Golfer Pacific NZ – June 2022 by Golfer Pacific NZ

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Steve Alker joins Bob Charles as a senior major winner PAGE 3 INSIDE // HANMER’S GRAND DESIGNS // GOLF IN THE WINTERLESS NORTH

EDITORIAL Zalatoris: Surely it’s not will, it’s when pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

he plaudits went to Justin Thomas. The sympathisers were with Mito Pereira. But the forgotten man was Will Zalatoris. That’s not a criticism. That’s just the way sport is. It is harsh, but second is often described as nowhere. It’s like horse racing. The winner is remembered, the runner-up is quickly forgotten. Zalatoris finished second in the $US15 million PGA Championship in the United States last month after losing to Thomas in a three-hole playoff. Pereira, on the other hand, looked the tournament’s winner for a long period but it all unravelled over the concluding holes

and the Chilean had to settle for equal third. All credit to Thomas. He played the three holes of the playoff in two under par. That’s an effort worthy of a winner. Thomas is proven performer and hardened campaigner. Last month’s win was the second win by Thomas in a PGA Championship. The 29-year-old had previously won the tournament in 2017 and he has 15 wins on the PGA Tour. Zalatoris, 25, on the other hand, has not won on the PGA Tour but has been compiling a good record in major championships. Last month’s second in the PGA Championship was his second such placing in a major. Last year he finished second to Hideki Matsuyama of Japan in The Masters. Zalato-

ris also has two sixths and an eighth in majors. In other words Zalatoris is racking up a good record without delivering the final blow. What’s more he played some great shots on the final day of the PGA Championship on a course all players were finding difficult. Zalatoris started the day three shots behind leader Pereira, but he birdied Nos 4 and 5 to pull even. Then his tee shot on the sixth hole caught a gust and bounded into the bushes that line the course. He took an unplayable lie but had to chip from the cart path, knocking that one to eight feet before holing the bogey putt. He bogeyed the next hole, as well, and was in trouble after his tee shot on the long, par

three eighth hole bounded into the penalty area. His 30-yard pitch from thick rough came to rest eight feet from the hole and he sank that putt, as well. Zalatoris bogeyed the 12th hole after a wayward drive but looked like he could pick up a shot on the difficult 16th after he hit his 215-yard approach to 25 feet. He three-putted instead, missing a four foot par putt. Short putts are the weakness for one of the tour’s best ball strikers, but Zalatoris made clutch putts on the final two holes to finish the 72 holes equal with Thomas at five under par. His world ranking rose to No 14 after the PGA Championship and he said afterwards: “I know I’m going to get one — just a matter of time.” Couldn’t agree more.

NEW ZEALAND EDITORIAL Paul Gueorgieff pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz Ph: 64 4 565 0385 Mob: 64 27 227 1038 SOUTH ISLAND EDITORIAL Neville Idour 0274771423 pmidour@hotmail.co.nz 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 COVER PHOTO: New Zealand golfer Steve Alker celebrates with the Alfred S Bourne trophy after winning the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Michigan last month. Photo credit: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America. COPYRIGHT All material published in Golfer Pacific NZ is subject to all forms of copyright. Contents of this newspaper cannot be reproduced in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the editor. Views expressed in editorial contributions do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of this newspaper, its management. New Zealand Golfer Pacific is published Golfer Pacific NZ Limited. The company’s registered office is unit 10/7 Aruma St Chevron Island QLD 4217.

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teven Alker is now in the company of New Zealand golfing great Bob Charles. That came about with Alker’s win in the $US3.5 million Senior PGA Championship in the United States last month. The Senior PGA Championship is one of five major championships on the PGA Tour Champions and is the oldest, being established in 1937. Another of the five majors on the seniors’ tour is the Senior Open in Britain. That tournament was won twice by Charles in 1989 and 1993. Alker, 50, now joins Charles as the only New Zealanders to win a seniors’ major. Alker’s win in the Senior PGA Championship at Michigan came in grand style. He reeled off an eight-under par 63 in the final round to win by three shots over third round leader Stephen Ames of Canada. Alker had gone into the final four shots from the lead. He ended the tournament at 16 under par with rounds of 64, 72, 69 and 63. Alker only joined the PGA Tour Champions for over 50-year-olds at the end of

Steven Alker holds the trophy after winning the $US2.3 million Insperity Invitational at The Woodlands Country Club in Texas last month. Photo credit: Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

last year and in that time has racked up an amazing four wins and three seconds of which two were defeats in playoffs. He said the meteoric rise

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has come down to a lot of support around him. “I’ve had a lot of support and the game has really come around,’’ Alker said. “A lot of people have helped

June 2022

me get in shape, my caddy, everyone really. It’s been a great run and I’m just enjoying myself, it’s just so much fun.” Victory in the Senior PGA was worth $US630,00 — that’s

about $NZ960,000. His earnings on the seniors’ tour now totals more than $US2.8 million. Earlier last month he had won the $US2.3 million Insperity Invitation in Texas when a rain delay helped his cause. Rain held up play by two hours on the final day which gave Alker time to observe television footage of his swing. The Hamilton golfer afterwards said he noticed he needed to stay over the ball when making his swing and when play resumed he could not have asked for better results. Alker played the next six holes in six under par — four birdies and an eagle — which virtually sewed up victory for him with a four-shot lead with two holes to play. Alker’s two earlier wins were in a $US2 million event in Florida last November and a $US1.6 million event in Mississippi in March. After his Texas win Alker said: “It’s been a fun ride. I’m just happy to be out here. Everything has come around. I’m enjoying my game. Everything is a lot of fun.”

GOLF NEWS

Steve Alker joins Bob Charles as a senior major winner

Thomas just in time at PGA Championship GOLF NEWS Justin Thomas celebrates with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Oklahoma last month. Photo credit: Ross Kinnaird/ Getty Images.

n the previous 103 years of the PGA Championship in the United States only one player had come from as far back as seven shots behind to win. That was John Mahaffey in 1978 at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Then up stepped Justin Thomas at the 104th PGA Championship at Oklahoma last month. After three rounds Thomas was seven shots adrift of the tournament’s leader Mito Pereira from Chile. Thomas, who had won the same tournament in 2017, said he did not pay attention to any score but his own in the last round, knowing there was only six players ahead of him at the Southern Hills golf course. Even coming to the last hole it seemed likely Pereira would win. The18th had proved a difficult hole all tournament but Pereira only needed par to win, or seemingly at worse, a bogey to go into a playoff. But it was worse than worse. Pereira ended up scoring a double bogey after hitting his tee shot into a creek and a playoff to decide the tournament winner was down to Thomas and Will Zalatoris. But it wasn’t exactly sublime play, either, from Thomas in the last round that got him into the playoff. He hit a shank on the sixth hole. He made a 65-foot

shots behind on the final day in the PGA Championship, ironically also won in a playoff over Tom Watson and Jerry Pate. Thomas was still seven shots behind when he made his remarkable run, a mixture of key birdies and keeping mistakes off his card. It started with an improbable birdie putt from just short of the green to a back pin on the par three 11th. He edged closer with an 18-foot birdie on the 12th hole. He was lurking, while the leading pack behind him was leaking oil. Zalatoris and Cameron Young each caught Pereira, ever so briefly. All of them found trouble in the rough and the sand and the greens. Pereira was on the cusp of becoming Chile’s first major champion. Even after five bogeys, Pereira never lost the lead and delivered clutch par saves from the bunker left of the ninth green and from well behind the 10th green. None was bigger than his 12-foot putt on the 16th to stay one shot ahead. It all came undone with one swing. His sawed-off swing with the driver on the 18th, so effective on the previous hole, peeled to the right and into the creek down the right side of the fairway. After a penalty drop, his approach up the hill started left and never cut back, landing in the rough. His chip rolled off the back edge of the green. His double bogey gave him a 75, a hard-luck end to such a promising week. Pereira: “On Monday, I just wanted to make the cut. On Sunday, I wanted to win. I’ll take this to learn for the future.” In eight majors at Southern Hills, it was first time a player rallied from any margin to win, and it was only the second playoff. Retief Goosen won the other in the 2001 US Open after he three-putted from 12 feet on the final hole. At least he got another chance, unlike Pereira.

Justin Thomas on the seventh hole during the final round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Oklahoma last month. Photo credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

Fox’s disappointing final round

yan Fox had the worst round on the final day of the PGA Championship in the United States. The New Zealand golfer shot a seven over par 77 which saw him tumble 37 places from 17th at the end of the third round to 54th at tournament’s end.

birdie putt that began his record-tying comeback. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole that he feared would cost him. He never led until one hole remained in the three-hole aggregate playoff with Zalatoris. But when Thomas tapped in for par on the third of the three playoff holes, he stood tall on the 18th green with a mixture of joy and disbelief. “I wasn’t looking at leaderboards today,” Thomas, 29, said afterwards. “I was just trying to play golf. “I was asked early in the week what lead is safe and I said, no lead — this course is so tough. I can’t believe I found myself in a playoff.” Thomas closed with a three under par 67 and it was the first time since Phil Mickelson at Winged Foot in the 2006 US Open that a player gave away a one-shot lead on the final hole to lose a major championship. Pereira wished he could have the 18th hole all over again. “Sad to hit it in the water,” Pereira said. “I mean, I wish I could do it again.” The signature shot for Thomas came at the 17th hole, just like his first PGA Championship title at Quail Hollow in 2017. But in this case it was the second hole of the aggregate playoff. He drilled a three wood on the 270-metre par four to 35 feet for a twoputt birdie, his first lead of the day. Zalatoris, whose must-make eight-footers for birdie and par on the final two holes of regulation got him into the playoff with a one over par 71, couldn’t deliver in overtime. His eight-foot birdie putt on the 17th in the playoff missed, and he couldn’t catch Thomas at the end. Zalatoris looked like he had thrown away his chances for a first major — and first PGA Tour victory — when he three-putted from just outside 20 feet on the 16th hole. But he responded with a birdie from the bunker at the 17th and holed an eight-foot par putt on the 18th for a 71. He joined Thomas at five under par for the four rounds. Thomas, who had gone 14 months since his last victory at The Players’ Championship last year, now has a PGA Tour win in each of his last eight years and moved to No 5 in world rankings. His second major came when he least expected it. None of the six players ahead of him had won a major. Thomas knew that. He was in the longest drought since his first PGA Tour title. He was aware of that, too. Said Thomas: “I remember how tough it is now to win, so I knew I was going to be nervous and I knew they’d be feeling the exact same thing. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.” Mahaffey, the other player to come from seven

The consolation was that Fox still earned $US29,250. That’s about $NZ45,000. The PGA Championship carried a purse of $US15 million. The winner Justin Thomas picked up $2.7 million while Will Zalatoris, who was beaten in a

three-hole playoff, earned $1.6 million. Third-placed Mito Pereira and Cameron Young pocketed $870,000 each. A week later Fox continued his good form when beaten in a playoff of the Dutch Open in The Netherlands. Fox tied Victor Perez at the conclusion of

June 2022

the 72 regulation holes with 13 under par. Fox and Perez then embarked in a playoff to determine a winner which went four extra holes before Perez prevailed. But Fox again had the consolation of another top payout. He earned 192,000 euros which comes out at $NZ316,000.

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Hanmer’s grand designs By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

anmer Golf Club enjoys its position in one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist hot spots. Along with the scenic beauty of the small town on the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast, the famous Hanmer Springs thermal pools, Heritage Forest and many outdoor activities, the golf course sits nicely with them as an attraction in itself. It was some years since I last played there but on a recent holiday, which included Hanmer, my wife and I enjoyed a round at this very pleasant country course. It seemed logical to make the most of it so a chat with office and events’ manager Karen de Latour was the result and would reveal some exciting and ambitious plans for the club. De Latour has been at the club for about eight months but has considerable experience in golf club management. She previously worked at the Russley, Clearwater and Waimairi Beach golf clubs. We asked how she was enjoying this new environment. “Very much so,’’ was the immediate reply. “I think the course is great, especially for a country course and it is a great destination as Hanmer has so much to offer. “The greenkeepers do a great job and are always trying to improve the conditions. There are two full time greenkeepers and a part-timer. How did covid-19 affect the club? “When the South Island didn’t have any cases for quite some time lots of people were travelling and the club did very well. But once we moved to the red setting and omicron spread it has been a struggle with green fee players.” What about membership? Has there been any increase? “No and that is because Hanmer is a destination and many of the members live in Christchurch and also Hanmer’s population is only 1000, so there has been little increase.” One of the things we noticed since we last played was the order of the holes seemed different. “Yes what used to be one is 10 and 10 is now one. The two nines were reversed so now members could sit and watch players finishing on 18 which provides a great atmosphere.” Since covid hit, tournaments and events have been cancelled but they are now back on track with a couple of tournaments held recently. The Hanmer Open which was cancelled last October will be held again in October. Does the club have any plans? “Concept plans have been drawn up for a complete refurbishment of the clubhouse. This will include double glazing, heat pumps and new golfing type carpet. The outdoor area will look quite smart with some planter boxes to add to the setting.” When is all this going to happen?

Hole No 2 at Hanmer

“It will start this year with one focus area at a time. We are hoping to start on the roof before winter, then all of the double glazing a couple of months after that, then hopefully the outside areas by spring. The interior may be a 2023 project as the club has applied for funding to assist with the renovations.’’ For a club with just 180 members it is a remarkable project as it is in reality a complete makeover of the clubhouse which has excellent bones and will not exceed the size of the existing shell. However, the club has property to assist with raising a portion of the finance and there seems to be no reason for the transformation not to proceed. Like many New Zealand golf clubs, Hanmer has a rich history and is in its 111th year, having celebrated its centenary in 2011. It began in 1911 when 50 pounds was collected by residents and was formally opened on September 30, 1911, with 19 men and 20 women members. One of the darker memories, is despite women making up more than half of the members, they were not treated as equals, nor it seemed were they to be trusted. At a meeting on October 29, 1912, it was decided that ladies must play with a man without any reason given. Imagine that today? The original nine holes were on land leased from the Tourist Department and Domain Board along with a small area belonging to the club. Those holes bore little resemblance to the course today. Beside what is now the fifth hole, the Defence Department built Queen Mary hospital for World War I soldiers suffering from shell shock and battle trauma. The club and the hospital developed a close relationship, with the club receiving a grant in return for servicemen playing the course. The hospital, which eventually was dealing with alcohol and drug addiction patients, closed in 2003. The first clubhouse, called a pavilion, was built in 1923 following much fundraising from dances and other entertainment. The club also purchased six acres of land adjacent to the course for 18 pounds. In spring of 1932 the additional nine holes were opened although they were not playable. In 1935 another 19 acres were obtained and by January of 1936 four new holes were in play, eventually extending the course to 18 holes as membership grew. The war years in the 1940s were difficult with membership affected, but after the war ended numbers continued to rise until the 1980s. Despite such crises, throughout its history, the club has enjoyed a healthy financial position. It has consistently received a major part of its income from green fees. The club faced up to something of a crisis in the late 1980s regarding its membership imbalance. In 1978 an associate membership was introduced which was great for out-of-towners looking for a cheap sub to allow them to have a handicap and play at affiliated rates elsewhere. Ten years later more than half the membership were absentee members while, of the rest only, 90

The fifth hole at Hanmer Golf Club

June 2022

lived in Hanmer which placed a huge burden on these ones to manage the club. In fact membership numbers over the years make fascinating reading. 1947 (173 members), 1956 (228), 1975 (310), 1985 (403), 1995 (252), 2008 (190), 2022 (180). The important factor is the current membership is fully united in supporting the growth of the club. The 1989 annual meeting saw difficulty filling the committee numbers and consideration for closing the associate membership. A sub-committee of five, including three from Christchurch, was formed to look at membership and the future and structure of the club. This proved to be something of a turning point with every aspect of a golf club’s operations considered, from catering in the clubhouse to possible purchase of hospital land. So, in 1991, it was decided that, apart from juniors, there would be just one membership category and base subscription for men and women regardless of where a person lived. In this respect the club was ahead of its time as most clubs had different subscription levels and many still do. Also the purchase of the hospital land, which housed the then holes 13, 14, 15 and 16, was successfully completed both physically and financially. The various changes and innovations revitalised and united the club. As time has moved to the present day the formerly shortish course has been lengthened to the current 5022 metres from the white tees and 4785m from the yellow tees. But don’t be fooled, the course is no pushover. There is a variety of design with water in play on a few holes but will only penalise poor shots. One and two are par threes and a good tee shot should produce a par. The fifth hole, at 262m, has trees either side of the not over-wide fairway and a poor position will bring the gentle dogleg into play. The eighth, a par three of 127m, requires 100 metres to clear the pond and it is easy to misjudge. Holes 12, 13, 14 are on a lower level and 14, a 152m par three, is named the wrecker … and for very good reason with a slope up to a raised green. Go too far right and the upslope may hold the ball while left edge of the green may send the ball tumbling down the slope. All in all the course is a pleasant walk while enjoying the lovely environment and golf that provides a variety of challenges. The $35 green fee for affiliated players represents good value. We look forward to seeing the revamped clubhouse when completed. The club produced an excellent publication of its history to celebrate the 100 year centenary in 2011 which is still available. So it is appropriate to thank the various contributors especially Ernie Poole who spent countless hours putting together the club history some of which has been recounted here.

The clubhouse at Hanmer Golf Club

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GOLF NEWS

Central Otago golf trail a winner By Neville Idour

here else could one play several excellent golf courses in perfect weather with beautiful scenery and in relaxing solitude? Central Otago is synonymous with its now world famous rail trail, cycled by tens of thousands of people every year. Of course there are other cycle trails now, which are proving popular, especially the recently completed Dunstan cycle and walking trail. However there is another trail that can be enjoyed by golfers which follows a route close to the Otago Central Rail Trail. We decided to play seven of the excellent nine-hole golf courses that dot a round trip of approximately 400 kilometres from a Dunedin base, depending on any sightseeing detours taken.

WAIKOUAITI

The first leg of the journey takes us to Waikouaiti Golf Club which is now in its 87th year. Members are able to play the links-type course every day of the year because of the microclimate and sand based surface which gives the club an all weather course. Different tee blocks for each nine are an attraction as they give an 18-hole feel to a round. Some of the alternate tees change some holes quite dramatically. The second hole, a par five, becomes a par four 11th, hole three is 40 metres longer the second time round while No 4 is 60 metres longer and No 6 is 50 metres shorter. There is a cute 90-metre par three to enjoy twice on what is a mainly flat walk and not long. The white tees play 5114 metres and the yellow tees are 5073 metres. Waikouaiti Golf Club. Phone 027 465 7129. Green Fees $20. History Waikouaiti started as a “gentlemen’s’ club in 1935 when several Dunedin residents who had holiday homes there decided to form a golf club. The club has shifted several times, initially to privately-owned farm properties. In 1963 the club shifted to its present site near the beach.

ARDLEIGH

A 10-minute drive takes us to Palmerston where we leave SH1 turning left on to SH85, otherwise affectionately known as the Pig Route. It was first a track travelled by miners in the 1870s called the Pig Root, so named because of its harsh, mountainous, bleak environment. Our second course is a few kilometres along this road inland from Palmerston at Ardleigh Golf Club. The layout is very interesting and quite challenging although not long at 5492 metres. It simply follows the undulating contours of the land, always a plus for variety which Ardleigh certainly has. The first two holes are relatively straight forward although two slopes right to a gully near the green. Hole three is an excellent par three of testing length at 162 metres, over

a steep gully to a green with a bunker right. Don’t be short. Hole four is a tree-lined par four dogleg right while number five is undulating to a long green. The par three sixth, over a gully,

Ardleigh Golf Club

June 2022

steeply rises to the green. Number eight is a long challenging 486 metre par five. The fairway falls away on both sides and a large tree guards a right side approach short of the green. Nine is a par four to a wide fairway with a dogleg left and short, very steep climb to the green. Definitely need enough club for the approach shot. Overall a very pleasant experience with many trees to add to the appeal and well maintained fairways and greens. In recent years the club has had a paid greenkeeper and the results are obvious. Visitors speak glowingly of the course condition. Of course he is assisted by many volunteers. The club has a thriving membership. Ardleigh Golf Club. Phone 03 465 1448. Jeff Grubb 027 634 0138 Men 5492m Par 70. Women 5034m Par 72. Green fee $15. History In 1932, golfing enthusiast G R Hudson was finding the Dunedin course he played rather arduous so he purchased land in Palmerston and set out a nine-hole golf course for himself and called it Ardleigh. He offered the club rights to play his course with certain conditions of maintenance. On August 1, 1961, several members with “little more than stones in their pockets’’ were sent to an auction to buy the farm which is the current venue. Canvassing members and the community produced enough finance to arrange a mortgage. The last game was played on the “Old Ardleigh” on November 4, 1961. Working bees were held to lay out the course, form greens and plant trees. However, the greens and trees had to be fenced off to keep the sheep out. Grazing sheep was necessary to service the mortgage. It was a great day when the fences and the mortgage were removed. It is fitting the first hole is called Hudsons. The clubhouse, the original farmhouse, has been renovated and modernised over the years and serves its members well. Ardleigh is a tribute to the many willing volunteers over the years.

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Maniototo Golf Club

Naseby Golf Club

Maniototo golf course

MANIOTOTO

We leave Ardleigh and head along SH85 for the Maniototo region and Ranfurly where we will find the Maniototo Golf Club. It is 70kms away and the ever changing landscapes are quite breathtaking at times. Whatever the weather the landscape takes on a persona to fit. At times one feels alone with the land as there are areas of no habitation, especially when the distinctive schist rock common on the Maniototo weaves its patterns. In less than an hour we arrive at the club. When we first played the course a few years ago we were greeted by two life members, Neville Wahrlich, who was also the greenkeeper, and Gavin Weir, his assistant. These two were real characters and put in a mountain of work to keep the course looking so good. After enjoying a few laughs as they recounted some of the history we were invited to use the motorised cart which was gratefully accepted. The first hole is a slight dogleg right with out of bounds in play. Hole number four is a short par five dogleg left through trees left and right. Number five, aptly named “Jungle” is a standout 104-metre par three. Very pretty with trees left and right and bunkers guarding both sides of the green. Seven, a nice dogleg left with trees either side, typifies this enjoyable, easy walking flat parkland layout. A 467-metre par five brings a nice finish with it’s dogleg right. A lovely variety of trees thanks to plantings over the years are an attractive feature here. Pines, blue gum, willows and conifers mix and match to provide colour

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especially in autumn. Another thriving country club, it has 130 members. The beauty of these first three courses is that depending on your time you can easily play all three in a day if you only do nine on each. Maniototo Golf Club. Pauline Spratt 027 631 2259 Men 5636m Par 72. Women 5204m Par 72 Green Fee $20. History Maniototo Golf Club was opened in 1930 on Crown Land. The club purchased the land in 1936. There were fences round the greens to keep sheep out. The sheep were donated by farmers as lawnmowers. During lambing, golfers were allowed a unique 15 foot free drop of the golf ball. One can only imagine the fun and games involved in this. In the mid-1960s the sheep and fences were dispensed with and machinery took over. The clubhouse started out as two army ablution blocks that have been modernised and extended into the current spacious lounge, kitchen and bar.

Time of year is a factor in possible choices. During daylight saving, playing 18 holes in a day on two courses is easily achievable because travelling distances are not great. However, if a more relaxing and varied day is wanted, nine holes will allow plenty of time for sightseeing or other activity. Options for accommodation are many and varied and at this point Ranfurly is a good choice or there is time to drive the 15kms to Naseby or even Wedderburn a few kilometres further. Driving through the entrance at Naseby Golf Club we are greeted with a delightful scene. The autumn colours on the trees really highlight this lovely secluded setting with the A-frame styled well-appointed clubhouse in the background. Naseby has a healthy membership of 68 but amazingly only six are locals. The course is no pushover at 5686 metres, with a long 487metre par five to start with. It is an easy walking and flat course in a parkland tree-lined setting. The second hole is a 173-metre par three, treelined both sides and rear of the green which requires an accurate shot. There are some bunkers to avoid before the green on three, five and six, with the latter one of the standout holes. A short 252-metre par four, it features a gentle dogleg right with the bunkers making for a narrow landing line. All in all, another pleasant well maintained course. Yet again greens of a high quality. Note Sunday is club day. Naseby Golf Club John Lobb 021 192 1414 Men 5686m. Par 72 Women, shorter,

par 72 Green Fee $15. History Thanks to the generosity of a farmer, Naseby Golf Club was born in May 1958. The location was up on Blanchards Hill and it was a sight to behold as the group who formed the club gathered — a butcher, teacher, grocer, plumber, draper, carrier and of course Charlie from the pub, to name some. After a few months play was possible in September. Just five holes to begin with but they eventually got to nine, then built a little clubhouse. It was a real team effort with wives and children helping the men make the course. As can be imagined it was a very social club and Sunday club days, not to be missed, were fun “up on the hill”. The club was ahead of its time with unisex toilets in those days but ongoing improvements included loos for him and her. A few years went by then there was a major problem! Blanchards land was sold and the new owner didn’t want golf. A plea was sent to local council for land to lease. Back came the reply “You can use the old racecourse”. There was much delight as it was flat, had lots of trees and views. However an act of parliament was needed and duly achieved to change the land use. So it was back to square one. More hard toil and working bees. Determination won the day and the club started on the new course in 1968. So today the club is in good heart for a town with a population of less than 100, but which swells to 3000 during summer. Being 2000 feet above sea level they regularly lose 6–10 weeks in July, August and September due to snow covered fairways.

NASEBY AND PATEAROA

The next course on the trail is Naseby but there are options to consider. If you have the time you can take a left turn at Ranfurly and drive 15 kms to the Patearoa Golf Club and play this nine-holer set in peaceful surroundings. It offers plenty of variety, two par fives and three par threes and measures 5228 metres from the white tees and 5092 from the yellow tees. The club was born in 1963 when some land was gifted to the local community for recreational pursuits and a golf course was the result.

June 2022

GOLF NEWS Omakau Golf Club

OMAKAU

Leaving Naseby at 2000 feet above sea level, which is a few kilometres off SH85, we head back on it and it is a 50km drive to Omakau. SH85 is quite remote and undulating between Idaburn and Becks. We take the alternate route turning off at Idaburn that passes through Oturehua, where we enjoy a neat café stop. We then head for our accommodation in the quaint, fascinating historic town of Ophir. Next morning it is just a two minute drive to Omakau Golf Club, possibly the outstanding experience on this golf trail. This club has a buzzing full-playing membership of 126 men and women. The course follows the contours of the land which rises to a plateau where half of the course lies. It makes for a delightful round of golf while enjoying the stunning views with the Raggedy Range in the background. Even though the layout rises and falls the climbs are not at all taxing. It plays longer in places than the metres indicate and there are several holes that must be mentioned. A lovely 143m par three second hole demands enough club over a lake and uphill to the green. Trees left and rear frame the setting. Hole five is a nice layout with a lake 70m short of the green on the right side of the fairway. Six, Tiger Hill, is a longish par four with typical rock formations dotting the landscape on the plateau. Seven is arguably the signature hole being a quite spectacular downhill par three of 141m. This presents a superb challenge with its two sentinels guarding the smallish green, leaving the narrowest of entries. There are big rocks left and right there is a big bunker. Add to this, the green slopes gently down and left. If the not so perfect shot lands on the wrong slope before the green it can run many metres off the green, leaving a tricky chip up. Hole number eight is a very interesting uphill 331m par four with unusual contours. The first half of the fairway plays to a left-sloping gully so it requires a tee shot right of centre. From here the last 135m to the green are like a long snowboarders’ halfpipe. The green is sloping and has two levels. Better to be below the pin. Hole nine concludes with a gen-

tle downhill 467m par five. This writer certainly plans to return and play 18 holes. The club pays a casual greenkeeper. The fairways are generally excellent, but placing was allowed on the whole course when we played it. Very generous I thought. Yet again a country course in great order. The greens were as good as you will find anywhere. The club is fortunate that the course has watering on tees, fairways and greens. The second hole is the only one with two different tees. The annual playing subscription of $200 is ridiculously low for a course of this quality. The club offers clubs and trundlers for hire and has four carts available which are well used. Omakau Golf Club Carolyn Brown 021 0222 0704 Men 5431m. Par 70. Women 5084m. Par 72 Green Fee $20. History Memory says Omakau Golf Club first surfaced on what was a racecourse in the 1930s. It was situated north of the town and obviously was a flat course. As with many country clubs, Omakau went into recess during the war but started up again soon after. A farmer who owned the current site offered to swap it for the club’s land which, being flat and more fertile was more suitable for the farmer. So today the club thrives in every way with a particularly strong ladies’ membership, some of whom are involved in ongoing fundraising ventures which benefit the club’s finances. The group are involved in catering for specific events in the district.

DUNSTAN

Leaving Omakau it is a short drive to Clyde and the Dunstan Golf Club. We take a short cut turning off SH85 at Springvale. However, if a larger town is needed, the slightly longer route via Alexandra is an option. Once again, depending on time, Naseby, Omakau and Dunstan could easily be played once in a day. One of the older golf clubs in New Zealand, the Dunstan course has an appealing setting with its parkland layout. The condition of the fairways and greens was exceptional and right up to the best standard of any main centre courses. Add to this the attractive landscaping throughout and you have a delightful golfing experience. There is nice variety in the contour. Another feature of this course is the change of tee positions for the second nine. On four of the holes the changes are significant and present completely different challenges. The first hole is a generously short dogleg left 226-metre par four. However, trees can present a problem for off line tee shots and three bunkers around the front of the green demand an approach shot of precise length. Second time around the 10th tee presents a straight fairway nine metres longer. Hole number two offers trees 100 metres out to narrow the approach to a generous up-sloping green. Number three is a long 180m par three with a ridge to watch for before the green. As the 12th it is 145m. Number four is a par five with bunkers protecting the green while five is a relatively straight forward par five which becomes a 100 metres shorter par four as the 14th.

Six is a 116-metre par three, well bunkered, and has a completely different line for the 15th tee. Seven is a longish par four to a green protected by three bunkers. It reverts to a par five as No 16. Eight is a kind par four while nine presents a tee shot that must negotiate accurately between trees 150 metres out. A round here will not disappoint and the ladies we met at the club made it obvious that members are proud of the standard of the course and the facilities. Dunstan Golf Club Phone 03 449 2729 Men 5570m. Women 5124m. Green Fee: $25 History Dunstan Golf Club began in 1904 at the present venue in unusual circumstances. Doctor Hyde, the medical superintendant of Clyde Hospital, would walk into Clyde to see his patients. He would take a golf stick (club), as it was called back then, and play on the land on the way to see them, so there was evidence of a course of sorts. In the early days it was a short 18 holes. As was often the case it went into recess during the World War I. It remained an 18-holer when restarted until World War II when the club again went into recess. After the war it was developed into the nine-hole layout it is today. The course is fully irrigated and the benefits of this are obvious. The first clubhouse was an old fowlhouse on the course. A second clubhouse replaced this after the war but burnt down in 1980. The current one is a fine facility. The club has a full time greenkeeper who is assisted by volunteers who help with the upkeep and development of the attractive garden areas.

Dunstan Golf Club

June 2022

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Middlemarch Golf Club

MIDDLEMARCH

Leaving Clyde we retrace our steps and head back about 90 kms to Ranfurly. Fifteen kilometres further we turn right at Kyeburn onto SH87 and drive 50kms to our final course on this golf trail, Middlemarch, famous for its annual singles’ ball. Appearances can be deceiving. The course is in great condition with greens of good enough quality to match most city courses. The reason for this was clear when we met Pat Suddaby the “greenkeeper” who receives a very modest payment for his work. More a labour of love. The results are amazing when you find the club has a tiny membership of 33 and operates on an equally tiny budget boosted by green fees and bar takings. A big factor is the debt free status. So to the course and a generous first fairway to a flat green. Two is a short par three with out of bounds left and a narrow sloping uphill green. Three is a long par four with out of bounds left and a big pine tree approaching the green right. Five has a wide fairway to a bunker left of a sloping green. A nice hole. Seven, a very interesting par three (172m men, 127 women). There is out of bounds left and a big gum tree guarding the left third of the green 50m out. It requires the right shape of shot to make

the green. Not a hole for faders. Eight has out of bounds and trees. Nine is an excellent finish. Trees line the fairway left and the left front of the green presents a large clump of tussock which must be avoided. One feature of the course is the strategic placement of large and smaller rocks around the course. An excellent variety of trees makes for another pretty parkland stroll. While no pushover, Middlemarch was the perfect relaxing end to our golf trail. As we reflected on the seven courses, the overriding feelings were it was time well spent playing these well maintained quality layouts in a superb, quiet environment. No big name designers involved on any of them but to be frank they lacked nothing. What they all had in spades was passion, pride, enthusiasm and a willing volunteer spirit. Middlemarch Golf Club Club Captain. Stacey Atkinson 021 366 310. Secretary: 022 020 1300. Green Fee. $20 Men 5698m. Ladies 5084m. History Middlemarch Golf Club was born in 1926 when several families decided to knock up a course on farmland one kilometre from the present site. About 10 years later they bought the present site from a farmer as it was more suitable and so a new course was made. In the 1950s the club bought an old railway house for the clubhouse, refurbished it and added to it to make a good venue. In about 1970 the course was redesigned and during the 1980s a tree planting programme was undertaken resulting in what we enjoy today. About 11 years ago new greens were made and these are a jewel today.

MORE THAN JUST GOLF

The route of our golf trail presents many options for those who may want more than just golf from their trip. So we thought it would be good to briefly retrace our journey and offer some of the many attractions available. Three or four nights on the trail would allow sufficient time to enjoy some of them. A brief stop in Palmerston and a look at some of the quaint little shops that have sprung up may be worthwhile. On to Ranfurly and the Art Deco Gallery, Maniototo Early Settlers’ Museum and The Curiosity Shoppe are worth a look. Check out the great cafes for that coffee and food fix. While driving in this area of the Maniototo make sure you take a photo of the distinctive flat topped Hawkdun Mountain Range, a subject of artist Grahame Sydney. Driving in this region is always fascinating with its, at times, stark ever-changing tones. After playing at Naseby Golf Club going the few kilometres into the town is a must. The whole town shopping area has been classified as a museum as so many shops are empty, but still maintained. A walk through the town and a visit to the museums themselves is called “a walk through time”. You may want to have a go at the ancient Scottish Ice Sport at the famous Naseby Curling Rink which is open all year round. Back on SH85 you may want to go a few extra kilometres and visit the historic gold mining town of St Bathans where the unique Blue Lake can be found and the reputedly haunted Vulcan Hotel and post office attract visitors. The main street is definitely a step back in time.

One of the spectacular views on the Dunstan cycle trail

Dunstan trail

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If we backtrack a little from here and go through Oturehua we should take a trip down memory lane and explore Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead where the famous Hayes’ wire strainer was invented. Walking through the factory areas it is as if the workers have downed tools for their meal break. Amazing. Take time to enjoy refreshments in the neat café. In Oturehua have a look at the historic Gilchrists General Store where you can buy just about anything, amongst all the memorabilia. On to another historic gold mining town, Ophir with its working 1857 Post Office/Museum. Many other buildings there reflect its mining days. Between Omakau and Clyde horse trekking is available. On to Clyde and a stay here would open up many windows. There is a luxury 42 seat cinema with bistro for the evening. Face the day with a choice of a cruise on the Clutha River to Doctors’ Point Goldmine, a visit to one of the historic museums, a scenic flight, a wine tour or simply walk the historic town and enjoy a café fix. This is also the perfect place to cycle a part of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Hire the gear and do a day excursion. Alternatively the recently opened Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail is proving a winner. It follows the fascinating landscapes as it journeys alongside Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau and Clutha rivers. It is an engineering masterpiece of 39 kms from Clyde to Cromwell. So there we have it. A golf trail with a smorgasbord of delights! Golf and more than just golf on tap at every turn.

June 2022

New Zealand second in Queen Sirikit Cup GOLF NEWS

ew Zealand finished second in the 42nd Queen Sirikit Cup, an Asia-Pacific amateur team championship for women. The Kiwi side of Vivian Lu (Royal Auckland and Grange), Fiona Xu (Titirangi), and Eunseo Choi (Takapuna) were looking to get their hands on a trophy that hasn’t been on New Zealand shores since 1999. The best two scores of the trio count towards the team total and it was Choi and Xu that had the two-counting scores on the final day. They scored even par (Choi) and one over (Xu) meaning New Zealand finished on 13 under par for the four-day tournament held last month at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club in Singapore. Japan had five under par as a team on the final day to finish on 20 under par for the tournament. Choi led the Kiwis out of the gate and played solidly on her front nine, making eight pars and a birdie at the par far seventh. The New Zealand debutant opened with a couple of pars on the 10th and 11th before making a

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two on the par three 12th. Choi then hit a couple of speed bumps, bogeying three of her next four holes to fall to one over. However, she struck back at the 17th with another birdie. Choi finished 18th on the individual leaderboard after rounds of 72, 79, 71, and 72. Xu got her final round off to a fast start, making back-to-back birdies at the opening two holes. The reigning Australian Amateur champion made a bogey at six and made the turn in one under par. Xu bogeyed 11 and 13 to fall to one over for the day, and Japan began to stretch its lead. Xu made a birdie at 17 and a bogey at 18. In the individual standing she finished in a tie for 10th at one-under, with rounds of 70, 69, 75, and 73. Lu had the non-counting score of 81 on the final day. Lu was in contention for the individual honours after shooting 72 and a pair of 68s in rounds two and three to be at eight-under and share second. She was 13th after four days.

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Fiona Xu who was the top New Zealand performer at the Queen Sirikit Cup in Singapore last month. She was 10th in the individual standings. The New Zealand team finished second.

• 'Kakariki View' is an exclusive subdivision of lifestyle sections, located in Methven, Mid Canterbury • 4000m2 freehold, sections with uninterrupted views of Southern Alps and titles already available • Grab your clubs and walk off your deck onto the Methven Golf course, or bike any of the local trails PRICED FROM • 3km to Opuke Hot Pools, 28km to the world class Mt Hutt ski field and 14km our players step up from phase two Groups last month. to Mt Hutt bike park of Golf New Zealand’s talent developBoth of these players will represent ment programme to join the incum- New Zealand in July’s Junior Open Cham• Build your dream holiday home,bent your forever home or pionship, simply national academy members. to beland played atbank Monifiethyour Golf They are Jayden Ford (Judgeford, Wel- Club, Scotland. Westward As part of theWay event, they METHVEN ven Golf Course Sections lington), Joshua Bai (Akarana, Auckland), will visit the 150th Open Championship slice of Kakariki View METHVEN Westward Way Eunseo Choi (Takapuna, Auckland), and during Friday’s second round of compeTara Raj (Wanganui). Exclusive Methven Golf Course Sections tition. • Sections priced from $420,000 and selling fast with only 4 remaining! group of four join tier two n exclusive subdivision of lifestyle sections,Thelocated inother

Golf NZ names 2022 national academy

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• 'Kakariki is an up-and-coming exclusive subdivision of lifestyle se Ford is View' another young members Sam Jones (Manaia, Tarana- talent Methven, Midrecently Canterbury who showed how much ki), Mako Thompson (Maraenui, Napier), his • 4000m2 sections withwinning uninterrupted gamefreehold, has developed, the views o titles already available Tyler Wood (Ngahinepouri, Hamilton), 2022 Avondale Amateur Championship • Grab your clubs and walk off your deck onto the Meth Darae Chung (Shandon, Wellington), in Sydney as well as finishing top 10 in bike any of the local trails and Carmen Lim (Windross Farm, Auckthe Australian Master of the Amateurs • 3km to Opuke Hot Pools, 28km to the world class Mt H land), as well as tier one members Vivian and making the cut in the New South to Mt Hutt bike park PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed underLuthe REAA 2008 (Royal Auckland & Grange), Fiona Xu Wales • Build Open. your dream holiday home, your forever home or (Titirangi, Auckland), Jimmy Hydes (Gulf Rajofhas been slice Kakariki Viewknocking on the door Auckland) of and PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited does not warrant the accuracy,Harbour, quality ornorth completeness thisKazuma information. PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited has n • Sections priced from $420,000 and in selling fast with on of the national team selection recent Kobori (Rangiora, Canterbury). supplied or any person’s reliance on it. Interested persons should make their own enquiries, obtain independent legalManawatu-Wanganui and technical advice, and satisfy times. The number The national academy is the third one won the Horowhenua Open earlier www.pggwre.co.nz/ASH35754 phase of Golf New Zealand’s talent dein the yearRealand second the2008 New PGG Wrightson Estatecame Limited, licensed under in the REAA velopment programme. Eunseo Choi Zealand Strokeplay alongside Choi. PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited does not warrant the accuracy, quality or completeness of this informat and Joshua Bai are the youngest of the supplied or any person’s reliance on it. Interested persons should make their own enquiries, obtain indepen Golf New Zealand high performance four, having both recently turned 16. manager Gregg Thorpe said the anBoth are already exciting prospects for the future, having shown their promise nouncement was timely with international borders re-opening. domestically. Thorpe said: “It’s great to be able to This year, Choi has won the Danny Lee Springfield Open, Auckland Strokeplay, bring this group together just as our inNorth Island Under 16 Age Group Cham- ternational playing schedule is opening pionships, Lydia Ko Age Group Champi- back up, and we’re able to offer some onship and finished second at the New critical international playing opportunities that will enhance their development. Zealand Strokeplay. “We are looking forward to working Bai has also had success in the National Age Group Championships, win- with this newly assembled group, and ning the under 16 division in the North, to support them and their teams in their South, and New Zealand Age Groups. Af- journey.” PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed the REAA 2008 ter turning 16,under he also won his first under Many of the academy members have 19 age group title at the South Island Age plans to compete abroad in 2022. PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited does not warrant the accuracy, quality or completeness of this information. PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited has supplied any person’s Real reliance on it. Interested persons should make own2008 enquiries, obtain independent legal and technical advice, and satisfy PGGorWrightson Estate Limited, licensed under thetheir REAA

erbury Exclusive Methven Golf Course Sections www.pggwre.co.nz/ASH35754 sections with uninterrupted•Exclusive viewsView' of Southern andof lifestyle sections, located in 'Kakariki is an exclusiveAlps Methven Golf subdivision Course Sections Methven, Mid Canterbury ble •• 'Kakariki View' is ansections exclusive subdivision of lifestyle located 4000m2 freehold, with uninterrupted viewssections, of Southern Alpsin and Midavailable Canterbury d walk off your deck onto Methven, the already Methven Golf course, or titles •• 4000m2 freehold, sections with uninterrupted views of Southern Alps and Grab your clubs and walk off your deck onto the Methven Golf course, or trails titles already available bike any of the local trails Dan van der Sa •• Grab your clubs and walk off your deck onto the Methven Golffield course, or Pools, 28km to the world class Mt Hutt ski field and 14km 3km to Opuke Hot Pools, 28km to the world class MtM Hutt021 ski and 14km 918 233 bike ofbike the local to Mtany Hutt park trails k •• 3km Opuke Hotholiday Pools, 28km the forever world class MtorHutt ski field Buildto your dream home,toyour home simply land and bank14km your MtofHutt bikesimply park holiday home, your foreverto home or land bank your slice Kakariki View •• Build your dream holiday home, your forever or simply land bank your Sections priced from $420,000 and selling fasthome with only 4 remaining! w slice of Kakariki View Tim Gallagher m $420,000 and selling fast• Sections with only remaining! priced 4 from $420,000 and selling fast with only remaining! M 4027 801 2888

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PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited does not warrant the accuracy, quality or completeness of this information. PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited has not verified this information and is not liable in any way to any person for the information supplied or any person’s reliance on it. Interested persons should make their PGG own enquiries, obtain legal andnot technical advice, and satisfyquality themselves in all respectsof before taking any action respect of this Wrightson Real independent Estate Limited does warrant the accuracy, or completeness this information. PGGinWrightson Realproperty. Estate Limited has not verifie

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June 2022

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Many question marks over Saudi series By Neville Idour

guess the big question regarding the impending first LIV Golf Series event on June 9 is will it stimulate significant interest? I have my doubts that it will either gain more than a passing curiosity or be of any relevance on the world golf scene given the current situation. For a start the venue booked to host the lavish launch party, Alexandra Palace, has withdrawn and will not do so in the wake of the comments Greg Norman made about the murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi. It has also been revealed that Jack Nicklaus turned down more than $100 million from the Saudis to do a similar job

to what Greg Norman did. Nicklaus said: “I turned it down verbally and in writing saying I helped start the PGA Tour so have to stay with it.” Both the PGA and DP World Tours are refusing releases for their players to play and almost all of the top players have not shown support for the Saudi series. Many have come out strongly against it such as Justin Thomas. In fact it is difficult to imagine the first event will feature many players from the world top 100 players although Lee Westwood has made claims about doing what is right for him and Sergio Garcia said recently he “can’t wait to leave the PGA Tour” after an upsetting happening. Players who have been linked

with the series, such as Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen, have already lost sponsors. Who will watch it? After all any success will be measured by public exposure. Best opportunity will be in person although initial reports suggested the admission prices might leave a hole in the pocket. What about TV? There is a hint of desperation here with the government-financially backed LIV Golf Investments offering the first event broadcast rights to any broadcaster with no rights fee. Also it will apparently be shown live on You Tube. Can I hear the stampede to You Tube? It is easy to see the format being a curiosity that some will watch initially

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then move on. The format is flawed. How is a broadcaster going to do a shotgun start any justice? They would need a camera following every group and run the broadcast with constant delayed viewing. It would be a nightmare logistically for a live’ broadcast. The tournaments are three-round events so how can they possibly be allowed to have any relevance on the world golf rankings. An application has been lodged for the series to be recognised by the official world golf ranking. I suspect this will not fly. Finally, news releases about the series have gone quiet the last few days. Time will reveal why.

Asia-Pacific Amateur scheduled for October in Thailand

he 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be held in Thailand in October. The venue is the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi where the fourth edition of the tournament was held a decade ago in 2012. The dates are October 27-30. Created in 2009, the Asia-Pacific Amateur was established to further develop amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific region. The champion will receive an invitation to compete in the 2023 Masters tournament in the United States and the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool in England, while the runner(s)-up will gain a place in final qualifying for The Open. Taimur Amin, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, Fred Ridley, chairman of the Masters tournament, and Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said in a joint statement: “We look forward to bringing the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship back to Amata Spring Country Club and gathering the region’s top players at this exceptional venue once again. “This year will be a special opportunity to build on the growth we’ve seen in amateur golf over the last 10 years since the event was last held in Thailand. We are grateful to our hosts in the region as we work together to promote the game’s development and provide pathways for talented amateurs across the Asia-Pacific.” Notable past competitors include 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, and Cameron Smith, who won The Players’ Championship in March and is currently the fourth-ranked player in the world. Collectively, Asia-Pacific Amateur alumni have gone on to win 21 tournaments on the PGA Tour to date. Andrew Yau, chairman of the board of directors of Am-

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The trophy for the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship which is to be held in Thailand in October

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ata Spring Country Club, said: “We are thrilled to once again host the 2022 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Amata Spring is excited to present a challenging test for the best amateur golfers across the Asia-Pacific region.” Amata Spring Country Club was designed by Lee Schmidt and established in 2005. In addition to previously hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2012, the course has provided the backdrop for prestigious events such as the LPGA Thailand, the Thailand Golf Championship and the Royal Trophy team event. Guan Tianlang earned a historic victory at the 2012 Asia-Pacific Amateur over future PGA Tour winners C T Pan (runner-up), Matsuyama (fourth) and Smith (seventh) when he became the youngest player to win the tournament at 14 years old. He later became the youngest player to compete, and make the cut, at the Masters in 2013. Rungsrid Luxsitanonda, president of the Thailand Golf Association, said: “Hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is a unique opportunity to support the game of golf in Thailand as the talent in our country continues to grow. “We are proud to invite the top amateurs from across the region back to Thailand and Amata Spring and look forward to another exciting edition of the AAC (Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship).” Over the AAC’s 13-year history, the championship has served as a springboard to some of the world’s top players, including future PGA Tour winners Matsuyama, Pan, Smith, Cameron Davis, Lucas Herbert, Si-Woo Kim, Satoshi Kodaira and Kyoung-Hoon Lee. The AAC field is comprised annually of the top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region representing the 42 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation affiliated organisations, including New Zealand.

Same time, same place for men and women at the Australian Open GOLF NEWS

n a world-first for golf, the men’s Australian Open and the women’s Australian Open are joining forces. The marquee events will be played at the same time and at the same venues, with the event to be held on the world-famous Melbourne sandbelt from December 1-4. Victoria Golf Club is the primary host venue across all four days of the tournament and Kingston Heath Golf Club is set to host play on the first two days. The men’s event will headline the PGA Tour of Australasia, while the women’s event will be sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia. In another first for the Australian Open, the men’s event will also be sanctioned on the DP World Tour, putting Australian golf on the world stage for two consecutive weeks with the Australian PGA Championship to be staged at Royal Queensland the week prior.

Field sizes of 144 men and 144 women will compete for an equal split of the minimum $A3.4 million prizemoney on offer. This year’s Australian Open will also feature the third edition of the Australian All Abilities Championship, which assembles the top 12 players on the world ranking for golfers with disability (WR4GD) from across the world. Golf Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland said the new format was a significant strategic move that has involved in depth long-term planning. “This truly is a coup for Australian golf – it presents a great opportunity for the game and will take the two open championships to another level,” Sutherland said. “We’ve seen the success of the Victoria Open in this format, and more recently the Webex Players Series where men and women play for the same title. We’re excited to make this

announcement, and it wouldn’t have happened without the support of Visit Victoria and the Victorian Government. “Victoria’s renowned Melbourne sandbelt is once again going to host a world class golf tournament, and we are delighted to be partnering with the DP World Tour in the co-sanctioning and broadcast through its vast global network.” Ben Cowen, DP World Tour chief tournament business officer, said: “We are delighted the Australian Open will feature on the DP World Tour’s schedule for the first time in December and we look forward to working with Golf Australia in bringing another world class event to Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia. “Showcasing the Australian Open and Women’s Australian Open on iconic golf courses in the heart of Victoria’s famous Melbourne sandbelt presents

a fantastic opportunity for both memberships to compete on the global stage. Sutherland said that both events’ incredible history would not be lost. “The men are still playing for their own Australian Open title for the Stonehaven Cup, and the women for the Patricia Bridges’ Bowl. Both trophies have been won by some of the best golfers to play the game. “We have huge aspirations for this event. This new format will provide the springboard for a wonderful celebration of golf. “The move aligns with our new national strategy and our ambitions to appeal to new audiences. In keeping with our belief that golf is a sport for everyone, the strategy demands that we present our tournaments as inclusive and fun events,” said Sutherland.

Two senior titles for 13-year-old By Neville Idour

t just 13 years old Canterbury youngster Cooper Moore made it two senior Waitikiri Club Championships in succession with his recent triumph. Last year he added a runner up at Russley to his win. This year he lost in the semi final to the eventual winner in the Russley Senior Championships With a handicap index of +0.4, his win at Waitikiri was hardly a huge surprise but for one so young it is still a wonderful achievement to win several matches against mature men and a 36-hole final to boot. He finished a handy second top qualifier on countback after a one under par 70. In the quarter final he defeated Aorangi representative Blair Franklin 3 and 1. Then in the semi-final he played Canterbury masters rep Simon Marshall and won a little more comfortably 4 and 3. So to the final where he met long time Canterbury masters rep and recent South Island Masters Champion Aaron Forsyth (+1.5 hcp). This was a great battle for most of the match. Both

players were even through the first eight holes, then Moore chipped in for birdie on the par three ninth hole to go one up. However it was back to all square after 16 holes before Moore’s brilliant tee shot on the par three 17th left him a six inch birdie putt for a one up lead. He doubled his lead on the par four 18th thanks to holing out from 45 metres to go 2 up going into the afternoon round. There was a similar scenario in the afternoon with both players trading shots and neither player getting the upper hand until the 30th hole when Forsyth missed a six foot par putt to give Moore a two up advantage. This proved pivotal, especially when Moore drained a 35 foot birdie on the next hole. If that wasn’t enough he then sank a 25 foot birdie putt on the 32nd and a 20 foot putt on the 33rd hole for game set and match and a 4 and 3 victory. With Forsyth having been in great form in the leadup this was the matchup club members were wanting to see play out. It certainly did not disappoint as it produced quality golf and as a result plenty of birdies. Cooper Moore with his Waitikiri club trophy

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Nomura Cup returns after five-year absence

he Nomura Cup, the Asia-Pacific region’s most prestigious and longest-running men’s team championship, will make a welcome return to the golfing calendar this year. After an absence of five years, the latest edition of the historic Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) event that is now into its seventh decade will be staged at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club in the Philippines from June 28-July 1. The 29th Nomura Cup was originally set to be played at The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club in Hong Kong in November 2019 but was rescheduled to June 2020 due to unrest and riots in the special administrative region of China. Then the Covid-19 pandemic intervened, prompting another delay to June, 2021 which was further extended to 2022 because of continued travel restrictions. With strict quarantine rules still in place in Hong Kong, an alternative venue was sought to ensure the Nomura Cup could go ahead this year. John Hopkins, chairman of the APGC’s championship committee, said: “After such a long break, we’re excited to bring

back the Nomura Cup to the schedule. Throughout our discussions, the priority of the APGC has always been the safety of players, delegates and staff that will be attending our tournaments. “Thanks to Manila Southwoods and the National Golf Association of the Philippines for enabling us to stage the Nomura Cup in 2022. Our appreciation also goes to the Hong Kong Golf Association and The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club who have been supportive and understanding all along. It is our intention to bring the Nomura Cup to the Clearwater Bay venue in the not too distant future.” On the last occasion that the Nomura Cup was contested, at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club in Malaysia in 2017, history was created with victory going to the Thai team of Kammalas Namuangruk, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, Kosuke Hamamoto and Sadom Kaewkanja, winner of this year’s Singapore Open. It was the first time Thailand had won the Nomura Cup, which has been dominated by Australia, which has won the cup 10 times, seven-time winners Japan, and Chinese Taipei, victorious on five occasions.

Korea, New Zealand, India and Thailand are the only other countries to have won the team title. The Nomura Cup was launched in 1963 as a tri-nation tournament in the Philippines with the host nation taking on Japan and Chinese Taipei. Recent editions have attracted more than 20 nations. In 2017, there was a record entry of 23 countries and 92 players. The biennial tournament is held over four days with 18 holes of strokeplay on each day. For 2022, the best two daily rounds from each three-man team will count for the overall score with the winning team receiving the Nomura Cup, which was named after Shun Nomura, the former vice president of the Japan Golf Association who donated the cup. The event also has an individual champion. This will be the fourth time the Nomura Cup has been held in the Philippines. On all three previous occasions, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club was the venue. Spread over 140 hectares, Manila Southwoods’ two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses – Masters and Legends – are located in Carmona, Cavite, approximately 30 kilometres

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south of Makati, metro Manila. Among many famous golfing names to have played in the Nomura Cup are Australians Cameron Davis, Cameron Smith, Geoff Ogilvy and Craig Parry, Chinese Taipei’s TC Chen, TM Chen and Hsieh Min-nan, Korean Kim Kyung-tae, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Japan’s Shingo Katayama, Massy Kuramoto, Shigeki Maruyama, Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima. Winners of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2018 and 2021 respectively, Kanaya and Nakajima were part of the Japan team that finished runners-up to Thailand in the 2017 Nomura Cup. The Nomura Cup is part of the APGC’s portfolio of events that also includes the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, Queen Sirikit Cup, APGC Senior Championship, APGC Junior Championship Mitsubishi Corporation Cup, Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy, and the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup Golf on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation schedule.

The 150th Open will have nearly 300,000 spectators T he 150th Open at St Andrews in Scotland will be the largest in the championship’s history with a record-breaking 290,000 fans set to attend at the world-renowned Old Course from July 10-17. Unprecedented demand to attend this historic milestone for The Open led to more than 1.3 million applications in the ticket ballot and has resulted in the highest-ever number of general admission tickets being issued to fans. The attendance surpasses the previous high mark set at St Andrews in 2000 when 239,000 spectators watched Tiger Woods lift the Claret Jug for the first time. The R&A is continuing to work closely with the Scottish government and its health advisors on the planned attendance and to ensure that everyone attending the major championship can do so safely while enjoying the best possible spectator experience. It was also announced that the 150th Open is expected to generate around £200 million in total economic benefit to Scotland, according to an independent forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at

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Sheffield Hallam University. Martin Slumbers, chief executive at The R&A, said: “The 150th Open at St Andrews is going to be a momentous occasion for golf and this is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic playing of the championship. “We very much appreciate their passion and enthusiasm for The Open and are delighted that we will set a new attendance record that far exceeds the previous best set in 2000. “The Open is a major global sporting event and its significance to St Andrews and Scotland is evident in the independent forecast which estimates that the championship will generate around £200 million in total economic benefit. “We look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of fans from many countries around the world to St Andrews in July when they will enjoy a true celebration of golf at its historic home.” First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Open Championship is a brilliant opportunity to show-

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case Scotland as the home of golf on a global stage, in a historic year for the sport – with five major tournaments being hosted across five weeks this summer. “The news that this will be the largest championship ever staged is a phenomenal feat and reminds us of the enduring appeal of golf. The event, which will welcome visitors from across the world to Scotland, will also have an extremely positive impact on our economy, businesses and tourism industry.” The R&A is continuing its drive to ensure the championship is accessible to young people and a record 20 percent of general admission tickets have been allocated to fans under the age of 25, including over 20,000 children aged under 16 who will be attending free of charge. A record 80,000 spectators will attend the four practice days of The 150th Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019.

Golf betting amounts to $53 billion in the United States, says survey GOLF NEWS

olf Datatech has unveiled a first-ever gambling and golf study, providing insights into the state of wagering on the game, both during every day recreational play, as well as betting on professional golf tournaments. Gambling and golf have always gone hand-in-hand, and betting on the sport has entered a new phase that transcends buddies betting on their weekly match to wagering over the 40-week professional tournament season. This study provides insights into the current state of this new world order in golf gambling, based on a survey of 1000 serious golfers. In the United States, gambling on sports is currently legal in 30 states plus the District of Columbia, and an additional five have legalised it but are not yet operational, while 20 states allow online sports gambling. The American Gaming Association estimates that the 2021 sports betting industry handle (amount wagered

regardless of outcome) was just shy of $US53 billion, and Golf Datatech estimates regulated legal betting on professional golf to be in the range of $4.5-$5 billion, not including the side betting that takes place on the golf courses among friends every day. “There is no participation sport in the United States that is as closely connected with wagering than the game of golf,” said John Krzynowek, partner, Golf Datatech. “Most recreational golfers wouldn’t consider playing a round of golf with friends without some kind of bet on the outcome, whether it was for a beer, a $5 Nassau, or something more significant. “In fact, handicaps by their nature are an attempt to level the playing field and allow a plus one handicap and a 15-handicapper to compete head-tohead and still have a friendly match, very often accompanied by a wager. “With the advent of legalised sports gambling across much of the country,

it should come as no surprise that betting on professional golf has grown rapidly. It is more than just a niche category, as many golfers have a voracious appetite for regular action. “Televised golf tournaments regularly show the odds for the various outcomes on air, so where gambling was once a shadow industry it’s now commonplace to see the odds at the professional level. “In fact, while 10 percent of golfers regularly bet on the pro game, an additional 14 percent do so during a major championship.” Among the highlights of Golf Datatech’s the 2022 Gambling & Golf Study include insights into the following: * 84 percent of total respondents are likely to wager on their own golf game while playing. * Younger and better players are most likely to bet on the course, as well as on professionals. * The average wager on professional golf is 48 percent more than they bet

on their own game. * More than half of all professional golf wagering is done online or via an application. * A significant percentage of respondents who wager don’t understand the odds, as well as other insights into both wagering on their own game as well as on professional golf. Krzynowek added: “Betting on professional golf provides some degree of comfort to the gambler, because they know tour players are performing every week for a pay cheque, versus a professional athlete with a guaranteed contract who can have an off day and still get paid or choose not to play. “A golfer’s professional life depends upon performance, making it far less likely for anyone to question the result of any tournament. FedEx points determine where you get to play, and for many, if you get to play at all, so there is very little reason or opportunity for anyone to try and negatively influence the outcome of an event.”

Video series from The R&A about golf’s health benefits

olf’s widespread physical, mental and social health benefits have been brought to life in a new video series from The R&A in which broadcaster and presenter Iona Stephen uncovers how playing the sport can help you become fitter, healthier and happier. At a time when record numbers are now playing golf worldwide, the series which is titled Iona Investigates is a three-part series where Stephen learns how people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are reaping the rewards of playing the sport. Stephen speaks with famous faces from other sports – including former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland footballer Jason McAteer and ex-England cricket international James Taylor – leading medical professionals, fitness instructors and club golfers to understand how golf improves general fitness, eases stress and anxiety, and offers social interaction. The first episode covers mental health and well-being, the second on physical

health, and a final show on strength and balance. Said Stephen: “Working on this series has been a hugely rewarding experience. “I’ve discovered more about golf’s wonderful health benefits and helped to highlight them by speaking to people from many different backgrounds. “When I’m playing golf I feel uncomplicated, it’s like your mind is focusing on one objective – to get the ball from A to B. That focus brings you into a place of mindfulness and flow, where there isn’t space for the complications and pressures in our daily lives. “Golf is for people who are busy working, who have young children, and for those who have retired with more time on their hands. Golf is for absolutely everyone, young and old, and wherever they are from and whatever they do.” Former footballer McAteer has been instrumental in talking about mental health, especially for young people, and he outlines how he has used golf for his own

benefit in recovering from depression. McAteer, who has been playing golf for around 12 years, said: “Golf has been amazing, certainly from a mental health aspect. I was probably in a bad place when I finished playing football. It left a massive void and my mental health spiralled out of control. I was having a difficult time and I found golf. Golf probably saved my life.” Taylor’s thriving cricket career was sadly cut short by a life-changing heart condition aged just 26 in 2016, but he also reveals how golf has since benefitted his physical and mental health. Taylor said: “To have to retire when you are at the top of the game was incredibly hard to take – my life changed forever. “The doctor in hospital told me I couldn’t exercise like I used to, but I could play golf. As soon as I took it up I was hooked, what a sport it is. Golf from then changed my life. It gave me a purpose, a technical challenge, the mental stimulation, the exercise and allows me to be competitive.”

St Andrews-based Stephen also tells her own story of coming late into golf and how the sport started to have a positive impact on her life after discovering Ranfurly Castle Golf Club when a student at The University of Glasgow. In recent years, The R&A has strived to communicate golf’s health benefits to a global audience and underline the role the sport plays in health and social well-being. Working with organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the DP World Tour, other golf bodies and respected medical professionals such as Dr Andrew Murray, The R&A has been involved in various scientific research studies to make the sport more appealing to all. Research has revealed that, on average, golfers live five years longer than non-golfers while golf, as a physical activity, can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia.

A challenging links course that is playable all year round! We love having groups come and play our course and offer a discount for 12 players or more. Give us a call to enquire about bringing your golfing buddies, or a ladies golf group, to Ohope Beach Golf Links ... and think about combining it with a round at one of our neighbours; Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawerau or Te Teko.

June 2022

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June 2022

GOLF NEWS

Figures show that golf continues a strong growth T his year has continued to see strong performance for golf and the golf industry. Sports Marketing Surveys’ on-going rounds played monitor shows that rounds played across Great Britain in the first quarter of the year rose by seven percent against pre-pandemic figures. The finding is the latest in a long line of statistics indicating the sustained rise in appeal of golf and follows the news that 4.8 million people played golf on a full-length course in Great Britain in 2021, the second highest figure on record. Rounds played comparisons with the first quarter of 2021 are asymmetrical

because of widespread lockdowns and course closures in the first months of last year. The second half of March 2020 was also lost to the virus. The growth against 2019 and 2018 is a better indication of golf’s current position of strength. The major growth came in the month of March, which, as well as having the highest number of average rounds also recorded the fastest growth, seeing a 22 percent surge against 2019. Richard Payne, director at Sports Marketing Surveys, said: “Yet again the data indicates what we have seen throughout the pandemic – that golf is in a strong position.

“A lot of commentators expected the appetite to dwindle fast, but, knowing golf well, we were always confident and we are again delighted to see that the data keeps showing that the game has thrived since the pandemic began. “Golf is delivering so many great benefits that people want from sport – access to fresh air and natural beauty, low impact healthy exercise, socialising, inter-generational play. “It will be a real shame if rising living costs destabilise that in the months to come, forcing people to give up some of the things that keep them happy and healthy.’’ Phil Anderton, chief development

officer at The R&A, said: “It is very encouraging to see again the positive data for rounds played in Great Britain in the first quarter of 2022. “This builds on previous insight which showed that golf was on the rise pre-pandemic and continues to be a sport attractive to golfers across all levels of the game – including the use of full-length courses, driving ranges and alternative golf venues. “Golfers are enjoying the wonderful physical and mental health benefits the sport provides and taking up a wide range of participation initiatives on offer. It is vital for the sport to maintain this momentum.”

New restaurant at St Andrews proving popular A

new dining experience located a mere pitching wedge from the first tee of the world-famous Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland is receiving rave reviews from both golfers and non-golfers. The Niblick Brasserie, formerly the Café at the R&A World Golf Museum, has undergone a complete renovation and been transformed into a dining experience that is tickling the taste buds of locals and visitors to St Andrews. From its elevated position above the museum, the restaurant offers stunning views of the West Sands beach and the iconic courses of the famous golfing town. The dining space is modern and welcoming, and the very finest local produce has been sourced to provide a varied menu that caters for all culinary tastes. Angela Howe, director of the R&A World Golf Museum, said: “We believe that The Niblick perfectly demonstrates the ambitions we have to build on the food and beverage experience

The new brasserie at St Andrews in Scotland

previously offered by the café. It provides an exceptionally flexible space that will cater for a diverse range of customers, from families looking for a spot of lunch to guests at bespoke eve-

ning dining events. “The facility will also be bookable by groups and parties visiting the museum, including those from schools in the surrounding area.” The close relationship of the

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Niblick Brasserie to the R&A World Golf Museum means customers enjoy the totally unique experience of dining surrounded by some of the most incredible artefacts from the world of golf.

Glass cases are positioned throughout the restaurant space, with each holding their own piece of golfing history, including clubs and balls used by iconic players across the centuries. The kitchen will be run by head chef Brian Ferguson, who is enormously experienced and has held a number of senior positions in establishments across the United Kingdom, including the 3 AA Rosette, Station Road Restaurant in the Scottish Highlands. He is renowned for his creativity, which is perfectly demonstrated through the seasonal ingredients he incorporates into dishes from his love of foraging. Ferguson said: “I feel enormously fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the team tasked with launching this fabulous new restaurant in St Andrews. It is totally unique and offers golfers and non-golfers alike with a truly memorable experience.” The Niblick Brasserie officially opened its doors on April 21. The menu and opening times can be viewed at www.theniblick.com

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Survey launched to understand the lot of a greenkeeper

he British & International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) has launched an industry-wide survey that will quantify information relating to a perceived crisis within the greenkeeping and wider golfing sector. Anecdotal evidence suggests that golf clubs in the United Kingdom are struggling to fill available vacancies, particularly in the greenkeeping department. Reasons generally put forward for this include the requirement to work anti-social hours, lack of appreciation and a relatively low entry salary. However, for those who do embark upon a career in greenkeeping, the positives are many. A spokesperson for BIGGA said the survey was crucial as it was vital the scale of the challenge is quantified, as well as the key drivers for the issues. Effective golf club

staff are critical to the health and growth of the sport as they strongly influence the experience of golfers on a day-to-day basis. As BIGGA seeks to fulfil its over-arching ambition of creating a more positive working environment for greenkeepers, BIGGA hopes the hard data from the survey will enable the association to positively guide the broader golf industry. Head greenkeepers, course managers and other members of the turf management team at golf clubs are invited to complete the survey. Only one response is required per golf club. The survey can be completed online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2VZ52PH BIGGA has requested the support of partner organisations with regards this research and will publish the results in full when the periods for submissions has closed.

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BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton said: “With the on-going cost of living crisis at the forefront of our minds and the covid-19 pandemic having caused many people to consider their priorities, the golf industry faces a very real challenge to engage sufficient staff at club level, to effectively deliver the sport to the nation’s five million regular golfers. “Participation in the sport is booming at just the time that recruiting and retaining greenkeeping staff is at its most challenging. It is vital the golf industry – utilising real data – considers positive solutions to the on-going labour issues. “We encourage all our members to respond to this survey, which we believe will benefit all greenkeepers and golf club staff.”

New Zealand Speedgolf Open: Reid and Mckinnon show

amie Reid and Liz McKinnon prove they are two of the best speedgolfers in the world by dominating the New Zealand Speedgolf Open once again. The pair were the favourites ahead of the event, with world number one and hometown hero Jamie Reid looking to break the magical speedgolf score of a hundred on his home track, while Liz McKinnon looked to keep her undefeated record in New Zealand intact. Fitzroy Golf Club presented a new chal-

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lenge as the tournament’s new home since the event shifted from Whitford Park last year. Reid was expected to get around Fitzroy in between 30 and 32 minutes, and his golf would decide whether he’d get the job done or not around the par 68 golf course. As expected, Reid quickly came out of the gates, and his dream of beating a hundred was hanging in the balance. He returned a score of 69 in 31 minutes and

18 seconds to post a speedgolf score of 100.18 to just miss out on breaking the milestone number. His round one score was enough to secure the best speedgolf score ever recorded. Unfortunately, it won’t count as a world record as Fitzroy doesn’t meet the minimum course length required for the score to count. Reid shot 73 in 31 minutes and 55 seconds to finish with 205.13 to win by 11.02 over Ireland’s Rob Hogan.

Liz McKinnon continues to lead the women’s game in New Zealand, winning the women’s title for the fourth time every year she’s entered. McKinnon opened with 74 in 52 minutes and 54 seconds on Saturday to finish with a score of 126.54 and backed it up with 79 in 52 minutes and 34 seconds on Sunday to finish with 258.28. She finished ahead of Renee Fowler and Kendall Garrud.

Jamie Reid. Photo credit: Golf NZ.

Liz McKinnon. Photo credit: Golf NZ.

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XDL creating sports history yet again LONG DRIVE

he sport of Long Drive (Amatuer) and Xtreme Drivers League (Professional) is now identified as high-performance sport (not GOLF) thanks to the dedication and investment from IGANZ. Since the first New Zealand Championship in 2017 (North Island Champs held off the grid in Papamoa - Golden Sands and the South Island Champs and playoff for New Zealand title held at Clearwater, Christchurch) to the completion of the 30th event in April 2022, one could say that it’s been say dedication is a key factor to the success of the sport. Olna Ford, CEO of IGANZ and founder/owner of XDL and the New Zealand Long Blacks, has been on a mission since 2016 to

prove that Long Drive is a stand alone sport whilst promoting the game of golf. It takes five years for a NEW division of sport to be formerly recognised and promoted by the one organisation, and in the height of a global pandemic, Olna’s dream came true when she was congratulated by sports authorities in July 2020 for the hardwork and investment made to grow the sport globally and profile New Zealand and is now listed as National Sports Organisation for both Long Drive and Xtreme Drivers League. With two national teams formed to showcase the sport, 30 events completed in 6 countries, the largest purse paid out in the sports history, and a world first about to launch this June, it’s obvious that the dedication goes well beyond the tee in the IGANZ office.

Laying history on the first year anniversary of IGANZ events with Local Mayor, New Zealand Long Blacks, Captain Paul West, Gareth Campbell and Pap House owner.

IGANZ has felt the impact of the pandemic early with sponsors pulling out due to the uncertainty around events. The first day of our nations 2020 lockdown, Olna went frontline to support our national covid response and worked up to 80 hour weeks to do what was necessary to uphold her businesses and sport she has been dedicated to for 6 years. Pandemic savvy, Olna has partnered with an American software company to produce a world first (XDL Virtual Grid) designed by Olna and the team of software experts. The software is ready for world wide launch on the 30th June 2022. Through the many challenges Olna has faced including moving events because of Bushfires in Australia, a major investor loss to a Global Pandemic causing havoc, Olna and her supporters can now reflect with cheer to what has been accomplished.

Olna and some famous faces to Golf and 2 x XDL Champion and New Zealand Long Black Thomas Woods.

In 2020 the announcement by sports authorities to list Olna as NSO for the sport has placed IGANZ and New Zealand at the forefront of the sports history. March 2021 Olna and her Captains of the New Zealand Long Blacks walked the Red Carpet at the Halbergs for the first time and December 2021 made the media with a Halberg nomination for Team of the Year (another historical moment for the sport). Most recently on February 17th 2022, Olna and her top female athlete Phillis Meti attended the Governor’s House for the presentation of a Queen’s Honour to Phillis who was nominated by Olna as NSO. The IGANZ brand looks to grow globally with associates with a focus to establish more club events Nationally so the game of Golf can be supported equally. Olna has sponsored 4 PGA events including 2 Major sponsorships through the pandemic to support the clubs and show dedication to the game of golf. For your interest to list your club to host an event with XDL go to www.iganz.co.nz #GolfJustGotLoud

Heading to the TEE with the experts to be involved with such an important movement for better awareness about the support for headache sufferers. High-performance XDL athletes and Golfers can definitely benefit from this knowledge as it’s along time in competition if you have a headache and we know how this impacts performance on and off the tee.

reating Champions on the tee takes more than training and nutrition, it actually starts within, your head. High-performance athletes refer to the HEAD as the most important tool (focus, visuliaztion and in a nutshell it’s our Head Office for all operations of the body). XDL founder Olna Ford recently suffered hospitalisation with specialists expecting a possible stroke and brain aneurysm. For all those that have have mild or severe headaches, injurys or concerns with their head we thought it prudent to invite an expert to the tee and highlight this very import issue and in the same conversation the HEADACHE CLINIC decided to support our sport so we can get the message out to our Nation. Super proud

Headaches and migraines may be common ailments, but one woman is getting to the root of the problem for those who find themselves locked in a dark room or popping painkillers. When The Headache Clinic founder and senior headache consultant Helen

Tufui ran down her home hallway nearly 10 years ago, she never thought she would be telling a story of experiencing mild concussion after stumbling and hitting her head hard on a door frame. She said it was “like someone had hit a reset button in my brain, everything just immediately stopped in my head”. Following the knock, she had ongoing symptoms, including nausea, pounding headaches, dizziness and visual disturbance, and she said they were affecting her “everyday life”. “The lack of energy and constant headache was the worst. It just really drags you down. As a mum of four children and working full time, I was exhausted all the time. Simple tasks can become really hard to face, and it can have a major effect on your mental health.” Then one day while stopped in her car at traffic lights, she said she had a eureka moment. “I was prodding around my neck and hit a spot that reproduced my headache symptoms. With my physiotherapy knowledge I immediately knew there was a link between my neck and the persistent symptoms. “From there everything just fell into place.” She changed her career path from physiotherapy to work exclusively in the

June 2022

area of headache, migraine and concussion after completing training in Australia and Canada. “Getting to the source of my symptoms was life-changing, and now I get to help our patients get their life back. It is truly the most rewarding experience to have that kind of impact on a person’s life.” Nine years on, Tufui has a team of passionate clinicians and seven Headache Clinics – Auckland, Cambridge, Nelson, Rangiora, Christchurch, Dunedin and the original centre in Invercargill, which opened in 2014. A Wellington clinic is soon to be added and has been prompted by demand for the service from the Wellington region, she said. Tufui said since opening eight years ago, their team of clinicians had helped “thousands” across the country. “We have patients who have lived with their symptoms for more than 25 years and others who have been unable to work due to persistent post-concussion symptoms. Providing relief or resolving their symptoms is simply life changing.” If you suffer with headache, migraine or concussion symptoms get in touch with Helen and her team at The Headache Clinic. 0800 HEADACHE headacheclinic.co.nz

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utdoor sport, and particularly golf, has seen a huge increase in participants since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic. Many of those new to golf, and those whose interest has been rekindled, have needed to buy gear. This has meant a huge demand for gear and not everyone has the budget to pay thousands for a new top end set. Traditionally, buying used has meant spending hours online, buying sight unseen and with no assurances of receiving genuine product. Clint and Haruka, the owners of Recreation Station in Christchurch have been running their business, specialising in used (and new) sports gear since 2019 and now have an expanding retail store near the central city. They have the largest selection of used golf gear in the country and also have all the other accessories golfers need includ-

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ing bags, trundlers, gloves, balls, tees and training aids. Alongside the used gear they often have new past season clubs, factory second, shop-soiled and ex-demo bags and clubs. With limited advertising so far their little store has become a hive of activity with many repeat customers so they feel they must be doing something right. Recreation Station is associate sponsor to the upcoming 2022 & 2023 XDL events and with the sports push to grow participation in both Long Drive and Golf. The idea to have the availability to recycle and make a available used gear is attractive for those newbies that wish to give it a go. XDL in association with Recreation Station are looking to give back to charities and the community via the donation of new and used sporting goods which will be sent to the physical shop in Christchurch for donational purposes. Making a difference is important to our both XDL and Recreation Station, getting kids off devices and into sport is a message you will see connected to New Zealand Long Drive and XDL. Long Drivers and Xtreme Drivers are breaking Driver Heads a lot so the opportunity to have Recreation Station be our outlet for used Long Drivers gear is going to be great for our players.

reationstation.co.nz or go meet the team. They have your best interests at heart and a 35 year pro in store to help you select the right clubs. Where else can you go into a golf store and TELL THEM what you want to spend on a driver and be shown a huge range in any price bracket?

LONG DRIVE

Recycling for a greener future with XDL

New Zealand Long Black - Gareth Campbell loses another Driver Head.

The push to upcycle for a Greener future also a mission for XDL so working with Recreation Station is an obvious fit. Christchurch is a landmark for the sport of XDL, it’s where the first South Island Long Drive Championship and New Zealand Long Drive Champion was named in 2017. Our local club event soon to be listed. For your sporting needs, check out Recreation Station website www.rec-

June 2022

F E AT U R E

GOLF IN THE WINTERLESS NORTH

TREGHAN LUXURY LODGE Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri

Fairways perfectly groomed, stunning ocean views, wonderful scenery, sunshine and holes that offer a challenge or two! A stay at the tranquil in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands will mean you enjoy some of the best golf courses in New Zealand, while totally relaxing off the course in secluded and el-

egant surroundings. Your play can include Kauri Cliffs Golf Course, Waitangi and Bay of Islands, Kerikeri. And afterwards you can eat in or dine out in one of the award winning restaurants or vineyards the Bay of Islands has to offer. A perfect combination – golf by day, delicious food and luxurious sleep by night. » www.treghan.co.nz

NORTHLAND GOLF CLUB Western Hills Drive, Whangarei

Come and join in the fun at the friendly club! Located only 10 minutes north of central Whangarei, Northland Golf Club provides a scenic and challenging course for all levels of golf, all year round. If you are looking to play and stay locally, go no further than Birchgrove Cottage,

June 2022

a modern standalone fully self-contained 1 bedroom holiday cottage situated right next to the golf course. Visit www.birchgrove.co.nz or call (09) 945 4236. Visitors welcome and we provide full Clubhouse, onsite Café, covered modern driving range and Golf Shop facilities including carts, trundlers and clubs for hire. Contact the club on (09) 4351 777.

» www.golfnorthland.co.nz

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WAIPU GOLF CLUB

PEPPERS CARRINGTON RESORT, NORTHLAND GOLF

MANGAWHAI GOLF CLUB

State Highway 1, Waipu

For a great day out on the golf course, or a stopover game on your way north, look no further than Waipu Golf Club. Situated on State Highway 1, an easy 90 minute drive north of the Johnsons Hill Tunnel at Orewa, the course is an all-weather links style course playable in all conditions, with spectacular views over Bream Bay from all 18 holes. The clubhouse is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily for hire carts, clubs and trundlers. Green fees range from $40 for 18 holes and $25 for 9 holes weekdays for affiliated members ($45 and $30 weekends). We also have our Thrifty Thursday special of $1 per hole for all. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Tee Café open from 8.30 am, with gluten free food a specialty. If you need a place to stay, Ruakaka Beachfront Motel is a 10 minute drive away - phone 09 432 7166. For more information or to book a tee time, call us on 09 432 0259 or email waipu@golf.co.nz.

Maitai Bay Road, Karikari Peninsula

The golf course is the jewel in the crown of the Pepper Resort a 3000-acre resort with a 4km coastline of secluded white sand on the Karikari Peninsula. Designed by noted American course architect Matt Dye and opened in 2003, the course, that varies from rolling vales to challenging water holes, features one of New Zealand’s longest par-5s (at 569m) and one of the shortest par-3s (at 113m). The course is sited to provide a variety of vistas, with ocean views to the north and east, and hillside vineyards to the south. It is a hilly, parklands-style course with natural wetlands. The resort also offers a vineyard, winery, a Black Angus stud farm and a beach while the hotel features an infinity swimming pool. If you play Carrington, be prepared for the par-3 seventh, a challenging hole that plays over water and flax to a severely sloping green. » www.peppers.co.nz/carrington

Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads

Mangawhai is a true championship and consistently rates as one of New Zealand’s very best. Sand-based, always playable and making optimum use of natural terrain, the course is just over 1 hour north of Auckland’s CBD. Fairways are superbly groomed, the greens are famed for their pace and true roll, and every hole offers a different challenge for golfers of every level. Fully stocked Golf Shop with carts and clubs for hire, spacious Lounge & Bar, quality catering and a spectacular coastal location … Mangawhai is truly unbeatable! Email: golfshop@mangawhaigolf.co.nz for more information. » www.mangawhaigolf.co.nz

BAY OF ISLANDS GOLF CLUB, KERIKERI Golf View Road, Kerikeri

Just a few minutes from the bustling Kerikeri town centre, The Bay of Islands Golf Club, Kerikeri with its picturesque surroundings is a wonderful golfing experience in a sub-tropical climate. This well-groomed and attractively tree-lined, 18-hole 6122 metre, par 73 championship layout provides the best in challenge or relaxation. There are also three 9-hole options available. With panoramic views over the course, the superb clubhouse caters for weddings, private functions and business seminars. Golfers of all ages and abilities are most welcome at this friendly club. Phone the club on 09 407 8837 or email kerikeri@golf.co.nz » www.bayofislandsgolfclub.co.nz

» www.waipugolfclub.org.nz

“TEE FOR TWO” GOLF PACKAGE Play Kauri Cliffs + accommodation at Stone Store Lodge ü TWO golfers enjoy One Round of Golf each (Green Fees) at Kauri Cliffs Designed by David Harman **one of the top 100 courses in the world** www.kauricliffs.com ü TWO nights accommodation in a Deluxe Suite Dble/Twin suite with Inlet views, at Stone Store Lodge Kerikeri **201 Kerikeri Road** ü Self-service continental style breakfast is provided

NZ$825 for TWO *

*Must be NZ residents. International players ADD $380 TERMS & CONDITIONS: Above pricing is valid 1st June to 31st Aug 2022.

Outs ide these dates please visit webs ite

• NON Golfer Substitute: A selection from Health-Herbal-body treatments • No refund for unused services • Rain check available due weather within validity • Based on two persons - share Twin or Double Occupancy • Air and land transportation not included • Prices are GST inclusive • Golf carts not included

LODGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE! Min. 2 nights. Use our fully equipped kitchen, self-catering. Lodge serviced daily. If you have more than 6 golfers or are international golfers please enquire.

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UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

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

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Only 5 mins drive from Waitangi Golf Club!

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

June 2022

F E AT U R E

GOLF IN THE WINTERLESS NORTH

SHERWOOD PARK GOLF CLUB

WHANGAREI GOLF CLUB

KAURI CLIFFS GOLF COURSE

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

This is the course where Sir Michael Hill first aquired his passion for golf, which ultimately led to the establishment of his fabulous course at Arrowtown, The Hills. Originally known as Mt Denby, it is Whangarei’s oldest club (dating back to 1917) and is located on the road to Whangarei Falls and Tutukaka, only 5 minutes from the city centre. The course features bush-covered walkways and is a true test for any golfer. The club’s most famous landmark is the twin pine (split by lightning) aside the par-4 sixth hole. This is a beautiful course with tight driving holes.

The Kauri Cliffs Golf Resort was designed by David Harman, ranks among the world’s top 50 courses. It isn’t a cheap outing, but what an experience. Fifteen of the holes view the Pacific Ocean with six of them playing along the cliffs that plunge to the Ocean. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. The complex includes a world-class practice range plus putting and chipping greens.

Millington Road, Maunu

» www.sherwoodparkgolf.co.nz

Denby Cres, Tikipunga, Whangarei

Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay

» www.kauricliffs.com

WELLSFORD GOLF CLUB

"The Friendliest Club in the North" Less than an hour North of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, situated on SH 1 -- 2km south of Wellsford. Established in 1930, this scenic 18 hole course is regarded by many golfers as a "hidden treasure" offering a challenging test with some of the cheapest green fees in the region. A friendly country atmosphere welcomes visitors of all abilities. Cart hire available together with club and trundler hire. Bar and Catering facilities available for Corporate and Group Bookings. Come join us for an enjoyable day golfing. » wellsfordgolf.co.nz

» www.whangareigolfclub.co.nz

Hikurangi Golf Course

The Hikurangi Golf Course is a well maintained 18-hole course of 5246m par 70 with two par 5s and four par 3s and with some very interesting and challenging holes. The greens are irrigated with defined fairways bordered by light controlled rough. The course is elevated with rolling contours offering outstanding 360° scenic views to distant ranges. Situated only 10 minutes’ drive north of Whangarei City, Hikurangi Golf Club enjoys a warm and friendly country atmosphere where visitors are always welcome and the tee is readily available with little or no waiting time (bookings not required). Golf carts are available for hire but bookings are essential for these. Club days are Wednesdays and Sundays. Tee off is usually about 9am and visitors are welcome to join in our daily haggles. The clubhouse is open on these days and light refreshments and golf requirements are available. Green fees are $30 per round. Full membership is $450 per person with summer and mid-week subs available.

231 Marua Road, Hikurangi – Ph 09 433 8590 – hikurangigolf@gmail.com 26

June 2022

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Play, stay and play again!

WIN A MONTHLY PLAY AND STAY PACKAGE AT FABLE TERRACE DOWNS RESORT Get your group of 4 mates, or golfing partners for your chance to win this fabulous golfing experience. Enjoy early check in and late check out, a stunning 2-bedroom villa with breakfast, and unlimited golf with a shared cart included!

WWW.GOLFERPACIFIC.CO.NZ/TERRACEDOWNSPROMOTION

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June 2022

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTHLAND

The Course for Everyone

Pay $725 to play golf through to 28 February 2023

June 2022

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NORTHLAND GOLF NEWS NORTHERN WAIROA GC

HARBOUR GOLF NEWS

Northern Wairoa Golf Club ladies for take out the District even for the National Teams day competition. It was a hard fought win with Mangawhai Golf Club team taking second place only one shot behind! Waitangi Golf Club Paihia was third on the day.

Capping off a very strong year for the club, Pupuke have won the Women’s National Teams Days District Final, played at Whangaparaoa Golf Club.

The Women’s Premier Pennants winners North Shore It was a tight contest with Pupuke just edging out Waitemata in a countback. Northern Wairoa

NORTH HARBOUR

AUCKLAND THE AUCKLAND STROKE PLAY

The Auckland Stroke Play is done and dusted for 2022. Another day of perfect weather and near perfect golf at Windross Farm Golf Course.

In the mens tournament the winner was only decided on the final hole with Sam Jones taking the honours with a total of 197. Akarana’s Josh Bai challenged Sam throughout the tournament and finished with a total of 200.

WAIKATO

HUAPAI FOR CLAIM THE WEST COAST PENNANTS TROPHY!

The team got edged out by Pupuke in the Promotion Playoff Final.

Omaha take out the women’s midweek pennants section.

HAMILTON GOLF CLUB, 2022 MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANTS DIVISION 2 WINNERS

Women’s Midweek Section 1 pennants winners are Pupuke

For the Womens tournament Eunseo Choi defended her 2021 title with a total of 214 after 3 rounds and 3 shots ahead of second place Chloe Lam from Remuera Golf Club.

It was a brilliant sunny day that greeted the players for the morning semi-final matches between Riverside 2 vs Pirongia/ Pouri and Putaruru vs Hamilton 2, with all on the line to see who was going to make the 2022 Men’s Championship Pennants Final.

KAITAKE WOMENS OPEN 54 HOLE FOURSOMES

Full playing 18/9 Hole women Course Handicap 0 – 40

Format:

Thursday am Thursday pm Friday am

– General Foursomes – Canadian Foursomes – Mixed Draw Stableford

Location Kaitake Golf Club, 1340 South Rd, Oakura, New Plymouth, www.kaitakegolf.co.nz Dates

Thursday 27th October 2022 Friday 28th October 2022

Entry fee

$75.00 each

Twos optional

Food Lunch included both days. Thursday bar open and nibbles provided Accommodation Check out www.bookabach.co.nz or https://airbnb.co.nz Combine golf with the Taranaki Garden Festival – www.gardenfestnz.co.nz Entries to: Janice Farrant Email: farrant@slingshot.co.nz 125 Wairau Road, Oakura, 4314 Mob: 027 698 4806 | Ph (06) 752 7845

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June 2022

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With all the matches hotly contested and with Riverside 2 vs Pirongia/Pouri match not decided until the final putt on 18. The 2 finalists were found with Riverside 2 vs Hamilton 2 heading out to do battle in the afternoon. The final lived up to its billing with these two clubs having a great battle all the way to the end, with Hamilton 2 coming away with the victory to win the 2022 Men’s Championship Pennants Division 2 Final.

RANGATAHI GOLF IS ALL THE GO AT HUNTLY GOLF CLUB

Over the final week of April Huntly Golf Club hosted two golf tournaments as part of its commitment to developing junior golf in the North Waikato Region. On Sunday 24th the Waikato Futures

held their first post COVID event that was well attended by rangatahi from across the Waikato region. WGA’s Stephen Sandford oversaw a successful 18 hole Strokeplay Tournament run for experienced junior golfers and a 9 hole Ambrose Teams event for the lesser experienced and younger golfers. Then on Friday 29th Te Ahurei A Rangatahi hosted a nine hole tournament for around 30 local Huntly and surrounding region kids. Winner on the day was Huntly’s Charlie Heta Jnr who shot a gross of 39 for a four under par net 31 score. Second equal were Ngaruawahia’s Ola Palamo and Huntly’s Tau Hetet-Wairau both with one under par 34 net scores. It was a full on exciting day for the kids and their parents, with

a Maori Television crew present to film the days events. It will surely not be the last time many of these talented kids feature in video footage. The published event video filmed by Te Ao Maori News, can be found online at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=agFWukPGc_4&t=171s.

as Tau Hetet-Wairau and Isaac Graham look on.

Tournament Champion Charlie Heta with Genesis Huntly Power Station representative Te Iwingaro Morgan.

Russia McKinnon at the top of her tee shot

Reice McKinnon Jnr lets fly with a fairway shot.

Charlie Heta drills a par putt on the 10th hole

An end of tournament photo shows the fun spirit of the day.

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backswing.

June 2022

WELLINGTON BOULCOTT’S FARM HERITAGE GC MEN’S TEAM HAVE ENGRAVED THEIR NAME ON A PREMIER MEN’S TROPHY

For the first time since 1989 as the Hutt GC, Boulcott’s Farm Heritage GC Men’s team have engraved their name on a Premier Men’s trophy.

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S MANAWATU WANGANUI STROKEPLAY-RAJ REPEATS WHILE JONES WINS PLAY OFF

The Men’s and Women’s Manawatu Wanganui Strokeplay ended in contrasting ways and conditions. Tara Raj extended her overnight lead to win by five shots before the rain came, while Sam Jones and Mitchell Kale had to go four extra holes in the rain to determine the winner. Raj celebrated her inclusion into the Golf New Zealand Academy by defending the Manawatu Wanganui Strokeplay Championship, by shooting a closing round of 3 under 70 to finish the tournament on -10. Rebekah Blackwell-Chin finished runner up by shooting a closing 71 to finish on -5. Amy Han finished tied third with Grace Zhan, and in the process joined Raj and Blackwell-Chin as a course

record-holders by shooting a closing 4 under 69. Chloe Lam rounded out the top five by finishing on -2. On the Men’s side, early pressure was put on the leaders with Ryan Rooney shooting a 70, matched by Daniel Freeman. Rooney ended up finishing fourth with an even-par score of 210 and Freeman third on one-under 209. Mitchell Kale produced the round of the tournament to go back and forth holding the lead with overnight leader Sam Jones. Kale held a one-shot lead after thirteen holes only for Jones to birdie 15 and 16 to take a one-shot lead up the last. Jones bogeyed 18 to send both players into a sudden-death playoff as the rain that came in late in the round started to get heavier. It took four holes to separate the players with Jones prevailing and winning the Challenge Cup, which has been contested since 1901 and keeping it in the family as his brother Ethan won tournament last year.

Behind all morning, the BFHGC team posted a 1up win in the No.5 foursomes game, a key moment in the day, to be close at only 2 - 3 behind to Masterton GC, themselves on a mission to win 10 - 5 and force their way into the Duncan Cup playoffs. BFHGC were strong and steady after lunch establishing leads in 9 of the 10 singles matches after 9 holes, and didn’t falter in winning the afternoon 7.5 - 2.5, the day 9.5 - 5.5 and the Otaki Cup by 2 points from Shandon. BFHGC will now face Shandon in the major semi final with PBGC and Royal Wellington fighting it out for the right to play the loser in the major semi, all roads leading to the final, 75 years on from the first battle for this prestigious trophy.

TASMAN 2022 NBS NELSON FESTIVAL OF GOLF 1ST – 6TH MAY 2022

Courses involved were Nelson, Greenacres and Motueka By Derek Drysdale This year we hosted 132 players representing 57 golf clubs throughout New Zealand.

June 2022

The threat of poor weather on the first day was some slight drizzle on the Monday morning as players walked out to their shotgun start tees but that dried up as the hooter sounded to start the tournament. Every other day had beautiful sunny weather which followed us for the whole of the week. Local Member Dennis Andrews always takes credit for sorting the weather out, so well done to him for another superb performance, just a shame his golfing performance didn’t hit the same heights this year! The three golf courses were presented in outstanding condition and there were huge compliments from all the participants to the green staff at every course. The organisation of the event was again in the hands of the long serving committee of, Allison O’Donnell, Sue Schofield, Euan Milne, Tony Watkins, and Jeane Drysdale, along with Tournament Director Derek Drysdale. This team had it all under control and the camaraderie among the whole field was brilliant. The fun atmosphere in the club rooms after the golf was great to see and hear, with everyone commenting on the friendly aspect of the tournament. The catering staff at each Club were brilliant putting on great spreads for the players and the volunteers at each course played their part in making this one of the best tournaments we have staged. Our thanks also go to the management at each Club for their support in running each day’s play. We had a large number of new players this year and they all went away telling us that they’d be bringing more newbies with them next year, which is always very encouraging. We would also like to thank our Sponsors and supporters, who assist us with events such as ours. They are what makes the difference between us offering a good event and a great event, so our thanks go to: NBS (Nelson Building Society), Nelson Regional Development Agency, Kahurangi Estate Wines, Thorvald Cheese, Craft Pate Nelson, Greens Motel Nelson, Hardy Cars, Nelson, Raewards Richmond, Little India Nelson, Tides Restaurant Nelson. The tournament scoring was based on Stableford points and the attached result sheet shows the winners across the different divisions. Photos below are also of the winners. Steve Drinnan from Waiotara came out top dog for the week with a fabulous score of 110 points.

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June 2022

CANTERBURY TAI TAPU - WOMEN’S NATIONAL CLUB TEAMS’ DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

Mike Petterson from Pegasus win the Men’s 1st Division, but unfortunately Mike had to leave prior to the prize giving as he was playing in a match at his home Club on Saturday morning, so he missed the photo shoot.

Phil Keen from Ngaruawahia won Division 2, and Erin Mulholland from Hawarden won the Women’s Division.

Well done to all the winners and thank you to all our competitors and their travelling partners. You all made it a very successful week and we look forward to seeing many of you again next year.

The Women’s National Club Teams’ District Final was held at Harewood Golf Club recently in fine weather and the course in great condition. 26 clubs from the Canterbury Region were represented in the 18 Hole Four Ball Strokeplay event where the aggregate of the four ball scores of the club’s two pairs is the team’s score. As is expected in this event the scores were again very close with just five strokes separating the top 7 teams, but it was Tai Tapu’s team of Adrienne Shadbolt, Jill Gimblett, Karena Gibson and Jeanette Drinnan who prevailed on a combined total of 132, winning on countback from Christchurch. After an absence of 7 years in the competition the club returned to claim the coveted National Club Teams’ District Champion title. Countbacks were also required to separate the next four teams, Russley finishing third, followed by Bottle Lake, Hawarden and Harewood all on 136.

RUSSLEY - WOMEN’S 18 HOLE SILVER INTERCLUB CHAMPIONS

The final of the Women’s 18 Hole Silver Interclub competition was played at Amberley Golf Club recently in perfect, sunny conditions and the course in great order. The Final was between Russley and last year’s Champions Harewood, attempting to go back-to-back and almost did, however Russley had other ideas and after a 3-3 result at the end of regulation 18 holes it came down to a countback of individual holes won on the day which favoured Russley 25-24. So their team of Faye Le Cren, Kathy Seaward, Mary Deakins and Mihee Woo won what couldn’t have been a closer Final defeating Harewood’s Lynn Brand, Debbie Scott, Liz Warren and Carolyn Rickard.

WEEDONS RED - CENTRAL SHIELD CHAMPIONS

The final round of Central Shield inter-

June 2022

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club was played at Weedons Country Club recently with the host club’s teams in prime positions leading into the day’s matches. Weedons Black needed results to go their way to edge their Weedons Red clubmates, however both teams had respective wins against Hororata Black 5-1 and Hororata Yellow 4.5-.5 ensuring that Weedons Red took out the honours and silverware. The Weedons Red team, from left are Shaun Payne, Brad Nightingale, Jonathan Stieller and Devon Nightingale. The Grant Lethaby trophy for the best individual performance throughout the competition was jointly won by Shaun Payne and Hayden Clinton (Weedons Black) both undefeated with 5 wins from 5 games.

Sandra Gibson, Dianne McKenzie, Ralene Sutherland and Sue McCulloch combined for a total of 130 to win by 1 from Omakau 131 and Clinton picked up 3rd place on 133. This year we had 3 North Otago club’s playing in the event for the first time and it was a fitting welcome for Tokarahi to walked away as winners. 23 teams from across Otago competed for the title.

THE AORANGI NATIONAL TEAMS DISTRICT FINAL

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND THE TOKARAHI WOMEN ARE THE WINNERS OF DISTRICT NATIONAL TEAM’S FINAL PLAYED IN ALEXANDRA

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The Aorangi National Teams district final was held at Fairlie Golf club Friday, 13 May. Twelve clubs from around the region competed in the 4BBB competition,

with two pairs representing each club. The Waimate team of Maureen Horler and Sandra Wilson (net 60) and Heather Dickson and Kaye MacPherson (net 69) were the winners with a combined net score of 129! A huge congratulations to these ladies for their outstanding play. The remaining results were as follows: 2nd - Fairlie: 131 Marie Anderson and Sheree Corbett (net 67) Shelly Dobson and Averil Keys (net 64) 3rd - Pleasant Point:133 Ali Barrett and Rose Allison (net 70), Shelly Fintoft and Judy Hamer (net 63) 4th - Timaru: 133 Lois Beattie and Miriam Burnside (net 66), Kelly Karton and Kathy Williams (net 67) 5th - Geraldine: 134 Daphne Dewe and Shona Bensemann (net 67) Cheryl Jopp and Adrienne Reid (67) 6th - Ashburton: 135 Vicki Moore and Fiona Williamson (net 65) Pauline Bell and Bev Chinn (Net 70)

GOLF OTAGO NEWS

The Final of the Central Otago Women’s Pennants was a tight contest with the Omakau Ladies prevailing in the end after a half with Cromwell and a win over Queenstown in the triangular final played

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recently. The Brasch Cup was played for over the month of April this year with a high number of Club around Otago competing for it. The team from Maniototo came out winners after the final Saturday of play was completed with St Clair 2nd and Tokarahi very close behind in 3rd Played at the same time was the Country Day Cup for the best score against the course rating and that was won by Queenstown’s Bob Tryfiatis.

ROXBURGH GOLF CLUB IS CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF HOLDING ITS ANNUAL AUGUST TOURNAMENT

By Ann Hill Last year, the Roxburgh Golf Club was to celebrate 100 years of August Tournaments with an evening of entertainment with Jamie Mackay and Eric Olsen two very gifted speakers. This event had to be postponed due to Covid restrictions but I’m very pleased to report that the event has been rescheduled for Friday 19 August at 7.30pm in the Roxburgh Town Hall, followed by a light supper. A very warm welcome is extended to all past and present members and their partners to attend. Registration is essential by contacting Heather Hiscock, 021 2960395 h.hiscock@xtra.co.nz or Pauline Bain, 027 4468455 bill.poll@xtra.co.nz. The cost is $25 and please direct credit Roxburgh Golf Club 02 0953 0018314 00, reference Surname and 100T.

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