Committee Update July/August 2026

In common with other golf clubs in the Wellington Region the last couple of months have been challenging.  Wellington Golf have suggested that much of this reflects that the "Covid" bubble in activity has diminished and pressure on household budgets has also constrained activity. 

Despite this and the winter weather, the clubs finances remain healthy (although committee are keeping a close eye on expenditure).

Much of the credit for our acceptable financial position is a reflection of the efforts of our volunteers ably lead by Denise Marten (Women's Club Captain) our acting manager.

All the same the committee are working on a number of projects to improve the course and make the golfing experience enjoyable for members and guests.

Here are a few matters for your information.

1. Coring of Greens - Volunteers please.

The greens will be cored commencing Monday 31 August hopefully being completed by Tuesday 1 September. (The golf course will be closed for this period of time.)

Members will be advised as soon as the course is available for play.

2. Course Development and Maintenance Plan, and Regeneration Planting strategy.

A summary of feedback on the draft Course Development and Maintenance plan, an update version of the Course Development and Maintenance Plan was presented to the committee along with a regeneration planting strategy. A copy of all three documents is attached. Please continue to send feedback to thecourse@karorigolf.co.nz

Contact with Zealandia has been quite helpful and they are interested in working with us on this. We are keen to become involved with the wider Zealandia community to help with the regeneration planting efforts.

Funding will be sought from a range of providers to help with the cost of this work. The course committee chair will follow up on funding applications.

One immediate matter arising from these discussions is to look at grant funding to obtain a "chipper" so that we reduce the need to burn off debris, turning this in to mulch for our plantings.

This is an exciting development and the committee will keep members updated on progress.

 3. Strategic Plan and Annual Plans

The Strategic Plan had been updated with environmental and sustainability feedback included.

Committee have approved the strategic plan. This will be circulated in a future club email, most likely a Captains Corner, in the near future.

4. Social Media

We have two members who have expressed an interest in updating and improving our social media. 

Mock-ups presented to the committee were impressive and the committee are happy to assist these people in their efforts.

5. Junior Golf

With Jon Lyall leaving the committee and the club we are looking for a member with links/interest in our Junior Club Setup to volunteer to become a committee member to assist us in ensuring that activity for our junior members is ongoing.  A key area of focus will be to assist in identifying a golf professional willing to run the junior academy in term four.  

Juniors are a vital part of the club and our current crop have preformed well in WGI Junior Inter Club as well as beefing up our men's interclub teams.

If you are keen to help please contact president@karorigolf.co.nz or clubhouse@karorigolf.co.nz

6. Club Championships

Our next major event will be the club championships.

Club Captain Deane Milne will be calling for entries in due course.

The Stroke Play Championships (which doubles as the qualifying rounds for the Match Play Championships) will be held on the 13th and 20th of September.

Senior, Intermediate and Junior A competitors will play two rounds of qualifying while the Junior B group will play just one round. The top 16 will qualify for the Match Play Championship in each division.

Four rounds of match play will follow immediately on from the 20th of September with the finals slated for 18 October.

Please note: Dispensations for postponement of matches will be strictly monitored.  Anyone who cannot commit to the six weeks of club championship involvement should not enter the match play.  Note the Stroke Play event is a trophy event in it's own right so this may suit those who are not available through to the 18th of October. 

The involvement in the Match Play club championships depends entirely on winning each of your matches on the way to the finals. 

Keep an eye out for Captains Corner to keep up to date with the club's events.  

7. DotGolf Member Accounts

The Committee have approved implementing members accounts through DotGolf.

This will provide for all members transactions including tournament entries and shop purchases.  Prizes won and any other amounts owing by the club to a member will be credited to that members' account.

Many clubs are now using this service for members for a number of reasons including reducing the need for cash transactions to be carried out. 

It is envisaged that members accounts will be operational before the end of the year.

8. New Equipment and Replacement of Old Equipment Shed.

The committee wishes to purchase a new fairway mower and to replace the old equipment storage shed and are proceeding with grant applications to meet the cost of these upgrades to our kit and infrastructure.  As this represents significant expenditure, grant funding is important to ensure that we are able to maintain the course.

9. Feedback

The committee is always happy to receive feedback. 

Feel free to email president@karorigolf.co.nz or clubhouse@karorigolf.co.nz to let us know your views on goings on around the club.

Mark Peck, President

28 August 2026