Golfer Pacific NZ – December 2022

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

See who won the latest LIV Golf tournament?

What do you mean, you don’t know.

When was the latest LIV Golf tournament?

What do you mean, you don’t know.

Are you not following LIV Golf?

What do you mean, nah.

Don’t you care about LIV Golf?

What do you mean, nah.

I am the same. I couldn’t care less about LIV Golf.

To me it has no meaning. The players on the LIV Golf circuit are only there because they have been purchased.

Players on the PGA Tour are not there because someone has purchased them. They are there because they have earned it.

Players on the LPGA Tour in the United States, like Lydia Ko, are there because they have earned it. Not because they have been purchased.

Players on the DP World Tour in Europe, like Ryan Fox, are there because they have earned it. Not because they have been purchased.

Players on the PGA Tour Champions in the United States, like Steve Alker, are there be cause they have earned it. Not because they have been pur chased.

They have played well enough

amongst their peers to warrant being on these major golf cir cuits. When they don’t play well enough amongst their peers they will drop off these major circuits. That’s called competi tion.

Is LIV Golf competitive? I sup pose it is amongst themselves. But when you have already been paid a truckload of money just to play LIV Golf you wonder what the motivation is.

I wonder how long the LIV players have been contracted for. Is it one year, two years, five years or 10 years?

What happens when they are no longer wanted? I hope the likes the of the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour never let them

back. That was the choice the LIV players made because of the truckload of money they were given. It wasn’t because of golf.

I got tired of LIV players say ing the opportunity gave them more time to spend with their families. I wonder what they are thinking when they haven’t played a competitive tourna ment for a month, especially when they know golf is a game they are very good at.

Some got paid so much they would never have to play golf again. But what do they do from day to day? When you are good at something you like to keep do ing it. There is great satisfaction at being good at what you do.

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COVER PHOTO: Lydia Ko poses with the Vare Tro phy and the Rolex Player of the Year trophy after winning the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, last month.

Photo credit: Douglas P DeFelice/Getty Images. Steve Alker proudly holds aloft the Charles Schwab Cup as the leading performer on the PGA Tour Champions. Photo credit: Christian Petersen/ Getty Images

Ko, Alker and Fox star for New Zealand in a stellar 2022

By Paul Gueorgieff, editor Golfer Pacific

When it comes to the term boxing above your weight that couldn’t ring truer for New Zea land golf in 2022.

New Zealand would have less than one percent representation on the world’s richest golf circuit for women, the Ladies’ Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) Tour yet the season’s winner was Lydia Ko of New Zealand.

New Zealand would have less than one percent representation on the world’s richest golf circuit for men aged over 50, the Professional Golfers’ Associa tion (PGA) Tour Champions, yet the season’s winner was Steve Alker of New Zealand.

New Zealand would have less than one percent representation on Europe’s richest golf circuit for men, the DP World Tour, yet the season’s runner-up was Ryan Fox of New Zealand.

These are three outstanding results for a country with a population of about five million, similar to the populations of Central African Republic and Mauri tania. I would challenge you to pinpoint those two counties on a blank map of the world.

The deeds of Ko, Alker and Fox in 2022 would have to make New Zealand perhaps the world’s most suc cessful golfing country when it comes to per head of population.

Ko has been an institution of the LPGA Tour since she first played it as a 15-year-old in 2012 but her suc cess this year represented something of a comeback.

Ko’s win in the season ending $US7 million CME Group Tour Championship in Florida last month was her third win for the season but the first time since 2016 that she had won more than once in a year.

Isn’t it odd how we refer to a statistic of Ko not win ning more than once in a year on the LPGA Tour. It only underlines her greatness.

Ko’s win in Florida earned her a record first prize of $US2 million. That’s about $NZ3.2 million.

It took her earnings for the year on the LPGA Tour to $US4.3 million. That’s nearly $NZ7 million.

“This year has been an incredible year,’’ Ko, who gets married at the end this month, said on television after her win in Florida.

“I really couldn’t have asked for more to win so ear ly in the season and then to have won in Korea then win the last event of the year, I couldn’t have drawn it up any better.

“There’s been so many exciting things in my life go ing on, it will be my last win as a single lady.”

Alker won four times in 2022 on the PGA Tour Champions. His earnings were $US3.5 million which is about $NZ5.6 million.

Alker, 51, was also wonderfully consistent. Apart from his four wins he had 18 top 10 finishes.

Alker said moving from the Korn Ferry Tour, where he was competing against players more than half his age, provided a new opportunity.

“The big turnaround was just wanting to move out of the Korn Ferry Tour,” Alker said in September.

“To play against guys my age and have a new lease on life and on my career and play in a different envi ronment, that really got me going.”

It also provided him with a new perspective.

“I think I’ve played with a lot of freedom this year. If I could go back, I’d play with a lot more freedom than I used to.”

Fox didn’t win the DP World Tour’s season title but he was beaten only by the world’s No 1 ranked player Rory McIlroy.

Fox racked up two wins in 2022. They were the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in the United Arab Emirates in February and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland in October.

He also had four seconds and his earnings for 2022 were 3.3 million euros. That’s about $NZ5.3 million.

Fox is now looking forward to his first start in the US Masters at Augusta National in April.

“That’s one I’ve been wanting for a long time, since before I turned pro,” told the DP World Tour website.

“I guess a couple of years ago, I probably thought I was getting a bit old and it was going to be a little bit too hard.”

Fox admitted he could easily have won more this year but remained very satisfied.

“Probably felt like a year I may have let a couple of other chances to win slip. But it’s pretty hard to win out here and to get a couple is pretty cool.

“It’s just a great experience to be in contention all the time. I started to feel a lot more comfortable in that position than I had in previous years, so hopeful ly I can build on it a little bit more for next year.”

To sum it up, one excellent year for New Zealand’s top golfers. May it continue next year with the likes of Daniel Hillier to join Fox on the DP World Tour.

Ryan Fox poses with the trophy on the Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Champion ship at the Old Course, St Andrews, in Scotland last month.

Photo credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

Lydia Ko is presented the Vare Trophy by LPGA Tour com missioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after she won the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida last month. Photo credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images.

Steve Alker in action during final round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona, last month. Photo credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

Strong international presence sought for NZ Open

By Neville Idour

Preparations for the 102nd New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown from March 2-5 are well under way, says  tourna ment director Michael Glading.

“The team we had, we have obvious ly lost some because of the hiatus with covid,’’ Glading began to explain.

“They had to make a career change. However those who have signed back on include our two key people.

“Our project leader Mel Gimblett, who has been working on the (car) ral lies, is back in golf mode while Sarah Thorpe, who looks after all our am ateurs, is back on deck after working on the Commonwealth Games. We lost our head of operations to the in

surance business. We have also lost our commercial manager to the Rota ry (humanitarian) sector, so those are gaps we are in the process of filling now.”

Glading now turns his attentions off shore.

“The focus now is on player recruit ment which sees me in Japan for a tournament where I spend a week. Then I come home for a day before go ing to the Australian PGA for a week. Another day at home before going to Indonesia for a week.’’

This schedule is followed each year because of the New Zealand Open’s re lationship with the Australasian, Japan and Asian PGA Tours.

Are there any specific players in mind?

“Traditionally we have always looked for young up and coming players,’’ Glading adds.

“In recent times we have had Tom Kim (now a PGA star), Sung Jae Im, Cameron Davis and Cameron Smith before he was well known, so that is the type of player we will hope to get. For example there is a young Japa nese amateur who has recently won the Japan Open after winning another tournament on the Japan Tour. I don’t know if he would want to come over as an amateur.”

Quite a few of the top Australian players are now on the LIV Tour and able to play on the Asian Tour. Would they be welcome at the New Zealand Open?

“In theory yes. If players are not part

of the Australasian or Asian tours I would say no because we are not look ing to create controversy. But players who have a standing, for example Cameron Smith, would be welcome. We have talked to the DP World Tour and had that clarified. We are taking a very neutral stance and do not want to upset the apple cart. We are trying to be the Switzerland of golf.

“It is exciting because it is feeling very real again after two years of peaks and troughs. To have some certainty again is fantastic. We are looking at increas ing prizemoney from $1.4 million to at least $1.6 million. So we are continu ing on our path to keep on growing. If we can go higher we will, but that will depend on gaining more sponsorship.”

Kiwis perform well at Asia-Pacific Amateur

Six of the seven New Zealanders at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) finished inside the top 30 in one of Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious am ateur golf events.

Kazuma Kobori, James Hydes, Sam Jones, Jared Ed wards, Josh Bai, Jayden Ford and Mako Thompson earned their places in the Asia-Pacific Amateur (AAC) field at the end of October courtesy of their world ama teur golf ranking.

Sam Jones was the leading New Zealander, finishing in equal 13th after rounds of 71, 70, 68, and 73 for a six under par total at the Amata Springs Country Club in Thailand last month. He was seven shots behind the winner Harrison Crowe of Australia.

The AAC champion receives an invite to the 2023 Mas ters Tournament in the United States and The Open Championship in England.

Jones began the final round six shots behind Crowe and needed a special round to challenge the leader.

The Taranaki-based amateur took advantage of both par fives on the front side to be two under par through his first seven but bogeyed eight and nine to turn in even par.

The 26-year-old couldn’t conjure up the magic re quired to contend over the final day. After birdies at 12 and 15 and a bogey on 13, he stood on the 17th one under for the day but finished with consecutive bogeys

golfer Sam Jones who was the top Kiwi at the Asia-Pa cific Amateur Championship in Thailand. He finished 13th. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand/BW Media.

to drop outside of the top 10.

Jones says it was an encouraging week.

“It’s great to see a couple of (New Zealand) boys up near the top of the leaderboard this week,’’ Jones said.

“Jimmy [Hydes] was up the top somewhere through the first two rounds, and a couple of the younger boys were doing well too. It’s great to see.”

James Hydes was a shot behind Jones and finished in

equal 17th.

Hydes got within three shots of the lead halfway through the tournament after opening with 68 and 69. He shot 76 and 70 over the final two rounds to finish five under par for the tournament.

Hydes, from North Harbour, played solid golf the final day, making three birdies and before a bogey on his last hole.

Josh Bai finished at four under in a tie for 20th after carding 68, 71, 71, and 74.

Bai, 16, got within three shots of the lead early in the final round, opening with three birdies in his opening four to get to nine under. Unfortunately, he turned in even after a double bogey at the par five seventh and a bogey at eight.

Kazuma Kobori finished strongly, firing a final round 68 to get to three under in a share of 24th.

Kobori started the final round one over after a 72, 70, and 75 in the first three rounds but moved up 15 places on the leaderboard after a blemish-free 68 in the final round.

Incredibly, only four shots separated the six Kiwis who made the cut, with Jayden Ford and Mako Thompson finishing at two under par.

Full leaderboard: https://www.aacgolf.com/leader board/2022

Taranaki

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Mangawhai making waves

By Neville Idour

Earlier in the year when in the far north we took the opportunity to visit Mangawhai Golf Club, one of the more popular courses and now most progressive clubs.

We spoke with Owen Noonan, the golf club’s finance and administration director, and Mike Howard, the club ambassador, who both revealed the huge strides the club has made in re cent times.

Noonan said: “Three years ago we had a $100,000 overdraft and $35,000 in the bank. We have reversed that in three years. We have just told the bank we don’t need an overdraft now. We now have substantial funds and term deposits.

“On top of that we are now investing in the club with club extension, course development and  development of the practice range which is a huge move.”

A large increase in green fees has been a major factor financially with $400,000 in 2021, significantly more than the previous average of $240,000.

Noonan adds: “It has dropped back 30 percent on last year (due to covid) but what you have to remember is Auckland was closed down for six months but it is now getting better and better since it reopened again.”

The club’s previous financial difficul ties stemmed from a failure to increase subscriptions for six years. Member ship back then was a little over 800.

Noonan added: “We opened it up to the local community with social mem berships so we could increase the café and bar trade along with other initia tives. Our full playing membership sub scription is now just under $1400.”

When Noonan started his role, sub scriptions were $900. In fact, he said with a chuckle, there was one year when members were given a 10 per cent discount.

“If you want a dollar’s worth you have

to spend a dollar. You can’t get it for 50 cents, and that is what the members had to buy in to. As a result our sub scription revenue has almost doubled.”

I haven’t bumped into too many club ambassadors (probably none) in my time but it appeals to me as a great role for a long standing and enthusi astic member of a club. So it was that Mike Howard further elaborated on the current situation.

“Our current active membership is 920 with a total membership includ ing junior and social members around 1200,’’ Howard said.

“Our social and community engage ment is a really important part of the club ethos. We manage to handle close to 40,000 rounds per year of which 9000 are visitor rounds. These bring a huge economic benefit to the commu nity at large.

“We are one of the youngest clubs in New Zealand, celebrating our 40th an

niversary in 2019. We did that so our remaining “originals” could enjoy an other big party. We had the pleasure of Sir Bob Charles and his 1958 Eisen hower teammate Ted McDougall in at tendance. It was a great night largely hosted by Michael Glading.

“We are very clear about who and what we are. We are simply a classic coastal and sand-based golf course in an undulating and largely native vege tation environment. We seek to man age and enhance the great bones that Harry Dale gave us in his design which, like many courses around the country was born out of farm and scrubland.”

The concept for the course was con ceived in 1979 and endorsed at a public meeting later in the year. On land gen erously made available at a peppercorn rental by the county council, the origi nal temporary nine holes were formed and played on within just 24 days. The first nine hole permanent course plans

under the guidance of Harry Dale were completed in 1982 and construction began.

April 11, 1984, was the opening day for the new nine holes. Then a major milestone was the employment of Mau rice Wightman as full time greenkeep er. Steady progress was then made in the completion of an 18 hole course. On May 1, 1988, the new 18 holes were played for the first time. The official opening was on Labour weekend with a record field of 177.

In June 1992 the new clubhouse proj ect began with an area on two floors of 731square metres (7868 sq ft) project ed. There was a massive community effort in support of the building with many thousands of hours of volunteer labour leading to the opening of the clubhouse in 1993. In its current state the clubhouse is an impressive spa cious facility.

It has everything needed for a large membership and for use by other or ganisations. The lounge commands glorious views of the course and vistas beyond, making it a very pleasant spot for that after match refreshment or for that coffee fix even if not playing golf.

Mangawhai was ranked 32nd in the Golf Digest New Zealand rankings in 2021. Howard enthuses about the at tractions of the area which align with and bring benefits for the club.

“There are great recreational facilities with beaches, the estuary, vineyards, markets, fishing options, local pot tery and great shopping. In 2023 our new township will open at Mangawhai Central, which is conveniently placed between The Village and Mangawhai Heads. Yes it is a great place to be in.”

Over the years Mangawhai has host ed several national events the most recent being the 2017 Men’s Interpro vincials. The course is one of the most attractive environments in the country and should not be missed if in the area.

Mangawhai Golf Club

Jessica Green wins NZ Amateur with hole out on the 34th

J

Green, from Te Puke in Waikato, was 30 metres right of the 16th green at the Ota go Golf Club and the ball went into the hole for a birdie and seal victory against New Zea land representative Vivian Lu.Green played some unbe lievable golf prior to that and was never down in her match.

She birdied the first and would never look back. Every time Lu struck, Green would answer. After making the turn one up in the first round, they went blow for blow on the back nine until they stood on the 16th, where Green holed her second to make the differ ence two.

Green backed it up with a birdie at No 17 to make the margin three holes, and after a half at 18, Green held a three up lead with 18 holes to play.

She got the speed wobbles in her opening nine of the af

Jessica Green, from Waikato, with her New Zealand Amateur Championship trophy. Photo credit: Golf New Zea land/BW Media.

ternoon and Lu reduced the deficit to one with nine to play.

However, Green kept her composure, winning the

28th and 29th to get to three up once again. After losing the 32nd with a double, lightning struck twice on the 16th where

she holed her third after find ing trouble off the tee for bird ie to close out the match. She says it was an incredible

way to get the job done.

“I’m just letting it sink in. What a way to do it; it feels great,’’ Green said.

“The 16th has been good to me this week. I was hoping to finish the match there, but after my tee shot I wasn’t in a great position. I was still confident that I could get it done though.

“Holing that shot wasn’t even on my mind. It was a re ally nice surprise and a great way to win the match. I’ll re member this for a long time.”

Green had 2017 winner Silvia Brunotti caddying for her from the quarter finals, and said that was a massive help having someone who has experienced the same nerves walking her through each shot.

“In all honesty, she read all of my putts out there today. All I had to do was follow her advice and that seemed to work out well.”

“This is my first national title. It’s a pretty good one to win for my first and I’m happy that I had my good friend and my mum here to watch me do it.”

GOLF NEWS

PRO-AM Invitational

Waihi Golf Course February 11-12th, 2023 WAIHI 2023

Australian takes out New Zealand Amateur

Jasper Stubbs from Australia won the New Zealand Amateur Cham pionship after an amazing week at Otago Golf Club.

The world No 483 beat two-time finalist Mitchell Kale 6 and 5 in the fi nal to win his first national amateur ti tle and his first overseas.

He was ahead right from the opening hole of the 36-hole final, making a bird ie to settle his nerves. He won the next with a par and went four up early af ter another birdie at the fourth and a par at the fifth. Kale managed to claw a couple back before the turn, and they went into the final nine holes of the morning round with a two-hole differ ence.

Stubbs kept his foot on the gas, making birdie at No 10 and pars at 11 and 18 to stretch his lead to five going into the afternoon round.

Stubbs lost the 21st to a Kale birdie but got that shot back at the 23rd af ter another birdie to restore his fiveup lead. The pair traded blows all the way to the 31st, where Stubbs put the nail in the coffin by draining a 30foot slider from across the green to

put the pressure on Kale, who need ed to hole a downhill slider of his own from eight feet to keep the match alive.

The putt sat on the lip, meaning Stubbs had captured the first big ti

tle of his amateur career, a feat he is proud of.

“It’s pretty amazing. The weather didn’t hold up for us, but I was glad my game was able to for the 31 holes

that we played,’’ Stubbs said.

“This is my first big amateur win, my first international win, to be able to take the trophy home this week means a lot.”

Stubbs played solidly all week, quali fying third after the strokeplay rounds.

He beat all the locals on his way to the final, beating Duncan Croudis in the opening round, Sebastian Kyle in round two, Tom Lee in the quarter finals, and William McLauchlan in the semi-finals.

Stubbs said his golf went from strength to strength all week, culminat ing in a great performance on one of the biggest days in his young career.

“I played really well. I made a few bad swings here and there, but for the most part I was keeping myself in it and mak ing a lot of pars. In the end, that was all I had to do.

“Mitch also played great, hats off to him for an amazing week and he gave me a tough run for a lot of day. I’m just super stoked to get this one across the line.”

Craig Palmer at the helm of The Hills

By Neville Idour

Craig Palmer in many ways is the face of The Hills Golf Club in Arrowtown and as recently-appointed gener al manager it seems like it has been a natural progression to that position, having been there almost from the beginning.

It was well worth spending some time with him and learn ing more about his life to this point.

“I was born in Auckland and grew up in the Bombay Hills on an avocado, tamarillo and kiwi fruit orchard,’’ Palmer begins.

“It was a golfing family and my father Alistair was a touring professional and was club pro at Manukau Golf Club (in Auck land) for many years. He actually played in a British Open.

“He took a break from golf when I was born and eventual ly went back to Manukau. Mum was a good golfer too but I didn’t play when I was young. I played rugby and cricket. I didn’t start golf until we moved to Timaru where dad took the club pro job at the Timaru Golf Club.”

Palmer’s father is now the club pro at Greenacres Golf Club in Nelson where he has been since 2010.

“We lived at the Timaru course and being a great place to learn to play golf I started when I was about 13 years old. My game progressed quickly and I made

my first senior Aorangi team when I was 15 and with good opportunities there I played for them for a few years before moving to Dunedin after high school.

“I played for the very good Otago team, met my wife to be, played golf together and the rest is history.

“I had aspirations to play pro fessionally for a living but end ed up doing my traineeship in Christchurch. Towards the end of it I saw a job advertised in Queenstown at Kelvin Heights (Queenstown Golf Club) so I went there for an interview with Allan McKay, one of New Zea land’s most experienced profes sionals. I worked as his assistant professional there and also at Frankton Golf Club. I learned a lot from Allan.

“While I was there I met the people who built the clubhouse at The Hills. They mentioned that Michael (Hill) was looking for someone to help them with their golf operations. At that stage there were only about 16 members. So I started on a parttime basis for a couple of years.

“It wasn’t so much about coaching but just mainly playing golf with the members. Eventu ally there were enough mem bers to justify having someone there full time.

“I was in my late 20s and I guess I was in the right place at the right time. They asked me

what my title should be and I picked director of golf. It was too grand for me at the time but I spent the next 10 years grow ing into it.”

A humble admission indeed. Palmer is now aged 43 and has been full time for 13 years fol lowing his part-time stint.

“I feel fortunate to have been

involved and play a role in what it has become. So many great experiences getting to know the members and to enjoy the big tournaments staged here and to play in them … such a cool expe rience.”

These have been the only seri ous pro tour events Palmer has played and he has no regrets about not trying the touring life. He is satisfied having played in several New Zealand Opens at The Hills with some success.

“My real passion is this club and everything to do with it. As far as I am concerned this is as good as it gets in this part of the world. We live in a vineyard in Gibbston with a couple of acres which keeps us busy. We just love it here.”

The Palmers have an eightyear-old daughter who keeps them busy, says Craig.

So what does the future hold for The Hills? Palmer is mea sured in his reply because much is in the discussion stage.

“We have done a lot of stra tegic work recently to confirm why we are here and what our vision is. We have set some very clear goals for what we want to achieve and one of them is that we want to give back and sup port the local community and I think we are making some good progress there.

“The community open day was certainly part of that. We are trying to support some oth

their agronomy programmes.” Glenorchy club has been a re cent example of this.

Palmer is pleased to have Sian Chilton as golf operations man ager filling his former role man aging the golf team.

“Our mission is to build the team up as we are a bit short staffed at the moment.”

The Hills Invitation Pro-Am is coming up this month again so we asked how that originally came about.

“I was fortunate to be asked to play in a fantastic two round in vitation pro-am at the Royal Syd ney Golf Club for a few years. It was an amazing experience so I thought there was an opportu nity to do something similar for our members and so the event has grown over the years. This year we have a naming rights’ sponsor and the purse this year has jumped from $50,000 to $70,000 for the 20 player field.”

Now that this tournament is part of the New Zealand Profes sional Golfers’ Association cal endar it has assumed far great er importance for the players, who are always thrilled to be in vited. Craig Palmer has certainly shown himself to be an innova tive person and no doubt there will be more happenings at The Hills to look forward to.

Jasper Stubbs of Australia proudly hold aloft the New Zealand Amateur Championship trophy. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Craig Palmer, the general manager of The Hills Golf Club in Arrowtown.

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Fairview Estate has an outstanding café/restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as a Country Club which boasts a wealth of facilities that currently includes a health studio, tennis courts, golf course, and an indoor pool and spa complex for sport, tness, and socialising. This is community living at its best.

The Greens is the latest residential subdivision at Fairview Estate and features architecturally designed, freehold, townhouses with off-street parking – perfect for motorhomes or caravans –making it an ideal base for lifestyle and retirement adventures.

The Greens is the latest residential subdivision at Fairview Estate and features architecturally designed, freehold, townhouses with off-street parking – perfect for motorhomes or caravans –making it an ideal base for lifestyle and retirement adventures.

The Greens is the latest residential subdivision at Fairview Estate and features architecturally designed, freehold, townhouses with off-street parking – perfect for motorhomes or caravans –making it an ideal base for lifestyle and retirement adventures.

Fairview Estate has an outstanding café/restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as a Country Club which boasts a wealth of facilities that currently includes a health studio, tennis courts, golf course, and an indoor pool and spa complex for sport, tness, and socialising. This is community living at its best.

Fairview Estate has an outstanding café/restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as a Country Club which boasts a wealth of facilities that currently includes a health studio, tennis courts, golf course, and an indoor pool and spa complex for sport, tness, and socialising. This is community living at its best.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

Fairview Estate has an outstanding café/restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as a Country Club which boasts a wealth of facilities that currently includes a health studio, tennis courts, golf course, and an indoor pool and spa complex for sport, tness, and socialising. This is community living at its best.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

With house and land packages from $1,034,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.

With house and land packages from $999,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

With house and land packages from $1,034,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

With house and land packages from $1,034,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

With house and land packages from $1,034,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

With house and land packages from $1,034,000, all including Country Club membership, these high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.

Karlene Blair

Karlene Blair

Glenorchy grateful for help from The Hills

wise, meaning expensive freight to pay.

Orman said the club survives on spon sorships, donations and volunteers and green fees are just $10. So Orman en quired at The Hills who were keen to as sist a local club and was introduced to trainee greenkeeper Innes  Kensington who would do the required work.

Kensington takes up the story: “Ben Taylor (The Hills course superinten dent}, who was aware of their situa tion, and I, met with Damian and for mulated a plan to use our machinery to do the renovations.

“So we took our greens’ machine and tractor on a trailer to Glenorchy to run our greens programme there. The greens were in a sorry state.”

By Neville Idour

Damian Orman, the president of the Glenorchy Golf Club near Queenstown, is extremely grate ful to The Hills Golf Club for its gener ous assistance in restoring its ailing greens to a quality matching the best.

Orman explained that their mow er was going to need repairs costing about $6000 which the club simply did not have. Subscriptions only contribute around $2600 to the club’s finances. The repairers said The Hills and Millbrook had the necessary sharpeners so it may be best to talk to them as repairs would have to be done in Christchurch other

They needed a complete revamp in cluding sanding and re-seeding. Two 12-hour days were involved plus a cou ple of return visits. Kensington also has tried to fix the irrigation, which hadn’t been used for about 10 years, “with varying degrees of success”.

He also fixed the reels on their mow er which was the original job and the mower now looks fantastic.

“We will probably go back in March next year and do another round of sanding to build on what I have done.”

Will Glenorchy be able to look after them?

“They have a couple of volunteers who can mow the greens now. I also went over and took some of our old flagposts and cups which were in very good condition to replace their inade quate ones.”

Interestingly, Kensington who was previously a guide on the Routeburn

is in the third and final year of his traineeship and in tends keeping an eye on the Glenorchy course as he does not want to see the level of the work done fall away. He has given them a programme to follow to maintain that work.

Track

Once word got out about the work families came out to see the action and enjoy time playing on the course. There is no doubt the new greens and improved course maintenance will produce a much more enjoyable expe rience for golfers.

Local knowledge a help in third New Zealand Open win

By Paul Gueorgieff

Jason Eade admitted a little local knowledge helped get him over the line to win the Disability Golf New Zea land Open for a third time.

The two-day tournament, held at the end of last month, was played at Man or Park Golf Club in Wellington which is where Eade learned to play the game.

“I started my golf here and learned to play here,” Eade said after the win.

Conditions were windy for the second day and Eade, who was a Manor Park member for more than 10 years, said that probably gave him some advantage on his nearest rivals who he was playing with.

“I perhaps used my knowledge of the course as it was a bit windy out there today.

“The last few holes -- 16, 17 and 18 -- I know they are challenging, having lost a few matchplay events on those holes in previous years.

“I knew I had to just punch it out. I played it as matchplay today and just tried to get the job done.”

Eade, who now plays at Royal Welling ton Golf Club, has a golf index of about 11.5. He had scores of 82 and 79 at Man or Park and won by a couple of shots

from Guy Harrison of Napier.

Eade’s two previous win in the event or its equivalent were at Auckland and Christchurch but he was not getting car ried with his successes.

“I’m just a weekend hacker but some times when I get a bit of a roll on and when I get to play more golf, I can bring it together.”

Eades has ventured overseas for major disability golf events such as the World Championships in South Africa and the United States Open and the Canadian Open.

He is keen for disability golf to become bigger.

“I think the long term goal is to try and become a paralympic sport and try en compass all people with disabilities.”

Eade, 54, was a top boxer before he lost a leg in a motor cycle accident at the age of 22.

He was a four-time New Zealand am ateur champion boxer. That included a senior title in 1988 as a 19-year-old when he was awarded amateur boxing’s most prized trophy, the Jameson Belt, for the most scientific boxer at the National Championships.

in Fiordland,

The transformation of one of the Glenorchy greens is clearly illustrated.

Jason Eade with the Disability Golf New Zealand Open trophy at Manor Park Gold Club in Welling ton.

Innes Kensington, from The Hills Golf Club, who has transformed the greens at nearby Glenorchy Golf Club.

Jane Butler was a pioneering Kiwi women’s golf legend

Australasia’s first professional woman golfer, and a pioneer in promoting women’s golf in New Zealand, has died, aged 78.

Jane Butler of Rotorua has a list of achievements as long as a par five golf hole – including represent ing New Zealand at multiple age group competitions, an incredible stint representing her province at na tional level 15 times, and setting numerous bench marks and course records for achieving excellence at the sport’s highest levels.

Butler, who married and became Jane Little, was New Zealand’s first professional woman golfer – tak ing up residence at the Manukau Golf Club in Auck land in 1968. Six years later Jane moved across the Tasman Sea, where she became the first female golf ing professional in Australia - going on to work with the Western Australian women’s state team, compet ing in the Australian Interprovincial Championships.

Between 1960 and 1964, she represented the Bay of Plenty at New Zealand interprovincial golf tourna ments, later becoming the region’s team manager in 2004. Jane Butler was the New Zealand Under-21 Championship winner in 1962, 1963, and 1964, and the Bay of Plenty Champion of Champions in 1984 and 1987.

In 1965, she won both the New Zealand Junior Women’s Championship, and the New Zealand La dies’ Open -- an incredibly rare feat for a young wom an to take out both titles in the same year.

Jane Butler twice represented New Zealand in the world women’s Espirito Santo Trophy -- in France (1964) and Mexico (1966) —  and also wore the black fern at the Commonwealth Tournament – sim ilar in participation eligibility to the Commonwealth Games, but only for golf. She also represented New Zealand in the Tasman Cup in Melbourne against Australia.

In 1985 Butler was one of the founders of the picturesque nine-hole Hamurana Golf Club on the northern shores of Lake Rotorua. Several years ago, local Iwi officially acknowledged Butler’s efforts as the founder of the Hamurana Golf Club.

Between 1986 and 1988 Butler won a trio of Ro torua golfing titles playing alongside her daughter Treena. Jane’s name is etched more than 45 times on the honours’ board at Arikikapakapa Golf Club in Rotorua for her winning achievements over the de cades. She also appears more than 10 times on the Hamurana Golf Club for similar achievements.

Travelling throughout the North Island to com pete at the highest levels, Butler held four titles si multaneously at the now merged Grange Golf Club in Auckland – including a four-under par 68 course record set when the supremely accurate hitter was reaching her peak in 1964. That same year Butler also won Auckland’s three top women’s golf tournaments playing off a scratch handicap, then travelled back to the Bay of Plenty to win the Tauranga Open.

In 1965 she held the honour of being New Zea land’s only golfer, male or female, to play off a plustwo handicap while at the North Shore Golf Club in Auckland.

Butler’s funeral was held at Hamurana Golf Club,

with a golf club-wielding guard of honour saluting her coffin as it left the service. Earlier in the day, in rec ognition of Butler’s outstanding commitment to golf both in Rotorua, and New Zealand, she was also giv en one last drive down the seventh fairway of her be loved Arikikapakapa Golf Club, as the hearse trans porting her coffin made its way from tee to green.

Speaking at Butler’s service, her son-in-law Tony Moore said: “She was an inspiration to many golfers, and there’s a lot of younger generation who were coached by Jane and looked up to her, that would still know her today.”

Butler’s daughter, Treena Moore, credited her mother with being the inspiration for her love of the game. Together as a team, the two women won Ha murana Golf Club’s first three ladies’ championship trophies.

Golf New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty administrator Penny Smith said Butler’s legacy over nearly 60 years on the courses had her deservedly etched her name in the sport’s history in this country. Jane Butler/Lit tle’s achievements feature in the sport’s authoritative book A History of Golf in New Zealand.

Penny Smith, who was in a Bay of Plenty interpro vincial championship team managed by Butler, said: “Jane was an outstanding player, and one of the pio neers of modern women’s golf in this country – taking women’s roles and profile in the sport to an unprec edented level at the time. After playing at the highest level and representing both province and country on numerous occasions over many decades, her love of the sport endured long after as she became a sports administrator.

“The final and moving tributes from both the Arik ikapakapa and Hamurana golf club members show the utmost respect with which Jane was held in her golfing community.”

Jane Butler, who was an outstanding New Zealand golfer.

Blind golfer loves the game

By Paul Gueorgieff

Golf’s a hard game but imagine how hard it is for Glenn Niciejewski from Brisbane.

Niciejewski is blind. Totally blind, following a car accident in 1999.

But he has since taken up golf and last month played the Disability Golf New Zealand Open at Manor Park in Wellington.

Niciejewski only had 23 stableford points off a handicap of 34 on the first day of the tournament but he was pleased just to be participating.

“This is my first trip to New Zealand,” Niciejewski said.

“I just love playing golf anywhere – anywhere with everyone.”

Niciejewski has several titles under his belt for the blind and visually impaired. He has wins in the Aus tralian Open and the New South Wales Open and has twice won the Victorian Open.

He has played world championships for the blind in Canada and Australia and played the Japan Open. In

September he was part of an international team that played the United States at the iconic course of TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

One of his best rounds was winning a monthly medal competition open to all golfers at a Brisbane club with a score of 92 in a field of 86 players.

How does he do it?

“I’m a feel golfer,” Niciejewski explains.

“I’ll take a practice swing, feel the ground and feel what’s below my feet.”

Accompanying him on the trip is his caddie Gerry Haggerty who is instructed to keep things simple.

“I don’t need to know there’s trees around, bun kers, water, there’s a river down your left-hand side,” Niciejewski said with a laugh.

Getting the ball in the hole is always the difficult part for any golfer. Niciejewski is no different.

“I hit a drive today 212 metres but then trying to get the ball into a hole that’s four inches wide is the hard part.”

Click on the following links to see Glenn Niciejewski in action at Manor Park.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cwsMAMSKAYx22xJ87

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mQrStewLJJtFbh657

Double amputee was told he would never walk again

By Paul Gueorgieff

Ben Tullipan clearly remembers the first golf tournament he played.

He scored an ugly 138. But he was not in the least disappointed.

“I came dead last but I had an absolute ball,” Tullipan recalled at the Disability Golf New Zealand Open at the Manor Park Golf Club in Wellington last month.

The tournament was a Victorian event for amputees but at the same time  rep resented a turning point in Tullipan’s life.

He previously didn’t have a set of clubs but following a newspaper story the clubs were provided along with a golf cart for Tullipan to drive.

“The social side of disabled golf is fan tastic,” Tullipan added.

“That’s what I went there for and I met some amazing people.”

Tullipan lost both his legs in the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people.

He was in Bali to purchase product for his furniture and homeware business and had entered a club to obtain a bottle of water.

“As I was walking out a bomb went off,” Tullipan recalled.

“I was five metres away from a van which had 400 kilos of explosives in it.”

Tullipan didn’t shy away from the grue some details.

“I remember the whole lot. I had a tor so next to me with no head, no arms. It was pretty graphic stuff which no person should ever see.

“I tried to drag myself out of the club which didn’t really work.

“I ended up getting dragged out and put on the road next to a car. The car caught on fire and burned all my back.

“I was then dragged up the street a lit

tle bit more, wrapped up and put on the back of a ute to Senglah Hospital.

“Apparently, I was pushed aside into a room and they covered me over and into the morgue room. They thought I was dead.

“Someone saw my arm twitch and dragged me out and here I am today.”

Tullipan said the message from doctors was blunt.

“I was told by doctors I would never walk. You’ve lost both your legs, you’ve got no stomach muscles on your right side, you’re deaf in one ear, all your bal ance is gone, you’ll never walk.”

He didn’t like what he heard.

“I thought who the hell are you to tell me I’ll never walk again?”

Years later he thought about playing golf even though he had not played the game before.

“After about four years I gave my wheelchair away to make sure I would never use it again and someone said to me you will never be able to swing a golf club -- you’ll fall over.”

The Gold Coaster is now heavily into golf. He became the president of Queensland Amputee Golf and has since become involved with an organisation named Empower Golf Australia.

Empower Golf provides clinics, coach ing and equipment for disabled golfers and Tullipan said it employed 74 profes sional coaches throughout Australia for 15,000 clients.

“Now I encourage others to get out and play.”

Click on the following link to view a vid eo of Tullipan in action at Manor Park: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1a553Z6v vWkuvNi3A

Ben Tullipan from the Gold Coast. He played in the Disability Golf New Zealand Open at Manor Park Golf Club in Wellington.

Glenn Niciejewski who played the Disability Golf New Zealand Open at Manor Park Golf Club in Wellington. Glenn is blind.

The era of the need to change course

Phil Tataurangi, one of New Zealand’s most cel ebrated golfers, first started playing on the Wil liamson Golf Course in Whangamata when he was seven years old.

“As a family this is where we used to holiday in the 1970s and ‘80s,’’ Tataurangi recalled.

“The folks had a family caravan and then built a bach over at Moana Point. Mum and dad were teach ers, so we were here just about every school break or long weekend. I’d ride my Raleigh 20 (bike), with my clubs and stay all day. It was all I wanted to do and certainly heralded the beginning of my deep love for the game.’’

Tataurangi is back in Whangamata and he’s back on the old course with fond memories but this time for a very different reason.

‘The Willy’ is a nine-hole course donated by the founders of the town. However, 44-years after Tataurangi first started playing on it, it is now sur rounded by infill housing and many of the residents don’t play golf, and are concerned about their kid’s safety.

It’s becoming a problem right around New Zealand with many homes now just metres away from the fairways and greens.

Since stepping away from playing tournament golf, Tataurangi has pursued an interest in golf course de sign and construction and is consulting several clubs around New Zealand.

Along with Greg Shaw of GroundVision and with

the help of golf club member volunteers, Tataurangi is moving the second green back 30 metres and away from the houses.

The old second hole was a long par three and one of the members favourites. But, with the risk of inju ry and damage the insurance bill is increasing. Also, Golf New Zealand is recommending clubs evaluate, and if necessary, take measures to mitigate the po tential for serious injury to occur.

Tataurangi is currently working with six other clubs around New Zealand which are in similar sit uations.

“I empathise with clubs that are having to go through the process of assessing their courses and in some cases change some holes but this is a different era and there are many factors contributing to the issue,” he said.

“The view that the course was here first doesn’t wash in society nowadays. There is a duty of care for golf clubs to operate responsibly and no one is comfortable with residents or golfers being in harm’s way.”

The Whangamata Golf Club has accepted that and is now looking to evolve the focus of the club towards golf-based entertainment for year-round fun interest for locals and visitors, rather than just traditional golf.

Future activities could include mini-putt, screen golf and golf stimulators, along with modern café and bar options in renovated clubrooms. And for a time-con

The Whangamata Golf Club which is undergoing changes to avoid nearby housing.

scious public, perhaps a smaller purpose-built par three course.

Fortunately, Williamson had a spare green, so with a lot of volunteers’ help they just rolled up the old one and re-laid it. The club is hoping by Christmas the green will be settled and in play.

Jane Kubala a coup for Taieri Lakes

By Neville Idour

Jane Kubala is the new gen eral manager at Taieri Lakes Golf Club near Dunedin, hav ing replaced Michael Ormandy who has decided to head over seas.

Kubala is a coup given her pre vious golf administration suc cess. After leaving school she did a polytech secretarial course and was always good at accounting and maths. Her work has mainly been in administration with her 15 years turning the Otago Golf Club around from debt ridden to thriving a standout. She loved it there but changing circumstanc es brought about her decision to leave a little over a year ago.

How did this opportunity at Taieri Lakes come about?

“One night out of the blue I got a message from one of the member’s wives asking if I would be interested in becoming the

general manager at Taieri Lakes.

“I said yes and next minute her husband rings and it just snowballed from there. I was ex cited about the thought of get ting back into the golf industry because it is something I have always loved and enjoy.”

After interviews with three board members then 10 com mittee members it was a done deal.

“I started on the 1st of August and it was just like coming back to wearing some nice comfort able slippers. I am just loving being back in the environment. I’m looking forward to taking Taieri where they want to go in the future with their vision. Taieri Golf Club is amazing with the volunteers and support they have from their members. They have a great network within the club like most clubs. A lot of the members run their own compe

titions during the week so I am here to support them.”

So what does your role in volve?

“I basically cover all areas. Ad ministrator, golf shop, look after carts, the bar, manage the green staff. A bit of everything really. I love the variety of work that I have here. I am back to looking at the weather again after a year out of the industry. I wake up and if it is raining, I think bother, no golf today.”

Can you see ways to take the club further?

“The club would like me to bring the club into the 21st cen tury with a growing membership and making sure everything is running smoothly. However I’m still getting my feet under the table and getting to know their systems. I have made a few changes already and the club is happy about that.”

Kubala says the club is in a strong position financially and there is an excellent spirit amongst the members.

“It is very positive. Member ship of over 400 is good and they have quite big fields for Saturday club day. In winter we have 90 plus playing so it is go ing to be interesting in summer.”

As far as the pro shop is con cerned, Kubala does not en visage stocking golf clubs and equipment as there are plenty of stockists elsewhere.

“We will look more at clothing, associated product and imme diate needs like balls, tees and gloves. I would like to have more logo clothing available which is good advertising. What we had previously sold quickly.”

Kubala is clearly well aware of the club’s needs and on that note we leave her smiling in her happy place.

Parker Aluesi provides young blood for Golf Otago

officer and is looking forward to working with Mahal Pearce, the executive officer and selector under the Golf New Zealand umbrella.

For the last six years he has been work ing at the St Clair Golf Club in Dunedin assisting the club professional Patrick Moore in the pro shop and with admin istration. The new job will involve tourna ment organising, working with the Otago rep teams, doing some coaching with juniors and working with women around Otago and Southland.

The obvious question was did he think about a trainee apprenticeship?

“I did look at becoming a pro and spoke to some other club professionals about it. What held me back was I would have to give up my amateur status straight away. That meant I couldn’t play club pennants or for Otago representative teams. I want to keep playing as many amateur events as I can and also play in some Charles Tour events.

“I would also like to go to Australia maybe in a couple of years and see how I go over there, and how I handle the pressure against the pros there. But at the moment the focus is on my amateur career. Australia is still very much in the future as I still want to develop my game with Golf Otago and Golf New Zealand.”

ever since.”

What makes Aluesi’s golf ability more remarkable is that he only has vision in one eye.

“I had an accident when I was six so it did hold my golf back until I learned to overcome and adapt to seeing with one eye.”

So how did your golf progress?

“It didn’t really kick off until I was 14 when I started at Otago Boys’ High School. That was the year Patrick (Moore) started as the pro at St Clair. He took me under his wing and gave me a bit of guidance with where to go with my game and ever since then it has continued to improve. So I have been very fortunate to have the time with Patrick.”

Aluesi first made an Otago eight-man

team in 2020 for the South Island inter provincials and was again in the team this year. He was runner-up in the recent Otago Matchplay Championships so is on the cusp of the senior interprovincials team of six. Five play with one reserve.

His father Mike, a member at St Clair, has always been his mentor. Patrick Moore has also been influential while he now has Ben Gallie at Millbrook as his coach.

Aluesi reflects his love of the game.

“I just love the enjoyment of playing with my mates or out there on my own. It is such a peaceful game and it brings me a lot of joy.”

Long may it last for this appreciative and impressive young man.

By Neville Idour

Otago representative golfer Parker Aluesi has taken on a new chal lenge at just 20 years of age.

He is the new Golf Otago development

Born in Dunedin, Aluesi was brought up on the Otago peninsula. His father took him to the nine-hole Otakau course for his first taste of golf when he was six.

“We moved to Macandrew Bay and I started playing at St Clair Golf Club when I was 12 and have been a member there

Jane Kubala, who is the new general manager at Taieri Lakes Golf Club.

Parker Aluesi who has been appointed Golf Otago development officer.

Asia-Pacific Amateur headed back to Royal Melbourne

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club will host next year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

Royal Melbourne held the same tournament in 2014 and it will return there from October 26-29.

Created in 2009, the AAC was established by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The Royal & Ancient (The R&A) to further develop amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific re gion. The champion will receive an invitation to com pete in the 2024 Masters Tournament and The 152nd Open, while the runner(s)-up will gain a place in final qualifying for The Open.

“We are proud to announce the return of the AAC to Royal Melbourne in 2023,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A.

“We are committed to elevating amateur golf across the Asia-Pacific and taking this championship back to one of the world’s best courses.”

Notable past competitors include 2021 Masters

champion Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the AAC, and the current Open champion Cam eron Smith. Collectively, AAC alumni have gone on to win 23 tournaments on the PGA Tour to date and more than 100 across the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Royal Melbourne club captain Tony Rule said: “We are looking forward to the top talent from across the region competing at our world-class venue for the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

“Royal Melbourne has a long history of providing a true test of golf to the top players in the world and we look forward to continuing that tradition with the re turn of the AAC.’’

Founded in 1891, Royal Melbourne Golf Club is one of Australia’s oldest golf clubs. The championship will be played over the composite course which com prises 12 holes from the west course and six holes from the east course. The west and east courses are ranked Nos 1 and 6 respectively in Australia.

The west course was designed by Dr Alister MacK enzie, the same architect who shaped Augusta Na tional Golf Club. Royal Melbourne has previously held 16 men’s Australian Opens, two women’s Aus tralian Opens, three Presidents’ Cups and the AAC in 2014, when Adelaide’s Antonio Murdaca became the first Australian to capture an AAC title.

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: “After hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Cham pionship in 2014, we are pleased to welcome back this prestigious championship to Australia and Royal Melbourne.

“It’s an exciting time for Australian golf and it will be an honour to showcase future stars at the highest amateur level on one of our most revered courses.’’

Over the AAC’s 13-year history, the champion ship has served as a springboard to some of the world’s top players, including Matsuyama, Smith, CT Pan, Cameron Davis, Lucas Herbert, Kim Si-woo, Sa toshi Kodaira and KH Lee Kyoung-hoon.

National roadshow has been focusing or more than just golf

land public than it ever has been before. Golf New Zealand now has a broad range of player participation programmes for children, youth, women, Māori, or those with disabilities, and the rational of the roadshow was to keep club managers and their committees up to speed on where the sport is heading.

“We’re talking about six-hole tour naments, creating shorter drop in par three-only course designs for kids, free learn to play coaching events, socially fo cused wine and putting events for wom en, and a big push into mid-week twilight golf.

“Concurrently with growing participa tion, golf clubs throughout the country are also now re-purposing themselves as delivering community activity and hos pitality hubs rather than single-purpose sporting destinations.

Gee said the Golf New Zealand road show had also emphasised the impor tance for golf clubs to take on a more corporate approach to their operations – developing strategic plans focused on sustainable growth of the sport within their specific location, and implementing a business dynamic to golf club’s day-today operations.

“We came along to the roadshow meetings with a menu of participation initiatives developed at both a Golf New Zealand level, and sharing some of the successful localised programmes clubs have developed. Not all the initiatives were necessarily appropriate for every club we visited, but the idea was that club managers and their committees could pick and choose which ideas they saw had the most merit for them individual ly,” he said.

ipants from more than 250 clubs – includ ing some 140 clubs staffed by volunteers.

Over the course of the year, Gee visited clubs in Canterbury, Waikato, Taranaki, Tasman, Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Northland, Otago, Aorangi, Tasman, Christchurch, Southland, Manawatu/ Whanganui, Wellington, the West Coast. Visits were planned last month for Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay.

“The roadshow has been about helping clubs to become more resilient for the generations to come, coaching those vol unteers who are on the club’s boards or committees on how to be the best stew ards for the future of their clubs, and helping clubs understand the importance of good governance in today’s society,” he said.

The changing face of golf in New Zea land and the need for golf clubs to adapt to the new styles of those playing the sport – along with the types of golf they want to play – have been the key focus of a nine-month roadshow this year.

Golf New Zealand club and workforce development manager Stephen Gee has visited 50 golf club venues across the country since January with a comprehen sive presentation on the sport’s new di rection – encompassing aspects ranging from child and youth participation initia tives through to wildlife predator eradica tion programmes.

“Participation and relevance are the key themes for how golf is now being per ceived in New Zealand,” said Gee.

“As a sport, golf is now far more acces sible to a wider spectrum of the New Zea

“That’s seeing golf clubs hosting a raft of community meetings from Rotary (hu manitarian service)  through to volunteer fire brigade, social events ranging from birthday parties through to weddings, and trading as licensed food and bever age venues where locals who aren’t nec essarily golfers can pop in for dinner and a glass of wine – treating the clubhouse like a local restaurant and bar.”

Gee said he was particularly encour aged by the sport’s collaboration with the Department of Conservation in promot ing the predator free 2050 programme during the roadshow -- aiming for the eradication of possums, stoats, weasels, and rats from the country’s golf clubs and their surrounding neighbourhoods.

“All of the clubs I met during the course of the roadshow understood the bene fits of pest eradication on their courses. Golf New Zealand and DOC (Department of Conservation) are now well down the path of rolling out trapping initiatives in conjunction with environmental en hancement native tree and foliage plant ing programmes which are bringing back native wildlife to golf courses,” said Gee.

“You could say that some golf clubs and their administrators ordered two and three course meals, while others have dived into the buffet to really load up their plates.”

The roadshow has seen Golf New Zea land present 50 workshops to 735 partic

Gee’s activities are one of the many support services which Golf New Zea land delivers its clubs and district branch members, alongside handicapping, course rating, DotGolf technology, mar keting, public relations and communica tions, operational guidance, and tourna ment organisation expertise.

Stephen Gee who has been leading a national roadshow for Golf New Zealand. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Changes to golf’s rules begin January

Alterations to golf’s rules by the game’s two world governing bodies The Royal & Ancient and the United States’ Golf Association have been announced.

The new rules go into effect on January 1 and for the for the first time the modified rules for players with disabilities have been fully incorporated into the playing rules without the need to adopt a local rule.

The governing bodies, supported by long-standing partner Rolex, will also promote digital and mobile application access to the rules while significantly re ducing the production and distribution of more than four million printed books.

Several penalties have been relaxed and language has been clarified to help golfers at all levels of play.

Key changes include:

Modifications for players with disabilities: The modifications to the rules for players with disabilities have been made part of the rules and are in effect for all players who are classified in the categories cov ered in rule 25.

Handicap usage in strokeplay: With the continued growth of score-posting technology following the

adoption of the world handicap system, players are no longer penalised for failing to put their handicap on their scorecard in strokeplay. The committee will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of each player’s handicap.

Club damaged during round: The rule has been amended to allow a player to replace a club that is damaged during a round, provided the player did not damage it through abuse.

Ball moved by natural forces: A new exception pro vides that a ball at rest must be replaced if it moves to another area of the course or comes to rest out of bounds after being dropped, placed or replaced.

Back-on-the-line relief procedure: The back-on-theline relief procedure, often used for penalty area and unplayable ball relief, has been simplified so that the player now drops their ball on the line, and the ball must come to rest within one club length of where it is dropped.

Golfers can learn more about the major changes and review the official 2023 rules of golf by visit ing http://www.randa.org and www.usga.org/rules.

Full updates to the official rules of golf digital appli

cations will be available starting on January 1.

Grant Moir, director of rules at The R&A, said: “We are continuing to improve and adapt the rules of golf to ensure they are in line with the way the modern game is played.

“That means making the rules easier to understand and access for all golfers and making the sport more inclusive and welcoming for golfers with disabilities.

“We are also working to ensure golf has a sustain able long term future and making more resources available digitally is key to achieving that goal.”

Thomas Pagel, USGA chief governance officer, said: “The growing popularity of golf continues to guide our decision-making and modernising the rules to promote inclusivity and accessibility is clearly a great step in the right direction.

“This latest evolution is especially important to the community of golfers with disabilities, and we hope it will encourage more people to play and enjoy the game.”

Players are reminded that the current edition of the rules of golf (2019) still applies when playing or posting scores for the remainder of 2022.

John Rahm slams world ranking points system

By Neville Idour

Jon Rahm has not minced his words according to Andrew Wright in Golf Monthly. He has described the latest Official World Golf Rankings changes to “strength of field calculations” as laugh able. Recent evidence of the alarming differences between points earned on the PGA Tour and all other tours proves Rahm to be spot on.

Sadly if the changes weren’t so serious in their repercussions they would indeed be laughable. The result is the dominance of the PGA Tour as “the tour” has been further increased. With PGA Tour CEO Jay Monahan and his supporter DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley on the OWGR board these changes are no surprise.

To be blunt it means if you play on the PGA Tour and can make cuts and record passable placings you will earn more points than winners on many other tours. Tellingly the recent DP World Tour Race to Dubai finale provided knockout proof of this.

It featured a stellar field of numerous top 25 players and many more in the top 50. On the other side of the ocean the PGA’s RSM Classic was played with a field devoid of anyone in the top 25 and many who get few starts in events. Seamus Power was the top ranked player at 30th. The winner Adam Svensson picked up 37.05175 ranking points while Jon Rahm in beating a stellar field received a mis erable 21.8 points. Under the old system last years Dubai finale winner Collin Mori kawa picked up 46 points. Ridiculous!!

The new system which took effect in August rewards larger fields. Rahm lam basted this while sitting next to two OWGR committee members including Keith Pel

ley. “I’ll be blunt. I think the OWGR now is laughable ,laughable, laughable.” He said putting the size or depth of field ahead of the strength of the field was a mistake as it devalues the value of the better play ers. “I think it is more valuable if you are beating the best players.” He would also be happy to see the LIV Tour have rank ing points but with adjustments because of the format.

To further emphasise the huge advan tages the PGA Tour has been given take a look at recent points earned by winners on various tours in mid November. Hous ton Open winner received 38.1 points. Nedbank Challenge winner Tommy Fleet wood received 14.92 points and Ryan Fox 8.95 for second. Ryo Ishikawa gained 6.15 points at the Taiheiyo Masters in Ja pan. At the Asian Tour Egypt Internation al Series event Andy Ogletree won 4.49 points.

At the Victorian PGA Andrew Martin received a whopping 1.114 points. 13th place in the Nedbank and 43rd at Hous ton earned more points. The following week the Thailand Masters winner re ceived 1.22 points. So for example an Asian Tour player would have to win 9 marquee events to get as many points as the winner of a PGA event devoid of top 30 players.

Just as scathing as Rahm perhaps more so was Australia’s David Micheluzzi after the Australian PGA tournament recently where he finished 6th in a strong field and earned 2.01 OWGR points.  This was co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour. At the previous event in January 2022 Micheluzzi finished T9th for 4.48 OWGR points. How could that be? This was a standalone PGA Tour of Australasia event. No wonder Micheluzzi was baffled.

Play better in a stronger field and get less than half the points for finishing higher. Simply more evidence of what the PGA Tours’ agenda really is. Micheluzzi did not hold back on Twitter. His abreviations left no doubt what his four letter words were. So it appears that the co-sanctioning of events with the DP World Tour is detri mental for players rankings.

DP World Tour CEO Pelley said “we implemented a new system … and you evaluate, modify, tweak and at the next board meeting we will have those con versations.” Pity they didn’t think clearly first before acting. Agreeing with Mi cheluzzi former pro Barry Lane said ‘the rankings are utter s***. Play the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours and you will be fine but anywhere else you get shafted.’ One commenter said this fact had been over looked.

Interestingly Rory McIlroy who has benefitted greatly from the weakened

fields missing the LIV players, disagrees with Rahm. He thinks it is a fairer way to determine the best players in the world. Why wouldn’t he think that, sitting at World No.1 with many of the best play ers no longer in the fields and unable to earn ranking points. As well of course as the significantly reduced points players can earn on other tours under the “new’ system.

Rahm says LIV has some incredible players such as Dustin Johnson and be lieves a compromise could be achieved to ensure players like Johnson and others are not frozen out. It certainly appears that if sanity is to be achieved with world rankings, somehow ALL golfers, which ever tour they play on should be able to earn points and get a fair shake of the dice on an even playing field, something that is no longer the case. Jon Rahm has made a strong call … but will anyone lis ten?

By Neville Idour LEISHMAN HAPPY WITH HIS LOT

Popular Australian golfer Mark Leish man has accepted the fact his ma jor championship playing days may be over now that his ranking has tumbled since no longer being able to earn rank ing points. He is now 71st.

“I had to way that up when making the move to LIV, having played most of the majors for the last 13 years,” Leish man said.

He added that while he would like to play them, especially the Masters, he is fine with not playing them. Howev er he may try and qualify for The Open and the United States Open and if world ranking points are again possible to get into The Masters. If not “I’ll watch it on TV and hope (fellow Australian) Cameron Smith wins.”

His focus now is building the franchise of his LIV Golf team. He has loved his time on the PGA Tour and is enjoying the transition as he is now in his 40s.

ADAM SCOTT BAGS STEVE WILLIAMS AGAIN

Adam Scott has revealed his goal now is to win major championships. His only major championship win was at the US Masters in 2013 which helped him to world No 1 ranking for 13 weeks the fol lowing year. His current ranking is 34 and his last win was in February, 2020, at the Genesis Invitational.

To help him in his quest for another major title he persuaded New Zealand caddie Steve Williams to join his team and job share with his current caddie Greg Hearmon.

“I won the Masters with Steve and had a good run in other majors.’’

Both men think the balance will be good and for Steve the timing is also right and Scott’s game is in good shape.

CME GROUP CHIEF UNHAPPY

While Lydia Ko walked away from the CME Globe finale very happy with her record winnings, the provider wasn’t so happy.

Chief executive Terry Duffy said the company had put on a pre-tournament dinner to which many players were in vited. However when Duffy asked for the lights to be switched on so the players could be applauded, not a single LPGA player stood as none had attended.

Duffy said it was embarrassing for the company and himself and expressed his disappointment with the leadership of the LPGA. Then came the bottom line.  “Get your act together because you will lose people like me.”

CME has been one of the biggest spon sors since 2011. This year there was a record $US7 million purse with Ko taking a biggest ever winner’s purse of $U2 mil lion.

LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie Sa maan, who was at the dinner, said she took full responsibility to make sure it didn’t happen again. It will be interesting to see if the wound is healed come 2023.

SCOTLAND THE BEST

After a busy and high profile 2022 for Scotland it was fitting for it to be named best golf destination in the world at the coveted World Golf Awards. With many elite tournaments such as the co-sanctioned Scottish Open, The 150th Open Championship and the Brit ish Women’s Open, Scotland was very much in the spotlight.

The winner of the award is decided by golf fans, the media and tour opera tors. Scotland also received the award for best destination in Europe, a first for a country to win both.

OGLETREE A HAPPY LIV REJECT

One might ask how could LIV Tour player Andy Ogletree be happy after last ing just the opening LIV event?

Simple really. Opportunities opened for him. After finishing last he wondered what lay ahead. Suspended by the PGA Tour and barred from the Korn Ferry Tour there was nowhere to play, not even Monday qualifiers.

While he wanted to play more LIV events he admitted he played badly and didn’t take his chance. However he said the $US120,000 payment really helped fund the rest of the year. Thanks to LIV’s association with the Asian Tour and the International Series the 24-yearold gained his first professional win last month at the International Series Egypt event. He pocketed $270,000 for his ef forts and earned a two year exemption on the Asian Tour.

With his PGA Tour suspension being lifted on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours on  January 1 things are looking rosy.

As he said: “I have no regrets (going to LIV) as it gave me somewhere to play and the opportunity to play on the Asian Tour. I wasn’t getting any better playing Mon day qualifiers and mini-tours.”

After hip surgery in 2021 it has been hard work keeping his body healthy and getting his golf on track. Things are cer tainly looking brighter for this positive young man.

OTAGO GOLF CLUB 150 YEARS

YOUNG

Put back a year because of covid, the Otago Golf Club, the oldest in the south ern hemisphere, recently celebrated its 150th year in its 151st year.

It was privileged to have the captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Clive Brown and his wife Chris tine, in attendance.

Also in attendance was Sir Bob Charles who first played at the club in 1953 as a 17-year-old in the New Zealand Open. The celebration golf day was huge with 70 players in the morning and 100 in the afternoon. Greg Turner and Mahal Pearce also played along with Charles and Brown. A formal dinner at the Toitu Museum was held in the evening.

THE HILLS INVITATIONAL FIELD STRONG

The Hills Invitational Pro-Am to be held on December 17 and 18 has again at tracted a strong field of 21. The only no table absentee is Ryan Fox.

Newly qualified for the DP World Tour, Daniel Hillier will be the headliner. Josh Geary, also with European Tour experi ence, and Nick Voke, after a season on the Korn Ferry Tour, should also be in the mix.

Japan Tour evergreen Michael Hend ry, Queenstowner Ben Campbell and former winners Australian Jordan Zunic, Dongwoo Kang and Harry Bateman will also be looking for a win.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars are the new presenting sponsor and the prizemon ey has been boosted from $50,000 to $70,000.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY — IT’S A RICH MAN’S WORLD

Pop group Abba probably never sang a truer word when it comes to LIV Tour golf ers and now the suddenly-awash with mega millions PGA Tour.

First though it is easy to see why LIV golf has had such an impact in unlocking the PGA warchest which has obviously been squirreled away over the years. I wonder why.

Dustin Johnson was the eye wa tering top earner in LIV’s first sea son with $US35,637,767, more than double Branden Grace who was next with $US16,634,666. Tenth netted $US6,135,314, 20th $US4,272,914.

Thirtieth was $US2,995,333 while 40th (Phil Mickelson) $US1,825,350.

Meanwhile on the PGA Tour it has been raining money with tournament purs es skyrocketing amongst other LIV mir rored moves.

However the player impact programme payouts are money for jam. The criteria for these awards are the US population’s general awareness of the player, MVP in dex, the players ‘reach, conversation and engagement metrics’ and Neilson Brand exposure which considers how much TV time each player had.

The fund was doubled this year to $US100 million with Tiger Woods first with a trifling $US15 million. Rory McIlroy was second with $US12 million, Jordan Spieth third with $US9 million. Players from 7th to 10th took $5 million. 11th to 15th $3m and 16th to 23rd $2m. Players on both tours obviously have much to be happy about. However DP World Tour player Richie Ramsay has questioned whether this level of funding can contin ue to combat LIV Golf … especially as the PGA Tour said it would not fight money with money.

WOODS AUCTIONS MEMORABILIA

In April 2022 Tiger Woods auctioned the irons he used during his Tiger slam era for a cool, record breaking $US5,156,162. Next he will be selling the iconic red Nike shirt he wore during the final round of the 2010 Masters in which he finished five shots adrift of winner Phil Mickelson.

The auctioneers are confident the shirt will be in demand as other similar items have sold for record amounts. A Michael Jordan jersey fetched $US10.1m and a Diego Maradona soccer jersey sold for $US9.3m.

BUBBA WATSON REVEALS PGA

TOUR’S BLIND EYE

Bubba Watson has revealed the hypoc risy surrounding the PGA Tour in regard to appearance money payments which are against tour rules.

Watson said: “I got paid behind closed doors to show up at many tourna ments. Miss the cut and you still get paid. We have all been doing it, getting guaran teed money just to show up.”

It is not difficult to flout the rules by various means such as endorsement contracts or speaking engagements. Tournaments on the DP World Tour have often paid seven figure sums to star play ers for playing. The PGA Tour confirmed its stance against appearance fees but said it was permissible to pay a player for sponsor related activity during an event. There is always a convenient out.

LEE TREVINO: NO QUALMS ABOUT LIV

According to Golf Monthly magazine, 82-year-old legend Lee Trevino said re cently his career came along too early. This after reflecting on his friend Pat Pe rez having made $US8million this year. Not only LIV golfers but now on the PGA Tour playing for $20 million. Harold Var ner admitted the incentives were too compelling to turn down.

Trevino thinks it is wonderful players are earning big money for their time and effort. Tellingly he said this LIV thing is the same thing we did when others broke from the PGA of America in 1969. He stayed but other players broke away. He thinks that all will be fine if the tours are stable financially.

MCILROY: COMPROMISE A MUST

Rory McIlroy, who says the game is ripping itself apart, has bluntly made his opinion on the solution. He says there is no more time to waste and the PGA and LIV tours have to get together and sort out the future.

“They have to find a compromise and talk for the good of our sport.” Asked if he thought they could sit and discuss things he said “Absolutely yes.”

This is a welcome stance with McIlroy saying the fractured game is no good for anyone. The questions are, can Mo nahan and Pelley the tour chief execu tives, change their intractable stances and will Liv chief Greg Norman reopen the door again after so many rebuffs.

AUGUSTA COMPLETES 13TH HOLE EXTENSION

New images clearly show the long awaited recently completed lengthening of Azalea, the 13th par five at Augusta National in the United States.

It has been controversial because it fa voured big hitters who could cut the corner by driving over the trees giving them an advantage.

However it will require a different ap proach now as the hole has been length ened by about 40 yards. In 1934 it mea sured 480 yards, in 2022 it was 510 yards and in 2023 expect it to be 550 yards. The latest images show the hole to be in pris tine condition and being played.

Favourite Courses, Country and Coastal Gems

MARAENUI GOLF CLUB

NAPIER, HAWKES BAY

Phone: +64 6 835 8273

Website: www.maraenuigolf.co.nz Email: manager@maraenuigolf.co.nz

COURSE LENGTHS

White: 5705 Mtrs Par 72

Blue : 6125 Mtrs Par 72

Yellow: 5289 Mtrs Par 74

COURSE INFORMATION

Year Opened: 1932

Green Fees: green fees to $45 (affiliated) and $55 (non affiliated)

Electric Cart Hire: 18 Holes $40 Visitors.

Trundler Hire: $5 Set of Clubs and Trundler: $25

Special Features: Green fee players always welcome – only 5 minutes’ drive from Napier City and 15 minutes from Hastings. We have a full bar with friendly staff. Club owned and operated Greenside Café has a fine selection of food to have with your drinks after your round.

How to get there: Driving from Auckland to Napier 5 hours 30 mins; Driving from Wellington to Napier 3 hours 45 mins; Fly from Auckland to Hawkes Bay 1 Hour; Fly from Wellington to Hawkes Bay 1 Hour.

WAINUI GOLF CLUB

AUCKLAND

Phone: +64 09 444 3437

Email: admin@wainui.online Website: www.wainui.online

COURSE LENGTHS

65’s 6485 Par 72

59’s 5921 Par 72

55’s 5519 Par 72 50’s 5009 Par 72 45’s 4532 Par 72

COURSE INFORMATION

Year opened: PGC established 1956 * Wainui 2016 Green Fees: $99.00 - $175.00 gst included

Electric Cart Hire: $50.00 per cart

Club Hire: $60 (Premium 18H); $40 (Premium 9H)

Accommodation: O’Grady Lodge. Visit www.ogradylodge.co.nz, email ogrady@xtra. co.nz or phone 021 620 276 to book.

Special Features: Club Fitting Studio. Driving Range. Short Game Practice Area. Orchard 9 Par 3 Course. Restaurant and Bar Facilities.

How to get here: Head north on the State Highway #1 to exit # 396 Millwater.

Take the first turn on Wainui Road. 4 kilometers to Windmill Drive turn left .5 kilometers.

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.

WAIPU GOLF CLUB

BREAM BAY

Phone: +64 9 4320259

Website: www.waipugolf club.org.nz Email: shop@waipugolf.co.nz

COURSE LENGTHS

Black: 6,120 metres Blue: 5,890 metres White: 5,463 metres Yellow: 5,186 metres

COURSE INFORMATION

Year Club Established: 1934

Present Course Opened: 6th June 1966

Course Architect: H G Babbage, Modified 2014 A Glasgow Green Fees: $50 - $60 (concessions available for groups etc)

Electric Cart Hire: $45 Push Trundler Hire: $5 Club Hire: $15

Accommodation: Local accommodation available for all budgets (see website for details)

Special Features: Clubhouse, Golf Shop & Bar open 7 days, Café open 5 days a week Tues – Sat. Covered practice area, amazing panoramic views, visitors always welcome. How to get there: Adjacent to State Highway #1 – 3229 SH1 –between Waipu and Ruakaka turnoffs and only 125 km north of Auckland CBD

WAIRAKEI GOLF + SANCTUARY

TAUPO

Phone: +64 7 374 8152 Fax: +64 7 374 8289 Email: info@wairakeigolf.co.nz Website: www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz

COURSE LENGTHS

Blue: 6460 Mtrs Par 72 White: 5853 Mtrs Par 72 Red: 5091 Mtrs Par 72

COURSE INFORMATION

Year Established: 1968

Course Architects: Thompson & Wolveridge Head Professional: Steven Jessup

Green Fees: New Zealand Registered $235, Australian Registered $270, International Registered $320 Electric Cart: $60

Executive Club Hire: $75

Footwear: Soft spikes only

Accommodation: Huka Lodge Ph +64 7 378 5791 & Wairakei Resort Ph +64 7 3748021

Special Features: Unique predator proof sanctuary, protecting kiwi, takahe, pheasants and fallow deer. How to get there: 10-min drive north from Central Taupo.

2022 Golf New Zealand Women’s Senior Foursomes

GOLF EVENT

2022 GOLF NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S SENIOR FOURSOMES

Mercury Bay Golf Club, Whitianga

Monday 21 – Thursday 24 November

LINE HONOURS TO MERCURY BAY

It was Mercury Bay’s night after a rain affected 2022 Senior Women’s Foursomes with Kay Buckeridge & Christine Van Veen (Fairview & Mercury Bay) win ning the NZLGU Championship. Kay who now hails from Fairview was a past Mercury Bay club champi on and a course record holder, only moved recently to the Fairview Golf Club. With many ties in Mercury Bay and a course she knows well, Kay teamed up with ‘newbie’ Christine van Veen who had never played in a national tournament.

The pair qualified 10th in Monday’s net round but then went on to have four solid wins to take the 2022 title. Their final win, 3 and 2 was over another local pair Lynne Butler & Robyn Evans (Mercury Bay).

Despite several delays and a few massive rain bombs that left the country course flooded at times and a soggy challenge, the 62 pairs played with con viction and the 2022 tournament was completed.

The players, who came from as far away as Canter bury to Northland, had an 18-hole qualifying round before splitting into four divisions. The pairs playing in their divisions then complete in 18-hole match play, handicap foursomes.

Top qualifiers were Ngaire English and Robyn Par dy (North Shore) who after losing their first-round match, competed in the Plate, losing that final yester

day afternoon, not able to match Monday’s fine form.

The 2nd division, competing for the Mrs. S S Wil son Plates, was won by Kate Peri & Carole Anderson (Windross Farm & TitirangI), 2 and 1, over opponents Jillian Reakes & Sheelah Lamb (Cambridge & Mata mata).

The ADLGA Trophies go to Nelson with Fran Suther land & Maree West (Totaradale & Nelson) winning 4 and 3 over Liz Banton & Debbie Erceg (Pupuke) in yesterday’s final. Fran and Maree were winners last year, in the Mrs SS Wilson division. A formidable pair that now have their names on two trophies, in as many years.

Paula Parfitt & Claire Williams (Hauraki) take out the Rosetown Trophies with a win over Christina Tiang & Marie Dunne (North Shore), 8 and 7, a convincing

result and a tough beating for the North Shore pair.

Despite the weather the course was in excellent condition with many staff and volunteers taking on the challenge of a national tournament, preparing the flat fairways, greens and surrounds for months. Many accolades were passed to the club last night for their course presentation, enthusiasm and efforts in all areas including the large field of volunteers pre paring food for the lunches and several functions.

The four plate winners included Donna Mitchell & Lesley Barley (Motueka & Omaha Beach), Robin White & Pru Bell (Nelson), Di Sweeney & Deb Ring (Walton) along with another Walton pair, Mary Thom as & Karen Sweeney.

In a long time women’s-golf tradition that has mul tiple flights in all divisions, players get the chance to have at least four matches. Flights winners were, Lynda Tate & Christine Pears (Omaha Beach & Aka rana), Sharyn Smith & Fiona Gardien (Mercury Bay), Christine Fleury & Linda Armstrong (Waitemata & Huapai), Alison Waugh & Marietta Durdle (Pupuke), Jill Agnew & Lynda Evans (Whangamata), Sharon Mc geown & Shirley Springer (Motueka & Mercury Bay), Rachel Johnston & Dana Slierendrecht (Mercury Bay & Nelson) and Shirley Otton (Waitangi) & Chris Pit caithly (Nelson).

PaR nz Golfing Holidays who manage the tour nament on behalf of Golf New Zealand announced that the 2023 tournament will be hosted at Katikati’s Fairview Golf Course. Details and entry forms will be available mid-2023.

Drummond Golf Survivor Golf Series Final

LONG DRIVE

The Drummond Golf Survivor Golf Series is the fastest growing two-person Ambrose golf tour nament in Australia. Our mission is to make amateur golfers feel like profes sionals while putting a playful twist on traditional golf.

While each qualifying tournament offers significant prizes, the lucky win ners from qualifying rounds held across Australia will meet next weekend in the final to be held at the Mirage Country Club, Port Douglas. Teams qualifying for the final have won travel vouchers and accommodation at the prestigious Sheraton Grand Mirage, Port Douglas.

Winners of the final will have their names forever etched into the histo ry books as Survivor Golf Champions and will receive a luxury yacht charter on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef aboard the beautiful Liquid Desire.

Finals weekend will also include great entertainment, live music, food and beverages for all participants.

The Drummond Golf Survivor Golf Series is a two-person Ambrose event played over 18 holes. The tournament is open to men, women, and junior golfers. Both players must have a GA handicap and take eight drives each. Each teams handicap is worked out by combining both players GA handicap and dividing by ¼.

This year’s qualifying events were held in Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory with plans to ex pand Australia wide.

Survivor Golf is proud to partner

with Kick On as our official charity. Kick On promotes positive mental health through various educational pro grams, events, and campaigns.

Survivor Golf is proud to be sup ported by our awesome major spon sors: Drummond Golf/Taylormade/ Adidas/Trinity Auto Group/Astute Fi nance

Reef Print and Design/Allan’s Pool Shop/Triple M Cairns

Trinity Auto Group/ Liquid Desire

LIQUID DESIRE

SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE RESORT PORT DOUGLAS

Survivor Golf is excited to be associ ated with the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.

MIRAGE COUNTRY CLUB - PORT DOUGLAS

KICK ON CHARITY

Liquid Desire is a private sailing charter company based in Port Doug las that specialises in Great Barrier Reef tours and island excursions. The 55-foot luxury catamaran offers world class accommodation, cuisine and ex clusive sailing and diving adventures.

The winners of the Drummond Golf Survivor Golf Series 2023 will win an amazing day cruise with delightful cui sine for up to ten people on board this luxurious yacht.

Positioned within Australia’s first eco-certified destination at the step off point to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas is a stun ning five-star beachfront resort in the Tropical North.

Relax in serenely styled guest rooms, suites and villas, explore 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens, swim in 2 hectares of salt water lagoon pools, tee off at the Mirage Country Club golf course and indulge at six vibrant and delicious restaurants and bars without leaving the resort.

The accommodation is luxurious, and our 2022 finalists will stay at this stunning resort.

The home of the Drummond Golf Survivor Golf Series, Mirage Country Club offers a truly great resort golf course that welcomes all visitors. Set in the grounds of the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and hosting the now fa mous Croc Trap, the Peter Thompson / Michael Wolveridge course will please all golfers. The Mirage Country Club also offers tennis, a gymnasium and 25m lap pool.

Kick On Charity promotes positive mental health through our various educational programs, events and campaigns. It is supported by a strong network of businesses and events, passionate and committed staff and volunteers and our clothing brand to help fund mental health wellbeing projects that aim to connect, empow er, and inspire our community mem bers.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTHLAND WHANGAROA GOLF CLUB - NEWS AND RESULTS

WOMENS CHAMP OF CHAMPS HELD WHITFORD PARK GOLF CLUB

Womens Champ of Champs were held at Whitford Park Golf Club on recently. The course was in great condition and there was some quality golf played out on the course.

Titirangi Golf Club’s Fiona Xu set a course record 6 under 66 to win the silver division and help Titirangi take the Gross Stableford Rosebowl.

The bronze division was won by Akara

na Golf Club’s Wendy Shuttleworth and Anna Masefield from Remuera Golf Club took out the 9-hole ladies competition.

The day also allowed us to celebrate the winners of the Golf New Zealand 2022 Women’s Home Links Competition.

Hitomi Nishio Titirangi Golf Club won the best Gross Cup.

Emma Zheng Howick Golf Club won the best junior gross cup.

Barbara Rimmer Pakuranga Golf Club won the Sue Bunt Salver for 9-Hole Home Links.

AUCKLAND WOMENS MASTERS

Titirangi Golf Club put on a show for the Auckland Womens Masters played recently. The course was in spectacular condition for the tournament, and even the weather largely played its part.

The tournament was well contested with Wellsford Golf Club - NZ’s Alana Cox winning the 36-hole competition and Remuera Golf Club’s Gillian Ge taking out the 18-hole competition (nett).

It’s always great to have Brigit Holford and Barbara Jepson in attendance to present the trophy and plate that they

donated to the competition.

Silver Champion: Fiona Xu - Titirangi, Auckland Women’s Champ of Champs

MEN’S SENIOR TRANS-TASMAN TOURNAMENT FOR THE SANCTUARY COVE TROPHY

Auckland masters’ representatives went to Australia recently to play in the Men’s Senior Trans-Tasman Tournament for the Sanctuary Cove Trophy.

Brent Paterson and Michael Barltrop (both from Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Course) were selected for the NZ team to play Australia in the biannual event, and performed exceptionally well, winning the trophy with a resounding 10-2 victory over the Australian team.

WAIKATO

WAIKATO GOLF - WOMEN’S 18 HOLE CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Walton Golf Club was the scene of this years Women’s 18-Hole Champion of Champions event held on Sunday, 13th November. The conditions were favour able with light winds and partly cloudy

skies. The morning kicked off right on time with the ladies starting their morn ing round just after 8:30am. The field moved around nicely with not too many hold ups. As the scores starting coming in it was tense to see who would win in each division. In the end, Silver Gross was won by Robyn Pellow (Ngaruawa hia) with scores of 79,76 for a 155 total over Michelle Archer (Waikare) who fin ished with a total 156 to fall 1 shot short.

The Silver NETT win went to Pam Wright from Matamata with Julie Gee from Tieke Golf Estate taking the NETT Runner Up spot. Our Bronze 1 Gross Winner from Ngaruawahia, Marie Nicols and taking out the Bronze 1 Nett spot was Debbie Carney from Tahuna. The Bronze Run ner Up division Gross win went to Pauline Chisholm from Te Awamutu.

Rosebowl Teams event had 13 teams of 3 playing for the title. The teams are made up of a Silver, Bronze 1 and a Bronze Runner Up. This year the Ngaru awahia Team were just too good to beat. Congratulations to Nicky Parker, Robyn Pellow and Marie Nichols. The scores from this will be sent off to NZ Golf to see where they rank against rest fo the country!

WAIKATO GOLF - MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS FOR 2022

The Men’s Champion of Champions for 2022 was held at Wahi Golf Club on Sun day 13th of November in beautiful play ing conditions.

Murray Fraser (Waihi) was a deserving winner for the best gross in the Senior Division with scores of 74 and 76 (150) beating Patrick Hape of St. Alexander on

countback placing him 2nd place with scores of 72 and 78.

In the Intermediate Division Jaz Staf ford (Waitomo) claimed the 1st place Gross award with scores of 84 and 79 (163). The Nett competition was a close ly fought contest with Malcolm Coldicutt (Waihi) and Charlie Heta (Huntly). Mal colm had a 1 shot lead going into the PM finishing with scores of 69 and 75 (144) over Charlies scores of 70 and 76 a 146 total.

The Junior Division NETT win was a runaway win for Kevin Bell of Ngaru awahia taking the win by an astounding 19 shots. Our Junior Gross winner was Nicky Rangitaawa from Pio Pio Aria with Gross scores of 73 and 72 for a 145 to tal.

Waihi used their home course advan tage in the team’s event to claim first place with a combined score of 503

and Waitomo took out 2nd place with a score of 509.

BAY OF PLENTY

BOP 2022 MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

BOP 2022 Men’s Champion of Cham pions was held at Fairview Golf Club re cently.

Senior winner: Brent Curnow (Mount Maunganui Golf Club)

Club Teams winner: Mount Maunganui Golf Club

Presidents Grade winner: Paul Reid (Whakatane Golf Club)

Junior winner: Kiri Ngatai Jnr (Otumoe tai Golf Club)

Intermediate winner: Elijah Huriwaka (Opotiki Golf Club)

Senior winner: Brent Curnow (Mount Maunganui Golf Club)

BOP WOMEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

BOP Women’s Champion of Champi ons was held at the Te Puke Golf Club played recently.

Prize Winners 2022

Silver Gross Champion: Tamasin Prince, Taupo, 77,74 Total: 151

Silver Gross Champion: Tamasin Prince, Taupo, 77,74 Total: 151

Silver Gross Runner Up: Heather Keefe, Rotorua, 76,79 Total: 155

Silver Net Winner: Hannah Bae, Kawer au, 69,66 Total: 135

Bronze Gross Champion: Alison Keane, Hauraki, 89,94 Total: 183

Bronze Gross Runner Up: Yan Ping Sun, Ohope, 90,94 Total: 184

Bronze Net Champion: Sandy Evans, Wairakei, 72,69 Total: 141..

Bronze R-Up division Gross Stableford Winner: Alison Wieringa, Tauranga 18,15 Total: 33

Una Wickham Winner, Silver and Bronze combined Net: Otumoetai, Ly nette Whitehead & Minsoo Geary Total: 286

Una Wickham

Gross Stableford Rosebowl Winner, Tauranga Tania Ellis, Kerry McFayden, Alison Wie ringa Total:116

WELLINGTON GOLF MEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

The winners at the Men’s Champion of Champions held at Miramar GC recently. Sam Marsters Seniors, Mark Burn Inter mediates both from Miramar Golf Club and Shannon Rimene Juniors from Mas terton, and in the teams Miramar 1st, Judgeford Golf Club 2nd and Boulcott’s Farm and Masterton tied 3rd.

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI

MANAWATU WANGANUI GOLF 2022

ZONES FOR MARTON GOLF CLUB

Aron Bremner, Liam Bremner, Ryan

Bremner, and Colin Williams were the winners of the 2022 Zones for Marton Golf club. In a close match, they defeated Taihape 3 1/2 - 2 1/2 at Rangitikei.