Karori Golf Club has innovated by including women members in our competition setup and Sunday 20 September was a great advertisement for this innovation.

 

The final of the Westward Ho Trophy was played between two of Karori's stalwarts, Grant Pollard (Captain of the Karori Div 4 Inter Club Team this past season) and Gail Kirkland (A member of the Div 12 Inter CLub Team - mixing and winning against the men from other clubs).

 

The pity of the match is that there had to be a winner and it is fair to say that Grant Pollard prevailed winning one up at the 18th hole.

 

Gail describes the match like this: "Grant and I had a great match, chasing each other all the time and ... Grant won '1 up' on the eighteenth. I really enjoyed the challenge and it was a fun final for both of us!! (sic)"

 

This goes to show that in golf the handicap system works to allow us all to play as equals.  Well done to both golfers for a wonderful conclusion to this trophy event.  Congratulations to Grant on a fine win.

 

We now head in to our club championships and once again we are encouraging any of our women members who wish to do so, to enter these.  Competition will be on the same conditions as for the men an it does mean that the White tees will be used.  I don't think any of our women golfers have handicaps that would qualify them for Senior or intermediate divisions.  I hope that some of our women may take up the challenge.

 

I have more to say about the club champs later on but a reminder even at this early juncture that entries close 4pm on Thursday 31 August.

 

Now, on we go.

 

 

What a pleasure it was seeing the club house full on Saturday afternoon as we finished the golf literally just moments before the rain arrived.

 

It was true that conditions were testing (heavy rain overnight made the course slow and heavy) and this was reflected in the scoring.

 

Sixty golfers arrived, plates in hand (what a great spread) for a convivial pot luck morning tea prior to tee time and Rose hit the ceremonial first tee shot at 10am at the first hole.

 

Ken and Rose set the event up to encourage greater interaction between the club's men and women.  It was reflected in this year's field with a quarter of the field being women.  This is a great response.

 

Thank you to Rose and Ken for their foresight in setting up this event, Rose for her generous contribution to the prizes, Gail Kirkland for organising and running the raffle, Robyn for the heavy lifting and organisation of the event and Tim Richards for sponsoring closest to the pins on the 2nd, 6th and 13th holes. 

 

On a day like this results don't matter.  It is the camaraderie that counts but for the record the results look like this:

Womens winner - Eun Lee (35) from Gail Kirkland and Lauren Robey.

Visitors winner - Peter Withers

Mens Winner - (One of our senior citizens) Dereck Fitzgibbon (36) on count back from Matthew Roche and Peter Roberts.

 

The raffle raised just shy of $500 dollars all of which is going to partially fund the purchase of the new greens mower.

 

At the conclusion of the results and the thanking of various people the club house rose and gave Robyn a standing ovation for her contribution to our club over the last eight months. She will be missed!

 

It was a great day enjoyed by all. 

 

 

A few hardy souls turned up for Sunday Club which saw Matt Sheppard on 36pts prevailing from four outhers on 35, Kevin Kane, Jon Lyall, Steve Witkowski and Philip Apperley.

 

I think we are all hoping for better weather soon.....

 

 

Our 18 hole women golfers are playing Medley 15, ISTAS and our 9 holers are playing a Stableford. Let's hope the weather behaves itself.

 

Be at the clubhouse by 10.15 to go in to the disc draw for the 10.30am tee off.

 

$5 entry covers entry to the competition of the day and buys a raffle.  The Wednesday Competition is running an additional raffle as a fund raiser to support the club's facilities.  You may enter this as well if you wish.

 

This is a great way to get to know other club members and everyone who is available to play on a Wednesday is invited to join in.  It seems to be tailor made for our more senior members, university students (who don't have lectures on), those who are having a mental health day, and any others who have time on their hands and are looking for a healthy pursuit for the day.

 

Come along and join in. 

 

Shirties, Matts Mob and Gaskies support Sunday Club.

Come along and join any of these groups who will make you most welcome.  If you are at a loose end looking for a game be at the picnic table by 8.45am for the card draw.  Tee off is 9.06am. 

Again this is a great way of meeting other golfers in the club and enjoying the challenges and fun of golf.  A pint or two in the club house afterwards followed by the traditional 'lies' make for a fun day.

 

Congratulations to those presented with their medal on Saturday during the prize giving; May - Perry Florance nett 64, June - Marcus Henry nett 63. Shane Redmond we will present your medal next time you are at a club event but to record it , July - nett 63.

 

 

 

Heavy rain overnight on Saturday 19 caused the bank on the 16th hole to be eroded away.  TK will be roping the area off but generally please take care when approaching this part of the "penalty area" on the 16th.  It could collapse with catastrophic results.

 

 

Club Championships Qualifying – Stroke Play 3^rd and 10^th September:

To enter the club championships please click on this link: Event registration - Karori Golf Club (hold down the Ctrl button and click link)

Entries close at 4pm on THURSDAY 31^st August.

I will be sending out further reminders to people who have yet to enter.  I t would be good to fill the field.  Entries are coming in and at present we have just shy of 40 golfers entered.

A reminder that apart from the club underwriting the competition that Gipps Street Deli have made a generous donation to the prize pool.  Please support them for all your delectable delights as a thank you for supporting our club.

I was asked about what happens to the regular Sunday fields during the club championships qualifying. 

Depending on entries these will be recessed for a fortnight to allow the course to be available exclusively for the club champs.  If it is possible to provide a few tee slots we will do so but club champs will be catered for as a first priority.

I am looking to use two starting tees, 1 & 10 so that it is possible to have all golfers playing as close to the same time as possible which will also lead to more chatter around the club house at the conclusion of the days play.

6. President's Appeal - Greens Mower

As of Saturday (prior to the raffles and the like) the contributions from the President's Appeal stood at just under $9,000 from 27 members.Every little bit helps so if you can assist in funding the purchase of this important piece of equipment you may still do so.

The club is a registered charity so any donation made towards the mower may attract a tax deduction for the donor. The best way to donate is by direct credit into the club’s bank account: ANZ Bank 06-0501-0432338-00. Please note your donation as greens mower in the reference field.

A big thank you too for those who have been so generous.

And that's a wrap.

I always think I might have forgotten something when I sign off, but if I have it will be picked up later.

Enjoy your golfing wek.

Mark Peck

Club Captain

 

 

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