Another week where the conditions have been challenging and the course accordingly very wet underfoot.

 

You all will have noticed that a temporary green is being constructed at 'old man's corner' on the 16th hole.  If this is necessary to put into play it will be a very long par three.  Coupled with that it is very likely at the same time for the 17th to be shortened with ropes taking foot traffic away from the wet areas.

 

Playing temporary holes will be better than closing the holes completely and will also take the pressure of staff to keep sodden surfaces cut, an impossibility actually.

 

Our staff are coping with mix and match equipment at the moment so I am very pleased with what they have been able to achieve with stuff that is less than fit for purpose.  There are a number of reasons why our equipment has deteriorated to the point that it has but it does not diminish the fact that as a club we need to ensure that those who work for us are provided with the tools they need to do the job. 

 

Replacing equipment that is at the end of its useful life is never easy and it seems to me that as in many organisations similar to our own it is tempting to put off the evil day.  Eventually the evil day does arrive. Planning for obsolence is a discipline many volunteer committees forget about entirely. 

 

The cost of a new greens mower is the sharp end of $80k or to put it in to perspective 40% of our membership revenue for a financial year.  If that was all the club had to spend it's money on maybe that would not be so bad but even without this capital expenditure the club spends 100% of it's membership fees on the golf course (equipment and staff).  All other expensed are met essentially out of green fees and members contributions by way of purchases through our shop.

 

One way of defraying the cost on existing members is to increase membership.  We could easily stand another hundred members or so.  There is however the classic scenario that the course will attract new members and the first thing anyone looking at joining a golf club wants to know is what the state of the course is.  Our challenge then is to keep the course in best condition at all times.  We will be looking to have a membership drive in the spring.  Keep watching.

 

The wet weather may in fact be a blessing in disguise.  What has become very evident is the areas of the course that need drainage.  One of our members is working with Robyn and the committee on a plan to deal with this as soon as we get some dry weather.  Once again there is a cost to course maintenance but the words of Keith Gaskin are ringing in my ears, "the most important thing the club needs right now is drainage".  I heard you Keith and we are working on it.

 

That's a lot by way of background but there is a need to occasionally outline it like it is in order that members are clear of the issues we face when decisions are made. 

 

Finally, on this volunteering is a good way to contribute to the club.  Anything that our volunteers can do to assist our staff is worth its weight in gold.  Lots of the tidy up work around the course, cutting of fairways and surrounds, removal of fallen trees, weed clearing around trees and paths, sanding and seeding of tees and fairways and greens are jobs which volunteers have and are doing right now.  This Thursday a number of our members will be doing a blitz on cleaning up divots on our tees and greens with sand and seed.  We can still use more volunteers so if yo can help from about 10am onwards on Thursday please let Robyn know (clubhouse@karorigolf.co.nz) or call her (04) 476 7337.

 

So, on to other things to report.

 

 

A total of fifteen teams played the qualifying round of the Bertram Cup, a four ball better ball nett competition and the match play component gets underway this week.

 

Top qualifiers were the 'Redmonds', Pat and Shane.  Well done with a nett 63 in trying conditions.  Obviously Pat your knowledge of the course served you well although there is a wee whisper that Shane is the secret weapon.  Good luck in the match play you two.

 

The gauntlet has been thrown down and the remaining fourteen teams will have their work cut out to get close.  Watch out for dark horses Tim Kirby and Fergus McDougall, and while last qualifiers,  Nicholas Mills and Russell Turner.

 

All going well (weather?) the finals will be held on Sunday 9 July.

 

2. Sunday Club

 

Visitors dominated our club day results.

 

First on 41 points was Martin Dudley from Eketahuna, from Marcus Henry 37, Ray O'Callaghan 36 (Shandon) with Scott McHardy and Keith Atkinson on 35 points.

 

Cumulative results across the 48 rounds this year (best 10 rounds count) sees James Nimmo in front on 368 points from Gary Clarke nipping at his heels on 367 and Ian Dumbleton easing in to it on 356.  Still quite a way to go before we are any where near knowing who and what score will prevail this year.  Keep at it.

 

 

Women play their matches on Tuesday.  Check the events page and there is plenty happening for you to enter.

 

Wednesday Competition tees off at 10.30am on Wednesday.  Be at the clubhouse by 10.15 to register.  $5 pays your entry and buys you a raffle.  Everyone welcome including affiliated visitors. 

 

Wednesday Competition have been using multiple tees for the last three weeks and it appears to be working well.  Especially at this time of year it may be more enjoyable playing one of the shorter courses.

 

Saturday is free.

 

Sunday is Club Day, Monthly Medal and the first round of the Bertram Cup.

 

 

If you are at a loose end and want a game be at the picnic table at 8.45am for the card draw.  A number of our new members are making use of this way of getting involved in the club.  It's a great way of getting to know who's who.  All welcome including affiiliated visitors.  It would be nice to see some of our juniors join in too.

 

 

We had hoped to be in a position to offer more for our juniors at this point but you may notice that we have just been a little busy.

 

Once Robyn returns from her holiday in August (She goes away mid july for a couple of weeks) we will want to meet with our Junior Members )and parents) to look at putting together a program,  and looking at what resources we will need to make it work.  I am aware that some of you expressed interest in helping a while back but if your could let Robyn know (again) at her email (clubhouse@karorigolf.co.nz) it would be appreciated.

 

 

 

This is a preeminent club trophy.

 

Traditionally a Mens only trophy it is open to women playing off the white tees.

 

Entry through the clubs event page is available now.  Go to the club's website, go to Westward Ho and register.

 

No Charge.

 

Top 16 qualifiy for the match play rounds.

 

Open to Karori Golf Club Members only.

 

b) Ken and Rose Rigarlsford Trophy Mixed Event - Stableford

 

This is open to all club members and will serve as our feature August event.

 

Once again we want to fill the clubhouse with happy golfers. 

 

Entries through the website, or by email to Robyn (clubhouse@karorigolf.co.nz) or phone (04) 476 7337 or on the sheet which will be up in the downstairs foyer shortly.

 

The course will be closed until 2pm to accommodate this major Karori event.

 

 

The first of two stroke play qualifying rounds will be held on Sunday 3 September.  The two qualifying rounds will determine the club's Stroke Play Champions in our Senior, Intermediate, Junior A and Junior B divisions.

 

There are considerable changes coming in for this years club championships whcih were outlined in a earlier Captain's Corner and will become clearer neared the date.

 

Mark your calendars now so you won't be disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

Club Captain

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