NBS General Manager of Commercial Howie Timms wanted to do something over and above their normal, and in our view, very generous, sponsorship this year. After some discussion, it was decided to reward the Club Person of the Year to recognise the members significant contribution to the club over a number of years. They will be rewarded with a full playing member subscription for the following year.
This year Vice President Bruce and myself chose Barrie Walker as the first recipient. I'm sure everyone at the club will know the significant time Barrie has put into the club over a number of years. In particular his work updating and steering the annual Strategic Plan has been noteworthy, but also in the role of Chair of the House Committee.
Provided NBS wishes to continue this award, the new management committee will select the next recipient which will be a female member.
So on behalf of all of you, I offer Barrie hearty Congratulations on his award of Club Person of the Year 2025.
Coincidentally, the process to update the Strategic Plan is about to start, so if any Member wishes to contribute, please contact Barrie Walker or any member of the Management Committee.
The weather of the past few weeks has really disrupted our golfing program, causing us all much frustration I expect. But, we now are seeing more of the sun and it wont be too long before the spring growth will commence. Already we are seeing more people out playing which is great for the Club.
You wont see me around at the moment as, along with a couple of other of our members and some from other clubs in the District, I am on a fact-finding mission in Queensland. Mainly to see what good ideas we might bring back, if any, but could possibly just fit in a bit of golf as well.
Going back to the inclement weather; the big storm and unprecedented rain in late June caused some tree falls and created lots of debris across the whole of our course. At the instigation of Shona Johnson a big clean up day was organised and volunteers were called for. I just wanted to say publicly, Thank You Shona, that was a great idea, and to the 50 or so volunteers who gave up their time Thank You to you as well. That is probably the largest working bee we have had since the Club was set up. And we mustn't forget the Woodies who, once they could get their equipment out to the fallen trees, did a sterling job in getting it all safe and clear.
For those of you who haven't made it past the beverage dispensing area after your round recently, the food options being provided by Melissa, Linda and David are really scrumptious. Everything from individual Bacon & Egg pies, Breakfast Burritos, homemade soup and rolls and Barista Coffee. And still all your old favourites too.
The great work our Constitution rewrite team has been doing is nearing conclusion, and the Special General Meeting for members to approve the new Constitution is on Monday 8th September. Please show your support by attending.
Happy Golfing
Peter Cederman
President
FROM OUR GREENKEEPERS
Firstly we want to thank all our Members for their patience over the past few weeks while we have had to deal with the consequences of the excessive amount of water the course received. The course has recovered well from the storm, thank you to everyone who pitched in and helped the clean-up.
Purchase of the new greens roller is imminent. The new piece of equipment will help improve the speed and trueness of the greens.
You will have all noticed the beginnings of a structure at the Ladies No 12 Tee Block. We are building a shelter for our ladies to use while playing in mixed events and club days. We have been concerned for a while that ladies waiting to play off No 12 are vulnerable to wayward balls off No 11. Once completed we will do plantings to soften the profile. For those with long memories will recall we did exactly the same when we built and planted around the ladies shelter on No 3 shelter. A big thank you to Derek once again!
Derek has also constructed a swish new permanent shelter for our portable pump on No 12 Mens Tee. It should now be much more secure and hopefully unstealable.
With a lot of golf programmed between now and Christmas, we are carefully developing our Spring maintenance schedule to fit in. First up is greens maintenance which we have scheduled for October, after the SuperLiquor Open.
FROM THE WOODIES
Well, as you will have seen, we have been very busy! The storm left us with two downed trees and five badly damaged ones. All but one are now cleared off the course. We really got of lightly as both Greenacres and Tasman had more tree damage than us. On the upside we now have firewood to fill orders!
The Volunteers Day was wonderful in tidying up the course, great job everyone! To give you an idea of how much detritus was raked up on the day it took us nine loads of the tractor trailer to clear it all!
Two items from the last newsletter that I promised to update you on;
1. The removal of the two trees just to the front left of the Mens No Three tee.
These trees were not an integral part of the course, shaded the Number Nine green and, every time we had a northerly blow, they liberally sprinkled the green and bunker on nine with pine nuts. And you would have to say they were unsightly trees as well! Now we have an improved vista from the Mens No three Tee and the Greenkeepers, despite the adverse weather, are noticing an improvement to the quality of the No Nine Green. We have mulched the area where the trees were and are planting lower growing natives which will further enhance the area.
2. Our Trapping Programme.
We currently have ten traps set on the course. They target Rats, Hedgehogs and Mustelids. We have had these traps for a number of years, originally they were managed by Geoff Park and now by Brian Chandler. Geoff originally kept a count, he quickly got to 100 rats and 50 hedgehogs and then stopped counting! We have been very unsuccessful in catching Mustelids, only one, but we keep trying!
What we do know though is that this programme has definitely assisted with the number of birds on the course. The example most noticeable to us is the Bellbirds. Before trapping we saw and heard the occasional one but now they can be heard all over the course.
FROM YOUR MATCH COMMITTEE
The Club Champs qualifying rounds are now all completed and the grading and seeding process is underway. These will be available to view on our website once they have been completed, hopefully by the end of the week. If you are no longer able to play the champs, can you please let Donna know asap so that it doesn't muck up the seedings and first round draw.
The Club Champs finals day has been moved from a Saturday to a Sunday this year, so all 18 and 9 hole finalists will play their matches on Sunday September 28th.
The lucky winners will have a home course advantage this year, as both the men and ladies Champion of Champions is to be held at our course on Sunday Nov 23rd.
October sees the start of our many Opens, with the Super Liquor kicking things off on October 4th and 5th. Posters and most conditions of entry are up on the website and will be up in the match room this weekend. You can register online, on the sign-up sheets in the clubhouse or by contacting admin@motuekagolf.co.nz, or Donna on 021542423
Lastly, a small request, if you do not complete your round for any reason, can you please ensure you write DQ or Did Not Finish on your card and return it to the Matchroom (beside the computer screen on the desk) before leaving the course. This way the people on results will know they don't need to wait for your card and it will speed up finalising the results process.
Good luck to everyone playing in the Champs!
FROM OUR 18 HOLE LADIES
18 Hole Ladies ran their Combined Stableford tournament on Thursday 14th September. A lovely sunny day with 44 in the field, the course in great order after all the wet weather we have had.
1st place were Yvonne Stevenson and Joyce Bullock who won on a countback from Rhonda Heckler & Sandy LePine, Jane Adams & Robyn Hawker, Debbie Smith & Kim Lile, Evelyn Hay & Dael Ray - all on 66 Stablefords.
Our raffle made $156 and I thank all who contributed to the raffle prize table.
Championship rounds are under way with the Final on Sunday 28th September.
As the Champion of Champions ladies' final is to be held at Motueka this 23rd November we hope to see many of you competing in our Championships for the honour of playing on a home course.
Motueka golf club is hosting the Pennant Final on 28th August , there are 4 teams of 6 competing over 36 holes, starting at 8.30am, best of luck to our Motueka team.
FROM OUR 9 HOLE LADIES
The 9 holers have maintained numbers through the wet conditions and are now enjoying sunshine. With a mixture of new players and older players some older than others (89) having been playing some good golf and enjoying the friendly atmosphere.
Lynda and Dave create a welcoming venue with great food. The hot soups and chicken and salad sandwiches are favourites
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following new and returned members to Motueka Golf:
Edward Dillimore, Joseph Dillimore, Lenard Dillimore, Joe Evans, Charlie Figgins, Alex Geary, Brendan Hay, James King, Jacob Madacanno-Holland, Cushla Stevenson, Rocco McPherson, Cosma McPherson, Kyle Powell, Reuben Tieke, Zane Richards, Jordy Sutton and Josh Sutton.
