Golfer Pacific – January 2024 by Golfer Pacific NZ

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Lydia Ko and Jason Day combine to win mixed doubles’ event PAGE 3 INSIDE // MICHAEL HENDRY’S COURAGEOUS OFF COURSE BATTLE // TE ARAI LINKS

EDITORIAL

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

Nine-hole golf does not have more effect on your handicap than 18-hole golf

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

run twilight golf at my golf club. It’s a nine-hole competition every Friday evening during New Zealand’s daylight saving period from late September to early April. Recently one club member said he would not play twilight golf because nine-hole golf ruins your handicap. He said it was more likely to have nine very good holes than it was to have 18 very good holes and therefore have greater effect on your handicap. I agreed with the theory that it is more likely to have nine very good holes than 18 very good holes. It happens all the time in 18-hole golf. All of us have had nine very

good holes and then lament the other poor nine holes. The poor nine holes cancel out the good nine holes and our overall score ends up just average and therefore little effect on your handicap. So does a good score over nine holes damage your handicap more than a good score over 18 holes. The answer is no, according to Golf New Zealand handicapping and golf services’ manager Phil Aickin. “That comment is not correct and we have enough data to back that up,’’ Aickin said. I also put it to Phil if you score 20 stableford points for nine holes are you handicapped as if you had scored 40 stableford points for 18 holes.

Once again the answer is no. “Nine-hole scores are scaled up to an 18 hole score. The nine hole course rating is doubled and you receive the equivalent of 17 stableford points for the unplayed nine. “That’s the common practice world-wide.’’ So don’t be afraid of nine-hole golf. Twilight golf is a popular event at my club. We have a shotgun start as opposed to rolling starts. Rolling starts could, for example, be teeing off anywhere between 3 and 5pm but that usually results in the same groups of four playing together all the time. Boring. I prefer the shotgun start and a random draw. That means

members get to play with other members who they otherwise would never meet. It’s also great for club spirit. I also insist on men and women playing together. Once again it’s members playing with other members who they would normally never do so and, once again, great for club spirit. But our twilight golf is not just about golf. Every week we have a raffle for meat packs which I describe as the highlight of the night because most of us are not good enough to win a golf prize. I usually get six to eight meat packs, valued at nearly $30 each, and the biggest smiles of the night belong to those who win a meat pack.

NEW ZEALAND EDITORIAL Paul Gueorgieff pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz Ph: 64 4 565 0385 Mob: 64 27 227 1038 SOUTH ISLAND EDITORIAL Neville Idour 0274771423 pmidour@hotmail.co.nz SALES & CLUB PACKAGE GOLF TRAILS & NOTICEBOARDS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 7 5504 6334 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 LAYOUT & DESIGN layout.golferpacificnz@gmail.com PUBLISHER Golfer Pacific NZ LTD PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand ACCOUNTS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com SUBSCRIPTION $60.00 per annum including GST smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 5575 7444 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 NEW ZEALAND MAIL ADDRESS PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand COVER PHOTO: Lydia Ko and Jason Day of Australia celebrate with the trophy after winning the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club at Naples in Florida last month. Photo credit: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images COPYRIGHT All material published in Golfer Pacific NZ is subject to all forms of copyright. Contents of this newspaper cannot be reproduced in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the editor. Views expressed in editorial contributions do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of this newspaper, its management. New Zealand Golfer Pacific is published Golfer Pacific NZ Limited. The company’s registered office is unit 10/7 Aruma St Chevron Island QLD 4217.

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January 2024

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he year that was supposedly one to forget suddenly became just fine. New Zealand’s star golfer Lydia Ko had gone without victory for 2023 on the LPGA Tour until winning a mixed doubles’ event in Florida last month. The fact that Ko had won the Saudi Ladies’ International in Saudi Arabia, which is not part of the LPGA Tour, last February seemed to count for little in the minds of many. The tournament only carried a purse of $US5 million. You know, next to nothing. Back to Florida and the LPGA Tour. Ko, 26, combined with Jason Day of Australia to win the $US4 million Grant Thornton Invitational at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples. Ko and Day each pocketed $US500,000 which, outside the major championships, is more than what is paid to almost all tournament winners on the LPGA Tour. The mixed doubles’ format was the first tournament co-sanctioned by the LPGA and PGA tours since 1999. Day, who has won 13 times on the PGA Tour, including one major, marvelled at how Ko copped under pressure. “It felt like the most stress-free win,” Day said after the final putt. “I just knew she would step up in the end, which was fantastic.”

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Lydia Ko.

Day, like Ko, had been going through a dry patch until winning the Byron Nelson in Texas in May. The Grant Thornton Invitational contained 16 teams of two players. They played three rounds with the first round being ambrose (pick the best shot), the second round being foursomes (alternate shots) and the final round a modified fourball where both players tee off, and then they switch balls for their second shots and play that same ball until it is holed. The lower score of the partners is then counted as the team score for the hole.

January 2024

The tournament was a step down in intensity but both Ko and Day took it seriously. Day admitted he was working on things for 2024 but wanted to win now. Ko said: “I think the outcome and result is secondary.” But after round one she practiced until dusk and after round two she worked on the practice green amid the din of a rock concert on the driving range. The Australasian pair ended up with a threeround total of 26 under par to win by one shot from the Canadian duo of Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners. One stroke further back in third place at 24 under par was the Swedish pairing of Madelene Sagstrom and Ludvig Aberg. Day said: “It was just a fun week. I think having the two tours joined this week was a fun way to finish the year out. I’m hoping that we get to do it for a very long time.” Ko said: “It was so much fun. On the last hole, I wanted to just watch their drives one more time. I learned a lot, whether it was like short sighted chips or just how to commit and just hit bombs. “I think this has just been a great start for another two tours coming together and having a mixed event and I really hope that this is something that continues for a long time.”

GOLF NEWS

Lydia Ko and Jason Day combine to win mixed doubles’ event

Michael Hendry’s courageous off course battle By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

ichael Hendry’s harrowing battle with leukemia in 2023 has revealed a man with incredible intestinal fortitude and determination to win. He was happy to share the inside story of that fight with Golfer Pacific while at The Hills Invitation Pro-Am last month, where he finished a creditable third. We started by asking how he attacked or approached the diagnosis and challenge he faced? His responses are inspiring. “I don’t know that I did,’’ Hendry said. “It was just a matter of okay, this is what it is. I put 100 percent faith in the doctors that they knew what they were doing and I did whatever they told me to do. It did get to the point though where I thought to myself, even though I have no control over what happens to the disease, I wasn’t going to let it dictate to me what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. “Once I knew I was kind of out of the woods and wasn’t going to die in the next few weeks, I got to the point where I just said to myself I am going to try and be as healthy and strong as I can be. “Even if I am sick I am going to try and do what I want to do with my life. So having golf to come back to and, of course, my family as well, the two big drivers for me were primarily my family and golf. “I said to myself I didn’t want my wife Tara raising my two young daughters by herself or someone else raising them. That’s my job, my responsibility and I was going to do everything I could to ensure that I did that and try to be as healthy as possible even during the chemotherapy. “This meant going to the gym, doing the extra work even though it felt horrible and it was extremely hard some days. However I think it made a really big difference in how I came out the other side. Thankfully my trust in the doctors has been repaid and my last

Michael Hendry following his win in the Clearwater Open in Christchurch in October.

bone marrow biopsy was looking extremely promising so it is looking like I might be sticking around for a while now.” We then asked Hendry about the chemotherapy process and any activity? “It was hard to move with a picc line (peripherally inserted central cathete) out of my arm and other things going on. But probably a few weeks before I got the picc line out I was actually doing a half golf swing because it got to the point it (picc line) became part of my body and I didn’t really notice it. “My first stint of chemo in hospital was all about, okay let’s get my head around this. It was a long stint of about six weeks and I lost a heap of weight. It was only when I got home that I could put some relevance and context to how much weight I had lost and how sick I actually looked. Being at home in my own bathroom I had memories of how I had looked and this is not what I looked like then. Sure in hospital

there are mirrors but you don’t have the same level of comparison. “It was then that I said no, the road back is going to be too hard if I don’t do something right now to get myself as fit as possible.” The huge challenge for Hendry was that the chemo sessions went for weeks at a time. It wasn’t just going in for a treatment during a day. His initial chemo sessions went for 16 days, every day, morning and night and then he went home for a few weeks trying to get his blood levels to return. Hendry continued: “I went back in for another nine days, then came back home and would go in daily for all sorts of stuff. Then I had another few weeks off before going in for another four days. That is when they really ramped it up so my dosage went up 10-fold and the chemo was three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening of this very high dose. “However from cycle two all the way through to the finish I kept training, I kept walking every day, I kept doing

everything I could. Even in hospital I would go and use the gym and do whatever I could to keep myself as fit as possible because it was such a long road back if I wasn’t doing anything. “I don’t know if it would have been possible if I had just said to myself no I am just going to rest and go through the chemo, take the decline and start again once I was done. I am not sure I would have been able to get where I am now. Not for many months anyway if that.” We suggested he must have great mental fortitude. Hendry laughed. “Stubborn I think it is called.” At this point we change tack and look at his golf and the future especially in view of his excellent comeback form including the wonderful win at the Clearwater Open in Christchurch in October. “The good thing is because I played so well before getting sick, I have actually got heaps of options, because the medical exemptions are there for me. So I have got Asian Tour status, Japan Tour status and winners’ category status in Australasia so 2024 could be really busy. Of course I still have The Open Championship to look forward to as they extended my exemption from this year to next (2024), which was good of them.” We cheekily ask if he would join the LIV Tour if the opportunity arose. “Without doubt” he exclaims heartily. “At this stage of my career if they said come and play I would be booking my flight tomorrow. It has been good for golf being talked about so much at the moment. A couple of players I have talked to are very happy on the LIV tour. It will be interesting to see what comes of the current situation.” We appreciated Hendry’s free, frank and inspiring comments and it was encouraging to see him looking so good physically and playing well at The Hills. He deserves a successful and healthy 2024 and so does his hugely supportive wife Tara.

Hastings Golf Club to host New Zealand PGA Championship

he New Zealand PGA Championship returns to the Hastings Golf Club next year after an absence of 75 years. The Wallace Development New Zealand PGA Championship will be staged from March 7-10, featuring on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour with a $100,000 prize purse. Wallace Development remains the naming rights partner, continuing its support of the event formerly known as the Hastings Open. Following the 2024 championship, all parties will collaborate on the future stagings of the prestigious event returning to the PGA Tour of Australasia. Hastings Golf Club last hosted the championship in 1949 when the format was matchplay, which Bob Glading won. The format became strokeplay in 1965. Hastings Golf Club general manager, Michelle Camp-

bell said the club was excited to host the event. “Our team at Hastings Golf Club feel very privileged and look forward to hosting the New Zealand PGA Championship at Bridge Pa,’’ Campbell said. “It’s been a long time since this prestigious event has been held at Hastings, and next year will be a great opportunity to showcase our golf club and region.” Jonathan Wallace, the managing director of Wallace Development, echoed Campbell’s sentiments. “Wallace Development Company Limited is a proud Hawke’s Bay company, and we’re delighted to contribute towards an event that will bring people to the region and attract attention from golf fans nationally,” Wallace said. Club president Wayne Mudgway also endorsed the feeling of enthusiasm for the event.

January 2024

“This is the icing on the cake after coming off such a successful 125-year celebration of the club in 2023 and we look forward to getting next year off to an exciting start,” Mudgway said. Golf New Zealand and the PGA of New Zealand have worked hard to ensure the tournament will be able to be staged this year and will work towards elevating the tournament back to an Australasian Tour event. PGA of New Zealand chairman Phil Ellison said he was happy to have such a prestigious tournament on the calendar again. “We are very pleased to have such a prestigious tournament on the calendar again and extend our thanks to Hastings Golf Club and Wallace Development for their support in which we sure will be a fantastic spectacle in the Hawkes Bay.

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January 2024

Te Arai Links: A golfing paradise GOLF NEWS

The opening hole at the South course at Te Arai Links By Neville Idour

ne of the joys of being a golfer is getting to play new and different courses for the first time. There are so many jewels in New Zealand thanks to our coastlines and glorious mountain scenery. Think Kauri Cliffs, The Hills, Tara Iti and many others. Well, at Te Arai Links near Mangawhai, 90 minutes north of Auckland, golfing heaven awaits with the choice of two superb courses. With world leading golf course designers responsible for the North and South courses at Te Arai, it is not surprising they have revelled in the opportunities presented and produced two absolute gems that in this writer’s opinion should find their place in any rating of the world’s best courses. These two pure links courses are blessed with spectacular coastal landscapes and views amidst, at times, raw landforms and remnants of the forests that used to envelope the land the courses inhabit. Always there is a reminder of their roots. The South course opened on October 1, 2022, and it is hard to believe when we played it that it was just a year young. The designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw said they look for sand based sites where random land contours provide sites where the land, more than the designers, determine the design and the course’s character. “We were given a great gift and a

The eighth hole at the North course at Te Arai Links.

uniquely special site for golf with landforms sculpted by the wind, adjacent to the sea,” Coore said. There are seven tee blocks to choose from. They range from the championship at 6256 metres to the forward at 4640 metres. A tee for all in effect. Standing on the first tee one draws breath and sees a generous fairway for the first tee shot. Always a good introduction to a course. However sand is in play for an errant shot as you walk up to an elevated green. So the scene is well set. The walk on the South course is relatively comfortable. Of course only trundlers are allowed at Te Arai to protect the courses. The course has 16 holes with an ocean view, eight of which border the sea. Shapes and green sizes vary beautifully. No two holes are similar with the variety of landforms from gentle valleys to gently rising slopes an ongoing feast. The fourth hole is a long 399 metres from the middle tees and 365 metres from the forward tees. However do not fear this is an exception as the par fours go. The next longest is 351 metres. There are five shortish par fours from 306 metres (six) down to 232 metres (14). The four par threes range from 100 metres to 141 metres from the middle tees. Arguably the 17th par three at just 100 metres is the most spectacular by the sea but surrounded by bunkers. It is easy to be distracted so commitment to the shot is essential. Interestingly the

course is book-ended with the 18th a par five of 469 metres. It is stroke 18 so does not have too much bite, just get good connections to counter the length. There is so much to like about the layout. Every hole presents a new vista to contemplate then enjoy the challenge. After a blissful night’s sleep we were more than ready to play the North course just a couple of days after it opened to the public on October 1, exactly one year after the South course opened. This Tom Doak design is quite breathtaking as it unfolds. Doak says: “The North course starts and finishes on the ocean with another sweep down to the ocean at holes eight and nine, but for me the unique character of the course will be found inland.” This where the routing explores what had been a pine forest set on dunes high above the beach. Doak spent months on site personally shaping green complexes and fairway features controlling his bulldozer. Talk about hands on. Normally, after being on site for several days formulating the project, he leaves the construction of the project to his long time associates in the Renaissance shaping and construction crews. However because the North course was constructed during the covid-19 pandemic, Doak travelled to Te Arai and stayed for two months. Said Doak: “I’m still not great on the

January 2024

dozer but I do love it. Some of the results are pretty wild like the greens at seven and four but they look really cool. To be spoken of equally with the South course we felt we had to do more with the golf and the overall shaping of greens and fairways speak to that I think.’’ He likes to talk about the inland holes that occupy a massive valley in the middle of the course. “Before we moved any dirt, we all identified that natural bowl and I think we used it well. I like how all of the holes four to seven in there turned out. Then from the edge of the bowl eight plays down to the water and I love how the par five ninth comes back uphill into that bowl … a blind approach over a road. The last 140 metres of that hole are awesome. “The green of the par four fifth hole and the next tee sit high on a ridge adjacent to an ancient Maori pa, or hill fortress, built from the largest dune on the property, while the fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth greens sit in a bowl amongst the dunes. On any given day each of the 18 holes can play quite differently depending on the wind direction. But that is what links golf by the sea is all about. “It feels a bit weird to apologise for having seven holes on the ocean, especially when the rest of the course plays through terrain where the best comparison might be Pine Valley in New Jersey. At Tara Iti you are looking

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NEWS

Hole No 10 of the North course at Te Arai Links.

at the Pacific Ocean from every hole and on the South course, from all but the first few holes. Yet everyone is pleased with the way the North course stands on its own.” The result for all to see is world leading. A caddy is recommended at Te Arai and it is especially so on the North course which is a more demanding walk with more decent undulations. Our caddy Richard Squire was a legend with his knowledge of the Te Arai development and his expert guidance around the course. His reading of the greens was on the button every time. The opening

The 14th hole on the South course at Te Arai Links

hole is a very fair par four at 257 metres from the middle tee. The course stretches 6337 metres from the middle tees and 4574 from the front tees. The fourth at 350 metres is the stroke one hole with a small extreme two tier green which is three putt territory. On hole five the drive is key. Six and seven are strategic par fours with plenty of sand to avoid while eight plays almost to infinity with Great Barrier Island looming behind. Doak thinks 11 and 13 are possibly the most dramatic holes. Eleven is a long par five of 495 metres to an elevated green with a hazard seven metres

below the green. Thirteen is a long par four at 399 metres with the green above the edge of a huge natural bunker which must be cleared with the approach shot. Otherwise bale out left. The closing three holes provide a less taxing farewell with the 16th, 12th and 18th stroke holes. The 17th is an epic par three of 131 metres with a narrow entry and bunkers lurking. The 18th, a 402 metre par five, tracks the shoreline to the greens and should not provide too much angst. A fitting finish to two wonderful rounds of golf where the expression “don’t forget to smell the roses” was

impossible to neglect. Te Arai Links is without doubt one of New Zealand’s greatest gifts to golfers because it is available to casual green fee players. The green fees vary according to the season. For New Zealand residents a round will cost $400 from November 1 through to April 23. Then to June 3o it is $300. Low season then runs to September 30 at $250. During October you will pay $300. Trundlers can be hired for just $20 and clubs for $80. Availability for each course alternates each day with one for members and the other for visitors.

Grace Rokela a perfect fit for Te Arai Links By Neville Idour

e Arai Links marketing director Grace Rokela talked to Golfer Pacific during this writer’s recent experience there. She lives in Auckland and is based at the office there. Te Arai links opened on October 1, 2022, with the South course and a year later to the day the North course opened. Rokela talked to us about the various recreation facilities available. “We have tennis courts, basketball, pickleball courts and of course the playground, the world’s largest putting green. It covers two and a half acres and the hole positions are changed every day. It is a cool spot for families and seeing kids running around,’’ Rokela said. “Also we are building the Ocean Restaurant overlooking the 18th hole on the South course and the North course clubhouse both of which will open in 2024. They are in beautiful spots with stunning views. The driving range here at the South course has six modelled greens from classic course architecture. Then alongside we have just finished a short game area which is quite cool.” These could easily be the best practice facilities in New Zealand. “The other good thing is our courses alternate every day. Because we have members, each day we have one members’ course and one resort course. This ensures we have enough availability for our members. We are also now open for casual green fee players as well. If you stay a night or two you can play both courses. We want Te Arai Links to be a welcoming and inclusive environment as we think we have something special here.” At this point we ask Rokela about her background. “I was born in New Zealand. My dad’s a Kiwi and mum’s American. I moved to the USA when I was young and played college golf at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia and did all my education

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over there. I studied marketing and graphic design. I did four years there but wasn’t sure what I was going to do after school. I started with some small design work for a women’s golf clothing company and some other freelance work. ``Then about five years ago I thought I am going to move back to New Zealand. I hadn’t played golf for about 18 months.” Why was that? “College golf is just a job, but I have never loved golf more than I do now. It is funny how it comes full circle. I realised golf had done so much for me in terms of education and life skills, that I wanted to give back to it. “That is when a job became available at Golf New Zealand doing marketing support and graphic design. I ended up doing the marketing including with high performance and working on participation initiatives for commercial partnerships. I was there for about three years. It was great to be part of growing the game and watching women getting into golf. We see it here (Te Arai Links) now. We have a lot of female members and it is cool to see the change. “Then about 18 months ago I met Jim Rohrstaff, the owner and director here and at Tara Iti. We hit it off and he said do you want to be part of this?. I said it was an opportunity of a lifetime I couldn’t pass so it is incredible to be a part of Jim and Ric’s (Kayne) legacy. I am mind blown by it every single day. It is crazy.” So living and being based in Auckland does this present any logistical difficulty? “It is only an hour from my house. It is so close with the new motorways. In summer I am usually here three or four times a week. Actually when you get to call this your job I think there is no hassle doing that drive.’’ We ask if overall the facilities on the North course when completed will duplicate what are on the South course? “Some of the two bedroom cottages will be there

January 2024

Te Arai Links marketing director Grace Rokela with Golfer Pacific writer Neville Idour.

plus six four bedroom villas. The North clubhouse will be open in October, 2024. It will have a restaurant, a small golf shop and a concierge for accommodation check in. We will always have a shuttle service but South will remain the main hub.” We come back to Rokela and her golf, knowing her ability as a near scratch handicapper, and ask if she played representative golf. “I have played for North Harbour and Northland. Not a lot and not in the Interprovincials which I don’t really want to do. I have played in a few Charles Tour events. Off the back of 18 months off can’t say I played that well. Not sure If I will again but I just love my golf so much now and while I am competitive every time I go out there I just really enjoy it.” That was an appropriate note on which to end this chat with Grace Rokela. Her bubbly and enthusiastic personality is infectious and the perfect fit for the sensational Te Arai Links.

Te Arai Links’ amazing transformation By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

olfer Pacific spoke with Te Arai Links general manager Brian Spicer while we were there recently. He related his experience when he first arrived in September, 2020. “I was driven around by the construction supervisor and the entire property was a forest. There were probably two holes that had been cleared which were sand. They drove me round in a truck on forestry tracks with posts in the ground saying this is the tee on the 12th South course, this is the green on the 12th North course. “I had no idea what I was looking at because it was just a couple of posts stuck in the middle of a forest.

ply revealed the desire for people to be a part of Te Arai links. “Membership is full with just over 600 memberships and we have a waitlist. These are a mixture of family and individual memberships. They sold very quickly off the back of Tara Iti when people knew what the product was going to be and had faith a great product would be delivered. We are currently assessing how much volume the members and hotel guests play the course.” So the only option to join presently is go on the waiting list. The joining fee is $50,000. Individual memberships are $7000 and family memberships are $10,000. All are plus GST.

Manawatu-Wanganui win women’s Interprovincial for the first time in 63 years

anawatu-Wanganui won its first New Zealand women’s Interprovincial title in 63 years when lifting the trophy at the same venue it did in 1960. It defeated North Harbour 3-2 in a tense final at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, north of Wellington, last month after going extra holes in a semi-final at Waikanae Golf Club the day before. It’s the third time the trophy has been won by Manawatu-Wanganui following previous victories in 1957 and 1960. Manawatu-Wanganui captain and No 1 Tara Raj says the result had been a long time coming and she couldn’t be more proud of her team. “We’ve come pretty close over the last three or four years, so we’re all really excited,’’ Raj said. “It’s been a really long wait and all the girls deserve it – we’ve worked really hard for this.” Manawatu-Wanganui had made the playoffs three out of the previous four years, including a runner-up finish to Auckland in 2019. It was Auckland that Manawatu-Wanganui beat in last month’s semi-final. Manawatu-Wanganui No 5 Sera Raj got the side off to a perfect start in the final, winning the first four holes on the trot to make a statement. She held on in brutal

The transformation from that to the finished product and seeing how it went from clearing the trees, the big expanses of open sand, then shaping it up into grassing it was amazing.” We were chatting by the main reception building and looking around at the finished product was mind boggling for this writer. Spicer continued: “What we have now is a fantastic place to come and visit with two world class courses and great facilities. The new Ocean restaurant will be outstanding with probably the best views of any restaurant in New Zealand and the weather (chuckles) to go with it.” It was a lovely day when we spoke to Brian. We asked about the membership situation. His re-

The Manawatu-Wanganui team celebrates following it’s win in the women’s Interprovincial at Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, last month. From left to right are Vonese Walker, Casey Chettleburgh, Faith Vui, Tara Raj, Lisa Herbert, Sera Raj and Jo McAlley (manager). Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

conditions that are typical of links golf, winning 2 & 1. Former Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club member Lisa Herbert prayed the wind would get up, and she got her wish. She felt right at home in the blustery and fiery conditions, and went on to defeat the

New Zealand under-16 champion Sophie Yu 4 & 3 to get Manawatu-Wanganui’s second point on the board. With one more point needed to capture the elusive title, New Zealand Amateur champion Faith Vui stepped up to the plate, winning holes 16 and 17 to win

January 2024

her match 2 & 1 to secure the title. Tara Raj, who won the player of the tournament honours, lost her only match of the week in the final 2 & 1, while Manawatu-Wanganui’s No 2, Casey Chettleburgh, went down 3 & 2. Tara Raj said the team’s many close calls have brought them together and they played for each other on every shot. “We’ve got an advantage because of how close we are as a team,’’ Raj said. “We’ve played together over the last few years, with Faith [Vui] joining us this year and we’ve gotten to know her really well. We love her. “I’m just so proud of the group. We’ve achieved something that we’ll be talking about for a very long time. Mine and Sera’s parents came out to support us and Lisa’s mum came out; we had so much support out there.’’ The record of the tournament award went to Northland’s Kylie Jacoby who won seven from seven in division two as her team fell just short to Waikato in it’s final in the morning. Waikato defeated Northland 4-1 to pick up a new piece of silverware as the second division was introduced for the first time. The 2024 New Zealand Women’s Interprovincial will be played in Christchurch.

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Auckland’s second mens Interprovincial win in five years

uckland came from behind to win the 2023 New Zealand men’s Interprovincial, defeating the defending champions Bay of Plenty (BOP) in a tense final at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, north of Wellington, last month. Auckland avenged it’s loss to BOP the previous year and won it’s second title in five years following an impressive 3.51.5 win after being down 4.5-0.5 with six holes to play. Resilience was the buzzword Auckland referred to all week, which it displayed for everyone to see, coming from behind in both it’s semi-final and final to get the job done. Auckland captain and No 4 Matthew Cormack said his team showed it’s true colours and he couldn’t have been prouder. “It wasn’t just this afternoon or this morning, we were behind with about six holes to go against Wellington and we all pulled through,’’ Cormack said after the final. “We continued that this afternoon – the theme this week has been resilience, we’ve spoken about it a couple of times this week, and the boys showed it again this afternoon.” Auckland trailed in it’s semi-final match

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It’s all smiles after Auckland won its second men’s Interprovincial title in five years at Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, last month. From left to right are Bruce Tatterson, Steven Van Heerden, Ryan Xie (partly obscured), Robby Turnbull, Matt Cormack (holding cup), Joshua Bai, Jordan Jones and Warren Leitch (manager). Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

against the Wellington hosts with a handful of holes to play. Cormack and No 3 Steven Van Heerden turned their match-

es around to earn a win and a half respectively, while No 1 Joshua Bai birdied his final hole to half his match against

January 2024

NEWS

New Zealand Eisenhower representative Jayden Ford, and send the Aucklanders through to the afternoon’s final. The Aucklanders started horribly and were down in all matches bar one, with a few holes to play. Typical of the matchplay format, the momentum changed in the blink of an eye late in the back nine, with No 5 Jordan Jones winning 2 & 1, Van Heerden winning his final hole to win one up and Bai clinching the winning point with a 2 & 1 victory. Auckland No 2 Robby Turnbull also earned a half point to avenge the loss it had to BOP a year previous. Cormack said beating such a strong side in BOP was a sweet feeling. “They’re great guys. We always want to win and it feels great to get a bit of redemption. It’s a little more special, but regardless of who we play, to win is just an incredible feeling.” Bai picked up the player of the tournament honours, recording an unbeaten record with five wins and three halves. BOP No 2 Shaun Campbell won the record of the tournament for recording seven wins and a half. This year’s event will be played at two courses in Christchurch.

It’s been a tough 12 months for the Hawke’s Bay. In January last year, Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through the region and caused unprecedented flooding and damage. But the community has bounced back, and people have recovered. They are open for business. We took a trip to the sunny Hawke’s Bay to take on two of their best golf courses – Hastings Golf Club and Cape Kidnappers – in a weekend that will live long in the memory.

A weekend to remember in golfing heaven GOLF NEWS To the right, the 18th at Bridge Pa which measures 357m from the white tees and is a perfect finishing hole. By Peter Thornton

hey say the definition of madness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. It’s Wednesday afternoon and I have just refreshed the Met Service website for the forecast for the Hawke’s Bay region for the millionth time. Whatever way you look at it, it is rain. There was a heavy rain warning in place for 48 hours right in the middle of our annual golfing getaway. Desperate for positive news, I watched the NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) daily forecast where their meteorologist said: “The one place you don’t want to be heading to this weekend is the east coast of the North Island. It’s going to get nasty so unless you have a good reason, I suggest you stay away.” To say that we were looking forward to our weekend in the Hawke’s Bay is a huge understatement. We have been talking about this for months. Every year, my good mates in Wellington – Andrew Joyce, Simon ‘Blocka’ Roche and Daniel Markham and me – get away for a weekend of golf for beers and bragging rights. This time around we were taking on the Hastings Golf Club at Bridge Pa and the famed Cape Kidnappers. They were fitting locations for our season ending matchplay championship. Bridge Pa is consistently rated in the top 10 club courses in New Zealand and has conditioning to rival any of our

best. And the Cape. The reputation of the Tom Doak-designed layout is it is a world-class experience from the moment you drive through the gate, and it lived up to that billing in every sense. A weekend away from the kids at home, a chance to hang out with the lads, play some golf at amazing courses. The only thing that could put a dampener on it was the weather.

“I like Katie - she sounds like a selfless mum”

We got chatting to our neighbours on the plane ride down and explained why we were heading to the Hawke’s Bay, and it became a conversation by committee. The mums around me asked who was looking after the kids, and I said my wife Katie. They all chipped in about how we didn’t know how lucky we were. Any lame protests fell on deaf ears. Louise, from the row behind, said “I like Katie she sounds like a selfless mum and a good person.” As we stepped off the plane in Napier, it was wet and cold, and as the rain hit the side of my face, Louise chipped in again. ‘Enjoy your golf weekend’… Thanks very much I replied with gritted teeth. But as we drove south to the Hastings Golf Club things began to improve and when we arrived it was better than anyone could have hoped for. The condition of the course was like

The Hastings Golf Club from the air. Bridge Pa was famously the home of arguably one of New Zealand’s greatest amateur golfers Stuart Jones

a magic trick. How the whole layout could be bone dry and in such great nick after a consistent downpour was remarkable. It’s no surprise that Golf New Zealand has used Bridge Pa as a regular tournament host for forever. I have good memories of watching Danny Lee win the New Zealand Under-23 Championship here as a 16-year-old, Brad Kendall won the New Zealand Strokeplay here, and the best player in the club’s history is Stuart Jones, arguably New Zealand’s finest amateur of all time, is all over the clubhouse walls. After a quick stop for a brisket pie and savoury scroll at the excellent café, the teams were set as Daniel and I taking on Joyce and Blocka.

The comeback we’ll talk about for years …

It’s always hard to rein in the excitement on a golf trip. Daniel and I were a little too keen and got off to a ropey start. We were four down after four holes and needed to find something quickly. That moment arrived on the par four fifth. I hit my approach from 120m into the pin and it ricocheted to 25 feet. I made the birdie putt and went on a bit of a run with the putter where I felt like I could make anything I looked at. It was unfortunate that we came up against Joyce who was playing the round of his life. His best score was 94 and he was well on track to beat that

January 2024

as they took a three up lead at the turn. We missed some opportunities and when Blocka and Joyce both made par on 12 we were staring down the barrel of an old-fashioned hiding. Daniel made a good par on the 13th and all of a sudden there was hope. We halved the 14th to be dormy four down but it was not over yet. We were talking about the greatest comeback ever seen. I made pars on 15 and 16 and heading down the par five 17th we had the momentum. But Blocka came up with a special moment when it was needed. After my putt for par missed the right edge, he stepped up and drained a 12 footer to win the match 2 and 1. It was tough to take but at least we had made a game of it. There would be another day. The experience at Hastings Golf Club is a special one. There are so many great holes here and it would be the perfect place to be a member. We stayed in the heart of Napier on Marine Parade and the place has a quiet charm and character about it. There are loads of great cafés and restaurants for brunch and dinner, and plenty to do in the region away from the golf course. We walked down the road to the Ocean Spa on Marine Parade which was a welcomed relief for our sore bodies. Sitting in the spa looking out to a sparkling Pacific Ocean was just what we needed on the way home. This place is a must visit on a golf trip.

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Driving back into Napier the lads were already planning the next one. If someone had said to us we’d get into two full rounds with only a few drops of rain for the whole weekend, we wouldn’t have believed them. If you’re lining up a golf weekend, you will not be disappointed in the Hawke’s Bay. The Hastings Golf Club and Cape Kidnappers should be on every golfer’s bucket list. It’s an experience that you will never forget.

Hastings Golf Club fact box

The par three sixth hole at Cape Kidnappers is aptly named Gulley. It measures 174m off the white tees and is a great challenge. Photo credit: Nick Wall / AirSwing.

An experience we’ll never forget

Waking up on Sunday morning, there was palpable relief, when it was overcast but fine. The Cape is a golf course that all players need to experience. As you drive through the winding road to reach the clubhouse you are surrounded by a flock of sheep, and as you come over the crest of the hill, an incredible ocean view appears as if you have pulled back the curtains. We were warmly greeted at the clubhouse by one of the professionals who set us up with trundlers and waters, and parked our car while we hit the range. All of the little personal touches at the Cape add up to an incredible experience. Like taking your lunch order on arrival and having the club sandwiches ready as you finish the ninth. It was clear the wind was going to wreak havoc today. For 18-20 handicappers, Cape Kidnappers is a challenge on a fine day. Add in the wind and it becomes a severe test. But we were up for it. Of course, some of the world’s best have walked these fairways. In 2008-09, the Cape and Kauri Cliffs, hosted some of the best golfers in the world in The Kiwi Challenge. Americans Anthony Kim, Sean O’Hair, Hunter Mahan, Brandt Snedeker and Colombian Camilo Villegas and Aus-

tralian Adam Scott played in those events and produced some unbelievable golf. It’s nice to play a layout where you have good memories. I had played the Cape once before and on the opening hole, I hit driver, nine iron to two inches from the hole for almost the perfect start. But today’s conditions were different. I was hitting driver, nine iron most of the time downwind, as you turned into the gale, it was more like driver, rescue and then some. This time around, Blocka and I teamed up and we got off to a great start. I made a good par on the third and my old rugby mate made his own par at the fifth. Daniel came up with a crucial par on the par three sixth – one of the best holes on the front nine – to keep him and Joyce in the contest. Joyce couldn’t quite back up his heroics from day one. Doak’s design is a masterclass. Most of the tee shots are accommodating (depending on the conditions) but the green complexes, bunkering and rough make scoring a really good test. We went into the turn one up and were feeling good over our lunchtime Hazy IPA beers. Then the back nine. What a stretch of golf holes. It’s little wonder people come from all over the world to play here. For five holes I didn’t make anything more than a five and when I made a 20

The back nine at Cape Kidnappers. The 12th and 13th in the foreground and the par five 15th in the distance. It’s the best part of the course. Photo credit: Nick Wall / AirSwing.

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foot putt for bogey on the 15th we had done enough for a 4 and 3 win. Looking over the cliffs and out to sea, it was a memorable place to make the winning putt. It’s impossible to capture how many great holes there are here. But there are a few worth singling out. The par four 14th _ with a 200m carry across the gap – the par five 15th which is like a runway to the ocean, and the par five 16th, are as beautiful and breathtaking as they are brutal. Coming down the closing stretch, we were all knackered but content to have taken on such a world class challenge. As the sun set out in the west, it was nice to reflect on the moments of glory and the flashes of what might have been. Everyone felt the same way: ‘Man I would love to play that course again’. It would be remiss of me not to mention our putting challenge. No one wanted to leave, so we had a four-hole putting competition with the loser buying a bottle of Central Otago Pinot Noir for dinner. The practice green was like mini golf on steroids. Joyce got off to a terrible start – finding the rough with his opening putt – but somehow recovered. There were many hilarious moments and I ended up losing to Daniel in a sudden death playoff to cap a memorable day and weekend.

* Located at Bridge Pa in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, Hastings Golf Club offers first class golfing and clubhouse facilities and a warm welcome to both members and visitors. * Founded in 1898, the club is home to a mature 18-hole championship course that is consistently rated among the top 10 club courses in New Zealand. * In 2023, the club recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. * The club is to host the New Zealand PGA Championship in March.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers fact box

* Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is located in Hawke’s Bay, a region best known for its wineries, food scene and the Art Deco architecture of the nearby city of Napier. * Set high atop the rolling hills and rugged cliffs of its eponymous peninsula, the resort is set against expansive views where the ocean meets the horizon. * The property also features 18 holes from architect Tom Doak, his first design in New Zealand. It recently ranked No 55 in the world. * The property is also home to Cape Sanctuary, the largest privately funded wildlife restoration project in New Zealand. Peter Thornton is an experienced journalist and media manager. He first worked in the golf industry producing Phillip Leishman’s television golf shows for Sky Sport. He went on to be the media and communications manager for Golf New Zealand and has worked as a journalist in all forms for the past 20 years.

The clubhouse, entrance and practice facilities at Cape Kidnappers. To the right is the par four 18th which measures 357m from the white tees. Photo credit: Nick Wall / AirSwing.

January 2024

Waipu’s renovations reaping rewards GOLF NEWS

A panoramic view of the Waipu golf course in Northland. By Neville Idour

ur visit to Waipu Golf Club in Northland to see the completed renovations to the course revealed quite a transformation. With the fairways now green from the installation of watering it is a whole new experience. I well remember playing the course when placing was the order of the day. Before playing I spoke with Lillian Thomas in the pro shop who has been there for over four and a half years. She had seen all the changes so we asked how busy the course is. “It is getting really busy,’’ Thomas said. “It has always grown but since they have done the irrigation and a lot of work on the course it has just got busi-

The clubhouse at Waipu Golf Club in Northland.

er and busier. When the weather is fine it is busy all day.” There is a new season of golf programmes starting. There is a womens’ one which is similar to Golf New Zealand’s programme of She Loves Golf. The Bream Bay Classic is the major tournament the club run plus other tournaments throughout the year. Membership is healthy with 394 men and 131 women. Waipu-raised Adam Jones the founder of Grass, a golf course construction company, was responsible for the transformation from rough dry fairways to fairways to compare with the best links courses. With extensive experience overseas and in New Zealand, Jones was the right man for the job. From work at courses in Ireland, Kiawah Island in South

Carolina, Pegasus in Christchurch and preparing Gulf Harbour in Auckland for the World Cup in 1998, his qualifications were just the ticket. From the elevated clubhouse and practice putting green, the views are spectacular of the wide sweeping coastline and even most of the 18 holes. Just the tonic before teeing off. The first hole is a generous 329 metres to a drop down green. The second a par five is a dogleg right of 430 metres. There is good variety on the front nine. The par four third hole has challenging rough right to an elevated green. Four, a long par three, has a difficult green to hit with steep sloping sides. Don’t overshoot the green on five while six, the signature hole, has bunkers to avoid. Seven, eight and nine feature el-

January 2024

evated greens, uphill climbs or a steep sloping green. Enjoy the views on 10 before heading downhill. Hole No 11 is a dogleg with a water hazard while 12 is a dogleg right. The par three 13th plays steeply up to the green while the long par five 14th heads back down. Hole No 15 is up to a narrow green and the par four 16th heads back downhill. The short par three 17th has a treacherous undulating green. Finally the 18th, a 318 metre par four, plays uphill towards the clubhouse and a large two level green. Certainly this is an enjoyable layout with views to constantly delight, but it is a good workout if you are walking. However there are carts available as a preference.

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January 2024

Glendhu development well underway By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

he Glendhu golf course and residential development on the shores of Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka, is set to become yet another jewel in the crown of the central Otago region. A recent visit revealed significant groundworks and shaping of the golf course well underway. The location, Glendhu Station, is a family owned high country station which was originally surveyed in 1859. It has been in the McRae family for four generations and currently covers 2900 hectares. The development is a collaboration between the McRae family and Darby Partners. They have a deep respect for the unique landscape and want to see it preserved for future generations. Being just 10 minutes from Wana-

Development is well underway for Glendhu golf course in central Otago.

ka and Treble Cone skifield, and also close to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Mt Aspiring National Park, Glendhu is the perfect platform to capitalise on the outdoor recreation, leisure and dining destinations the region is famous for. The location being

north facing, it enjoys spectacular lake and mountain views. Just an hour from Queenstown Airport, Glendhu is accessible, yet when there, you have that priceless sense of escape to tranquility and seclusion. The golf course itself is being built by

the same expert team of Darby Partners who are responsible for many of New Zealand’s leading golf courses such as The Hills, Clearwater and Jack’s Point. John Darby has been involved in property projects for well over 20 years as both investor and consultant and is a Harvard University trained golf course architect and resort planner. In addition to the golf course, which is being constructed on both sides of the lakeside road, the planned homesites are secluded and will offer high levels of privacy while still providing wonderful views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountain ranges. When finished, this golf course is sure to be a boon to the Wanaka area and being adjacent to the extensive and popular Glendhu Bay camping grounds, a magnet for holidaying golfers.

Asian Tour initially comprises 20 tournaments in 12 countries for 2024

he Asian Tour’s remarkable period of accelerated growth will continue unabated in 2024 after it released another impressive and substantial schedule for the new season. Hot on the heels of the completion of its 2023 season last month, the Asian Tour has unveiled an initial schedule of 20 events across 12 countries – with a significant number of important tournaments to be added. Once finalised it is expected that the schedule will surpass last year – which saw 23 events staged with total prize money of $US35 million. The Malaysian Open will celebrate its return to the schedule after a four-year hiatus by becoming the season-opening event and will be played from February 15-18.

It will be followed the week after by the International Series Oman – the first of 10 International Series events in 2024, which provide a pathway to the multi-million-dollar LIV Golf League. International Series events will be played in Macau (International Series Macau, March 14-17), Morocco (July 4-7), Indonesia (October 31–November 3) and Qatar (November 28 – December 1). The Hong Kong Open will once again be part of The International Series while making its debut on the series will be the Saudi International which was the tour’s opening event in 2022 and 2023. Both events will be in the fourth quarter. The dates will be announced later along with the details of three

more International Series tournaments. The Asian Tour will also once again return to two of its traditional tournament strongholds, Korea and Chinese-Taipei. Three events will be played in each market, with the Maekyung Open (May 2-5), Korea Open (June 20-23) and Shinhan Donghae Open (September 5-8) staged in Korea; while the Yeangder TPC (September 26-29), Taiwan Masters (October 3-6) and Taifong Open (November 1417) will be hosted in Chinese-Taipei. The New Zealand Open (February 29-March 3), the Saudi Open (April 17-20) and the Macao Open (October 10-13) are also back on the schedule.

New Zealand Open continues to showcase Queenstown winery

he New Zealand Open has welcomed a long-term extension of its relationship with Queenstown-based winery Amisfield. It extends the 17-year partnership ahead of the 103rd edition of the open, sponsored by Sky Sport, to be played at Millbrook Resort from February 29-March 3. Amisfield has long been renowned for its multi-award-winning wines that fly the flag for Central Otago wine around the world. Founded by the Darby family, Amisfield also shares a strong connection with golf in New Zealand through various John Darby-designed golf courses across the country, most notably the stunning Jack’s Point golf course which, alongside Millbrook Resort and The Hills, has helped turn Queenstown into an award-winning golf destination. New Zealand Open chairman John Hart was delighted that the long-standing relationship with Amisfield was set to continue for the foreseeable future.

“Amisfield is one of the region’s foremost and longest-standing wineries and we’re delighted they continue to be our wine partner,” said Hart. “An integral element of the New Zealand Open involves showcasing the very finest experiences in these regions to the world. Amisfield’s unmatched quality in single-estate organic wine mirrors our shared commitment to excellence, further elevating the tournament’s reputation as a world class event.” Amisfield founder John Darby was equally excited that Amisfield wines would yet again be in the hands of those playing and attending the New Zealand Open. “It’s great that we are extending the relationship we have with the New Zealand Open. Golf is another passion of mine and pairs harmoniously with Amisfield’s vision for promoting the amazing Queenstown and Central Otago regions,” said Derby. “There is a lot of symmetry between golf and winemaking. Just as no two golf

courses are the same, no two wines taste the same. Each golf course and vineyard have unique characteristics which are influenced by their natural environments. “We’re looking forward to working

January 2024

closely with the team at the New Zealand Open, and just as they support local businesses like ourselves, we are really happy that we can support the premier golf tournament in New Zealand.”

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Changes to golf ball distances are far off A reduction in how far a golf ball can travel has been approved by golf’s two world governing bodies The R&A and the United States Golf Association. But any changes are far off. For the recreational golfer, changes will not take effect until 2030 and for professional or elite golfers it will be 2028. The decision aims to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf’s long term sustainability while minimising the impact on the recreational game. The longest hitters are expected to see a reduction of as much as 13-15 yards in drive distance. Average professional tour and elite male players are expected to see a reduction of 9-11 yards, with a 5-7-yard reduction for an average Ladies’ European Tour (LET) or Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA) player. The change in testing speed is expected to have a minimal distance impact, five yards or less, for most recreational golfers. Existing balls approved for conformance in 2027 may continue to be used by recreational golfers until January 2030 to give golfers, manufacturers and retailers additional time to adjust. These decisions are in line with the commitments made by the governing bodies at the project’s inception. A significant portion of golf ball models that are currently in the market – and more than 30 percent of all golf ball models submitted for conformance across the game – are expected to remain conforming after these changes are applied. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said, “We

are convinced that this decision is one of the key ways of achieving a sustainable future for golf, protecting the integrity of the game and meeting our environmental responsibilities. “The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the one game ethos deemed to be so important to the golf industry. Importantly, it also keeps the impact on recreational golfers to an absolute minimum. “We are acting now because we want to ensure that future generations can enjoy the unique challenge of golf as much as we do.” USGA chief executive Mike Whan added: “Governance is hard. And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn’t do enough to protect the game long term. “But from the very beginning, we’ve been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we’ve said, doing nothing is not an option – and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game’s future if we didn’t take appropriate action now.” The notice of decision follows the most thorough and comprehensive examination of the issue in the game’s history through the distance insights’ project, which was launched in 2018 and gathered data, shared research and solicited feedback from golf course owners, players, and stakeholders across the game. Data provided by the seven major worldwide tours has also been analysed by the governing bodies, which have published annual driving distance reports every

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year since 2015. All golf ball and club manufacturers were advised of the decision and were given full technical details and an implementation timeline. The notice of decision takes into account the extensive research and feedback received from manufacturers and other industry stakeholders throughout the six-year process and following multiple areas of interest and proposals starting in 2021 as part of the equipment rule making process. The extensive feedback received showed worldwide sentiment that the retention of a single set of playing rules and equipment standards is critically important to the sport and should apply across the game. Feedback from manufacturers resulted in the timeline being extended to 2028 to allow more time for innovation and production of new products for elite and recreational players. The R&A and the USGA are guided by an overarching principle to continue to preserve the fundamental elements of golf – protecting the integrity of golf courses, including their overall length, and ensuring that a variety of skills are needed to be successful. Longer golf courses require additional resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements like tees and bunkers continues to rise and other long term impacts have been identified as a result of increased distance. The governing bodies believe that if the sport is to enjoy a sustainable long term future then these economic and environmental impacts have to be kept under control.

TŪRANGI GOLF CLUB An unforgettable golfing experience in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. The Tūrangi Golf Course is 18 holes, par 72 from both tees. The length from the white tees is 5738 metres and 5145 metres from the yellow tees. The course is reasonably flat and has water features and good tree coverage. Autumn is a spectacular time with the tree foliage showing amazing colours. A good club house for visitors who are always welcome at this friendly club. Tūrangi is situated 53km south of Taupō, about a 45 minute drive, and is at the entrance to the Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site. The exciting volcanic nature, three ski fields and excellent trout fishing of this area is a key visitor attraction.

+64 7 386 8724 | info@turangigolfclub.com

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January 2024

Six Kiwis invited to Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific GOLF NEWS

Amy Im. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Vivian Lu who will be making her second appearance in the Women’s Asia-Pacific Championship this year. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Eunseo Choi. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

ix Kiwis have been invited to compete at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) in Thailand and compete for a spot in some of women’s golf’s biggest championships, including three majors. After a successful tournament in 2022, the prestigious women’s event returns to the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya from February 1-4 this year. Vivian Lu, Eunseo Choi, Amy Im, Carmen Lim, Mimi Guo, and Sumin Kang are looking to earn their place in the Women’s Open in Scotland, the Chevron Championship in the United States and the Evian Championship in France. As well as earning starts in three of the five majors in women’s golf, the winner also receives an invite to play in the Korean LPGA’s Hana Financial Group Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). All six women have played in the tournament previously in the past two years, with Lu, Choi, and Kang

all playing in the 2022 WAAP played at this year’s venue. The WAAP aims to inspire future generations of women golfers and provides the champion with a launchpad into international golf through exemptions into multiple women’s major championships and other elite amateur championships. Golf New Zealand high performance manager Gregg Thorpe said that over the last five years, the WAAP has provided a unique opportunity for women’s golf in the Asia-Pacific region. “For our emerging talent to be able to challenge themselves on strong layouts against their Asia-Pacific peers while being beamed around the world on live television, the tournament really does give them a sense of what professional golf could be like,’’ Thorpe said. “It’s an aspirational event while also providing great development opportunities, and for one lucky player, it can be truly life-changing. “We commend The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Con-

federation for their vision and for their and their partner’s support in ensuring the event is a success each year.” Lu and Fiona Xu finished as the low Kiwis at the event held at Siam Country Club last year, finishing in equal 13th. Lu is looking to better her finish from 2022, and said that having played the course in tournament conditions at this very event will play to her advantage. “I’m excited to get back to Siam Country Club again,’’ Lu said. “I’m familiar with the layout and have a good plan of how to approach the golf course. I just need to focus on my preparation, and hopefully, that will put me in good stead for the week.” The event was first played in 2018 and was won by Atthaya Thittikul, who beat New Zealander Wenyung Keh in a playoff.

Mimi Guo. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Carmen Lim. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Sumin Kang.

January 2024

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GOLF NEWS

Heritage golf course and wildlife park back up and running following extensive storm damage N ew Zealand’s foremost dual-operating golf club and native wildlife sanctuary is now fully back up and running – following months of extensive remediation work undertaken to repair damaged caused by Cyclone Gabrielle at the beginning of last year. Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary in Taupo was one of the many central North Island golf clubs severely impacted by the strong winds and torrential downpours which struck in February. In the space of 24 hours, some 1800 trees on the undulating park-like Taupo course were toppled – with several hundred metres of the venue’s 5.5-kilometre predator-proof fence subsequently destroyed due to trees collapsing on fencing framework and netting. In 2012, an agreement was established between Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary and the Department of Conservation to make the most of conservation and restoration opportunities within the sanctuary – including using the predator free environment as a crèche for kiwi chicks. The wildlife enclosure now sustains a dedicated kiwi incubation, hatching and brooding facility. The two-metre-high predator-proof fencing encasing Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary had been specially designed to prevent mammals such as rats, hedgehogs, possums, stoats, weasels and feral cats from entering the parkland reserve – which is home to kiwi, takahe, fallow deer, and New Zealand falcons, in addition to pheasants, guinea fowl, and ducks. Cleaning up the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle saw Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary greenkeeping staff and lumber removal contractors haul out hundreds of horizontal trunks – which were sold as prime export quality logs – while a mobile sawmill

The damaged predator fence and fallen trees at Wairakei golf course, following Cyclone Gabrielle.

operated on site to cut timber for the club’s future use. Simultaneously, several truck and trailer loads of wood chip went off to Kinleith Mill for electricity generation, while hundreds of smaller branches were mulched and spread around the course to cover unsightly areas which had been exposed as a result of the storm deforestation. Manoeuvring heavy vehicles across the course’s fairways was a real exercise in turf management to ensure any damage to fairways was minimised. The process was made easier by much of Wairakei’s fairways being laid on a free-draining pumice-based sub-soil layer. Wairakei’s operations general manager Warren Collet, said that after nine months of hard work by greenkeeping staff – often frustrated by an un-

usually long and wet winter – the course was now back to its full glory … including welcoming recently hatched takahe chicks born in spring, along with the 300th kiwi chick to have been raised at the sanctuary facility. Said Collet: “Straight after the storm, we had to completely close the course for two and a half weeks. We were fortunate enough to get a forestry crew in here straight away, and they worked seven days a week which allowed us to get nine holes open by the end of February. “Then they moved onto the back nine, and by the end of the first week in March we finally got all 18 holes open. “We were also very fortunate the Maungatautari ecological team arrived the day after the storm, and the fences were all repaired within 24 hours. We didn’t lose any of the native wildlife, and nothing escaped as far as we can ascertain. “We were blessed that no greens, tee blocks or fairways were damaged to any extent apart from debris falling down the left-hand sides of the thirteenth and fourteenth fairways, and some broken cart paths.” Collett said that with the removal of hundreds of mature trees lining some of the course’s fairways and hillside, several holes at Wairakei now had a totally different vista for players. “We’ve been very happy with the way the course has returned,” he said. “Our greenkeepers have already undertaken substantial tree replacement with 250 saplings transplanted over the past eight months, and more seedlings scheduled to be sown over the coming year. As they bed in, the course will continue to mature in a new direction over the space of a decade … and the decades to come.”

Josh Geary too good at The Hills By Neville Idour

T Josh Geary who came from behind to win The Hills Invitation last month.

auranga’s Josh Geary shot a best of the day 66 to come from behind for a three shot victory on nine under par in The Hills Invitation Pro-Am in Arrowtown, Otago, last month. First round leader Michael Hendry, who shot 66 with six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys to lead Charlie Smail by a shot with Queenstown’s Ben Campbell 68 and Geary 69 next, could not sustain that form in the second round. In a topsy turvy 73 he recorded three

birdies, an eagle, four bogeys and a double bogey on the notorious par three 16th. This would have brought back memories of a similar encounter with the creek which could have cost him at the New Zealand Open some years ago. His third placing on five under par was still a fine effort. Geary, however, had no such problems and played almost flawless golf with five birdies, an eagle on the par five first hole and just a lone bogey. For Geary this was a nice way to finish the year as he looks forward to spending some extended quality

time with his wife and two young children. He will probably play the Victorian Open before the New Zealand Open in the New Year then just play New Zealand Charles Tour events. Then at the end of the year he will look at the Asian Tour qualifying school. Defending title holder Nick Voke had a second round 68 to nab second place on six under par. Ben Campbell climbed a few places with a stunning six metre eagle putt on his final hole to finish on five under in a tie for third with Hendry and Australian Jordan Zunic.

Josh Geary who came from behind to win The Hills Invitation last month.

January 2024

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Ben Campbell’s focus for 2024 will be the Asian Tour By Neville Idour

Ben Campbell tees off at The Hills Invitation Pro-Am at Arrowtown, near Queenstown, last month.

e chatted briefly with Ben Campbell after his third placing at The Hills Invitation Pro-Am in Arrowtown, near Queenstown, last month. He returned home a few days before the event and afterwards said: “I felt pretty much golfed out so didn’t do too much practice. It was just nice to be home and sort a few things and jobs out. The golf wasn’t too flash but third was all right. It will be good to have a break now and work on a bit of stuff and tidy up in the off season before next year.” Tell us about the LIV playoff experience? “They do things so well. It was a great venue and everything is provided for you which is incredible. While it was a shame to not quite get there, it will be exciting next year. Now that I have a taste for it there will be a lot to play for then. Especially with the Asian Tour International Series the winner of that order of merit gets an automatic card into LIV. That is definitely a goal for next year after finishing third this year. It would be great to

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go a couple better.” Campbell’s focus in 2024 will be on the Asian Tour. “It is looking good and the purses keep going up. There are some great courses over there. It has been good with a few of the Aussie boys there and next year more Kiwi lads should be there … a few more going to the Q school so hopefully they make it.” What about the Australasian Tour? “I probably won’t play too much in Australia as Asia will be the focus. I probably won’t start my year till February. I might look at playing the Victorian Open in the first week and then start back up on the Asian Tour in the third week. Following that it will be the New Zealand Open which is now part of the Asian Tour as well as the Australasian Tour.” Campbell has shown since his return from injury that he has the talent to make his mark on the world golf scene. His stunning Hong Kong Open win in November over playing partner and one of the world’s very best Cameron Smith has laid a very strong platform for Campbell to build on.

Kerry Mountcastle’s 2024 plans By Neville Idour

olfer Pacific caught up with Super Six winner Kerry Mountcastle at the recent The Hills Invitation ProAm. We kicked off asking about his background. “I grew up in Otaki. My father was manager at the Otaki Golf Club so from a very young age of about three when I could walk I was always out with him. “But after he moved away when I was five-ish I only played golf in the school holidays when I went and stayed with him. It wasn’t until I was 16 years old when I could drive myself around that I started playing a bit more. I was in Masterton at the time and have been there ever since. I turned professional in 2021 and have slowly worked my way up the rankings since then.” What about your career as an amateur? As he related 2018 was a big year for him. “I won the New Zealand Strokeplay in 2018 and the Carrus Tauranga Charles Tour event as well. I played in the Eisenhower in 2018 and also finished runner-up in the New Zealand Amateur, just missing out on the double. I then took most of the covid year off golf because I was hating golf at the time. So I went back to work and got paid in 2020.” In early 2021 he won the Manawatu Sixes. “I turned pro after that then played in New Zealand for

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Kerry Mountcastle following his win at the Super Six tournament in Victoria last year.

a couple of years. I finished fifth in the order of merit in 2022 which gave me some status in Australia. So playing in Australia from October this season using that status and getting the win I now have winners’ status in Australia. That means I get into all events for two and a half years.” We ask what 2024 is looking like? “There are eight events on the Aussie Tour starting 11th January. The top three at the end of the season get DP World Tour cards.”

January 2024

At time of writing he is effectively third or fourth. We then ask him about playing any Asian Tour events. “I might try and get a few invites into the International Series Events after having a good first round in the LIV promotions event. My main focus will still be the Australasian Tour and trying to cement my good position to gain DP World Tour status.” Tell us about the LIV experience. “It was really good. Everyone was really friendly and it was a very different format for a Q school with having qualifying into different days. Every day being it’s own day and resetting. After a great first day, unfortunately a plus one (score) that second day was not good enough. However in some ways it is a good format.” We asked how he qualified for the event. “I didn’t even know about it until the Monday after my win which was only three weeks before it was happening. A TPC member on the Aussie Tour called me after I won and gave me a heads up about it. He said to look into it and make my own decision. My win guaranteed I qualified for one of the three Aussie Tour spots available for the qualifier.” So Kerry Mountcastle is another KIwi to watch on the world golf scene which is now providing many more opportunities, in no small way because of the LIV golf influence.

Charlie Smail: A chip off the old block By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

olfer Pacific was able to spend some time with 25-year-old Charlie Smail on and off course at The Hills and learn he is something of a chip off the old block, father David Smail. Charlie grew up in Hamilton where he has always lived. “You might think I would have started golf at a young age but as a youngster I didn’t show much interest in golf. I still watched dad playing and stuff but he didn’t get me into golf at all. “It was a mixture of things, so when I started high school at St Peters I had a few friends who I knew through other sports like cricket who were playing golf. We had a good golf academy at school so everyone got to have a go during school hours as well. I went and had a hit and thought I’m not too bad at it for just starting so thought I will give it a go for a while.” How did you progress? “For the first couple of years I was just a regular junior golfer. By the time I got to 15 or 16 I started to play well for my age group in some of the national tournaments. So I made the New Zealand junior development squad and then progressed to the New Zealand development squad. But I never got to play for New Zealand although not too far away at times. Probably my biggest win was the New Zealand Amateur in 2018 which got me in to the 100th NZ Open at The Hills which was cool.

Charlie Smail tees off at The Hills Invitation.

“I had just left school too, and while I made the cut I finished about 50th.” Smail turned professional early in 2023 and has only played in New Zealand to date. “I might try to qualify for a few events in Austra-

lia in early 2024. Hopefully I can get an Australasian card and then progress to get a Japan card or Asian card in the next few years. At the end of this year I will play the Japan and Asian Q schools.” Smail said he would grab a LIV Tour place if the opportunity arose. Smail’s partner Marina Ito, a professional, is playing on the LPGA Epson Tour in 2024. “We spent a year apart during covid. We have been together for six years since finishing school. She was practising and playing golf in New Zealand when we met because in Japan it snows in winter where she is from and can’t play golf. So she comes to our summer and just lives in summer. Over the last four years she has played a few Charles Tour events.” Marina was with him at The Hills and happily walked the course following our group with Charlie our professional. Finally we asked what it was like having a father who was playing on the Japan Tour for many years. “He would be away kind of three weeks on and three weeks off. Sometimes it could be six weeks away but it kind of felt like it was half the time he was away. He would always have the whole of summer at home from December through to March. Mum (Sheree Higgins) was also a professional golfer. She played in Japan and won on the tour then stopped playing when motherhood beckoned.” Smail is an extremely likeable young man who is a credit to the game and without doubt a chip off the old block.

Rules expert to retire after 37 years with The R&A D avid Rickman, one of the most widely respected figures in golf, is to retire from The R&A next year. After what will be 37 years of employment with the St Andrews-based governing body, Rickman will bring an end to a long and successful career in golf administration next October. As an expert rules official, he will have refereed at almost 130 prestigious events in golf by the time he retires. In serving as chief referee at The Open next year at Royal Troon, Rickman will mark his 34th Open Championship as a rules official and 28th as chief referee. His final R&A championship will be the Women’s Open at St Andrews in August. Rickman has also been a consistent presence at other major championships and prestigious professional and amateur events around the world, including working as part of the rules teams at 16 Masters tournaments, 15 US Opens, seven Women’s Opens, 21 PGA Championships and 15 Walker Cups. In his time at The R&A, Rickman has worked closely with the United States Golf Association and been involved in some of the most significant governance initiatives in the history of the game, including the modernisation of the rules of golf in 2019 and subsequently the rules of amateur status, in equipment standards the joint statement of principles in 2004 and the distance insights project as well as the introduction of the world

handicap system in 2020. He has also overseen the production of eight editions of the rules of golf which are usually published once every four years. Rickman said: “It has been a privilege to work in a sport I love for a special organisation like The R&A and to have been involved in so many important and progressive governance initiatives. “I have worked with a wide range of talented and dedicated people and experienced some of the finest golf events and venues in the world. I am extremely grateful to those who gave me a chance initially and to everyone who has worked with me and supported me over the years. “I’m looking forward to being able to play more golf and enjoy more time with my family. I know that the future of The R&A is in safe hands.” Born in St Andrews, Rickman graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in business studies and accountancy. He returned to St Andrews and joined The R&A in 1987 before taking over as head of the rules department at the end of 1995. Rickman served as The R&A’s executive director–governance from 1996 to the end of 2022 and led its governance functions – the rules of golf, amateur status, equipment standards and handicapping. Since 2016, he has been The R&A’s chief of staff, with responsibility for the human

resources and facilities departments. In January 2023 he was also appointed to lead the development of the new R&A staff building at St Andrews West. A planning application was submitted last week and the building is scheduled to open in 2026. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “David has been at the heart of The R&A and so influential in all that we do for so long that it is hard to believe he will be leaving us next year. “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him and I have benefited enor-

mously from his expertise, knowledge, wise counsel and friendship in my time here. “He is undoubtedly one of the most respected figures in golf and will be greatly missed not only by all of us in St Andrews but by many, many people throughout the golfing world. “On behalf of all us at The R&A and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, I would like to thank David for all his hard work and dedication over many years and wish him the very best for his retirement when it comes next year.”

David Rickman who retires from The R&A next year.

January 2024

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January 2024

News in brief By Neville Idour

Chamblee slams Rahm’s move to LIV

Not surprisingly, outspoken commentator Brandel Chamblee has sounded off on Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf. He said Rahm had sold his career for half the price it would ultimately be worth. He contended he could have eventually been worth two or three billion dollars had he stayed with the escalating purses on the PGA Tour. Chamblee did opine that he hoped a deal can be agreed between LIV and the PGA Tour as it would be for the benefit of the latter’s future. As for Rahm he didn’t need the money, either LIV’s or the PGA Tour’s. He did admit the huge offer was a factor. Maybe the opportunity to reunite with fellow countrymen in a different environment was a factor too.

More to Dustin Johnson than meets the eye

Dustin Johnson comes across as a somewhat laconic, laid back character. But there is much more to this South Carolinian. His Instagram account has over a million followers but don’t expect lots of posts and info. At any tournament conference or interview situation he is unlikely to emote (show emotion) like a Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth. Johnson’s long time coach Claude Harmon gives an insight many would not suspect. He is in fact a very meticulous and organised golfer. Headcovers have to match the golf bag. Everything has to be in it’s place. Clothes must be pristine. “As chilled as I am I’m very particular about everything, especially golf wise. I try for perfection with practice but with golf it is never going to happen.” His practice routines before play are the same every day. His laid back persona is priceless especially when he has experienced disappointments. After blowing a three shot lead on the final day at the 2010 United States Open he said: “That probably bothered me till the next day.’’ Who can forget later that year him

grounding his club in a so called bunker on the 17th at the US PGA Championship with a one shot lead. The two shot penalty cost him the win. “I was frustrated for about an hour.”

Scott Hend extols LIV opportunity

Fifty-year-old veteran Australian golfer Scott Hend relished the prospect of the recent LIV Golf qualifier. He said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. “There is a variety of international players trying to get on the tour. All the Asian Tour guys who played the first year of LIV, look what it has done for them. Their confidence is amazing. “It would be great for one of the young guys to get one of the cards. It would be fantastic for the region. I would rather beat them though.’’ Sadly, for Hend. he did not get one of the three cards.

Woods and farcical world ranking points

Tiger Woods has shown how ridiculous the current world golf rankings and the points available are following his near bottom finish in the 20-man field at his Hero World Invitation Challenge. His 18th place effort, equivalent to 128th in a 144 man field saw his ranking soar from his lowest ever 1328th to 898th with his 2.4 points. Players who finished tied eighth at the Australian Open and tied fifth at the South African Open, both DP World Tour events, earned less points than Woods. Enough said.

What not to eat before golf

Wells Fargo has ended its long running sponsorship since inception in 2003 of one of the PGA Tour’s signature events. Wells Fargo is proud of the 20-plus year history and the more than $US30 million raised in support of numerous charitable foundations. With the $US20 million purses for signature events this season, the PGA Tour is set to ask for further financial contributions from sponsors towards purses. Apparently Wells Fargo offered in excess of $20 million to host the tournament, even to drop to a regular tour event to maintain its title sponsorship.

What should we not eat or consume before we play golf. Simple according to a recent study. It boils down to three — caffeine, alcohol and chocolate. Many men of course will dispute the findings, especially alcohol. Caffeine can cause a quick spike in energy levels followed by the inevitable crash. It can lead to poorer performance on the green missing more short putts and with driving distance and accuracy. Alcohol may appear to relax us and help calm nerves but actually makes muscles tense and less co-ordinated and affect muscle strength and power. It can also affect balance, coordination and decision making ability. Apparently we should not eat chocolate at all before or during golf. This is because the caffeine and sugar content can interfere with our focus and energy on course. It can also cause digestive problems, discomfort and a decrease in energy while playing.

Big crowds in Australia

Costco’s Kirkland ball gets a heads up

Wells Fargo ends sponsorship

The Australian Open and PGA Championship were two exciting weeks for golf generating huge ratings and attendances. More than 110,000 spectators attended both tournaments, well up on last year. Television viewership also had significant growth with the last day of the Australian Open up 187 percent on last year. Australia PGA chief executive Gavin Kirkman said the figures reflected the groundswell of interest in golf at all levels and the thrilling nature of golf at the highest levels.

Costco’s Kirkland golf ball received a positive review under tests in comparison with other brand balls. The bottom line was it is ideal for the average golfer, in fact most golfers. It is probably not recommended for players with high swing speeds of 105 mph or more. The tester compared it with the Titleist ProV1 and found little variation in distances with irons and driver. The drives averaged 266 yards with the Kirkland and 271 with the Titleist. Obviously, with longer hitters, the difference will increase. There was also little difference in spin numbers.

Gumboot Golf Club tees off to support youth mental health organisation

umboot Golf Club is a new charity initiative that represents an exciting partnership between I Am Hope, Golf New Zealand and The Golf Warehouse – merging the joys of golfing anywhere in the country with a commitment to supporting youth mental health in New Zealand. Offering a range of benefits such as official handicaps, access to prestigious courses and exciting tournaments, the Gumboot Golf Club will financially support Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope in their advocacy for Kiwi youth in need of mental health support. Gumboot Golf Club is committing 100 percent of its membership fees to Gumboot Friday, the country’s leading youth mental health service which provides vital free counselling to children and youth grappling with mental health challenges. I Am Hope founder Mike King said: “Joining the Gumboot Golf Club means more than just hitting the greens – it’s about joining a compassionate community dedicated to both the great sport of golf and also supporting our young people in need. “We are incredibly grateful to Golf New Zealand as the sport’s governing body and golf equipment and apparel retailer The Golf Warehouse for coming on board

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and making this fantastic partnership a reality.’’ By joining Gumboot Golf Club, members embark on a golfing journey where each swing contributes to this important cause – making mental health assistance more accessible, and reducing the stigma associated with it. Golf New Zealand chief executive Jeff Latch said Gumboot Golf Club was the perfect partnership with scientific studies emphasising the mental health benefits inherent in the sport of golf, and citing its ability to alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress. Membership of Gumboot Golf Club not only offers these advantages but also facilitates the introduction of golf to a wider audience – including young people and families. Annual membership is $295 for single adults players or $450 for a family rate of two adults and two children. The club will operate online, similar to other such organisations already operating in New Zealand. Latch added: “In collaboration with Golf New Zealand, the Gumboot Golf Club aims to transform golf’s perception, welcoming new members, and nurturing a healthier community. With affordable membership fees, inclusivity remains at the core – ensuring that everyone can be part of this incredible journey for a brighter future,” says Latch.

January 2024

Mike King at the launch of the Gumboot Golf Club.

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202 For 4 is s Tel 2025 old o ut : 03 e 548 ntries 502 c 8 | ontac em t 38 ail: Inf Bolt R The West Coast has a long golfing history and is proud to offer the West Coast Golf Challenge, a great experience o@ tot oad, N for both local golfers and friends from ‘away’ – which is every part of the world that is not on ‘The Coast’. alg olf elson March 5th – March 8th 2024 will be the 10th edition of the West Coast Golf Challenge. .co .nz It is a great opportunity to combine four rounds of golf on four quite different courses with the chance to experi-

West Coast Challenge 2024 Course Review GOLF EVENT

ence some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. The four hosting clubs are Westport on their Kawatiri links at Carters’ Beach, Reefton on their Glenburnie course, Hokitika on their links course at Mahinapua, and Greymouth on their course at Kaiata.

Greymouth Golf Club

he Greymouth Golf Club is located on Golf Links Road approximately 6km east of Greymouth town centre. The course is acknowledged as having the best manicured fairways of the 18 hole courses on the West Coast, and while not long at about 5600 metres it provides an interesting test of golf. The Club’s main tournaments are held from January to March with the Coastwide Honda Westland Classic in mid February and one leg of the four course challenge early March. Hole No 8 is the club’s signature hole. While not long, the 329 metre par 4 dogleg left has an out-of -bounds on the left. There are also two strategically positioned mature kahikatea to manoeuvre past in the fairway. Sir Bob Charles has described this hole as one of his top 18 holes of golf in New Zealand. Greymouth’s Kaiata links course really is a gem in the crown of local sporting facilities in Greymouth. Green fees are a competitive $40 per round.

the Hokitika River bridge), Mahinapua Links is the only golf course in New Zealand with outstanding views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and the majestic Southern Alps. If you are staying in Hokitika, or just passing through, enjoy our legendary hospitality and join us during our weekend club days, or if you prefer, simply play at a time to suit yourself. The links are open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and bookings are not required. Greens fees on this unique links are a modest $25 for all players except students under 18 for which the green fee is $5. If you have not come prepared, hire clubs are available from Heritage Highway Motels (ph 03755 8098) right next to the northern approach to the Hokitika River bridge. Enjoy spectacular views of the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea on a delightful links course set in the heart of scenic Westland. Contact the Hokitika Golf Club on 03 755 8549.

Club days are Sundays. The course is open all day, every day, with the greens mown twice weekly. Although there is a small club membership of 40 the high standard of the course is completely achieved through voluntary contributions of time. We have two main tournaments each year, the first at Queen’s Birthday weekend and the second being the Inangahua open which is held in November each year and over 2 days, each of 18 holes. Club members are proud to be part of the West Coast Golf challenge. Golf Course is set on the banks of the Inangahua River and is the centre for farming, gold, coal and forestry. The town of Reefton has a population of about 1000 people, with some very good accommodation in hotels and motels. Any more info on Reefton golf please contact the club on 03 7328 575 (clubhouse) or 0273100500 Murray Rennie); or email reeftongolf@gmail.com as clubhouse is only manned on Sundays.

Westport Golf Club

Reefton Golf Course Reefton Golf Club

T Hokitika Golf Club

lay on one of New Zealand’s few true links courses at Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island. Just 3 minutes south of Hokitika, (first turn right over

he Westport Golf Club – is a beautiful seaside “links with trees” course of some 5600 metres. Near the village of Carters Beach some 4km only from Westport, this 18 hole gem is a pitching wedge, maybe 9 iron from the Tasman Sea.All the while surrounded by the Paparoa Mountain Range and National Park. An overview of the course can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIWt7SQ7J_0&feature=youtu.be Slick and firm greens await visitors who can join club day matches – Tuesday vets (no restriction on age), Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Green fees are only $30 and group discount by arrangement. All club day matches tee off at 11.30am, followed by hospitality hour. For further information please email our Secretary at joyboy6@hotmail.com.

he club began playing on this course, the Glenburnie course, in 1960, having been previously sited at Waitahu and prior to that, in the centre of the Reefton Race Course. The course has twelve holes, with holes 1-6 also being holes 13-18, although with different tees. Course is a par 72 and 5511 meters. Green fee players and visitors most welcome to play and enjoy the views. Green fees are set at $20/day.

A twelve hole par 72 course (yardage 5,511m). Easy walking with tree lined fairways and creeks featuring on 6 holes. Fairways and greens well grassed. The course is beautifully set among the hills and is sheltered from strong winds. The club house is open Sunday during club days with snacks and bar service. Changing and shower facilities. Green fees from $25.

For more information Ph: 0274326714 | Email: reeftongolf@gmail.com Reefton Golf Course • 74 Anderson Road, Reefton Play the picturesque, well-presented 18 hole course situated just 5 kms out of Greymouth. VISITORS VERY WELCOME!

Green fees: $40 for 18 holes (or $20 for 9 holes) Hire clubs available: $10 (with trundler)

www.greymouthgolf.com Golf Link Road, GREYMOUTH, Buller/Westland Phone(s): +64 (03) 768 5332 • greygolfsec@yahoo.co.nz

January 2024

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treme Drivers League is the New Zealand national sports organisation for the high-performance sport of long drive, whereby players compete to see which of them can hit a golf ball the farthest distance. Founded under the IGANZ company banner, the league has gone from strength-tostrength since its inception. Company Founder Olna Ford’s journey can be traced back to 2016, when she began hosting celebrity golf tournaments in order to aid struggling clubs. We have the pleasure of speaking with “The Entrepreneur Queen of Long Drive” Olna Ford, who provides more insight into the league and the business, with both areas serving to drive high performance sport on a worldwide stage. IGANZ aims to be a world-leading sports organisation, expanding the underrated sport of long drive to conquer international markets, in the process creating a new spectator sport that can be enjoyed by people around the world, through its world-class Xtreme Drivers League (XDL). Built on integrity and fair play, the company deals with a host of clients ranging from golfers and keen drivers to sponsors, likewise providing a vast selection of services, with drive training, event management, event organisation, and player management all being in amongst the offerings provided by Olna and her team of passionate experts. With a strong philosophy regarding client service, IGANZ strives to constantly exceed the needs of clientele across every aspect of the business, maintaining its pre-established high-standards and the positive energy that stems from the high performance environment in which the athletes and staff thrive. Much like the drivers on the XDL grid, IGANZ has a mindset that places emphasis on winning, and this ultimately drives Olna and the team forward in their collective mission to nurture success that will span continents. As XDL’s HQ is based in New Zealand, a country incredibly passionate about sport, the enthusiasm of the company’s staff is intrinsic, a very part of their culture and heritage. New Zealand is also famous for its lush country and quality exports, but the relatively remote location of the island means that there is often a lack of motivated investors or businesses willing to take on an investment opportunity such as the XDL, meaning that the team have to fight even harder to get noticed. The unbridled passion for sport and the zeal of New-Zealanders is sure to result in this goal being carried out to the final step, securing a worldwide audience for the product. None of this would be possible without the hard-working teams of both IGANZ and XDL, with Olna treasuring everybody who works for the company and the league as a “high-performing athlete”, to this end, achieving excellence in everything they set out to do,

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bolstered by an unparalleled work ethic. These same qualities and skills are sought out when new team members are recruited, with a love for the job and motivation being the two key elements most frequently found in the company’s highest performing staff. There are three particularly noteworthy areas that reinforce the scope of IGANZ and the XDL, cementing its offerings within the sport. The most famous of these is the New Zealand Long Blacks, initially spearheaded by Sam Jones, and otherwise known as “The Originals”. The Long Blacks were formed following the inaugural IGANZ National Long Drive Championship, which took place in 2017, and had the pleasure of having their logo launched on national sports television, much to the delight of the team and its fans. This team is a collection of the fastest and longest hitters the country and the sport have to offer, and they were announced to be taking on the Australian team in late 2017 at the first Trans-Tasman Clash, which took place at Stonecutters Ridge Golf course. The following year, the NZ Long Blacks created history on their home turf, winning the Trans-Tasman Clash at The Kinloch Club, claiming the Darren Wise Stingray trophy. After the competition faced a few years of delays due to bush fires and the global pandemic, New Zealand’s Long Blacks returned with a vengeance, and as a result, are the current back-to-back champions of the competition. It was December 2022 that saw the coveted competition return in full swing, taking place in Port Douglas at the Mirage Country Club. The atmosphere at the event was buzzing, and the New Zealand Long Blacks more than delivered, securing a third-consecutive win against the Australian Long Ballers, garnering the former yet another nomination for a Halberg trophy celebrating the team as best inclass. With a careful blend of skill and showmanship, the Long Blacks again made history in the sport that year and cemented themselves as the country’s premier team and an integral part of IGANZ and the XDL. The second of these key areas is the IGANZ Women brand, which is proudly diversifying the sport and helping to bring new eyes to the product, as well as increasing participation for women and girls everywhere through the role model behaviour of those athletes who compete and champion the cause. Two of the key women serving to celebrate and pioneer women’s long drive is Captain of Aussie Long Ballers, Emily Ashton and Captain of the New Zealand Long Black women’s team, Phillis Meti. In the same vein, the IGANZ Kids brand allows for children passionate about the sport to hone their craft early, hopefully affording them the necessary skills to one day compete in the men’s or women’s tournaments.

Since operations on the XDL commenced, the desire for global expansion has only grown stronger, and Olna has received recognition from sports authorities across the 8 countries that have played host to events, with each celebrating her commitment and investment to the sport. In 2020, long drive received formal recognition from the New Zealand Sports Minister, before XDL was proudly named as the first national sports organisation in the world for long drive at an amateur level, and the professional league was set up that too bares the XDL name. When two international competitors in one such tournament hit balls down the grid at record-breaking speeds and exceptionally long distances, attention was turned to these “big hitters” and long drive was catapulted back into New Zealand’s mainstream. Now, the Xtreme Drivers League is 36 events down and has been played host to by 8 countries, with the upcoming 2024 season set to take things to the next level. Over the next few years, the success of the league only continued to grow, with a player receiving a Queen’s Honour for being a top athlete in 2022 and a Halberg nomination earlier in 2023 for Team of the Year. XDL’s 2024 season is set to be the most exciting yet, thanks to the implementation of a new technology system that will hopefully take long drive participation and awareness to that all important next level. With all this to boot, Olna explains, “one could say that XDL is seeking to be the next big thing in the sport globally.” As well as being a pioneer of the sport, Olna is in possession of the intellectual property around the Xtreme Drivers League and embodies the passion for its expansion across the board, with these initiatives set to launch concurrently with the 2024 season. This plan will see XDL branding proudly displayed on everything to do with the sport, ranging from training zones and entertainment lounges to balls and drivers that grace the field in a competitive environment. Moreover, XDL’s DRIVE trailers aim to literally take the sport on the road, simultaneously boosting participation in the sport and heightening awareness of the brand through the use of these mobile and multi-use trailers. Furthermore, IGANZ consistently aims to do good in the community, with this ethos reinforced by a list of strategies focusing on giving back and simultaneously growing the sport. Following on from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic a few short years ago, Olna and the team have been determined to break through the struggles that lockdowns brought to the industry, and hype for the 2024 season is off the charts, with fans and players across the world counting down the days to the host of events that are being held across New Zealand and beyond.

January 2024

This worldwide initiative is key for expanding the business and developing the sport more widely, with the league being a key part of the long drive international federation, which too has the like-minded goal of growing XDL and the wider sport through worldwide markets. Another way that the company is hoping to achieve this growth is through XDL TV, an on-demand streaming service that will showcase all of the league’s quality happenings once it launches live to the public next February. With this system in-toe, Olna explains, “Xtreme Drivers League is set to entertain the masses and take the world’s best drivers to the tee”, promising an unmatched spectacle guaranteed to thrill. Golf clubs are a vital part of this experience for players and fans alike, and with qualifiers open for the national events that will comprise the XDL Tour Championships 2024 season, golf clubs that participate in events will be listed on the XDL website and acknowledged for their necessary and appreciated support in advancing the brand and the sport of long drive more broadly. Since the company is working with a host of international associations for the purposes of drawing more eyes to the product and promoting golf, working with stellar clubs is a key element to securing this growth strategy. XDL is also looking forward to the implementation of a global leaderboard and player contracts for the official 2024 season, which represents the unwavering commitment of the league to pave the way for the future of big drivers. Moreover, as a team of proud future-thinking experts in their respective field, the XDL crew are excited to announce their virtual training courses and competitions which are set to launch in January 2024, with these again designed to have the effect of expanding viewership figures, garnering sponsorships, and increasing participation on a global scale. Ultimately, the Xtreme Drivers League is a game-changer in the sports sector, one that possesses a keen drive to be an in-house brand leader and is taking steps to achieve this by holding firm its position at the forefront of cutting-edge endeavours to continue to revolutionise the sport. With Olna Ford once again at the helm, the team are looking forward to welcoming competitors and fans alike back to the grid in 2024, before continuing to expand across all avenues of the IGANZ business and further develop the league well into the future. Contact: Olna Ford Company: Xtreme Drivers League Web Address: https://xdlworldwide. com/

LONG DRIVE

Best Sporting League 2023 – New Zealand

GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

AUCKLAND

players and our volunteers with some great results from the home club.

Auckland Golf hosted both the men’s and women’s Champ of Champs

Auckland Golf hosted both the men’s and women’s Champ of Champs. played recently at Titirangi Golf Club. Testing conditions throughout the day for all

Both the men and women’s teams won their respective Rosebowls while Titirangi’s Hitomo Noshio won the women’s silver division beating Royal Auckland and Grange’s Rianne Li in a play-off hole. In the mens senior division Maungakiekie’s Josh Leitch had the best score on

both rounds to defend his 2022 title and win his 6th Champ of Champs.

WAIKATO Season Round Up of the 2023 Counties-Manukau Veterans Inter-Club

Covic Golf Season 2023 – Season Round Up The 2023 Counties-Manukau Veterans Inter-Club Community season wrapped up on the 5th December with the COVIC Championships. They were played at Waiuku Golf Club under the same threatening grey skies weather that seemed to plague the final months of the year. Across the final six events of the season, we suffered two severe weather postponements that in turn lead to a log-jam of events which severely affected some veterans’ participation. Eventually both our season long competitions were concluded before the Championships. In the final round of the 2023 COVIC Shield event, Hauraki prevailed after four close-

ly fought rounds especially with Onewhero and Clarks Beach. It was Hauraki’s consistent scoring that allowed them to keep their noses in front to claim the shield trophy. The 2023 COVIC Plate event was also closely fought, with Awhitu and the Covic Extras Team (winners over the previous two seasons) battling it out through into the final round. Once again, Awhitu’s consistent scoring over the last three rounds saw them claim the 2023 Plate, It is this small club’s first season long trophy win in the COVIC competition. In the COVIC Challenge Cup Matchplay battle, it was challenger Huntly-Waiterimu who prevailed over the host Hauraki club, to take home the gold cup until the 2024 season. They also won the VVV Pairs Combined Cup to start the 2023 season and will now defend it at the Waiterimu Golf Club on Monday 12th February 2024. Seventy players contested the season ending COVIC Club Strokeplay Championships, an individual event played in three handicap divisions on net. It was the absolutely brilliantly presented Waiuku course, that deserved to see no less than 20 players produce some golfing excellence, all scoring between net par to four under par scores. The major winners were: Division 1 (Gold medal): Dean Hancock (Pukekohe) playing off an 11 handicap shot a net 67, to beat Mark Potter (Waiuku), Paul Lamb (Waiuku) and Darren Old (Onewhero), all on 68. Division 2 (Silver medal): Jim Peacock (Onewhero) playing off a 15 handicap, scored a net 67 to beat

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January 2024

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Peter Wallace (Hauraki) also with a 67 net on count-back. Division 3 (Bronze medal): Bill Holt (Hauraki ) playing off a 25 handicap shot a net 68 to beat Mike Thompson (Onewhero) and Andre Ruiterman (Maramarua) on count back. Prize winners received gift vouchers donated by Craig Smith of the Franklin Golf Shop located at the Pukekohe Golf Club. The Ford Championship Jug and Salver trophy that is awarded to the club with the best three individual aggregate net scores, was eventually awarded to Onewhero; after no less than five scores for each of three clubs had to be compared on count back, in order to break a scoring deadlock. Onewhero had also won the postponed JJJ Ambrose Cup event played at Waikare Golf Club in October. If you are interested in playing COVIC golf in 2024, please talk with your Club Convenor (see our Facebook Page), or email COVIC Convenor Tim Howard .alhaurintim@yahoo.co.uk

Waikato Veteran Golfers

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Waikato Veterans Golfers 2023 Championship Winners From Left to right: Mark Reinsfield (JR Hill) - Graham Bowers Junior Men (Waikare) - Vitale Karameli Women’s (Cambridge) - Peter McCormack Senior Men (Remuera) - Murray Browne Intermediate Men’s A (Cambridge) - Richard Baker Intermediate Men’s B (Paeroa)- David De Veth (Ryman Health) Other winners at the Classic were Net Senior Men Dennis Williams (Te Aroha) Intermediate Men’s A Paul Van Praagh (Tieke) Intermediate Men’s B Denis Townsend (Waikare) Junior Men Tony Boyce (Waikare) Women Wendy Matutinovich (Waihi) Other winners at the Classic were Stableford Senior Men Allan Garrick (Waikare) Intermediate Men’s A Kerry Allen (M/ Bay) Intermediate Men’s B Graeme Hill (Te Aroha) Junior Men Alan Mitchell (Ngaruawahia) Women Raewyn Armstrong (Te Aroha) Kidnappers Team Winners Winning team was Kerry Allen - Robin Blake - Graham Bowers - Jan White Second placed team was Peter McCormack - Barry Burwell - David Brand - Keith Gutry Third placed team was Peter Morgan Michael Traill - Alan Mitchell - Wendy Matutinovich

Waikato golf - Men’s 2023 Champion of Champions

From all the team at Waikato Golf a big Congratulations to all our winners and to all the players that braved the rain and wind to represent their clubs at the 2023 Champions of Champions.

BAY OF PLENTY Pictured L/R: Stephen Sandford (Senior Gross winner), John Stevens (Intermediate Gross Winner), Team Winners - Graeme Laing, John Stevens and Ben Slaven. Not pictured Shane Thompson (Junior Gross Winner). All players were greeted with a damp and gloomy day for the first round and mother nature had her say with several downpours and a bit of wind to challenge the players. The afternoon round was delayed by 30 minutes due to flooded greens, but once they drained the players were back out on the course ready to do battle again. 2023 Champions of Champions Gross winners: Seniors - Stephen Sandford (Pirongia Golf Club) 73-71 Intermediates - John Stevens (Walton Golf Club) 78-84 Juniors - Shane Thompson (Stewart Alexander Golf Club) 85-87 Team Winners - Walton Golf Club, 492 Nett Winners: Intermediate - Cameron Rumney (Tirau Golf Club) Juniors - Graeme Laing (Walton Golf Club)

January 2024

Waihi Golf Club - Olympic power gives The Fox record boost

Waihi Olympian Dylan Schmidt provided the star turn and host Ryan Fox dusted off any cobwebs ahead of a massive 2024, as The Fox charity golf and fishing event provided a record boost to local coffers. Fox, New Zealand’s best golfer and fresh from an incredible 2023 season in which he rose to No 28 in the world, helped raise $66,000 for the Waihi Surf Lifesaving Club and the Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard. Enlisting fellow sporting celebrities, trampoline star Schmidt, rower Tom MacKintosh, rugby referee Ben O’Keefe, golfer Mark Brown and Fox Snr, former All Black Grant, he’s now raised $175,000 for the two charities over the four years the event - presented by Shimano Fishing New Zealand - has been running. Schmidt’s 13.5kg kingfish and 8-handicap golf swing was the key to helping his team - 24/7 Environmental, featuring Grant Hooker, Sam Dunlop, Andy Roach and Glenn Ross - to the overall title and he was delighted to help out.

“I’ve still got a lot of mates down here and the community still really supports me, so it’s really special to be able to come down and support two great local charities, who do so much for others,” 26-year-old Olympic bronze medalist Schmidt said. “I also like to recharge down here and my golf career started out here on the Waihi Golf Club course when I was pretty young - I used to come out after school on a Tuesday or Thursday for a lot of years before trampolining took over. After 2016, I watched Lydia Ko play and was determined to get back into golf - it’s such a great escape from the high pressure of sport.” Like Schmidt, Fox will be gearing up for the Paris Olympics after a extraordinary year which saw the 36-year-old make his debut at The Masters and win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, England — the DP World Tour’s showcase event, beating a field that included Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. He earned a full-time PGA Tour card for 2024 by finishing fifth on the DP World Tour but has already committed to coming back to Waihi Beach next summer to continue his association with the charity event which bears his name. “I play better when I’m enjoying golf and this event is a lot of fun,” Fox said. “I actually hit some good shots and I haven’t played golf in three weeks, since getting home with a bit of tennis elbow, so it’s nice to hit some balls again. Plus fishing is my happy place - I don’t think about anything else when I’m doing it and

that’s a nice place to be. It’s great to get the chance to relax because it’s going to be a pretty busy year next year.” Friday’s fishing day was tough on an immaculate Bay of Plenty day for many of the 20 teams but Schmidt’s kingfish his first, caught jigging - proved one of six landed, while O’Keefe’s team took the day’s honours. The weather gods also smiled on Saturday’s golf, where Fox, unsurprisingly, led the way in the long-drive competition and provided shots for every team on the par-3 eighth hole and the par-5 12th. Highlight’s from Saturday night’s charity auction included a cricket bat, signed by cricket immortal Don Bradman and New Zealand great Martin Crowe who both scored 299 in a test, which went for $9000. Event director, Sports Inc’s Kelsen Butler, was absolutely delighted with the support from teams and the local community. “We know a lot of people are doing it tough these days and that’s what makes our record charity total even more special,” Butler said. “This is exactly the time when amazing community organisations - like surf clubs and coastguards - need support most and it’s been a privilege to be able to help. And to lock Foxy in for next year - with the schedule he’ll have in 2024 - just shows how important this event is to him, and the character of the man.”

Leading New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox with his father, former All Black Grant, at his charity event, The Fox, at the Waihi Golf Club on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Leading New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox gets play underway with a shotgun start at his charity event, The Fox, at the Waihi Golf Club on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Olympic bronze medalist, Waihi’s Dylan Schmidt (right), lines up a putt with Waihi golfer Andy Roach at The Fox fishing and golfing charity event over the weekend. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Olympic bronze medalist, Waihi’s Dylan Schmidt, with his 13.5kg kingfish at The Fox fishing and golfing charity event over the weekend. Photo by Jamie Troughton/ Dscribe Media.

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January 2024

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Tauranga’s Christy Arundel with a 2.6kg snapper caught at The Fox fishing and golfing charity event over the weekend. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Leading New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox launches a big drive at his charity event, The Fox, at the Waihi Golf Club on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

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Tea ladies steal show at golf tournament

By Shaun Fay The inaugural Paradise Coast Golf Classic wrapped up on Sunday Afternoon with many cries of “Love it”, “We’ll

be back next year”. The tournament over three days and three different coursesTairua, Lakes Resort-Pauanui and Titoki, Whangamata had a mixed weather bag but that didn’t deter the determined golfers. The concept of the three courses appealed on lots of levels and their proximity to each other made getting to each one an easy task. There were minor daily prizes and of course some major prizes on Sunday. While a few women thought there should have been separate comps, it certainly didn’t stop them from taking out some of the big prizes. Organisers believe they got it about 90% right and will make some small changes for next year. One thing they won’t be changing though is the free morning tea put on both days by the ladies at Tairua. They really were the stars of the tournament. Next years tournament- put it in your dairy 29/11 to 1/12/24. Results from fifth to first. Gross: Owen Allison, Tieke. Jim Emslie, Whangamata. Axel Hansen, Te Aroha. Simon Birchall, Whitford Park, Bryan Graffis, Whangamata. Net: Anne Lash, Remuera. Daniel Morgan, Flexiclub. Pete Fullam, Hamilton. Suzy Springhall, Royal Auckland. Wayne Boberg, Royal Auckland. Stable: Marion Logan, Remuera. Juliet Johnson, Remuera. Gary Jenkins, Marton. Rob Henderson, Tairua. Judy Crawford, Whangamata.

January 2024

HAWKE’S BAY Hawkes Bay Golf - Greenwood Cup

The final weekend of the Greenwood Cup took place at Hawkes Bay Golf Club on November 18th and 19th. After the first weekend Onga Onga & Napier were the only undefeated teams looking to continue on their winning ways. Saturday saw the undefeated teams take on each other 1st up. Onga Onga came away with a crucial 5.5-4.5 win against Napier to put them clear favourites with 3 rounds remaining. Hastings bt Karamu 9.5-0.5, Maraenui bt Central HB 9-1 and Dannevirke bt hosts Hawkes Bay 6-4 to round out Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon saw Maraenui hand Napier a 2nd loss for the day 6.5-3.5 while Onga Onga continued to stay in the lead with another 7.5-2.5 win against Central HB. Dannevirke continued on their good form beating KAramu 8-2. Haastings meanwhile lost the battle of Bridge Pa to neighbours and hosts Hawkes Bay 5.54.5. The final day on Sunday saw teams needed Onga Onga to slip up to give them a slim chance of of catching them in the afternoon. This didn’t happen with Onga Onga beating Karamu 9.5-0.5 to build an unassailable lead atop the leaderboard with 1 round to go. Danne-

virke continued their great form beating Central HB 7-3. Hastings unfortunately lost another narrow tie to Napier 5.5-4.5. Maraenui also beat Hawkes Bay 8-2. This meant the final round in the afternoon was only for the minor places with Onga Onga sealing the Greenwood Cup for 2023 with their win in the morning. They were looking to go 7-7 but Dannevirke being determined to continue their form had a great battle to half the tie 5-5 to finish. Central HB also had a 5-5 against Karamu to finish. Napier finished strongly with a 7-3 win over Hawkes Bay and Hastings narrowly beat Maraenui 5.5-4.5 to finish off the weekend. Onga Onga were undefeated with 6 wins and 1 half to take the Greenwood Cup as well as the Radonich Salver for 2023. Mike Trass was the best performing player winning the Bretherton Buist trophy with 6.5 points earned out of 7.

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI Results from Rangitikei Golf Club

Wednesday 13th December - Competition Stableford: Michelle Mossop 39pts, Jason Bowles 38pts, Virginia Ryan 37pts, Neil Atkins 36pts, Lynne McDonald, Allan Robinson, Stew de Burgh, & Geoff Ingram 35pts, Dion Hawkins 34pts, Joe Ferrier & Roy Brider 33 pts, Pat McCarthy, Cynthia Luckham & Garry Edwards 32pts. Twos: Stew de Burgh, Garry Edwards & Ron Harris - 3rd, Kelin Burt - 12th, & Pat McCarthy - 16th. Lucky Draw: Ross Greener Saturday 16th December - Comp Stableford: Dan Scotson 37pts, Phil Wood & Geoff Ingram 36pts, Karen Yorke, Richard Holde & Joe Yorke 35pts, Ron Harris 34pts. Closest to Pin on 16th: Geoff Ingram Saturday 9th December - Competition Stableford: Liz Kinloch 37pts, Wendal Masters, Lynne

McDonald & Geoff Ingram 36pts. Cynthia Luckham & Rona Harris 35pts, John Luckham 34pts, Richard Holden 33pts, Joe Yorke, Bronwyn Ewens & Alan Wix 32pts, Karen Yorke & Michelle Mossop 31pts. Closest to Pin - 3rd: Karl Williams Men’s Ken Gatchell Best Stableford 1st Round - Geoff Ingram Ladies - Lynne McDonald Trophy - Best 1st Round Stableford: Liz Kinloch Mixed Players Dalrymple Plate - Winner; Lynne McDonald Runner Up; Dan Scotson Saturday 2nd December - Competition Stableford: Varina Mitchell 40pts, Tamati Anaru & Joseph Tapper 37pts, Clive Robinson 36pts, Dante Rubianes, Dan Scotson, Richard Holden & Joe Ferrier 35pts. Twos: Richard Holden Hole in One: Pat McCarthy - 16th. Wednesday 6th December - Competition Stableford: Richard Norton & Chris Duffy 38pts, Kelvin Burt, Dan Scotson, Lynne McDonald & Roy Brider 36pts, Ross Greener, Varina Mitchell, Pete Masters & Stew de Burgh 35pts, Jason Bowles & Bob Pittaway 34pts, Martin Field, Karen Yorke, Joe Yorke & Pat Pearce 33pts. Twos: Kelvin Burt 16th Lucky Draw: Simon Mitchell Saturday 25th November - Xmas Cheer: Major Sponsor - John Turkington Forestry. Men’s Div 1: Best Gross: Hamish Sweetman - 75 [Otaki] Best Nett: Mark Spackman - nett 67

January 2024

[Hawkestone] Best Stableford: Manny Dreliozis 39pts [Rangitikei] Men’s Div 2: Best Gross: Mike Hill - 87 - by lot [Rangitikei] Best Nett: Kenny Boyle nett 70 [Rangitikei] Best Stableford: Graham Marshall 35pts [Marton] Men’s Div 3: Best Gross; John Morison - 89 [Otaki] Best Net: Trevor Schroder net 71 - by lot [ Feilding] Best Stableford: Willy Doughty 37pts [Rangitikei] Ladies Division: Best Gross: Caroline Watson - 83 [Marton] Best Net: Vicki Morgan net 68 [Foxton] Best Stableford: Jessica Waterhouse 39pts [Hawkestone] Closest to Pins on all Par 3’s - sponsored by HBS Surveyors. No 3: Chris Duffy - Rangitikei, No 5: Russell Kane - Feilding No 12: Ian Harvey - Rangitikei, No 16: Adrian Burns - Levin Inc Twos: Rob Anderson, Royce Symons, Greg Baker & Chris Duffy - 3rd, Campbell Scott, - 5th, Bronwyn Ewens, Manny Dreliozis, & Peter Thompson -12th, Adrian Burns & Steven Lochhead 16th. Thanks again to all our sponsors for making this event a great success; John Turkington Forestry, HBS Surveyors - Seb Baker, Bulls 4 Square - Tarnea & Brian Leslie, and Wendal & Pete Masters Wednesday 15th Nov - Comp Stableford:

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Ron Harris & Karen Yorke 37pts, Mathew Aitkin & Lynne McDonald 35pts, Neil Atkins, Kevin Taylor, Ross Greener, Cynthia Luckham & Pat McCarthy 34pts, Geoff Ingram 33pts, Chris Duffy, Dan Scotson & Virginia Ryan 32pts. Twos: Jullian Elliott - 3rd

CANTERBURY Canterbury Golf - 2023 Pollock Cup Final

Pictured above, left to right: Ann Glading (Manager), Lyn Robertson, Pam Chapman, Deanna Matthews, Zaria Bourne, Angela Gerken and Aroha Minhinnick. (Absent Fetoni Humm) The 2023 Pollock Cup Final was played at Clearwater Golf Club recently with the top seeds from the regular season Waimairi Beach taking on 2nd seed Christchurch Golf Club. The beachside club Waimairi had enjoyed a very strong season with a team containing a good blend of top young players such as Aroha Minhinnick, Zaria Bourne, and Deanna Matthews alongside experienced heads such as Angela Gerken and Lyn Robertson and Fetoni

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Humm which served them well throughout the regular season where they went 5 from 5 before overcoming Russley in a tight fixture in the semi’s. Hopes were high then for the team looking to secure their first Pollock Cup title since 2011. Christchurch meanwhile were looking to defend their title and complete the threepeat after wins in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. They too boasted a strong and experienced lineup with the likes of Monica Tulisi, Catherine Palmer, and Mel Newburn in the lineup, a big loss on the day however was Canterbury Representative Olive Tapu who was away representing Samoa in the Pacific Games tournament in the Solomon Islands. The final itself played out as expected with many tight matches throughout the lineups. The contest at the bottom of the order was the widest of margins with Lyn Roberston getting Waimairi Beach off to the perfect start overcoming Ina Lee-Hall 7/6 in a dominant performance backing up her joint Merle Barley salver effort during the season. The battle of the players playing in the 5th spot was a far tighter contest, one in which Rachel Cox of Christchurch and Pam Chapman of Waimairi were unable to be separated halving their contest. Next up Waimairi youngster Zaria Bourne who has made her Canterbury women’s senior debut this season took on the experienced Mel Newburn. That match again went the full distance, but it was Bourne who managed to triumph on the last winning 1up. Next up it was Aorangi Women’s team representative

Angela Gerken facing Nicola Webb in the battle of the threes, following a similar theme this match again went very close to going the distance finishing on the 17th where Gerken was able to prevail 2/1 giving Waimairi a further point. The second to last match saw former Canterbury captain Catherine Palmer, who had just won the Women’s Champion of Champion title just 2 weeks earlier take on the other joint Merle Barley salver winner Deanna Matthews. The two quality players could not be separated with the match finishing on the 18th A/S. Finally, it was the battle of the ones with Christchurch’s Monica Tulisi and Waimairi’s Aroha Minhinnick facing off. It was the current Canterbury representative Minhinnick who rounded off a great day for the seaside club winning 2/1 to round out a 5-1 team victory for Waimairi Beach. A final score that sounds a lot wider than the reality given the closeness of many of the games, but a strong victory nonetheless.

Canterbury Golf Women’s Ringers Tournament

January 2024

The Canterbury Golf Women’s Ringers Tournament was held at McLeans Island Golf Club played recently in fine, warm conditions with the course in great order. Fiona Nicholls (left) and Denise Curry from Harewood were the 18 Hole Ringers Champions with a combined stableford points total of 75, while Jocelyn Chambers from Greendale took out the 9 Hole Ringers competition with 22 points. Apart from Fiona and Denise’s combined total of 75 points being five points clear of their opponents, scoring was very close across both competitions with multiple countbacks required to decide final placings. 18 Hole Ringers 1st - Fiona Nicholls & Denise Curry (Harewood), 75 Pts 2nd - Erin Mulholland & Michelle Fletcher (Hawarden) 70 Pts on countback 3rd - Jodie Monk & Jane Helmore (Hororata), 70 Pts on countback 9 Hole Ringers 1st - Jocelyn Chambers (Greendale), 22 Pts 2nd - Christine Lake (Russley), 21 Pts 3rd - Melanie Sanders (Waitikiri), 19 Pts on countback

Waimairi Beach Gain Promotion to Woodward Cup

The winning Waimairi Beach team from left are Taylor Reid, Chadol Han, Lachie Mackay, Ollie Partridge, Craig Prior (Manager), Ash Watts, Ben Williamson, Fraser Mearns and Marcel Boet. The Woodward Cup Promotion / Relegation match between the highest placed Blank Cup club without a team in Woodward Cup and the team that finished last in Woodward Cup this year faced-off at Russley Golf Club yesterday. In very warm conditions and the course in great order the stakes were high for the winner, with Avondale and Waimairi Beach competing for the opportunity to play in the 2024 Woodward Cup Interclub competition. The match was reasonably tight for most of the game, being 4 all after 14 holes, but a stronger finish from Waimairi Beach saw them gain the upper hand over the Avondale Woodward Cup side to win 6-2 and make Waimairi Beach’s third attempt for promotion to Woodward Cup a lucky one, allowing them to take their place in the 2024 Woodward Cup competition since 2016. Marcel Boet halved with Hayden Burns; Lachie Mackay bt Tim Graham 4/3; Taylor Reid halved with Mac Mitchell; Fraser Mearns lost to Teariki Tangiiti 4/3; Ash Watts bt Richard Sinclair 3/1; Ben Williamson bt Louis Edwards 4/3; Chadol Han bt Daniel Vesty 2/1; Ollie Partridge bt Etienne Collier 1 up. As a result of this year’s competitions winners, Bottle Lake also gained promotion to Blank Cup after winning the Simon Cup and Weedons gained promotion to

Simon Cup after winning the Thompson/ MacDonald Cup.

OTAGO/SOUTHLAND Invercargill Golf Club have defended their MLT Presidents Pennant title

Invercargill Golf Club have defended their MLT Presidents Pennant title with a win for the ages played recently at Gore Golf Club.

The Otatara team, who snuck into this year’s final on the back of other results going their way in the final round, capitalised on fielding an experienced lineup in the final against the previously unbeaten Greenacres side. The defending champions, playing in near-perfect conditions, gained the upper hand early in what would always be a tight tussle going through the turn with 4.5 games on their side of the ledger. Greenacres had other ideas and showed the fight that sat them on top of the standings during pool play. Daniel Mills was dormy four down but made Mark Horgan (Invercargill) sweat a little, winning the 15th and 16th holes before eventually succumbing on the tricky par three 17th. Greenacres captain Chris Sherlock put his team on the board, saving par on the last to win one up against

Daniel O’Connor and set the scene for the remaining matches that all went down the final hole at Gore Golf Club. Invercargill teenager Jacob Boniface stole a vital half for his team, making a good up and down on the 18th to save par, and when Brett Dobbie’s short downhill putt shaved the hole, the honours were even. GA’s Kyle Dobbie and Invercargill’s Scott Ramsay were all square playing the last, but when Ramsays’ second shot caught a flyer and finished long off the green, the advantage sat with Dobbie. Both players failed to get up and down, and then Ramsay’s four-footer agonisingly rolled by the hole, giving the edge to Greenacres with only two matches left on the course. Standing on the final tee box, Bryan Cantley (Greenacres) and Brad Harper were all square, while Liam Balneaves (Invercargill) had just moved to a one-up advantage over Tegan Proudfoot after winning the 17th. Harper was the first to flinch, hitting a low and left tee shot that found the long grass, leaving plenty of work on the challenging 364m par 4. He threw caution to the wind, hitting a superb three-wood just short of the green to put the pressure back onto Cantley. After being well positioned in the middle of the fairway, Cantley obliged, calmly placing his second shot about ten feet under the hole. Harper had to make up and down to keep his side in the match, which looked less likely when his chip shot came up five feet short. Cantley then had the chance to secure the victory and was walking in his putt, only for it to stop

January 2024

millimetres from the front of the hole. Meanwhile, Proudfoot, needing a birdie to force Balneaves to putt from close range, could only manage a par, handing another win to Invercargill, effectively putting it down to Harpers’ five-footer to save par and his match against Cantley in which he calmly slotted home to force the tie and send the number one players back down eighteen for a sudden death playoff. Balneaves found the fairway off the tee, and when Proudfoot pulled his drive deep into the trees left of the fairway, it looked all but over for the Green machine. Balneaves played first, keeping the pressure on hitting the green in regulation, before Proudfoot opted for safety, punching out then landing a short iron to pin high, about ten feet from the hole. Balneaves was first to putt and rolled it to the gimme range, meaning Proudfoot had to make his put to keep the game alive. His putt eventually lipped out on the low side of the cup, handing the playoff to Balneaves and his Invercargill side, who claimed their sixth MLT President Pennants banner in as many years. Queens Park finished the series in third place with a convincing 5.5 - 0.5 margin over Mataura, which was made all the more memorable when Southland Masters’ representative Ngarimu Paraki aced the 149m par three 17th. Wins for Nathan Miller, Dale Owen, Mark Doggett, Tim McKay and Paraki sealed the victory for ‘The Park’ while Tyler McLean fought back to secure a half against Matt Crawford, posting the lone result for an understrength Mataura team.

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