FROM THE PRESIDENT
Merry Christmas!
As we rapidly approach Christmas and the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity extend my best wishes to you all for a wonderful festive season and hope that you all have a relaxing, enjoyable time with family and friends over the holiday season.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank our staff members for their enormous contribution to our golfing enjoyment; Nick, Steve and Jack outside on the course, and David, Linda and Melissa inside the clubrooms. That they are dedicated to their work is obvious and evident in everything they do. Just as importantly, their positive, cheerful and welcoming attitude contributes greatly to the enjoyment and experience of members and visitors alike.
And to our many volunteers - thank you again for all you do. Every aspect of the club is supported by volunteers, without that support we would be a very different club. I cannot overstate the value of the collective contribution made by volunteers, nor my appreciation of the individual contributions you each make.
I believe that over many years our members have created an amazing club. From the day I first walked onto the course I have felt welcome here, and part of an open, friendly group of golfers. Serving as Club President is a privilege, and I recognise that I follow a strong group of former presidents and leaders. I go into the new year full of optimism and confidence, knowing that I am one of a very competent management committee, and part of a positive, supportive membership.
Thank you all for a most enjoyable year of golf. I cannot recall a single Wednesday, Friday or Saturday group that I have not enjoyed playing with and buying a beer for afterwards (something I seem to do more often than I should!).
The Management Committee has had its first full monthly meeting. As a new committee we are considering how we can build on what is good in the club, and address those matters which are not as we would like. There are many aspects to a club like ours, and inevitably we will be doing some things better than others. Over the next few meetings, we will focus on identifying what we want to achieve as a committee and as a club, and how we can get there.
My own view is that the focus of a successful golf club is not dissimilar to that of a successful company - respect for its stakeholders, transparency in what it does and decides, competent performance and financial management, attention to detail, and pride in its achievements. But we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a club, that we exist to provide our members with an enjoyable experience and environment that makes members feel valued and connected.
To help me and the Management Committee to provide for today's members whilst planning future directions, you might like to consider two questions over the summer period; what do I like about our club, what should we keep; and what do I not like about the club, what should we change, stop or add?
I'm interested in your answers to both questions. Talk to me or email me, I welcome all responses. Your responses don't need to be long or detailed but certainly can be if you wish. The answers will help planning tremendously and should ensure that any plans for the future reflect the wishes of our members.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
Ron Noordijk
President
president@motuekagolf.co.nz
HELPING US OUT
For those that play on Saturday, and to a lesser extent on other days in Club competitions, you will be aware there is an ongoing problem when using a credit/debit card to pay entry fees. The problem is that the system seems to 'hang up' and take more than the usual amount of time to clear the transaction. On Saturdays, in the hour prior to play, when more players arrive, a log jam at the counter ensues.
A considerable amount of time has been spent liaising with Dotgolf to resolve the issue, but for as yet unknown reasons we have been unable to identify why it is occurring or to how fix it.
We do know however, that when using the House Account or Cash option there are no delays.
The fastest transaction to process is when a House Account is used. We would therefore encourage you to use your House Account for payment which will lead to a quicker and easier registration process for both you and our sometimes-exasperated volunteers behind the desk.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you turn on your Tee Booking Notification in your Golf NZ App, you will receive alerts of your tee bookings, including those made by organisers of Open Tournaments. Just select 'More', then 'Notification Settings' and turn on the bottom button. It's not a default setting so needs your action to make it work.
ENJOYING YOUR GAME
We recently communicated with our 87 Junior members and updated them on the key points they must follow when playing on our course to ensure their playing experience is an enjoyable one. That is our expectation of them, so its not unreasonable that they can expect the same standards from us. Here are the key points:
-You should always report in to club staff before commencing play.
-You must only start from the First Tee unless given permission by club staff members to start elsewhere.
-The holes must be played in order.
-Keep up with the players in front of you; if you are holding players up, let them through.
-Do not play until players in front are out of range and always give way to greenkeepers.
-Help other players to find their ball to speed up play. If you think your ball might be out-of-bounds or lost, play a provisional.
-Carry a sand bucket and pitch repairer and repair all your divots and pitch marks. Rake over footprints and club marks in bunkers.
-When on the Green, leave trundlers and clubs near the next hole to be played.
-Comply with the Dress Code; i.e. no singlets and wear appropriate footwear.
-If playing on your own, the maximum balls you can play is two.
-Inappropriate language is not to be used.
-Display your membership tag on your golf gear where it is clearly visible.
FROM THE GREENKEEPERS
Recent work has included renovation of the third green following removal of the two Douglas Fir trees that had been taking all the goodness out of the green. First, we carried out deep coring, which as you can see from the picture, resulted in a pretty dramatic result initially. This was following by what we call amendments, which will hold the water and nutrients in the green rather that having it just flow through and away, which will lead to a better growth and a healthier green in the future. Similar work was carried out on the sixteenth green. Now we hurry up and wait for the magic to happen.
This year has been my most challenging and frustrating with adverse weather conditions impacting on our ability to stick to the Plan. Notwithstanding, we are pleased to have been able to keep the course playable on most occasions.
As always, we really do appreciate your positive feedback and love how you all take pride in maintaining our course.
Thank you and see you next year.
FROM THE JOINT GOLF CONVENORS
Firstly, we are delighted to report that Bernie Hedges has agreed to become Men's Playing Captain with immediate effect. We're sure all members will get behind Bernie - we know he will make a success of the role. Bernie will serve an initial term through to 31st March 2027.
Our new structure seems to be bedding down well. We could still do with a couple of additional members joining the Golf Operations Committee (GOC). Just as a reminder, the GOC's primary role is to run our Saturday and Sunday comps. This is no small task, so the wider the load can be spread the better. If you are interested or want to know more please contact Peter Johnson.
Details of who is on the various committees associated with golf can be found on our web site.
We recognise that the change in structure brings some uncertainty with it. There will inevitably be teething problems whilst we all find our feet. If you have an issue with anything golf related we genuinely welcome your feedback or questions - both positive and negative.
The Ladies and Men's programmes for 2026 are now almost complete and will be uploaded to the web site shortly. Key to note is that the Club Champs will take place from mid April to mid May next year. For those who have played the Waimea Open and Kina Open in previous years you may wish to note that both these events have moved from their traditional dates for 2026 - the former to mid February and the latter to the end of November.
Our Local Rules have now been fully updated, and are published in the cabinet below the terminal on the outside wall of the Match Room. Do remember that it's your responsibility to be familiar with our Local Rules -so we urge you to read them, particularly as there are some changes from what applied previously. Some of them are particularly relevant now that we no longer have Placing.
Places for the NBS Open on 10th and 11th January are filling quickly - so get your entry in soon if you want to be sure of having a spot. This particularly applies if you want an afternoon start time on the Sunday.
The two Opens since the last Newsletter (New World and Whitwells) were both blessed with excellent weather, fields over 100, and some fantastic scoring. Many congratulations to those who were in the prizes.
Jon Gammon & Paul Hay
Joint Golf Convenors
FROM THE WOODIES
Our time has been taken up lately processing the two trees that were dropped beside the third green. However, those of you who pull your drive on No 10 will be pleased to know that we have also given the oak tree that lives about 100 meters in front of the tee block on the left a good haircut. You now have the opportunity, should your ball land in that vicinity, to have a clear second shot!
A few years ago, we placed some nesting boxes up in some of the trees to encourage our little owls to nest in them. Unfortunately, a possum has taken up residence in one of them! This is the first possum we have ever seen on the golf course; in fact we have never even seen signs of them previously. If anyone has a humane possum trap we could borrow please get in touch with PJ or Brian Chandler.
The observant amongst you may have noticed that we have tidied up the garden to the right of the No 2 Green. The Camelias have been removed and replaced with new plantings which will make the area low maintenance. No more trimming back around the Total Golf sign and clearing up dead flowers etc.
WEDNESDAY MENS REPORT
Mens Wednesday golf wrapped up on The 10th December with the finals of the Sel England and Lochbuie Player of the Year trophies being awarded. The Sel England is named in memory of a stalwart of our Club from the 1970's/80's. Sel was a player who was renowned for his strong will who always played by the rules but was also generous with his time and services to the Club. The Trophy is played for monthly, a nett competition.
The Lochbuie POY trophy is run by Kevin Beach and is scored each week with a table creating much interest throughout the year. The clear winner in both competitions in 2025 was Chris Baker.
SHE LOVES GOLF
A summer programme promoting golf to novice ladies has been run by Kevin Armstrong at Motueka Golf since 2015, even before New Zealand Golf launched their She Loves Golf programme. The idea was inspired by a visit to play golf in England and seeing a programme that "England Golf" had initiated to grow the game amongst women. It was a natural path for them to follow as at the time women made up only 25% of the average club in England, interestingly this was a similar ratio for most New Zealand clubs.
Since 2015 we have run a novice ladies golf programme every Monday evening throughout the months with daylight saving from 5 pm to 6pm. The aim of the course, which begins on the putting and chipping greens, progresses to the practice ground and full shots and ends on the course, is to take someone who has never played before and equip them with the basics that will make them comfortable playing with others on the course.
Over the years participants have ranged in age from the late teens to the late eighties and many new friendships have been formed with many participants who started together still playing together. The Wine and Nine group on Fridays grew out of the first She Loves Golf group ten years ago.
There is no charge for the course, and all equipment is provided, however, as the summer progresses participants are encouraged to take out a temporary membership for $50 only available to those taking part in She Loves Golf. This affords them access to all the clubs practice facilities and the course when it is quiet, generally after 4pm, and is credited against their membership fee if a participant joins the Club.
Currently between ten and fifteen novice ladies are engaged in She Loves Golf, but a new course will begin next October 2126. Anyone interested should contact Meredith on email mkrayner27@gmail.com
COMAN CONSTRUCTION TWILIGHT WRAP
We are getting on average about 60-70 players each week with great prizes including novelty prizes, great food and a fun atmosphere. Welcome to beginner and experienced golfers. Join "Twilight Golf Motueka" on Facebook for more info. Every Wednesday until the end of February, register between 4.45pm and 5.45pm. You can choose your own group, or I can put you with a group. Thanks, Emily
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following returned and new members to our Club and hope all your drives go straight and long and your putts never fail to miss.
Full Playing - Jake Clark, Sam Gordon, Tainui Katua, Lachlan Leppien, Culainn Stringer
Summer - Robert Ahrens, Linda McHugh, Neil McHugh, Glenda Molgat, Paul Molgat, Roger Taylor, Julian Tonkin, Pip Watson
9Hole - Leonard Smith
Junior - Dylan Smith, Duncan Stalberg, Dante Stringer
Country - Glenn Hart
She Loves Golf - Kim Bishop, Morgan Spittal, Amelia Van Zoelen, Keelie Williams
