FROM THE PRESIDENT
Time does fly! Spring is just two weeks away. While winter has given us some heavy rainfall and plenty of chilly days, the course has stood up remarkably well and continues to look great.
Most members rightly judge the Club by what they see and experience: the condition of the course, the clubhouse, the competitions, the bar and kitchen, and the general atmosphere around the Club. But I wonder how many members appreciate just how much goes on behind the scenes to keep the Club running.
There are many people who contribute their time, skills and effort to making Motueka Golf Club the Club it is. Some of that work is very visible, while much of it happens in the background, often without members ever seeing it. I can't possibly acknowledge everyone who contributes to the operation of the Club, because there are so many people volunteering in so many different ways. But I do want to recognise some of those people this month, knowing that I'll have the opportunity to shine a light on others in future newsletters.
We have six wonderful staff members who do much of the heavy lifting in keeping the Club and course in great shape, but a great deal of work also falls to our volunteers.
At the centre of our operations is the Management Committee, a group of elected volunteers who deal with everything from finances and budgeting to employment matters, health and safety, compliance, membership, governance, buildings, machinery and planning for the future. Committee members each have their own portfolio, taking their time and attention, but they are also all involved in the general management of the Club and in dealing with the many issues that arise in any sizable enterprise. Rex Edwards, Chris McGeown, Paul Hay, Pete Cederman, Bruce Miller and I meet each month for a committee meeting, but of course much of the work takes place outside those meetings. Each of them makes a very significant contribution of time, knowledge and skill to the Club, much of it unseen and unnoticed.
Tournaments don't happen by themselves. Even though the NBS Motueka Open is not being held until January 2027, Sharon McGeown and her team are already working on its organisation. At the same time, Mike Inwood and Bernie Hedges are busy preparing for the Super Liquor Open. This two-day tournament attracts a large number of entries from other clubs, and this year Mike and Bernie are introducing a new initiative to make the tournament a more complete two-day experience. As part of the entry, the Club will provide dinner for all competitors on Saturday evening. The idea is to encourage visitors and members to mingle both on and off the golf course, relax in the clubhouse, enjoy a meal together and take part in the auction beforehand.
Perhaps more visible in their overalls and safety gear, the Woodies perform another vital role for the Club. The work they put into looking after the trees and shrubberies around the course makes a huge difference. The Club simply would not look the same without all that they do. Their contribution goes well beyond keeping the course looking great. So far this year, the Woodies have raised an impressive $7,000 from firewood sales. A big thank you to Peter Johnson, Geoff Park, Wayne Lloyd, Strachan Adams, Brian Chandler, Richard Bullock, Kevin Fell and, joining the group, Denis Dobbie, for their time, energy and effort.
Then there are the many members who are involved in organising regular competitions and those who work in the Matchroom throughout the week, organising draws, taking entry money, solving problems, dealing with results and making sure everything runs smoothly. They make it easy for the rest of us to turn up, play our golf and enjoy the day without thinking too much about everything that has gone into making it happen.
We also have many members who quietly get on with jobs around the Club, often working away on their own and without any fuss. Shona Johnson, Meredith Rayner, Jan Overall, Ivor Hawker, Barry Riordan, Bernard Walsh, Bob Ilton, Kevin Armstrong and many others all make significant contributions to the running of our Club.
The Club couldn't present itself or function as well as it does without the input from these people. We are very fortunate to have so many members who are willing to front up when needed.
In thanking the people who do such tremendous work today, I am not forgetting the many members who have done their bit in the past. The Club we have today has been built on the contributions of the many willing workers of yesterday and is maintained and strengthened by their successors today.
So, when you next arrive at the Club and everything seems to be running just as it should, spare a thought for the many people who have helped make that happen.
And if there is the occasional hiccup and things aren't going quite as smoothly as usual, remember that behind the scenes there are volunteers doing their best to keep things moving. They give generously of their time and, while they do a fantastic job, every now and then things simply go wrong!
Ron Noordijk
president@motuekagolf.co.nz
NBS MOTUEKA OPEN
We have begun the organisation for the 2027 NBS Motueka Golf Open (9-10 January). You can enter now through the Home page on our website.
If you know a business or individual who might be interested in supporting the tournament, we'd love to hear from you. Sponsorship plays a huge role in helping us deliver a high quality event for the 180-220 players who take part each year.
Our sponsorship tiers - Gold, Silver, and Bronze - offer great visibility for local businesses, including recognition on our website, clubhouse displays, and at prize giving.
Sponsorship options for 2027:
Gold - $500+ - One complimentary tournament entry
Silver - $250-$500 - Two complimentary green fee rounds at Motueka Golf Club
Bronze - Up to $250
If you have a contact who may be keen to get involved, please get in touch with Sharon McGeown at nbsopen@motuekagolf.co.nz
Thanks for helping us strengthen this fantastic event for our club.
GREENKEEPERS REPORT
You may have noticed that we have been using the turf nursery to great effect and carried out repairs on Tiny (No4) and the No 5 fairway. On Tiny we have repaired the front of the front bunker. On No 5 we have infilled the ditch, which was really becoming boggy and unsightly. Hopefully, you will all agree it looks 100% better now. Until the turf takes hold we have marked it GUR and it is a Keep Off area. Our next repair job using the turf nursery is to resurface the No 8 rear tee block. Overuse on the left of this tee block has resulted in a very uneven surface and has long been on our work plan.
SUMMER COMPETITION ARRANGEMENTS
From 26 December to 31 January, our golf competitions will operate a little differently. This is a particularly busy period for the Club, with a high number of green fee players using the course. These visitors make a very significant contribution to the Club's finances, so we need to make the best possible use of the course during this period.
We will still run our usual Club competitions on Saturdays and weekdays. However, to maximise the availability of the course, multi-tee starts will be temporarily suspended during this period.
The competitions themselves will continue as usual, but members wishing to play in a competition will need to book a tee-time on the day. Members can book as a group of four, as a smaller group, or individually, allowing other members to fill any remaining spaces in the tee-time.
Competitions will run as usual, with results calculated and published at the end of the day and prize winners notified by email.
We appreciate members' understanding and cooperation during this particularly busy time of year. We will monitor these arrangements, and should it be evident that tweaks are required, this will be done. This arrangement allows us to continue providing regular competitions for members while also making the best use of the course and maximising the benefit to the Club from the large number of visitors we welcome over the summer period.
FROM THE GOLF CONVENOR
A reminder that our course will be closed to all play on Sunday 23rd August until 2:30pm when we host our leg of the Total Golf Open. The reciprocal arrangement we have with Nelson Golf Club means our members can play there free of charge on that day, but you must call the Pro-Shop to secure a tee time - 03 548 5028.
The course will also be closed on Sunday 30th August for the Mason Van Leeuwen Ambrose. This event is to raise funds to help send Mason to South Africa representing New Zealand in the Indoor Cricket U14 World Series. The field is now full, which is a really great result and thank you everyone for your support so far.
9-Hole Ladies - The holder of the Biddy Smith Trophy regularly challenges another club in our District to a match play competition. On August 3rd Greenacres challenged Motueka. Meredith, Linda, Alison and Diane represented our club and came away with 2 wins, a draw and a loss. Therefore, the trophy now passes to us and we now organise challengers.
Old Hickory Report - Thursday 6 August saw another great day for playing golf at the best course in the Tasman region. Playing at home, a cold light southerly most of the day but plenty of sun to stand in if you were on the fairways. Lots of comment on the amount of run players were getting on the fairway and the excellent condition of the greens. However, only 3 out of the 48 players played to their handicap or better. A lot to be said for our tree lined fairways bringing players back to earth.
After winning the Old Hickory in May and June, and losing on a count back to
Waahi Taakaro by 1 shot in July, Motueka managed to sneak through by 1 shot
over Waahi Taakaro on this occasion. We now have a very slight lead over WT with Tasman close in third.
In the Club of the Year comp we have a handy 73 point lead over WT with again Tasman in third.
Sloan Report - The final round of the 2026 Sloan Cup was played at Nelson Golf Club on Sunday 2nd August, bringing another successful District Men's representative season to a close. Motueka finished the season strongly with victory over Tasman 7 - 2.
The final standings saw Takaka crowned deserving Sloan Cup Champions on 53 points, finishing ahead of Golden Downs (50) and Motueka (47). Waahi Taakaro claimed fourth on 44.5 points, followed by Nelson (30), Totaradale (28), Murchison (28), Tasman (26) and Greenacres (17.5).
SUNDAY 9-HOLE MIXED COMPETITION
Come along and join us for Sunday 9 Holes! We're building a regular group of players who enjoy getting out on the course and meeting other golfers. Each Sunday will feature a variety of competitions, keeping things interesting and giving everyone a chance to participate. It's friendly, relaxed and all about enjoying your golf. Competition is open to both 18- and 9-hole members. Be there by 10am - bring your clubs and come and join the fun!
PUTTERS WANTED!!!
We have sufficient hire clubs but appear to be short a number of putters. If you have a spare putter loafing in your garage you no longer require, we can find a good home for it at the Club.
SHE LOVES GOLF
She Loves Golf will commence again on Monday 26th October starting at 5pm for one hour. Full details are on the poster below.
VOLUNTEER WANTED: HELP PRESERVE OUR GOLF CLUB'S HISTORY
We are seeking a volunteer to help organise, digitize and preserve our historical records to safeguard them for the future.
The club holds a valuable collection of photographs, meeting minutes, newsletters, competition results, membership records, and other memorabilia. The collection is a mix of hard copy and digital records. We need someone who can carefully organize, name, and catalogue these materials to create an accessible digital archive.
The ideal volunteer will be:
-Comfortable using a computer, scanner, and basic file-management software
-Patient, organized, and attentive to detail
-Interested in local history, golf, or archival work
-Able to handle original records with care and respect confidentiality
Previous archival experience and a genuine interest in doing this sort of important work, is welcome. The work can be completed on a flexible schedule, with the time commitment arranged to suit the volunteer.
This is a rewarding opportunity to explore the club's past while helping ensure its stories, achievements, and traditions are not lost.
To express your interest, please contact Ron at president@motuekagolf.co.nz.
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following new and returned members to our Club.
Full Playing: Hone Kareko, Maikara Thorpe
9 Hole: Peter Bramley, Albie Thorpe
Junior: Michel Lucas, Ben Wieland
Social: Lloyd Goodall
