As predicted in last week’s Friday Flash a cold front arrived the middle of this week, putting paid to the golfing aspirations of many of our midweek regulars. It’s not looking too good for tomorrow either but an improvement is on its way so let’s hope it arrives earlier than currently predicted.
This Weekend’s Events
Tomorrow our women’s Saturday Club are playing ISTAS. On Sunday it is the final of the men’s pairs Bertram Cup. Congratulations to Gary Clarke & Boyd Kenna and Wayne Cook & Erich Bucher who have made it to the final - Best of luck to both pairs.
Rigarlsford and Argentina Tournaments
As advised by separate email we have had to postpone the Argentina Tournament back to August and so have brought forward the Ken and Rose Rigarlsford tournament to next Saturday – ie July 13th. The Rigarsford Tournament is a mixed member event with both male and female members playing together but for separate trophies – the men for the Ken Rigarlsford cup and the women for the Rose Rigarlsford cup. With it being the day before Bastille Day we will give the event a French flavour like we did last year, with French themed catering and prizes after play. Tee off will be by a shotgun start at 9.06, close to the usual starting times for the women’s Saturday Club but allowing our very early Saturday morning regulars who do not wish to play in the event to clear the front nine. An entry sheet is on the notice board in the downstairs foyer, or ring/email the club.
Canadian Foursomes Last Monday
Last Monday, being 1st July and Canada Day, 16 members enjoyed pancakes and maple syrup served up by our resident Canadian Doug Calhoun, prior to forming pairs to compete in a Canadian foursomes mini tournament, with cans of Canadian Dry at stake for the winners. To make it even more in theme, players had to tee off on the first hole with an ice hockey stick, where anything past the yellow tees was a good shot.
Pancakes in the Clubhouse (Chef Doug in national colours holding the ice hockey stick):
Doug driving off with the ice hockey stick:
Women’s Tuesday Club
Once again the 9 hole midweek ladies had a fine but cool morning for their Medley competition which this week was a stableford. The winner on 19 stablefords was Lindsey Pickering, 2nd was Connie Lee on 18 points and 3rd equal were Hilary Holm and Trish Titcombe, both with 17 stablefords. Delicious home made tomato soup and cheese scones were provided by Anita afterwards.
Men’s Wednesday Club
A dubious forecast was well heeded by most of the Wednesday Club regulars with only 6 turning up to play in the Par competition, and only half of them appearing to have completed their round. Despite the inclement weather, Nobby still managed to score +3. Hopefully the weather will be better next week when we will be competing for the Jose Ribeiro cup to bid farewell to Jose and his family who will shortly be transferred to another diplomatic post after 4 years in NZ.
Hire Carts
We currently have 3 carts available for hire by members or visitors, although one of them, Cart 42, is permanently booked by its owners on Friday and Saturday mornings. Their cost to hire is $25 for members ($30 for visitors) but need to be booked in advance. If you haven’t booked one but wish to use a cart when you come out, you need to check with the shop staff whether one is available. Just because a cart may be in the shed, it doesn’t mean it is available as it may be booked for later in the day. If you do hire a cart, you need to sign the hire cart form in the shop, and you must adhere to the instructions for each hole that are on the windscreens of each cart.
Course Upkeep
Our current soft ground conditions mean that divots are easily taken when playing fairway shots and balls landing on the greens will create an indent. Please repair both by replacing divots, or filling it with sand, and by using a pitch mark repair tool for repairing indents on the green. If you don’t have one, ask the shop staff for a free one. The correct way to repair a pitch mark is as follows:
Also, if you come out early morning and find the course is covered in frost, please don’t putt out on our greens as standing on them can kill the grass. If it is a week day and the frost heavy, Matt will put out a sign on the first tee, advising that the course is closed until a time later in the morning – please dont disobey this sign. If there is no sign, but still a frost – eg on a weekend day – please make the call yourself to wait until the frost has cleared. If you do come across a green still covered in frost after you have decided to play, simply pick up your ball off the green, rather than putting it out, and give yourself how many shots you think it would have taken you to putt out.
New Front Gate Sign
We have replaced our front gate sign, which was starting to look a bit shabby, with a very smart new one. Well done to Speedy Signs, sponsors of hole 14, for making and installing this sign.
Long Live Golf
Did you know that research shows that golfers on average live 5 years longer than non golfers. Playing 18 holes of golf is roughly equivalent to 12,000 steps, burning 2,000 calories, a 5-6km run and completing a 45 minute fitness class! Playing a round of golf can also reduce stress levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also increase self-esteem, self-worth and self-confidence. For more information visit https://www.lovegolf.co.nz/health-benefits-of-golf
Happy golfing, play safely,
Your KGC Committee