Whangaroa club never sleeps

By Neville Idour

The Whangaroa Golf Club in the far north is one of those golf clubs that never sleeps when it comes to giving members much to look forward to.

Along with other clubs in that part of the country there is always an event on the golf calendar.

We will start with the big news for the course. Their new Kubota Baroness fairway mower arrived amidst some fanfare thanks to all the various fundraising, donations and grants.

Colin Smith, the course superintendent, said: “It drives like a Rolls Royce and members will notice the change in fairway condition over the next few years. The old new machine will now mow the tees and the greens surrounds.”

Tournament activity at the club gives members many opportunities to enjoy competition and association. Recent events have included the Vic and Marty Johanson Memorial mixed pairs four ball best ball with 22 pairs playing.

The Mangonui Hotel teams’ event drew 20 teams of four. The format was novel with the best stableford on the par threes, the two best on par fours and three best on par fives. Then the Top Dog final, a pairs event for the men was decided on the June 18.

Another event played was the Kaitaia Pot Plant Challenge for the ladies on June 14. This is a team event open to all clubs in the region competing for the Pot Plant Trophy.

The Hills/Grace Tournament was held on the June 17 with 40 couples playing 27 holes. Nine holes of ambrose, nine holes of foursomes and nine holes of Canadian foursomes. After over five hours of golf the splendid roast beef dinner was more than welcome.

On a recent Sunday, club members day, the men played off the forward green tees. Bob Shirley on a plus eight handicap shot the lights out with a clubhouse low 62 on the 3394-metre layout.