Despite some flash flooding on Monday, the course has dried out considerably over the past couple of weeks of little rain, accentuated by prevailing winds which were meant to come in November/December and be over by now. Unfortunately more wind is forecast for this weekend.

This Weekend’s Events

Still in holiday mode, with a long weekend to round it off. However, both the men’s and women’s Shootout qualification rounds start this weekend. For men, a minimum of 15 rounds over the year at $2 each are required to qualify for the end of year shootout. For women, only 12 rounds are required to qualify, and entrants are required to pay $25.

The clubhouse will be open on Monday for those wishing to come out and play on Wellington Anniversary Day.

The following weekend the club program kicks off in earnest, with the first round of interclub for both men and 18 hole women, and for non interclub men, the first round of the Autumn Cup.

Course Closed next Thursday for Wellington Men’s Vets

Next Thursday 24^th January the club will be hosting the first outing of the year for the Wellington men’s veterans. Tee off will be at 10am via a shotgun start which will necessitate closing the course for other play until mid afternoon. The Wellington men’s veterans group play on average every fortnight, usually on a Monday, rotating around the various courses in the greater Wellington area. It is open to all male golfers 50 and over and costs only $20pa to join, and then $25 per outing for green fee, prizes and light lunch. Ian Bates is the convenor of the Karori members, so if you haven’t participated before and would like to join up and play in these events, please contact him: ianjulie@xtra.co.nz

Pylon Almost Painted

The painters have been busy this week painting the pylon next to the 17^th green after having done all the prep work last week. Fortunately they haven’t precluded us from having the back 9 open this week

Men’s Wednesday Club

The first par competition of the year has begun with 30 participants and 2 guests: Jeff Haigh of Titahi Bay and Rob Ashby of Mornington. Even though the top scores were not spectacular there were enough players achieving below their personal handicaps, so, it was a good start for the year. The winner was Dick Adam who had just returned from a long holiday with +3, the runner up was with the same score: Fergus McLean. Don McCrone and Steve Robinson shared the 3rd runner up. Balls were distributed down to plus 1 including Victor Diem.

There were many Twos: Ian Bates, Chris Pearce, Saint Kennach and Martin Leung. Despite his good efforts on hole 13, Ian scored the Bunny Prize, got his balls back after he had donated a dozen balls to the club. For Chris, he hit the ball so well, it was within a foot of the pin on hole no. 2, a near miss for a hole in one.

For raffle winners, Jeff Haigh the former KGC member, as a guest won the top prize but donated it back to the club, we are grateful for his kindness.

Since I will be away in Vietnam, Patrick Cordue will look after the Wednesday club's affairs. For anything to discuss, please write to him at plc@isl-solutions.co.nz

Regards, Victor

Women’s Tuesday Club

With strong winds forecast, only a few 9 holers ventured out on Tuesday, with those postponing to Thursday proving to have made the right call, given how pleasant it was yesterday.

Next Tuesday is the Tuesday Club's "official" Opening Day to which all interested players are invited. If you haven't participated before, contact Lindsey Pickering for details: lindseypickering16@gmail.com

Team Yip Twilight Golf

In the absence of the scribe for the season, daring to take a holiday during his apprenticeship, the results of this week's Twilight golf are as follows: first equal on 23 points - Tim Rivers; Richard 'YIP' Reith; Graeme Hoy. Second place went to Peter Howman with 22 points and third equal with 20 points to Brigitte Boenisch-Bredndich; Adrian Porter; Rolf Bredndich; Peter Nicholls; Dick Borgdoff. Welcome to Peter Howman and Milo Faletolu as new Twilighters. Incidents to report: Marge's trolley rendered itself uncontrollable near the 7th green and meandered towards the 5th creek, saved by her 'just in time' support crew! Just saying, the weather for golf was sublime and the company eclectically awesome....

Wayne

New Rules

Hopefully everyone is getting familiar with the new rules. As previously advised, the Committee has not yet met to agree the recommended new rule regarding the alternative to stroke and distance for lost or out of bounds balls. With this Monday being a public holiday we are not due to meet until the following Monday – ie January 28^th. Similarly, we havent yet made any changes or additions to our hazards, which no longer need to be only water hazards, and are now called "Penalty Areas". In the meantime, here is a link to a video explaining how to take relief from Penalty Areas.

Penalty Relief Options

Happy golfing, play safely,

Your KGC Committee