Just when we think the course is drying out, along comes the rain again. Despite this, our course is in remarkably good condition, thanks to the sterling efforts of our green keepers. Carts will be allowed this weekend, but for members only – ie no hire carts. As always, take care on the slopes and try to avoid the usual boggy areas.
This weekend’s Events
Tomorrow, our women’s Saturday Club will be playing LGU7 plus it will also be the qualifying round for their Club Championships, with the Kings Cup up for grabs. Later in the morning it is the second round (first and only for Junior B division) of the Stroke Play championships for men which along with the first round results will also determine qualification and seedings for the match play rounds that start next weekend. The first round of the Stroke Play championships for Senior, Intermediate and Junior divisions was played last Saturday and despite the course being in good condition, scoring proved difficult, with only 3 seniors breaking 80, only 3 intermediates breaking 90, and only 3 Juniors breaking 100. As a result, everyone is probably still in contention – best of luck to all players. Please note that there has been a slight change to the draw, as a result of some withdrawals, affecting the last few groups. A revised draw will be emailed later this afternoon.
Also tomorrow is Monthly Medal for men. This doubles as a shop scramble and is open to all players, for an entry fee of $5. It is a best nett competition played in 2 divisions, with the lower handicappers off the blue tees and the higher handicappers off the white tees. Winners of each division will be eligible to compete for the Top Dog trophy at the end of the year. Club Championship entrants can enter, with their stroke play score also determining their nett score – just remember to tick this option as will as the club champs option when printing out your score card, plus pay the $5.
Similarly, club championship entrants can also count their round as a shoot out round by also selecting this option when printing out their scorecard, and paying the $2 fee. Note that you cant use your match play rounds as counters for a shoot out round so this may be your last chance for a while to submit a round towards the 15 that you need to qualify for the end of year Top Gun shoot out.
Men’s Bathroom Update
There is still some final plumbing and tiling to be completed, including the junior urinal so please do not use that one. Also, please do not use the showers as these need adjusting.
Wednesday Club
Wednesday Club Results for 6 September:
The heavy rain earlier in the morning cleared to a warm, sunny afternoon but as the results of the 18 hole Par competition showed, scoring was quite difficult. Keith Gaskin and David Ainsworth (who incidentally played together) handled the conditions best with scores of "+1", with Keith winning first prize on countback: Gerd Warnke found the conditions most trying, to take the consolation prize. Of the other 20 players, those with scores of -2 or better also won prizes whilst 6 nine holers followed to enjoy their walk in the sun together with the toasted sandwiches and coffee that followed. Nobody was able to get closer to the pin on the 4th hole than Don McCrone but he was unlucky with his putt so paid the usual penalty for not scoring a two. There was only one two scored all day, by Mike Cox on the 6th hole. Don's luck changed with the raffle, drawing first prize (No 1) with the other two lucky winners Fergus McLean (12) and Ian Colligan (36).
OTERANGA TROPHY Wednesday 20th September. This is a drawn pairs, 18 hole, aggregate par competition which will be played on Wednesday 20th September. Pairings will be decided by the DISC DRAW, WHICH WILL BE DONE AT THE EARLIER TIME OF 10.50am. This is one of the competitions transferred from week-end play and all men members are welcome to join us and participate.
Harcourts Twilight
The days are getting longer and daylight saving is only a couple of weeks away. We will be running Twilight golf again this summer, sponsored by Harcourts, beginning on Thursday 5th October. It’s a great opportunity to utilise the extra daylight hours to play 9 holes of social golf with a competitive but fun edge, followed by a barbecue back in the club house, all for only $15. Non members are also welcome, for whom the cost is $20. Start blocking out Thursday evenings from 5th October now, and let your non member friends also know.
NZIS Tournament
The NZ Institute of Sport students will again be holding an ambrose tournament this Spring as part of their course studies, on Friday 27th October. As with previous years, the entry fee will be $25 for club members and $40 for non members. Lock this date into your diaries now, and start thinking about forming your teams.
50th Anniversary Feb/March 2018
Continuing the history of our club, as part of the build up to the 50th anniversary of the current club:
Although the course was first opened for play in March 1970 the official opening was not held until 27 March 1971 after the completion of the club house. The original homestead on the property, having been built over 100 years earlier on what is now our car park, and having doubled for a while as licensed premises for the miners searching for gold in the area (and hence its name as the Miners Arms, and now the name of the men’s pairs trophy played for over summer) was in a dilapidated condition and would eventually be pulled down, despite the opposition of the Karori Historic Society.
A new building was therefore commissioned, designed by then club member and architect Howard Stacy who provided his services without charge. Upon its completion the course was officially opened by the Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Karori John Marshall who took the first drive off the first tee along with the club president Ted Harcourt (who the lake on the 15th is named after). Ted reported that the committee had met 90 times (not counting sub committee meetings and on site discussions) since the club’s inauguration in 1968 and the official opening in 1971.
Sponsor Speak
The second hole is one of our many signature holes, given the prominence of the tree in the middle of the fairway which has been there from before the course was created, as this 1968 photo of the hole's construction shows.
Somewhat perversely, many men believe it is actually easier off the blue tees than off the whites, given the clear view of the green from up top. It is sponsored by Jarvis & Lowndes Electrical Ltd, who are both commercial and residential electrical specialists and who operate a 24 hour emergency service. Click here to go direct to their website:
Jarvis & Lowndes
Happy golfing, play safely,
Your KGC Committee