last year as the tournament was postponed due to covid-19. She was ranked 41st in the world in 2020 with the top 30 Americans and the top 30 internationals being invited to the tournament.

Now ranked 21st in the world, the University of Southern California student says it’s a dream come true to get the invitation again.

“It’s pretty unreal. It has been my own dream for a while,’’ Garvey said.

“A lot of women golfers probably wouldn’t have dream’t about playing Augusta. I always grew up watching Tiger coming down the stretch and we’ve never really seen a woman do it.

“When they played the first Augusta National Women’s Amateur two years ago it was great to see my own peers get that opportunity to play Amen Corner and the finishing stretch of holes in tournament conditions and playing for an amateur championship.

“It’s paving the way for women’s golf so it’s really cool to be a part of a tournament that is doing that.”

Garvey has her own history with this

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Amelia Garvey. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

event having qualified for the 2020 event only for it to be stripped from the schedule due to the covid-19 pandemic. Receiving the letter in the mail was certainly welcomed by the 20-year-old who is looking to turn professional later this year.

“The letter itself is really tidy. I was over the moon to receive the letter and get that event back on the schedule after it was taken away last year amongst a lot of other things. It’ll be pretty special as this year’s event will be one of my last events as an amateur golfer.

“It’ll be a cool way to sign off and a great opportunity to put some good numbers up and hopefully walk up the 18th with a chance to win.”

The tournament will be played at the Champions Retreat Golf Club over the first two rounds with the top 30 making the cut to play Sunday’s final round at Augusta National.

Although not everyone gets to play the final round at Augusta National, the en-

tire field is granted a practice round on Saturday after the opening two rounds.

Despite the tournament being different to your usual tour event, Garvey will call on her experience at the US Wom-

February 2021

en’s Open which was also played over two golf courses.

“The closest event I have played to this style of tournament is the US Women’s Open which was played over two courses,’’ Garvey said.

“Obviously, my preparation is mainly on the opening two rounds. I can’t forget about them and I need to get through them in order to have a chance at winning.

“Once those two days are done, I’ll have the next day to fully prepare for the final round at Augusta. An Augusta caddy will come around and give advice for that practice round whether I use that person in the tournament or not.

Garvey’s opposition will be top calibre but she remains positive.

“I want to go out and win tournaments rather than just competing with these girls,’’ she said.

“That’s always been my way of thinking. I don’t want to go out week after week needing to hole putts to make cuts, I want to give myself chances of winning tour events and majors as well.”

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Pieter Zwart — from Zimbabwe to New Zealand

By Neville Idour

A

fter enjoying playing in The Hills Pro-Am in December with Pieter Zwart I felt a chat with him would be worthwhile.

On the course he proved to be extremely pleasant and very generous in his eagerness to offer any assistance to the amateurs with him.

Zwart has much experience as a professional and earned his place at The Hills by winning the 2020 Trainee Professionals’ Annual Championship.

“This is my second time at the Hills Pro-Am,’’ Zwart recalled.

“The first time I was invited was in 2018. I think it is an event unlike any other. Perfect venue, perfect golf course every day of the week and great company to boot so the whole time here has been great.”

Take us back to your childhood we ask. Zwart is happy to do that.

“I was born and raised in Zimbabwe until I was 16 years old. Didn’t play much golf at all. Maybe nine holes now and again….once a year!! I started playing regularly with more intention when I was 17. I played a lot of cricket and tennis competitively at a respectable level in Zimbabwe.”

“I think the quota system was a blessing in disguise. I probably would have pursued my cricket a lot more if I had been in teams that gave me more of a pathway. The quota system did not give me that opportunity so I missed out. But that was fine as I would not be where I am now.

“Living was tight and difficult in Zimbabwe so my parents moved to New Zealand with me in 2003. We lived in Maraenui (in Napier) for four years where I first played golf in New Zealand. Things we take for granted in New Zealand were not so in Zimbabwe.

“I would play golf every day. My brother would leave school and pick me up off the school bus and take me to golf. We moved to Napier and I got involved with golf and joined the Waipukurau Golf Club where I was a member forever. I think I still regard myself as a member there even though I’m not on the books now. I was a member at Bridge Pa from 2009 as well. We lived in Napier for five years.

“At age 18 I had got a scholarship to Lincoln University (near Christchurch). So I moved to Lincoln and Christchurch was my first experience of New Zealand outside Hawke’s Bay. Hate to say I didn’t like it and I only lasted two semesters (six months). Didn’t have a car and they hit me with a whole bunch of studies and having to go to the gym. I had gone there to play golf and with Lincoln being 25 kilometres from Christchurch, that wasn’t for me. I didn’t think I could live up to those expectations.”

“So I left Lincoln and returned to the Bay (Hawke’s Bay)

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Pieter Zwart who is now living in Kerikeri in Northland. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

to really give golf a go. I wanted to be a professional golfer and played all the amateur golf I could and represented New Zealand at The Asian Amateur Champs in Japan.

While I wasn’t selected by New Zealand Golf, my ranking was so high I qualified to go off my own bat.

“I came back from there and was unbeaten at the Interprovincials, had a stack of good results to finish second on the order of merit in consecutive years and I was hoping to get in to the academy they had at the time. But I got passed over for a couple of younger guys who had been in the system a bit longer.”

So he thought, that’s it and went to qualifying school in Taupo and got playing cards for New Zealand and Australia. Zwart was just 24 years old when he turned professional.

“So for my first year as a professional in 2011 I played the New Zealand circuit. I may have had one win. I make a point of going over to Fiji every year to play because I enjoy the people and I am able to stay with friends. They are great and came to my wedding.

“I have won their Sheraton Classic tournament three times, in 2011, 2017 and 2018. The year 2013 was a turning point with my Australian tour card when I won the Papua New Guinea Open, one of the biggest prize money events in Australasia. Being a tier one event it was a big boost for me.

“After that I’m not sure what happened but I may have taken it for granted and I basically fell off the radar till 2016 although I still played golf. I worked at whatever I could find in that period. A personal issue was dealt with, things clicked and I won the Charles Tour Muriwai Open. I was living in Auckland at this stage but I moved back to Hawke’s Bay and started getting more serious. I got on a good run in 2017 and 2018. I must have won about 10 times. I was second on the order of merit and received an invitation to play the Hills Pro-Am.” Zwart has also enjoyed several New Zealand Opens, making cuts but without raising any flags.

Zwart then met his wife Mignon who already had

February 2021

a daughter.

“We actually got engaged on the 18th hole at The Hills in 2018. I pulled a hamstring getting on one knee,’’ Zwart said jokingly.

No wonder he has a soft spot for The Hills.

“We had a son. Then I had to get serious. Playing one day pro-ams was not going to cut the mustard. With a young family you can’t sustain a living just playing in New Zealand. I didn’t want to be away so I needed a qualification. I always remember my mum saying to me if you can get a piece of paper that says you can do something, you can go anywhere in the world, which is true. So I said right I am going to do it.”

What would he choose?

“I hated university so I wasn’t going there. I looked at the golf traineeship and said let’s do it. The first year was good, the second in 2019 was okay and was more of a baby year having my son born and not playing much golf.

“This year (2020) has been very quiet as I focussed on my studies. I wanted to get that box ticked.”

His win in the Trainee Professional Championships was the icing on the cake. He had finished runner-up the previous year in unusual circumstances. He shot nine under par in the first round and nine over par in the second round to finish even par.

His wife Mignon is from Kerikeri in Northland and that is where the family now lives. Zwart is the assistant professional at the Waitangi Club and is happy in that role although he would look forward to eventually having a head pro position with a pro shop to manage.

“Waitangi is a great course and I think the 11th hole (designed by Kristine Kerr) is one of the best par fives in the Auckland and north area.’’

Zwart made a forthright final observation about the New Zealand golf scene.

“When the All Blacks go to the World Cup and lose in the quarter finals there are usually ramifications. What has happened with New Zealand golf in the last 20 years? Have we won anything significant?

You have to go way back to the winning Eisenhour Trophy team headed by Michael Campbell to find any significant success.

“So why do we have the same people flogging the same horse. We have had the same infrastructure and same methods and have produced just a few golfers to compete successfully at the very top level in the last 20 years … Michael Campbell, Phil Tataurangi, Lydia Ko, Danny Lee, Ryan Fox, a natural sportsman, and Michael Hendry who basically did it on his own.

“Despite our small population I don’t think we are where we could be. Perhaps some new blood is needed. As for the juniors I like the formula of the Wakatipu Junior Golf Club and I think it would work where we are. “

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Mark Williams is a New Zealander who works in communications for the PGA Tour. But he also has a passion for art which he has now applied to golf.

NEWS

Golf and art cross paths in pandemic

By Mark Williams, PGA Tour

A

s a 17-year-old student in New Zealand, my two main interests were golf and art.

While competing successfully in several junior golf tournaments around the country, art was my favourite subject at school. A memorable project while attending Hamilton’s Fraser High School required me to produce a piece of art depicting motion in sport.

I painted an acrylic on canvas of a professional golfer at impact, while trying to show the speed of the golf swing. It resulted in an A marking, and I would pass the class with flying colours (pun intended). That painting still hangs in my parent’s house today.

Almost 40 years later, golf and art crossed paths again, but this time for a different reason.

Following the cancellation of The Players’ Championship in 2020 due to covid-19, like most everyone, we isolated for several months. During that period, I stayed relatively busy in my communications role at the PGA Tour, but sought more to help fill the down time at home.

Pulling the pens and pencils from storage, I began to draw golf holes, starting with the famed par three 17th at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Other recognisable holes made the cut, too, including No 12 at Augusta

National, No 7 at Pebble Beach and No. 17 at Tara Iti in New Zealand. I then experimented with a few other random subjects which appealed to me, like Formula 1 race cars, hotair balloons, the Jacksonville skyline—where the PGA Tour is headquartered—and even my brother’s goat.

Wanting to recognise the sponsors and fans and pay tribute to the multiple PGA Tour events that got cancelled, I drew an image of spectators crowding around the first tee at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. After posting it on Twitter, I received a lot of positive comments.

Encouraged, I continued with more drawings for social media, including sponsor logos and signage. Eventually, I completed drawings of each event that had comprised the 2019-20 PGA Tour season. Not only were they designed to provide recognition to PGA Tour sponsors and partners, but also to provide an illustrated history of a unique PGA Tour season. The process was inspirational, fulfilling and led to almost 100 pencil and ink drawings of PGA Tour tournaments, courses and players.

PGA Tour players began to notice. World Golf hall of fame member Vijay Singh, a past winner of the Houston Open, retweeted my drawing of the Texas event featuring a golf hat with the tournament logo sitting on a shelf in the merchandise tent.

When schools began closing amid the pandemic and impacting millions of students, the demand for free online home-schooling resources in-

The ionic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Photo credit: PGA Tour.

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creased. That need led to colleagues at the PGA Tour establishing links to learning in partnership with the First Tee. Invited to contribute to the site, I submitted artwork featuring Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Dylan Frittelli and Matthew Wolff. The objective was for students to guess the PGA Tour player.

John Bachman, a local news anchor at Action News Jax, contacted me and asked if I’d be willing to provide a piece of art to include in a fundraising auction for the First Tee of North Florida. I was happy to oblige, figuring a drawing of Rory McIlroy hoisting the trophy after his 2019 Players’ Championship victory was appropriate. McIlroy autographed the piece which certainly made it more desirable for the winning bidder. I also donated an additional drawing of No 17 at TPC Sawgrass. An interview with Bachman, which aired on Action News Jax in September, helped promote the charity auction.

Some of my drawings of PGA Tour players, including Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, have also been autographed and will eventually make it to charity auctions to raise funds for good causes.

Implementing an online service, I made a couple of books to house drawings depicting tournaments from the 2019-20 PGA Tour season. It felt like a good way to keep a record of such a unique season. Also included were drawings of two events established to help raise millions of dollars for covid-19 relief – the TaylorMade Driving Relief (Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Matthew Wolff) and Capitol One’s The Match (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady).

One of the books went to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan as a gift. He might view the 2019-20 season as the most challenging season of his career, but now that it is completed, it could become his most satisfying season. Hopefully, Monahan can look back at the drawings with a great sense of achievement.

After Jon Rahm won the 2020 BMW Championship in a dramatic playoff over Dustin Johnson at Olympia Fields Golf Club,

Tiger wins. Photo credit: PGA Tour.

PGA Tour rules official Stephen Cox requested a drawing to show appreciation to the club for hosting the event. Cox had Rahm autograph my drawing with a message of thanks to the Olympia Fields staff, before framing the item and presenting it to the club. The thought of my artwork, a drawing of a fist-pumping Rahm celebrating

his winning putt with the club’s iconic clock tower in the background, hanging somewhere in the historic Olympia Fields clubhouse is cool.

With a renewed passion for art and a continued love of golf, I won’t let another 40 years pass before art and golf collide again.

My artwork can be found on Instagram #TheIsolationArt.

Swing in motion. Photo credit: PGA Tour.

February 2021

5

Immelman: Charging ahead after an unusual year Trevor Immelman was an assistant captain for the International team at the 2019 Presidents’ Cup in Melbourne. The International team went down narrowly 14-16. Immelman is now the International team’s captain for this year’s event at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States and he provides some early thoughts.

D

By Trevor Immelman, captain of the International team for the Presidents’ Cup.

ecember 12 of last year marked one year since the first day of competition at Royal Melbourne and somehow it feels like a lifetime ago.

Looking back, we arrived in Australia with high hopes but low expectations.

We were a very young team – the youngest ever with seven rookies – but were filled with excitement at the opportunity to compete against one of the strongest American teams ever assembled.

We had a lot of belief in our leader, Ernie Els, and drew confidence from his

6

stature, his standing in the game and his record at Royal Melbourne.

In a certain sense you could see how excited the youngsters on our team were just to have access to him and to be in his presence. When you consider the struggles the International team has endured throughout the years, to get that close to re-entering the winners’ circle was a great feeling.

Ultimately, we came up short but our team as a unit took a giant step in the right direction.

We wanted to keep that momentum going and immediately began meetings in January of 2020 regarding the future of our team and the blueprint we saw going forward. We made plans, put together puzzle pieces for what we thought would be the 2021 Presidents’ Cup. Then the pandemic hit, and we had to hit the pause button.

As captain, there were two ways I could look at the postponement. I could look at it as a disadvantage, that we lost momentum we’d felt we gained in Australia.

We wished we could have played the following week in 2019 and instead it will be three years between cups.

But that is just one side of the coin. The side which I chose to focus on and what I think will be good for us considering we had seven rookies is that an extra year gives them a much greater opportunity to compete in the biggest events and gain more experience against the best players in the world.

They’re going to bag that extra experience and then come to Quail Hollow and draw from that. That’s what I think is important and the lens through which I chose to view this challenge.

I look back to the Masters in November as a great example of experience gained.

To see those players step up gave me a sense of pride.

Cam Smith shooting four rounds in the 60s has never been done before.

Between Sungjae Im, who finished tied second at Augusta National, and Joaquin Niemann you have two 22-yearolds that have become consistent forces on the PGA Tour. Dylan Frittelli and C T Pan also recorded their first top 10 in a major championship and Abraham Ancer played in the final group on Sunday

February 2021

(at The American Express tournament in California at the end of January).

I don’t think those performances would have happened without the lessons they learned at Royal Melbourne.

I was also delighted to see my countryman Christiaan Beizundenhout win backto-back European Tour titles in South Africa these past few weeks. Already ranked inside the world’s top-40, this young man could be another strong contender to make the International team.

If you add those names to the nucleus of our team that I believe will still be there – Matsuyama, Scott, Oosthuizen, Leishman and Day – you can start to assemble a squad that has a really good feel about it.

Nine months has passed since we first hit the pause button. We have regained our momentum since the PGA Tour’s return to golf, and I am excited about the talent being built upon this season. Looking ahead to the coming months, I look forward to announce the criteria for players to qualify to represent the International team at Quail Hollow Club in 2022.

It’s time to plug back in.

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Pat Perez is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour. But he is just about as well known for his collection of shoes, especially those associated with basketball superstar Michael Jordan. Perez recalls the story.

From the bin shoes to the Jordan shoes

Three-time PGA Tour winner Pat Perez who has a penchant for sport shoes. Photo credit: PGA Tour.

By Pat Perez

B

ack when I was in junior high, everyone wanted the Jumpman IV’s basketball shoes but there was no chance we could afford a new pair of Jordans back in the day.

A guy I knew had thrown a pair of old ones out at school. I saw them in the can, grabbed them out, tried them on — perfect fit.

I brought them home, cleaned them up and officially had my first pair of Jordans; the iconic white and cement-grey combo everyone wanted.

To go from that moment three decades ago, to having a wall of shoes and (basketball superstar) Michael Jordan’s number in my phone — it never gets old and will never be taken for granted.

MJ reached out to congratulate me after I won the CIMB Classic in Malaysia in 2017 and having won twice in the calendar year, at 41 years old after a major shoulder surgery, I just went

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all-in — never knowing if I’d get the chance again.

He said to let him know if I ever needed anything, so I immediately asked for some shoes. The floodgates opened and within a year, I was a part of the Jordan team.

I actually met MJ through a mutual friend some years back and would see him in passing, but going to Monaco with the other brand ambassadors a few summers ago was where things went to the next level. Just being in that setting with all those guys and getting some one-on-one time with #23, it was surreal. aa I try not to bother him much, but to be able to text with him and for him to actually respond right away, my younger self would never believe me if I went back in time and explained everything that’s happened these past few years.

That trip to Monaco was as one-in-a-lifetime as it gets; just sitting out on the deck, smoking cigars and sipping tequila with the legend, every aspect of that trip and experience was just mind-blowing.

Even better is the fact MJ couldn’t be nicer, cooler and welcoming. Sometimes you meet your heroes and it’s a letdown. This has been the complete opposite.

I started collecting Jordans shoes once I got on the PGA Tour and could actually afford to do so, especially when places like Flight Club started popping up and the secondary-market became a thing, making it easier to track down older models which I was really into.

Out the gate, I started by collecting the ones MJ made famous during his playing days and it just grew from there. It really is an insane hobby if you

stop and think about it, and we’ve literally had to renovate my office a second time now to make more space for the shoes.

It’s a beautiful sea of Jordans in there.

I haven’t done an official count recently but there’s probably well over 1000 pairs of Jordans at this point and it keeps growing as the Jumpman crew keeps sending more and more gear through my association with them. I can barely keep up. Every time that delivery truck is barreling up the street, I’m like a kid at Christmas.

Even cooler is the fact my wife, Ashley is so supportive of this hobby. She thinks it’s the coolest thing ever, the fact I went from being a kid who grabbed a pair of shoes out of the trash to now being a brand ambassador for Jordan and acquaintances with the icon whose name is on the shoe. We watched “The Last Dance” series together recently and I think it really helped her understand just how globally massive MJ and his brand truly are.

One of my special pair I have is the Jordan IV “Wahlburgers” which mean a lot to me. Mark Wahlberg (actor) surprised me with the Wahlburgers shoe a couple years back when I was in Los Angeles for The Genesis Invitational. He invited us over for dinner and dropped those on me which was mind-blowing as those are super rare.

I’ve also gotten my hands on all the Travis Scott shoes which I really dig as the retro “Flu Game” shoes released a few years back.

Nothing means more than the Cement IV golf shoes the team made for me, though. Talk about a full circle moment; my first beat-up pair now in a custom golf shoe and there are only

February 2021

two pairs in the world. I still can’t get over it.

People have asked how the Cement IV golf shoes came to be and it’s crazy how nonchalant the entire experience went down. I was sitting next to Mike and playing poker in Monaco when he went outside for a cigar and invited me to grab my tequila and to come with.

The 11 had just come out and I’d mentioned how great that would look in a golf shoe, while reiterating my love for the IV, to which he said, “Well then just make the IV.” I asked what he meant and he told me to just talk to Gentry (Humphrey; VP Jordan Footwear) and to “get it done”.

I couldn’t track Gentry down fast enough and before I knew it, the ball was in motion and within weeks two pairs of Cement IV golf shoes were sent to the house. It’s literally that easy when you have a legend’s blessing and he green lights it with the guy behind the guy.

I’ve also got a cool relationship with (actor and comedian) Bill

NEWS

Murray.

Getting to know Bill over the years was definitely surreal. I first met him back in 2003 and he busted my balls about my finish at Pebble Beach the year before and things just sort of grew from there.

We’d see each other over the years, but around 2015 when things were getting off the ground with William Murray Golf, he invited me on board and I’ve been with the brand ever since.

It’s a natural fit as I love all the gear, as well as the Murray brothers’ attempts to make golf more laid-back, fun and accessible.

As close as we’ve gotten through the brand, it’s still a trip when you’re playing with him at Pebble, standing in the middle of a fairway and you realise you’re paired up with Carl Spackler, “Big Ern” McCracken or Dr Peter Venkman. It really makes you appreciate how crazy this whole ride has been the past couple of decades.

Never saw this day coming when I was dumper-diving for a pair of used kicks.

7

Amy Olson, the winner who came second

By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS 8

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was going to write an overall look back at 2020 “the year that almost never was” but decided who needs it.

Instead I thought why not acknowledge what I felt was the shining beacon of performance in golf during 2020.

Of course I’m referring to United States’ golfer Amy Olson’s moving effort in last December’s US Women’s Open.

This was a classic case of being a winner without collecting the trophy. There was so much to admire it is difficult to know where to start.

Born in 1992 she enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career winning a National Collegiate Athletic Association record 20 collegiate events before turning professional and having her LPGA rookie year in 2014. The US Women’s Open in December was her 147th start without a win.

The year of 2020 had produced a second at the Australian Open and a seventh at the Scottish Open from 15 starts. In 2019 there were just two top 10s. Her modest consistency had allowed her to continue putting in solid

performances without getting a win.

Some of her better efforts have been in major championships. In 2018 she finished ninth at the ANA Inspiration and second at the Evian in France after a double bogey on the last hole turned a one shot win into a one shot loss.

However the sun seemed to be shining on her at the 2020 US Open as she played some near flawless golf to be either top or close to the lead for the first three rounds. Could this be her first win? A hole in one on the 16th hole in the first round was a standout. However after three rounds she was one shot behind Hinako Shibuno.

This was when the real drama started and what a sad, yet uplifting, story it would turn out to be. Just hours after the third round she would learn of the sudden and unexpected death of her father-in-law who she was very close to.

What to do? Clearly her husband and family must have encouraged her to somehow play the final round as rushing home was not going to make a difference. Of course her husband Grant had returned home. So her physical support was gone.

Adding to her anguish was the postponement of the final round till Mon-

day. No one could have expected what would unfold on that day. She could not possibly contend let alone win.

She teed off at 10.35am and bogeyed three of her first four holes to slip well off the lead … end of story?

Not likely. Olson said later: “I felt weak and helpless the last couple of days. I believe my faith carried me through and it makes you realise how much bigger life is than golf.”

So it was either sink or swim.

Olson, playing through constant tears, maintained her always pleasant countenance and bounced back with two birdies to again take the lead. For four hours she battled away, showing the world that even though it is just a game she was not giving up and would fight for her family, especially her father-in-law who she knew would have wanted her to do just that.

With three holes to go she was looking a likely winner. However, a bogey on No 16 was the killer as well as the unexpected and almost unbelievable consecutive birdie run that propelled A Lim Kim from nowhere to a one shot win over Olson.

When Olson’s final putt dropped her face spoke volumes as she stood with her caddie. The tears flowed as she

February 2021

looked up and the world stood still as the enormity of the effort must have engulfed her.

At the news conference afterwards she reflected: “I knew I had to stay mentally disciplined just to get through the day. I allowed myself to think about what I’m grateful for. Throughout the round the lyrics of You Raise Me Up ran through my head. With every shot or challenge I would repeat the lyrics you raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

The 2020 covid ravaged year has been a tough one for so many people.

Yet stories like this on the sporting field can inspire others even though it is just a sport. She showed for all to see, unbreakable spirit and resilience through her heartbreak and her light shone without letup in the darkness of a loved one’s death. Being able to watch her drama unfold on television would have inspired many.

Above all Olson has an endearing personality and is clearly held in the highest regard as a person and player.

Yes she has proved you can be a huge winner even though she came second.

One can only wish her the best for 2021 and maybe that elusive win.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Seven events in Asia scheduled for LPGA Tour this year

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even events in six Asian countries feature prominently on the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour’s 34-event schedule for this year.

Among several adjustments to the schedule given coronavirus pandemic-related challenges that may arise in early 2021, full-field events won’t begin until later this month while the usual spring Asia swing has been moved back to late April and early May. That means the Women’s World Championship will take place from April 29 to May 2 at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

Players and officials will then head to Pattaya’s Siam Country Club for the LPGA Thailand (May 6-9). From there it’s onto Hainan Island in China for the Blue Bay LPGA (May 13-16). The tour’s two usual stops in Australia were previously postponed to 2022 for pandemic-related reasons.

A second Asian swing, consisting of events in China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan, will be staged towards the end of the season.

Teeing-off a four-week stretch will be the LPGA Shanghai (October 14-17) at China’s Qizhong Garden Golf Club, followed by the Ladies’ Championship at LPGA International Busan in Korea (October 21-24), the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA (October 28-31) at Miramar Golf Club in New Taipei City and the Ja-

pan Classic (November 4-7) at Seta Golf Course in Shiga.

Meanwhile, August will bring the Olympic Games in Japan, rescheduled from 2020. The women’s golf competition will be held from August 4-7 at Kasumigaseki Country Club, near Tokyo.

In a demonstration of partnership with tour sponsors, all official LPGA events that were postponed in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic are returning to the schedule in 2021.

“We can all agree that 2020, while certainly not the 70th anniversary year that we expected, was a year that we will never forget,” said LPGA commissioner Mike Whan.

“As we look back at the year, I am amazed at how our partnerships have actually grown during this trying time, and how the LPGA staff was able to return all three tours to play in summer 2020. We actually added sponsorship sales in 2020 in the form of new title partners and new

marketing partners, and we proved that professional golf can be played safely for all involved.

“And our fans responded. Social engagement is up more than 40 percent and television viewership is up more than 30 percent over last year. As we look to 2021, we are recapturing the momentum that we had at the beginning of 2020 and we are excited about our future, which will include news of new title sponsors and several significant purse increases.”

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February 2021

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Justin Thomas to undergo training programme after homophobic slur T he world’s number three golfer Justin Thomas is to go through a training programme after using a homophobic slur at a golf tournament in Hawaii.

Thomas did not offer any details of the training programme, saying he wanted to keep it personal.

“Obviously people are going to be a part of that process,” Thomas said.

“But what I’m doing I’d like to keep internally and just go through the appropriate steps to get where I need to be and

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want to be, so people understand that’s not the person I am, the character I like to portray.”

Thomas muttered the homophobic slur f*****t under his breath, which was picked up by television microphones, after missing a short putt during the third round of the tournament at Kapalua.

He apologised after the round, and then again after the final round, saying that he “clearly screwed up” and made a “terrible, terrible judgment call.”

A few days later, American

fashion company Ralph Lauren announced that it was ending its relationship with Thomas, saying his language was “inconsistent with our values.”

“They had to do what they had to do,” Thomas told reporters at the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Championship.

“They are a huge global brand, and I have to respect their decision. I wasn’t disappointed, because I put them in a terrible position. I just was more upset.

I had a great relationship with a lot of people there, and like I

said, we would have had the opportunity to do it together. I totally respect their decision and move on from it.”

Thomas said he’s been in contact with his other sponsors (Titleist, FootJoy and Citi bank are among those listed on his website) and that “they understand this is an opportunity for me to educate myself, grow, become a better person, and just like they hope, I know that I’ll become a better man and a better person because of it, and they are going to kind of help me along that

NEWS process.”

“I’m clearly not proud of what I said. It’s humiliating. It’s embarrassing. It’s not me. It’s not a word that I use, but for some reason, it was in there,” Thomas said.

“And that’s what I’m trying to figure out, as to why it was in there. It’s going to be a part of this process and training programme or whatever I need to do, not only to prove to myself but prove to my sponsors and prove to these people that don’t know who I am that is indeed not the person I am.”

Hopes remain high for Asian Tour to resume

he Asian Tour has raised hopes of a return to action but no time-frame has been mentioned.

Due to travel restrictions and quarantine procedures prompted by the covid-19 pandemic, the Asian Tour has been unable to stage any events since March of last year.

However, in a New Year message the Asian Tour indicated that prospects for a resumption are improving.

“Normally, we would have crowned a worthy order of merit champion by now,’’ said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

“But, instead, we find ourselves neither here nor there.

“Throughout the past nine months of covid-19 interruption, the senior management team, board of directors and I have adopted a pragmatic approach and tried to take everything in our stride. Naturally, we are now more eager than ever to resume delivering tournaments for you all.

“The main message that I would like to communicate at this juncture is that our tour has remained resilient, taken all appropriate steps to manage the crisis and is

February 2021

well placed to resume in the near future.

“Rest assured that we will continue to work hard on our strategy to resume tournaments as soon as it is practical to do so. We have gained valuable insights from other golfing organisations – and other sports – that have successfully resumed operations and we will follow best practices as we make our calculated return.

“Consequently, when the relevant local governments feel it is safe to approve controlled travel for events, we will be ready to pull the trigger immediately.”

11

Singapore Open cancelled until next year

GOLF NEWS

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his year’s Singapore Open has been cancelled due to on-going concerns related to the covid-19 pandemic in the region.

Organisers of the $US1 million showpiece have announced that the next edition of the tournament will take place in January 2022.

Jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, the event has traditionally been held each January on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

Singapore Golf Association president Ross Tan said: “While it is truly a shame that the tournament won’t be held this year, we have been involved in the discussions throughout the planning process and are fully supportive of the difficult decision that has been made.

We shall all look forward to the return of the Singapore Open in 2022.

Patrick Feizal Joyce, of tournament promoters Golf-Apac, Sportfive, said: “The Singapore Open is one of Asia’s iconic events and a highlight on the

Open took place last January. Matt Kuchar, the bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, pulled off a stunning comeback in the final round to win the tournament with an 18-under-par total, turning the tables on gold medallist Justin Rose who finished second, on 15-under.

Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course is scheduled to welcome the game’s best female golfers for the Women’s World Championship from April 29 to May 2.

Donald Trump-owned golf courses crossed off majors’ roster

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ne of golf’s major championships, the PGA Championship, will not be held at a Donald Trump-owned course next year.

The PGA of America has voted to exercise its right to terminate the agreement to play the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster, said Jim Richerson, president of the PGA of America, in a video message broadcast on the PGA of America website.

“It’s become clear that conducting the PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster would be detrimental to the PGA of America brand,” Richerson said.

“It would put at risk the PGA’s ability to deliver on many programmes and sustain the longevity of our mission. Our board has thus made the decision to exercise our right to terminate the contract to hold the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster.

12

golf calendar. We worked tirelessly with all the various authorities and stakeholders to see how best to deliver a safe and significant tournament for the players and partners.

“Ultimately public health and safety remain the highest priority for us and due to the evolving nature of the covid-19 situation around the world, we felt it would be prudent for us to stay patient and work towards holding the next edition in 2022.”

The 2020 edition of the Singapore

“It was a decision made to ensure that the PGA of America and the PGA professionals can continue to lead and grow our great game for decades to come.”

Bedminster, located in New Jersey in the United States, had been awarded the tournament in 2012, before Donald Trump ran for the office of United States’ president.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, echoed Richerson’s sentiments.

“We find ourselves in a political situation not of our making,” Waugh was quoted as saying.

“We’re fiduciaries for our members, for the game, for our mission and for our brand. And how do we best protect that? Our feeling was given the tragic events of Wednesday (when rioters stormed the Cap-

February 2021

itol Hill building in Washington DC) that we could no longer hold it at Bedminster. The damage could have been irreparable. The only real course of action was to leave.”

Turnberry in Scotland is another venue owned by Trump. It has hosted The Open on four occasions, the last time being in 2009 when Stewart Cink defeated Tom Watson in a play-off.

In a statement released by Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of The R&A, said: “We had no plans to stage any of our championships at Turnberry and will not do so in the foreseeable future.

“We will not return until we are convinced that the focus will be on the championship, the players and the course itself and we do not believe that is achievable in the current circumstances.”

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

Daniel Hillier does well in Australia D aniel Hillier has proved he is a specialist at golf’s shortened format of the game after another solid performance at the Gippsland Super 6 Match Play.

Hillier made it as far as the quarter finals in the match play portion of the event, bowing out to PGA Tour of Australasia stalwart Peter Cooke.

He has already had a victory in the shortened format at the Brian Green Property Group NZ Super 6’s held at Manawatu Golf Club on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour last year. In both events, the top 24 golfers after three rounds of stroke play qualify for six-holes of head-to-head knockout medal match play until a winner is found.

The 22-year-old fired rounds of 74, 69, and a course record equaling 64 to finish at nine-under in a tie for third and inside

the top eight which meant he got a bye in the first round. He would play the winner out of fellow Kiwi Chang Gi Lee and 2014 New Zealand Open champion Dimi Papadatos.

Papadatos spoiled the ‘all Kiwi’ affair in the second round but Hillier ensured a Kiwi would progress through to the quarters after defeating the Australian in their six-hole match over the first, eighth, second, 16th, 17th, and 18th holes at Yallourn Golf Club Unfortunately, he went down to Cooke in the next round to end his run. Marcus Fraser went on to win the tournament.

Michael Hendry was also one of the handful of New Zealanders in the field this week and narrowly missed out on the top 24 players to progress through to the shortened medal match play portion of the event in a playoff.

NEWS

He carded rounds of 69, 71, and 70 to finish at six-under.

James Anstiss and Sung Jin Yeo both made the cut but also failed to make the top 24.

Meanwhile the European Tour began their 2021 season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with Ryan Fox making his debut start as a father.

Unfortunately for Fox, he missed the cut by a single stroke after opening rounds of 73 and 71.

Tyrell Hatton ran away with the event to win by four shots at 18-under.

Tim Wilkinson suffered the same fate on the PGA Tour this week at The American Express.

The left-hander shot rounds of 70 and 71 to miss out on the weekend by the skin of his teeth. Danny Lee finished a further shot back at two-under.

Zachary May goes back to back

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achary May is proving he is an emerging talent to keep your eye on as he’s won his second age group championship in as many months at the North Island Age Group Championships.

May has taken out the North Island u19 Championship to go along with his New Zealand u19 Championship he won in December last year.

He started the day three shots back of Harry Ward after rounds of 74 and 73 to be three-over for the tournament. May showed his pedigree in the final round card-

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

ing a three-under 69 to get to even-par and win by two over Stephen Liu. May teed off his third and final round in solid fashion opening with three straight pars before taking advantage of the par five 4th with a birdie. He added another at the eighth to make the turn in two-under par.

The Cantabrian added three more at the 10th, 15th, and 17th holes with bogeys at the 14th and 18th holes to secure the victory and cap off another special age group performance.

Overnight leader Harry Ward rounded out the podium in third place.

Meanwhile Vivian Lu has taken out the North Island Girls u19 Championship by a single stroke over her Auckland teammate Carmen Lim. The Auckland number one carded rounds of 73, 68, and 74 to finish at one-under for the event to kick off her 2021 season in style.

After a lackluster start where she opened with two bogeys, Lu rallied with three birdies with another bogey at the fifth to make the turn at even-par. However, her second nine got off to a similar start as he first as she made another bogey at the 10th. She made that back with a birdie at the 13th but finished with two bogeys to win the u19 title.

February 2021

Fiona Xu finished in third place at three-over par.

In the u16 boy’s division Joshua Bai continues to impress winning by eight shots to add his second age group title in as many months like May. Bai shot rounds of 68, 72, and 69 to finish at nine-under for the tournament to finish well clear of Daniel Freeman at one-under, and Nathan Clark at four-over.

Yeonsoo Son took out the girls u16 with rounds of 68.

73, and 74 to finish at one-under to finish two clear of Amy Im and four clear of Mimi Guo.

13

GOLF NEWS

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NZ Mid-Amateur Winners

t was a super Sunday for Titirangi and Judgeford earlier this month with both clubs now boasting a NZ Mid-Amateur champion.

Titirangi’s new face to the Mid-Amateur annual chase is Hitomi Nishio who won the Women’s Golf Trust Shield by a four-shot margin.

With a dominant six-shot lead, Judgeford’s favourite green superintendent, Adam Church raised the Neil Woodbury Cup to be crowned the men’s champion.

Nishio and Church were in contention all week and led all weekend over the strong Kiwi field that was missing favourite contenders from around the Pacific including regular Australian and New Caledonian players.

The championship played over three days and 54 holes.

Shandon Golf Club played host to the event and the weather could not have been better for the opening round of the tournament on Friday 15 January.

Shandon local Ben Oliver posted the best score in the opening round with a 69 to be one-under par.

Church was in the mix with an opening 71, as was fellow Judgeford member Brent Walton with Ken Meaden (Muriwai) posting a 70.

Best round over the weekend, men’s field was Church’s Saturday round of 67 which included birdies on the first, fourth, eighth, and 18th holes with his only blemish a bogey on the par 5, 15th. Church went into the final round with a one-shot lead over Meaden, who had a one-under par on Saturday.

However, it was a different day for the final round yesterday with gusty winds and rain greeting the back of the field. Church showed his class with a one-under par, 69, the only sub-par round of the day to secure the 2021 title.

Meaden finished second with a final round of 74, a total of 213 which was six back from Church’s three-under winning score of 207.

Matthew Cormack (Remuera) rounded off the podium in third on 214 (72, 70, 72), while Ben Patston (Otago) 215 (73, 69, 73) in fourth place. Fifth place went to Michael Trass (Boulcott’s Farm) on 216. Trass shot 72, 69 and 75.

Local Shandon members claimed the men’s best net, Sam Wilkinson, with winning stableford and runner-up places, Tavita Mene and Avinash Manu respectively. Runner-up in the net was Thomas Spearman-Burn (Mirimar).

The women’s field, complemented with district representatives from Invercargill to Northland, could not match the daily steady hand of Nishio. The Titirangi dynamo opened with a of round five-over 78 on

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Friday and then one-under in round two.

Her round of 72 on Saturday included birdies on the first, fourth, fifth, and three hole-birdie streak from the 13th to the 15th. Nishio made a few bogeys along the way but still managed to take a commanding lead that gave Nishio a four-shot lead going into her final round and a look at the winning shield.

A solid 75 in the final 18 holes and the Women’s Golf Trust Shield goes to Titirangi. 2018 winner Kellie Orchard (Royal Wellington) took on the chase with a final round of 75 but the overnight gap was too much to catch. Orchard picked up the silver medal with a total of 229 (79, 75, 75).

The only other women to shoot under par in any round was Sian Stevenson (Cambridge) who posted a 72 in her final pitch. Stevenson finished third overall on 233 (81, 80, 72). Still chasing the elusive Mid-Am title Vaha Fapiano (North Shore) 4th (79, 78 78) with a total of 235 and Jenny Peters (Northland) six shots back on 241 (85, 75, 81).

The women’s net winner was Harriet Dewes who shone well below her handicap with net rounds of 62, 68 and 71, second place awarded to Glenda Swan from Royal Wellington.

The consolation stableford prizes awarded to Shandon members Yuriko Manabe, the 2021 winner, with Judy Simpson as runner-up.

The tournament managed by PaR nz Golfing Holidays, under the auspices of Golf New Zealand, hope to announce shortly a Canterbury venue for the 2022 Championship. With return places for Church and Nishio as part of their winnings, who knows maybe Titirangi and Judgeford will be able to celebrate again next year. In the meantime, enjoy the current accolades being bestowed on your two champions.

Building Homes & Creating Champions

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hanks to Cavalier Homes, the 2021 iganz.co.nz IGANZ wishes to support golf season for Xtreme Drivers League whilst growing the sport of Xtreme Driv(XDL) is under way with the New proceeds from club Phillisers, Metiso is all current Women’s XDL Newqualifiers Zealand Champio Zealand Championship announced. Cav- remain with the host club and their best Long Blacks *Women’s Team. Phillis is also known on the L alier Homes is the trusted home build drivers will automatically be listed for Worldthe titleCavalier holder inHomes the sport of Long Drive. With such a fo company that has proven to have heart XDL Championship. and we are determined to grow this sport for our ladies. Ph for their clients and a shared vision to Pandemic savvy, our local and internasupport the growth of Xtreme Drivers tional crew are mindful of the constant known as the Golden Gal to the sport of XDL. League. Building business on and off the changes taking place around the world activities, tee with Cavalier Homes over the next which is restricting travel plus two years is very exciting, as we are des- both domestically and globally. IGANZ is Thanks to Cavalier Homes, the 2021 season for Xtreme Drivers League (XDL) is under way with the New Zealand tined to grow the events taking place in about to reveal the measures we are takChampionship announced. Cavalier Homes is the trusted home build company that has proven to have heart for New Zealand and Australia.

For ing the togrowth ensure allDrivers main events their clients and athe sharedfirst vision to support of Xtreme League.

Building take business place. on and off the tee with Cavalierthrough Homes over the next two years is very exciting, as we are can destined to grow the events time XDL is opening up qualifiers The announcements be seen on taking the place in New Zealand and Australia. For the first time XDL is opening up qualifiers through the golf clubs, this the golf clubs, this means the club events IGANZ website in the first week of Februmeans the club events will be listed on the official website ​www.iganz.co.nz​ ​ IGANZ wishes to support golf whilst will be listed on the official website www. release. growing the sport of Xtreme Drivers,ary so all post proceedsmedia from club qualifiers remain with the host club and their best drivers will automatically be listed for the Cavalier Homes XDL Championship. Pandemic savvy, our local and international crew are mindful of the constant changes taking place around the world which is restricting travel plus activities, both domestically and globally. IGANZ is about to reveal the measures we are taking to ensure all main events take place. The announcements can be seen on the IGANZ website in the first week of February post media release.

Phillis Meti - New Zealand XDL Womens 2

GRIEG MOONEY - NEW ZEALAND XDL 2020 CHAMPION & NEW ZEALAND LONG BLACK

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ur North Island XDL Champion Mr Grieg Mooney, is also a New Zealand Long Black and the current New Zealand Champion. Grieg is a well respected fireman who keeps the heat at the tee-box with his distances, and the one to measure your drives against in training. The Cavalier Homes - XDL North Island Championship is set for Pupuke Golf Club taking to the tee on the 26th September 2021. Our North Island Champions will be flown to the Cavalier Homes - XDL South Island Championship, taking place at Nelson Golf Club on

the 3rd October 2021. In IGANZ tradition, North vs South for New Zealand title, with Nelson Golf Club hosting the 2021 playoff. Our two time New Zealand Champion Thomas Woods, is current South Island XDL Champion, also a New Zealand Long Black. Thomas is well known as an Amatuer Golfer on the New Zealand and Australian circuit. Our youngest New Zealand Long Black, Thomas has already achieved so much with both sports and I’m super proud to have him as ambassador for XDL and our national team of big hitters.

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PHILLIS METI - NEW ZEALAND LEON TASKER - NEW ZEALAND Tasker - New Zealand XDL Masters 2020 Cha XDL WOMENS 2020 CHAMPION &LeonXDL MASTERS 2020 CHAMPION NEW ZEALAND LONG BLACK Our Masters division is ready to thrive with plenty of intere

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hillis Meti is current Women’s XDL ur took Masters is ready to Mr Leon Tasker out thedivision North Island Championship an New Zealand Champion and Capthrive with plenty of interest from at Pupuke Golf Course. Leon had more to smile about rece tain of the newly announced New our experienced golfers and drivdateder with the pandemic mind.Tasker Pupuketook Golf out Club has be enthusiasts.

MrinLeon Zealand Long Blacks *Women’s Team. announced as home to the New Zealand Long Blacks Phillis is also known on the LPGA circuit the North Island Championship and XDL + New New Zealand title for 2020 with the Championship trophies about on to be hous and is a 2 x World Record breaker andattention 3 Masters home turf at Pupuke Golf Course.

Leonwhich w division in 2021 for physically challenged athletes x World title holder in the sport of Long had more to smile about receiving a LuxDrive. With such a force at the tee in the included in our main competition days which helps us prom ury Stay at Fushifaru Maldives, which is Woman’s division the bar is set high and Looking forward towith growing XDL events with Cavalier H open dated the our pandemic in mind. we are determined to grow this sport beyonds words to the executive team who made this possi for our ladies. Phillis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and is known #golfjustgotloud #cavalierhomesxdlchampionship #golferpacific as the Golden Gal to the sport of XDL.

Pupuke Golf Club has been tremendous in it’s support to XDL and being announced as home to the New Zealand Long Blacks + New Zealand Long Drive, the club is set to get plenty more attention with the Championship trophies about to be housed in a specialty cabinet. XDL is introducing a new division in 2021 for physically challenged athletes which we are excited to progress with. Our kids events are included in our main competition days which helps us promote both the sport of golf and XDL to our little champs. Looking forward to growing our XDL events with Cavalier Homes in New Zealand and Australia, our gratitude goes beyonds words to the executive team who made this possible.

#golfjustgotloud #cavalierhomesxdlchampionship #golferpacific #newzealandlongblacks #pupukegolfclub #nelsongolfclub

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

February 2021

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W H AT ’ S N E W

THE ICONIC WHITE HOT INSERT RETURNS, IN THE ORIGINAL FORMULATION THAT GOLFERS AND TOUR PLAYERS HAVE TRUSTED FOR YEARS

Odyssey Golf Introduces New White Hot OG Putters

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dyssey Golf, the industry leader in putter innovation, has announced its new line of White Hot OG Putters. The original White Hot is an insert that Tour players demand, and now it’s back and better than ever in a premium high-performance package for all golfers.

This two-part urethane insert formulation creates the feel, sound and performance that has set the standard in the industry for over 20 years. It’s an innovation that helped propel Odyssey to its position as the #1 Putter across major worldwide Tours.

These putters combine a rich silver PVD finish with fine milling on the surfaces. The premium offerings are designed to appeal to golfers who appreciate the look of a milled putter. White Hot OG

models are available in our Tour proven, multi-material Stroke Lab shaft in a new candy apple red and a grey DFX Rubber Grip for a classic look and feel.

“Creating the new White Hot OG line has been so exciting for our team,” said Sean Toulon, Callaway Golf SVP and Odyssey GM. “Based on the insert’s incredible feel and performance, Touring professionals around the world still make this insert their overwhelming first choice. And we wanted to make sure the rest of the product would be perceived the same way.

We spent hours upon hours poring over every detail of each component to make sure discerning golfers around the world would recognize this family of putters as world class immediately. We couldn’t be more excited to introduce White Hot OG.”

White Hot OG Putters will be offered in the following head shapes: #1, #1WS, #5, Rossie, Rossie S, Seven, Seven S and 2-Ball. Available via Australian and New Zealand Authorised Retailers from January 28th 2021.

Callaway Golf Announces New Epic Drivers and Fairway Woods

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allaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY), an industry leader in golf equipment and innovation, announced its new family of Epic Drivers and Fairway Woods. The Epic product line is framing the future of speed, with exceptional new technologies that are designed to deliver fast ball speeds for every type of player.

EPIC SPEED, EPIC MAX AND EPIC MAX LS DRIVERS

Three new driver models are available – Epic Speed, Epic MAX, and Epic MAX LS. Exceptional ball speeds start with the Company’s new A.I.-designed Jailbreak Speed Frame. Previous Jailbreak architectures stiffened the body in the vertical direction.

By applying Artificial Intelligence, this new structure improves stability in the horizontal and torsional direction as well. The result is exceptional ball speeds across the face.

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The A.I.-designed Flash Face is specifically engineered to optimise the Jailbreak Speed Frame, promoting fast speeds across a more expansive area. Each face and each head geometry are uniquely enhanced in Epic Speed, and the super strength titanium promotes maximum speed, forgiveness and spin robustness.

Epic Speed is the fastest Epic driver ever, and it appeals to a wide range of golfers.

The advanced aerodynamic head construction promotes lower drag for higher head speed. The taller ribbon and flatter crown are engineered for a precise and more aerodynamic shape that can help golfers generate more speed from their swing.

Increased forgiveness in Epic Speed comes from an advanced composite design. The proprietary Triaxial carbon covers a larger portion of the crown and toe, leading to weight savings of over 16 grams vs. a titanium crown. Their engineers have redistributed that saved weight to enhance forgiveness versus previous Callaway MAVRIK designs.

Epic MAX is the most forgiving Epic ever, and it’s a remarkable engineering feat for golfers who want to hit the ball longer and straighter. It’s built on a simple equation: max ball speed (with the new Jailbreak A.I Speed Frame) + maximum forgiveness (with high MOI and adjustable weighting) = the ultimate max driver.

It features a lighter, stronger Triaxial Carbon material that saves over 19 grams of weight vs. titanium. Callaway redistributed that saved weight to promote

high launch and more forgiveness. This driver delivers an exceptional combination of a deep CG, draw bias and higher MOI to promote a tighter downrange dispersion that leads to straighter drives. To promote more control, a 17g sliding rear weight provides extensive adjustability to promote the ball flight that golfers want to play. Combined with the OptiFit hosel, the Epic MAX provides up to 20 yards of shot shape correction.

Epic MAX LS is designed for mid- tolow handicap players who want more speed, neutral ball flight and forgiveness in a lower spin, high MOI package.

The proprietary Triaxial carbon covers a larger portion of the crown and toe, and this driver delivers an exceptional combination of a deep CG and higher MOI to promote a tighter downrange dispersion.

It’s also the most fade capable driver in the Epic family, and Adjustable Perimeter Weighting provides up to 13 yards of shot shape correction to fine tune ball flight.

The Epic Speed and Epic MAX Drivers are available in 9*, 10.5* and 12* lofts, and Epic MAX LS is available in 9* and 10.5* loft options.

EPIC SPEED AND EPIC MAX

February 2021

FAIRWAY WOODS

Two new fairway wood models are available – Epic Speed and Epic MAX, and their exceptional ball speeds start with the new Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades.

Callaway used A.I. to design a completely new Jailbreak system which spreads and angles the Jailbreak blades. Along with stiffening the body, the new design allows the forged face cup to flex efficiently.

Every model and every face in our new fairway woods are uniquely designed using advanced A.I. It’s a proven design that puts an even greater emphasis on center and off-center ball speeds.

In Epic Speed, high ball speeds and forgiveness come from the high strength C300 Maraging Steel. It provides outstanding strength and flexibility while the Face Cup provides speed and spin consistency across the face. The forward Center of Gravity (CG) is combined with a new leading-edge to promote a strong ball flight, outstanding spin robustness and consistent shot shape dispersion.

Epic MAX delivers enhanced forgiveness from an oversized Max shape. The oversized head combines with a shallow face to make these fairways extremely easy to launch. The launch and spin are tunable using 2 & 14g weights. Golfers can use the heavy weight in the rear for more forgiveness or use the heavy weight in the front for lower launch and spin.

Epic Speed is available in 3+, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 7-wood lofts. Epic MAX is available in 3+, 3-, 5-, Heavenwood, 7-, 9- and 11-wood lofts.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

ERC: Our Longest Ball With Soft Feel

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RC Soft is our longest golf ball with soft feel, and it’s built for increased control around the green. To create all that distance, we’ve developed a High Energy Core that promotes maximum speed and total performance from tee-

to-green.

The ERC Soft features a new Hybrid Cover with a PARALOID™ Impact Modifier made by Dow Chemical*. This high performance, multi-material construction promotes high launch and low spin for long distance, along with great feel in a durable offering. Around the green it provides outstanding control, so you can play aggressively on approach shots, and in your short game. The PARALOID allows us to make this ball so fast, and with so much spin.

To complete the impressive design, our High Speed Mantle works with the core and cover to further enhance ball speed and greenside control. And our popular Triple Track alignment utilises Vernier

Hyper Acuity to help you choose the right line for better putting accuracy.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

Maximum Ball Speed and Total Performance From Tee-To-Green High Energy Core is engineered to increase ball speed and distance through the bag. The core also works with the High Speed Mantle to boost resilience and speed.

Exceptional Feel, Control and Spin With Long Distance New Hybrid Cover features an innovative PARALOID™ Impact Modifier made

by DOW Chemical. This allows us to create a highly versatile, multi-material construction. It’s how we deliver an incredible combination of maximised distance

W H AT ’ S N E W

from high launch and low spin, soft feel, durability, and excellent greenside control.

Enhanced Ball Speed and Control The High Speed Mantle creates more efficient energy transfer between the layers for more ball speed, and provides more wedge spin around the green.

Advanced Alignment From Triple Track Technology We’ve prominently featured our popular Triple Track lines on ERC Soft to help you focus and find the right alignment for every putt. *PARALOID™ is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow, used under license.”

Supersoft Golf Balls Long Distance with Greenside Control and Super Soft Feel

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upersoft has been one of the most popular balls for years, with golfers who like it so much that they won’t play anything else. Now we’ve com-

bined incredible cover, core and flight technologies to make it even better.

Our new Hybrid Cover features a PARALOID Impact Modifier made by DOW Chemical.

This dynamic design promotes long distance, exceptional spin, outstanding feel, and short game control. Working with DOW enabled us to deliver all of these key player benefits in an innovative cover material.

The High Speed Soft Compression Core is engineered to create maximum ball speed along

with an excellent combination of high launch and low spin in your longer clubs. Finally, our HEX Aerodynamics pattern reduces drag for enhanced launch and optimised trajectory. This truly is a long, straight distance ball that’s super soft, and that’s why golfers love it.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

Exceptional Distance, Spin, Feel & Control New Hybrid Cover features an innovative PARALOID™ Impact Modifier made by DOW Chemical. This allows us to create a

highly versatile, multi-material construction. It’s how we can provide an incredible combination of fast ball speeds from high launch and low spin, soft feel, durability, and excellent greenside control.

Maximum Ball Speed, High Launch & Low Spin The High Speed Soft Compression Core maximises energy transfer to increase ball speeds, while also promoting high launch and low spin in your longer clubs for more distance.

Maximum Consistency and

Optimised Trajectory HEX Aerodynamics is optimised to reduce drag and enhance lift for increased carry and higher flight.

Apex Irons – New from Callaway Golf Our new irons lineup features our outstanding Apex line, with forged performance and our first forged irons with an A.I.-designed Flash Face Cup. Apex is a players distance iron that appeals to a wide range of golfers, Apex Pro is an impressive players iron, and the new Apex DCB is a tremendous game-improvement option.

APEX IRONS

APEX PRO

APEX DCB

APEX Hybrid

ABOUT CALLAWAY GOLF

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) creates products designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells bags, accessories and apparel in the golf and lifestyle categories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, OGIO® and TravisMathew® brands worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.odysseygolf.com, www.ogio.com, and www.travismathew.com.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

February 2021

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THE BEST FROM IAN HARDIE

ianhardie.net

How to get out of a bunker first shot, every time

By Ian Hardie NZPGA Professional

I

f there is one part of the game of golf that usually has most golfers twisted up in knots and almost guarantees a high score on a hole if they happen to end up in one – it’s those hazards on the golf course that are called ‘bunkers’ (known as a ‘sand trap’ in other parts of the world).

Remembering of course, that as we are talking about the game of golf here not everything makes sense, as under The Definitions of The Rules of Golf - a “hazard” is any bunker or water hazard.

The difference being that one is just slightly harder to play out of than the other (I’ll leave you to figure out your own personal favourite there) although, having witnessed many thousands of golfers approach their upcoming shots in bunkers over the years.

I’m not sure there is a lot of difference in most golfers’ minds between the likelihood of easily getting out of either of the two types of hazards.

Anyway, as most golfers walk up to play

a shot out of a bunker, they will generally have a feeling of either bewilderment, as they aren’t sure how they are going to get their golf ball out at all or a feeling of fear as no doubt, many previous attempts have been unsuccessful over the years and as a result.

They are almost paralyzed with thoughts of not getting their golf ball out at all.

The bewilderment can be taken care of by reading the rest of this article or by taking a lesson or two from me or your local PGA Professional to find out exactly what you need to do to get out of a bunker first shot, every time.

A golfers fear of their upcoming shot on the other hand, takes a bit more effort to get past as it will have been built up by many years of failure in similar situations – something that most humans struggle to get past in other areas of life.

When we take a look at the definition of fear, we find that the most relevant meaning of the word is: ‘A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.’

Now, obviously in some cases in other parts of life, that threat is an actual one but in terms of a golfer about to play a shot out of a bunker - that fear is of their perceived ‘danger’ which in real terms is the possibility that they may take more than one shot to come out of the bunker.

Not exactly equal to the actual threat of being chased by a stampeding elephant or a knife wielding assailant but oddly enough.

Most golfers that suffer from this problem experience a similar level of fear but it shouldn’t be like that.

In fact, it should be the easiest shot you play in a round of golf.

“Has Ian gone mad?” I hear you thinking.

I’m saying it, as the bunker shot is the only shot in golf where you don’t hit the golf ball.

That’s right, to get the golf ball out of most bunkers, you don’t actually hit it!

Considering, how much angst, just hitting the golf ball at all causes some golfers – it should be a cakewalk to finally get to play a shot - where you don’t have to contact it at all.

Take a minute to just think about that one.

The art of getting your golf ball out of a bunker is to play a shot that allows you to take ‘a divot’ of sand out with the club - this is how the ball comes out.

It’s pushed up and out of the bunker by the ‘divot’ of sand you make as you don’t hit the golf ball and to help you do that it is important that you not only have, but use a sand wedge for most of your sand shots.

What’s the big deal about using a sand wedge?

If you take a look at your golf clubs, you will notice that most of the other irons are made with quite flat soles (the bottom of the club) as they are used mainly for shots off (in theory) short grass.

This flat sole, while fine for most shots, causes problems when it is used for a bunker shot because it wants to dig down into the sand – with the end result being a poor shot.

A sand wedge is the one golf club that is specially designed for the shot by having the back of the sole (trailing edge) lower than the leading edge – this is known as bounce.

As the sand wedge goes down into the sand and under your golf ball, the trailing edge (at the back on the bottom of the

sole) eventually hits the sand (a fraction of a second later) and effectively stops the sand wedge from digging into the sand, instead kicking it up and out of the sand allowing a flowing shot (the taking of the sand divot) and effective extraction of the ball.

So, use a sand wedge – it’s specifically designed to help you play the shot well!

There is another thing you may want to do to increase your chances of getting out of a bunker first shot, every time…………………..

If you watch any accomplished bunker player you will notice that they before they play the shot, they will have a different stance to most other shots they play.

Adjusting their stance to the line they are aiming on by pulling back their front foot – away from the line of the shot this allows them to reduce or eliminate any possible leg action in the shot, as the bunker shot is played with basically an arm and shoulder turn only.

Any leg action that you use will cause the majority of your poor bunker shots!

Read that bit again, it was important.

The next part of bunker shots that we need to work out is where to focus your eyes – as of course for all of your other shots where you are looking at hitting the ball you will (hopefully) be looking directly at it but for shots out of the bunker you need to………………………

I’ll talk about that another day, until then.

Play well.

Want to learn how to get out of a bunker first shot, every time from Ian Hardie?

Take a look at my group session that does just that here: https://ianhardie.net/ the-sand-experience/

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.

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

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

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

February 2021

19

Everglades Country Golf Club, Christchurch G O L F T R AV E L

EVERGLADES

olf Club

The Star Tracy

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he Everglades Country Club is a 9-hole course established in 1967 and is located 20 minutes north of central Christchurch The course is bordered by the Kaputone Stream on two sides of the course and is a straight forward layout with two tees and one flag on each green for 18 holes of golf, the challenge is to negotiate the tight lined fairways and relatively small greens.

The club operates a full winter and summer programme of competitive and social golf for both men

Postal Address: 142 Riverlea Estate Drive, Stewarts Gully 8083 Fee: Green fee players welcomed: Green fees: 18 holes $20, 9 holes $10 pay for 5 games and get the 6th game free Facilities Golf clubs and trolleys for hire Eftpos facility is only available when the office is open Eligibility: The course is available for all to use except when club competitions are being played.

Admission Procedures: To join the Club complete an application form that is available at clubhouse Notes: Group bookings welcomed when the course is open for green fee players please phone for more details.

Green fees players pay for 5 games get the 6th game free only when the office is open. Enquire about our purple course designed to make golf rounds quicker and great for people learning this great game same green fees apply.

Affiliation: Course owned by Netherlands Society Christchurch Credentials: Incorporated society Alternate Agency: Netherlands Society Christchurch Web Site(s): www.nzga.co.nz First Contact: Mr Miles Ruddenklau Position Title: Secretary Home Phone: 323-7678 Mobile: 027-684-1619

Everglades Country Golf Club

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and women. Playing groups are varied weekly to encourage getting to know fellow members in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. All club day starts are run as a Shotgun start to allow for a collective finish after your round.

Men’s Par is 64 Ladies Par is 64 New Members welcome in the following categories: Full, 9 holes, Midweek, Winter and Summer Membership and juniors.

We have recently added Association Membership for those people who would like to become members of a golf club and have a handicap but unfortunately due to circumstances are unable to play as much as they would like.

637 Marshland Rd.

MEETING TIMES

Club Days Saturday Men: 12 noon start, cards in by 11.30 Saturday Ladies: 8.30am start, cards in by 8.15 9 holer’s tee off 10am Tuesday Tuesday Ladies card in by 9.30am Wednesday Men: 11.30 start, cards in by 11am (course open to Green fee players) Hotline: 323-7678 or club house 323-8641 Phone: 323-8641 Email: evergladescgc@xtra.co.nz Location: 637 Marshland Road, Ouruhia, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand

New Members and Green fee players welcome 9 holes $10.00 18 holes $20.00

Everglades Pay forCountry 5 games and receive Golf 6th Clubgame free the

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637 Marshland Rd. 637 Marshland Rd, Christchurch

New TheMembers course and is open Green fee players welcome

every day except Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm 9 holes $10.00 18 holes $20.00

Pay for 5 games and receive Details are available the 6th game free

for both at the club house phone 323 8641 The course is open every day except Saturday 12 noon to 4pm orfrom the Secretary phone 323 7678 Details are available for both at the club house phone 323 8641 or the Secretary phone 323 7678

Email: evergladescgc@xtra.co.nz

Email: evergladescgc@xtra.co.nz 20

February 2021

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

GETAWAY TO OUR VERY OWN KIWI BACKYARD .

New Zealand is beautiful in the Autumn. Why not combine a visit to the regions and experience some of our great golf courses? Our small group packages include a number of extras and are fully hosted to ensure you have a hassle-free and relaxed time.

Check out golfencounters.co.nz for all the details.

QUEENSTOWN MARCH

NAPIER MARCH

BAY OF ISLANDS

WEST COAST MARCH

MARCH

0800 377 479

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

TAUPO APRIL

GOLF EVENT

2021 Central Otago Autumn Golf Classic Course Review MONDAY 12 APRIL – FRIDAY 16 APRIL 2021

Playing golf in Queenstown? Just 20 minutes drive from Queenstown and commonly rated in the top 20 in New Zealand, the Arrowtown Golf Course is a must play.

The picturesque Arrowtown Golf Club is set in Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s most historic and scenic regions. This Golf Course is a must when playing Queenstown Golf, surrounded by mountains the 18 hole course has superb views from every fairway. The Arrowtown Golf Club is open all year round. Golf clubs, trundlers and electric carts are available for hire. Concessions for groups.

Please enquire at the clubhouse.

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

“New Zealand’s most scenic golf course”

www.queenstowngolf.co.nz

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+64 3 442 9169

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proshop@queenstowngolf.co.nz

February 2021

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QUEENSTOWN GOLF CLUB (KELVIN HEIGHTS) • Blue 6102m • White 5839m • Ladies 5104m • Red 4100m EVER seen a post-card of Queenstown?

If so then it has probably been taken from the top of Skyline Gondola and has the Queenstown Golf Club in it!

This picturesque golf club offers not only Stunning views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu but is an exciting and challenging golf experience. Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown, or 5 minutes by water taxi, this is one of New Zealand’s iconic golf clubs which is a ‘must play’ for all golfers visiting the region. The Course is surrounded by lake Wakatipu and cradled by stunning mountain ranges so every tee and green has a view which makes it hard to keep your head down!

Signature hole’s take on a whole new level at the Queenstown golf club especially the 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, 14th and 17th which could be signature holes on any course.

With a proud and loyal membership, Queenstown golf club has a long history and welcomes visitors yearround. Equipped with 40 modern motorised carts, a PGA Professional, Pro shop, 7 day a week Café specialising in home-made faire and fully licenced Bar ensures all your golfing needs are met and exceeded.

The signature hole and probably one of the more scenic photographs on a New Zealand golf course would be the par 4 5th that curves left around the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu to an elevated green. Driving line is key as an over aggressive line combined with a miss-timed drive will see you ending up in the drink, however, the hole sets up for a right to left shaped drive which will carve yardage off your approach shot.

The facilities are excellent, carts and club hire available from the pro shop.

Green fees range from $50-100 depending on seasons.

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

WANAKA GOLF CLUB

CROMWELL GOLF CLUB

ALEXANDRA GOLF CLUB

ARROWTOWN GOLF CLUB

• Blue 5770m • White 5484m • Ladies 5029m A one hour scenic drive from Queenstown, the township of Wanaka is a stunning and tranquil holiday destination in the heart of the Queenstown Lakes region.

Perched above the picturesque township is the lovely Wanaka golf club; the biggest club in the South Island with over 1070 members. Host to the NZ Mixed foursomes, the NZ Women’s and Men’s Seniors events.

Wanaka Golf Club boasts a well maintained, charming and challenging layout, with magnificent views.

Measuring 5770m (blues) and 5484m (whites) the course isn’t long by modern standards, but careful course management and the ability to shape your shots is important if you want to score well. The small greens and natural contours of the land also present their own challenge, so playing safe to the middle of the greens is recommended. It’s also important to try and keep your eye on the ball, as the spectacular views across the town and lake to Mount Aspiring National Park are some of the best in New Zealand, and can certainly add an extra distraction to your game.

The two nines are very different. The front-nine, which was established in the 1930s, features an undulating layout with small greens nestled amongst the rolling terrain. The back nine, which was added across the road in 1967, is much longer and slightly flatter—but no less spectacular.

The club continues to progress significantly with capital improvements and course upgrades, making it one of the most scenic and playable courses around.

The club features all the usual facilities you’d expect from a quality golf club, including club and cart hire, fully-stocked pro shop, recently upgraded practice range facility and a café and bar.

• Black 6462m • Blue 6234m • White 5844m • Yellow 5204m • Red 4468m THE Cromwell Golf Course is a sand based, links style course located further from the sea than any other in New Zealand. Its fairways follow the natural lie of the land and features a sandy, wasteland feel, rough with patches of marram grass and large undulating greens.

The course has 5 tee locations ranging from beginner to championship providing a real challenge for all levels of golfer and was rated inside the top 30 NZ courses in NZ Golf Magazine’s 2019 rankings. The Cromwell course hosts the New Zealand Open final qualifying event annually.

Course facilities include a full length driving range and large multi-tier putting and chipping green, on-site PGA Professional, fully stocked pro-shop along with electric cart, trundle, and club hire.

Situated on the 45th parallel, the inland location and surrounding mountains creates a microclimate nearing semi-arid. With less than 400mm (<15 inches) of evenly spread rain and 2200 hours of sunshine per year, golf can be played comfortably year-round with dry underfoot conditions. In winter a crisp white frost usually ensures a brilliantly sunny day in which to enjoy a round of golf on a course maintained to a consistently high standard.

The golf course is in the centre of the town, which in turn is surrounded by vine yards and orchards. This is the centre of the world renown Central Otago Pinot Noir producing locations of Bannockburn, Bendigo and Lowburn so wine tasting opportunities are numerous. The town is also located adjacent to Lake Dunstan and the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers.

• Blue 6000m • White 5718m • Ladies 5179m Alexandra lies in the beautiful Manuherikia valley at the confluence of the Manuherikia and Clutha rivers.

Surrounded by the high mountain ranges of the Old Man, Dunstan and Hawkduns, and with the barren Knobby Range as its background, this is a special part of Central Otago featuring stunning scenery, great history as well as plenty of things to do for golfers and non golfers alike.

The pines bordering the golf course along State Highway 8 were originally planted to contain the desert sands that prevailed in the area. Most find it hard to imagine that today’s stunning golf course could be created from such beginnings. The course features a flat but undulating desert type terrain with fully irrigated fairways from tee to green. Narrow fairways mean accuracy is of prime importance if you are to avoid the desert remnants in the rough and the many trees lining the fairways.

Of interest, and one reason why golfers find their round at Alexandra appears to go so quickly, is the lack of continuous holes of same par value!

Only twice in the 18 holes do you play consecutive holes of equal par!

With the high ranges viewable from most parts of the course golfers find this is a most scenic as well as challenging course.

At just over an hour drive from Queenstown and Wanaka the golf course and this unique area are well worth a visit. Come and see what we mean, phone SubPar golf shop at 03 448 8374 or email SubPar@xtra.co.nz to book a tee time now.

Green fees are $35 for NZ affiliated players with group discounts available.

• White 5495m • Ladies 5035m Commonly ranked in the top 20 in NZ, Arrowtown Golf Club is the jewel in the crown literally as it sits below the Crown Range and runs alongside the famous Arrow river which over 100 years ago was once a hive of activity during the gold rush era. The course borders the outskirts of Arrowtown which is about 20km from the centre of Queenstown and offers stunning views of some well known ski fields, the Remarkables and Coronet Peak. If you are lucky enough to play on this hidden gem then you’ll will no doubt be blown away by the unique layout of the course as the narrow rolling fairways weave their way through valleys and rocky pillars very much like Roxburgh golf club. In the summertime the Browntop grass in the long rough is left to seed, leaving a colour scheme that represents a truly natural setting and makes the course look like a postcard. In 2012 the course won the New Zealand Golf Course Superintendants Association (NZGCSA) Environment award which recognises New Zealand’s leading golf course in relation to their environmental management practices. The club under took the removal of wilding trees and broom, while re-establishing Matagouri amongst the schist rock outcrops.

From a playability perspective, the course is the shortest out of the top 5 but probably requires the most accuracy from tee to greens.

Again like Wanaka, Roxburgh and North Otago, the greens are very small. However for any big hitters, there are a lot of risk and reward holes that can provide a lot of birdies but also double bogeys and beyond.

One of the best holes is the 18th which requires a blind shot over a hill to a fairway that slopes to the left towards a pond. A good drive leaves only a wedge shot to the green and a good birdie opportunity however getting a good drive away is the key.

Club hire is available and green fees are $50.00 for NZ Affiliated and $95.00 for Non Affiliated.

» www.wanakagolf.co.nz » Email: wanaka@golf.co.nz » Phone: +64 3 443 7888

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

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

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

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February 2021

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS TARANAKI NOTICEBOARD

NORTH HARBOUR NORTH HARBOUR NOTICEBOARD 23 Feb

Waitemata

09 445 8716

9-Hole Open Day

WAIKATO

7 Feb

Manukorihi

06 754 7497

Foreman Trophy

8 Feb

Pungarehu

06 763 8255

Coastal Classic

14 Feb

Waitara

06 754 8923

Airdale Links Foursomes

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI

WAIKATO NOTICEBOARD 6-7 Feb

Riverside

07 843 6287

Tamahere Shootout

7 Feb

Mercury Bay

07 866 5479

Kiwi Shade 200 Open

8 Feb

Piopio Aria

027 878 3394

Waitangi Day Tournament

12 Feb

Ngaruawahia

07 824 8006

Monthly Mixed Open

13 Feb

Waitomo

07 873 7978

Bert Koopen Memorial Open Tournament

18 Feb

Hauraki

07 867 3197

Hauraki Mid-Week Open

TARANAKI

TRENT MUNN EARNS NZ PGA PLAYING CARD

Manawatu Whanganui rep player Trent Munn, is the latest local player to join the professional playing ranks after he finished 2nd in the NZPGA qualifying school tournament held at North Shore early in the New Year. The top 3 players in that event earned cards to play golf professionally in NZ PGA events, which includes mainly Pro-am & Charles Tour events around the country.

For many aspiring young professionals

these events provide a stepping stone to gain the experience before trying to qualify for more lucrative tours around the world.

In Munn’s first event, a pro-am at Whitford Park, he finished tied 23rd from 50 participants after rounds of 70 & 71 (1 under par). The joint winners Harry Bateman and Momoko Kobori shot 8 under par. Usually the top 25 players finish in the money at most Professional events in NZ. Trent is the younger brother of former professional player Josh Munn, who is currently working in Melbourne. After a very good amateur career Josh earned his Aussie card and also played events in China, but like many young professionals found it tough to get that breakthrough required.

Trent will be playing a few events close to home toward the end of the month with Pro-ams scheduled at Hastings, Paraparaumu Beach, Martinbourough, Masterton/Eketahuna and Palmerston North. Later in February he will be able to give the Super 6’s Charles Tour event a crack at his home course, Manawatu.

• Green Fees from $25

Rangitikei

06 322 1475

Rangitikei 8 Iron

25-28 Feb

Eketahuna

06 357 8793

Eketahuna Open Day

WELLINGTON CARTERTON GOLF CLUB

By Wendy Wills A chilly start to our club day on Saturday 23rd January and despite the very windy conditions at times with a few trundlers going astray, scoring was pretty good. We had our final round of both the men’s and ladies Summer Cups a stableford competition held over 5 rounds with the best 3 scores winning. The overall winners of the 2021 Summer Cups were: Robyn Cohen for the ladies with 116 and David Wills for the men with 114.

MANAIA GOLF CLUB

• Play on one of New Zealand’s few true links courses • Just 3 minutes south of Hokitika

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI NOTICEBOARD 12 Feb

Hokitika GolF Club

Golf link Road RD 3 Hokitika, buller/Westland

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

Manaia Golf Club is located in the heart of prime dairy land with great mountain views, 18 hole easy-walking men’s 5469m par 71 and ladies 4871m par 72 course offers golfers an interesting and pleasant challenge. The Manaia Redoubt and a historic Maori Pa are located within the golf course along with a walkway which meanders through the course and along the banks of the Waiokura Stream.

06 274 5846

CITY GOLFERS… IT’S TIME TO ESCAPE YOUR OWN BACKYARD! New ‘PAY & PLAY’ RESTRICTED CLUB MEMBERSHIPS* at HUNTLY GOLF CLUB - fun friendly & affordable golf!

*$225 ANNUAL FEE PAID IN FULL BEFORE 30.3.2021 *$150 FEE FOR FIRST TIME CLUB HANDICAPPERS

+ YOU PAY $15 PER ROUND GREEN FEES TO 31.1.2022’ BUT WAIVED FOR THE FIRST 3-MONTHS; + INCLUDES OFFICIAL HANDICAP SO YOU QUALIFY FOR OTHER CLUB AFFILIATED GREEN FEE RATES;

PH: 07 828 8305 or 027 311 0256 | E: huntlygolf@xtra.co,nz | WEBSITE: huntlygolf.co.nz

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

DRIVE TIMES: 90m from TGA 60m from AK 45m from MK 30m from HM

February 2021

25

WELLINGTON NOTICEBOARD 13-14 Feb

Riversdale

06 372 3416

Riversdale Men’s Open

20 Feb

Otaki

06 364 8260

WGI Women’s 36 Hole Strokeplay

25 Feb

Waikanae

04 293 6399

Men’s and Women’s 9 Hole Open Day

26 Feb

Masterton

06 377 4984

Hospice Charity Tournament

TASMAN TASMAN NOTICEBOARD

2021 HUTT CITY NEW WORLD 36 HOLE OPEN PLAYED AT BOULCOTT FARM

27 Feb

Nopera Bay

027 446 4695

Bayley’s Nopera Bay Classic

2-7 May

Nelson, Greenacres, Motueka

nelson festivalofgolf@ gmail.com

Nelson Festival of Golf 2021

The rescheduled 2020 Pollock Cup final between Pegasus and Christchurch was held in fine hot weather at Waitikiri on Sunday 24 January. The Waitikiri course was presented in excellent condition and as usual offered up its challenges with its many dog-leg holes.

At No. 1 for the Pegasus was Momoka Kobori, playing her last amateur game before entering a professional career. In a very close match she defeated Christchurch’s Catherine Bell 3/2. Pegasus then secured two other wins - one from Deanna Matthews Pegasus No.3 defeating Melissa Newburn 3/1 and the other from Bobbi Oliver at No.5 for Pegasus defeating Margaret-Mary Coughlan at the 18th. With wins for Christ-

church by Nicola Webb over Sally Rossiter and Mel Brew over Sharon Stewart, there was only one match still alive between No. 2 players Olive Tapu of Christchurch and Amy Weng of Pegasus. Amy was 2 down after the 16th but then calmly sunk two long putts to birdie the last two holes to half their match and give her Pegasus team the 3.5 to 2.5 win over Christchurch.

CANTERBURY NOTICEBOARD 8 Feb

Waimakariri Gorge

03 312 4339

Waitangi Day Tournament

8 Feb

Weedons

03 347 8519

Waitangi Day Junior Fundraising Tournament

8 Feb

Rangiora

03 313 6666

Waitangi Day Mixed Open

CANTERBURY PEGASUS WIN POLLOCK CUP

2021 Hutt City New World 36 Hole Open played at Boulcott Farm earlier this month. A strong field and tough conditions, produced 2 worthy winners; the provincial rep team’s 2020 no.1 players Darae Chung and Jayden Ford.

PATEA GOLF CLUB This picturesque 18 hole links course sits on the cliffs of the South Taranaki coast, overlooking the Tasman Sea. A hidden gem, boasting ocean and Mountain views (Mt Taranaki/Egmont and Mt Ruapehu on a clear day). This course has its own special character.

Patea links are a bunkerless course with sheep grazed/mowed fairways and well maintained greens.

06 273 8250

26

February 2021

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

11 Feb

Russley

03 358 4748

Women’s Team Stableford

13 Feb

Ashburton

03 308 6371

Harvey Norman Classic

13 Feb

Hanmer Springs

03 315 7110

Senior Pro-Am Tournament

Waimakariri Gorge

03 312 4339

14 Feb

Left Handers Tournament

14 Feb

Russley

03 358 4748

Russley Open

17 Feb

Hawarden

03 314 4490

Women’s Team Stableford

19 Feb

Rangiora

03 313 6666

Fundraising Tournament

19 Feb

Waimakariri Gorge

03 312 4339

Women’s Team Stableford

20 Feb

Tai Tapu

03 329 6710

Men’s & Mixed Pairs Summertime Classic

25 Feb

Ashburton

03 308 6371

9 Hole Mixed Tournament

26 Feb

Hororata

03 318 2887

Women’s Team Stableford

28 Feb

Avondale

03 388 8203

Women’s Open

28 Feb

Bottle Lake

03 383 1403

Men’s & Women’s Open Tournament

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND

AORANGI JUNIOR GOLF DAY

SOUTHLAND STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Winners of the Southland Strokeplay Championships played at Invercargill Golf Club 23/24th January.

Andrew Hobbs (Division 2 Winner), Allan Baird (36 Hole Senior Winner), Kazuma Kobori (Division 1 Winner), Sumin Kang (Women’s Winner), Baxter Meder (Division 3 Winner)

Graham Keen, Aorangi Golf Asociation Club & Player Development Manager, said that 20 junior golfers enjoyed their day out at the Junior Golf Tournament held at Ashburton Golf Club on Monday 18 January 2021.

Judging by the smiles and thumbs up, everyone had a great time!

18 Feb

Geraldine

027 842 2332

20 Feb

Ben Ohau

027 232 4191

Teams Tournament Ben Ohau Classic

25 Feb

Timaru

03 688 2012

Teams Tournament

25 Feb

Maungati

03 612 9805

Men’s Open

28 Feb

Waimate

03 689 7659

Waimate 5000

10 Feb

Clinton

culbysc@gmail. com

Women’s Teams Event

13-14 Feb

Taieri

03 489 7450

Taieri Classic

13-14 Feb

Balclutha

03 418 2171

O’Malley Classic

15-16 Feb

Queenstown

03 442 9169

22nd Queenstown Women’s Classic

19-20 Feb

Dunstan

03 442 9169

Dunstan Ladies 26th Annual Tournament

20-21 Feb

Lawrence, Toko

03 417 8926

inGolf Two Course Challenge

Otago

Southland

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND NOTICEBOARD Aorangi 14 Feb

Grand Vue

03 693 8396

10 Feb

Queens Park

03 931 0082

DB Liquorland Charity Tournament

13 Feb

Gore

03 208 9932

Gore Classic

18 Hole Ambrose

WESTPORT

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 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

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.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

acsr@actrix.gen.nz

Murray Liddle

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

February 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

27

Monday, January 11, 2021 Attention:

Golf Course - accounts payable

Meridian Energy Limited New Zealand 0800 496 496 scott.kotoul@meridianenergy.co.nz 021890796 meridian.co.nz

Meridian Energy Golf Course - Energy Offer Low carbon energy: common sense for common good We understand your business, we are massive golf fans here at Meridian, we also supply around 42% of the Agriculture & Irrigation market in NZ. At Meridian, we can help you find where you’re using more energy than is required and show you how to save some serious carbon. As the country’s first power company to generate from 100% renewable resources, sustainability is high on our agenda. We know a thing or two about how you can use power to benefit your environment, customers, and staff – and maybe even your bottom line.

We understand that every cent counts for you in your golf club and members, so let us help you.

We have a fantastic offer for your club, simply contact me for more details.

Warm regards

Scott Kotoul – Agribusiness and Business Sales Manager Meridian Energy Limited 293 Durham Street, Christchurch 8013 PO Box 2146, Christchurch 8140 New Zealand M. 021 890 796

1 of 1

framing the future of speed

THE NEW JAILBREAK A.I. SPEED FRAME The new Jailbreak A.I. Speed Frame is designed to enhance horizontal and torsional stability to promote an increase in ball speed across the face. The future of speed has arrived.

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ

CALLAWAYGOLF.COM.AU February 2021

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