FROM THE PRESIDENT
When writing a newsletter, I generally try to do two things: be positive about the club (which isn't difficult) and avoid telling people how to play golf (I know my limitations!).
This month, however, I'm going to push the boundaries on both counts - by raising an issue that isn't so positive and by commenting on how we play the game.
I enjoy hearing the many positive comments about our course and club. Lately, however, I have been hearing an increasing number of concerns about slow play, particularly on Saturdays and during tournaments. I have been told by some members that they intend to stop playing on Saturdays because rounds take too long and involve too much waiting for the group ahead to play their shots and move on.
Players may not realise that they are playing slower than the others on the course. But small delays, repeated hole after hole, have a significant impact. The time adds up surprisingly quickly. An average of 13 minutes per hole is a generous allowance and should see a round of 18 holes completed in about four hours, with six minutes to spare. However, just an extra 90 seconds per hole adds another 27 minutes to the round - effectively half an hour longer for everyone behind you.
No one is asking players to rush their shot. The request is simply to be prepared, make decisions efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays. Every player who saves a little time helps make the round more enjoyable for everyone behind them.
If your group is falling behind, or holding up the group behind you, take steps to speed up or allow faster players through where appropriate.
Whilst acknowledging my limitations with club in hand, I do listen to comments from other, experienced, golfers, and I do observe other golfers when they play. Based on that, some key time-saving measures I would stress are that:
-You limit practice swings and avoid repeatedly stepping away and starting your routine again, both on the green and in general play.
-Walk briskly between shots.
-Play Ready Golf. I realise some traditionalists are not well disposed towards Ready Golf, but Rule 6.4b(2) states "Players are both allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way". So, if it will save time, the player who is ready should play first.
-Watch everyone's ball. Knowing where playing partners' balls land reduces time spent searching. The rules are clear: a maximum of 3 minutes searching time is permitted.
-Play a provisional ball when appropriate - this can save a long walk back.
-Read your putt while others are taking their putt (like Foxy), be ready when it is your turn, and leave the green promptly once everyone has finished. When the last putt falls, at least two players should be organised and, if not already on the next tee, be walking away immediately. Mark your card on the next tee, while others are teeing off.
It can feel awkward to speak to a playing partner about slow play when playing a round. But we are all mature enough to accept that a gentle nudge when we are playing too slow is intended as helpful encouragement, not criticism!
Annual General Meeting
You will, I hope, be aware that the Annual General Meeting will take place on November 2 in the clubhouse, at 6.30pm. I encourage you to attend to hear the finance report for the year, a report from our greenkeepers, and I will also make some comments about the past year.
Key dates, as outlined in the mailout a week or two ago:
-19 October: Deadline for submitting any proposal you wish to have considered at the AGM. Proposals must be handed to the Management Committee by this date.
-23 October: Deadline for Management Committee nominations. Nomination forms must be placed in the box in the clubhouse or handed to a current Committee member by this date.
-26 October: The AGM agenda will be circulated to members.
If you need even more encouragement to attend - supper will be provided!
Ron Noordijk
president@motuekagolf.co.nz
GREENKEEPERS REPORT
It has been a busy few weeks on the course getting everything in good shape for the Super Liquor Open. A nice run of weather and plenty of help from the various brilliant volunteers in the lead-up enabled us to produce some good conditions for the weekend. Despite the poor weather on the Saturday the event went well with the Motueka members using their local knowledge to good effect.
Both Nick and Jack have taken some well-deserved leave with the former heading over to South Africa to watch Mason bring home a bronze medal representing New Zealand in the Junior Indoor Cricket World Cup. By all accounts it was a great experience on all fronts for the family, with Mase highlighting the safari, beating South Africa on home soil, and the big juicy steaks for dinner every night as the best parts of the trip.
Steve
FROM THE GOLF CONVENOR
Did you know, when you play in any of our Major tournaments which has a pre-tournament draw, that when your scorecard is printed, it includes the time you should be starting each hole? You can find this on the right hand side of the scorecard. This is an ideal guide to check you are keeping up with the pace of play.
We will be hosting the inaugural 9 Hole Ladies National Tournament, a NZ Golf event, on 10 and 11 November. As a result, there will be some minor impact on our normal weekly program. Monday 9 November is a practice day for the Ladies, casual play is okay, but bookings are recommended. There will be no organised 18 Hole Ladies competition on Tuesday 10 November or Mens on 11 November. As the Matchroom will be in use until 1pm on each of the two play days, only casual play will be available from that time on the Tuesday and Wednesday.
We are now into our Open Tournament season, which will culminate with the NBS Motueka Open on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th January 2027. Get your entry into this tournament prior to Sunday 20th December and you will be in the draw to win back your entry fee. Full details are on our website Home Page.
The SuperLiquor Open and McCarthy-Goodman Open have been completed, and congratulations to all the prize winners. As always, these, and our other open tournaments, could not succeed without the very generous support of the main sponsors. So, where you can, do support them in return.
Coming up we have the New World Open on Saturday 14th November and the Whitwells Open on Saturday 5th December. Enter on our website Open Tournaments page or the sign-up sheet in the Clubhouse.
From the 9 Hole Ladies - On Thursday 8th October we held our 9 Hole District tournament. It was a beautiful spring day and the course was in excellent condition. There were 28 golfers playing a 4BBB stableford in 7 groups of 4 on the front 9. A very big thanks to the organizers and all the helpers who made this a most enjoyable day as well as all the players who took part. Also, a big thanks goes to the Greenkeepers and the catering staff for an excellent job.
From the 18 Hole Ladies - Early October the Tasman Gwen Crossman tournament was played at Motueka with Rob White & Jill Robertson winning the gross (Gwen Crossman Trophy ) & Jane Adams & Jen Rutherford winning the Greenacres Salver (nett).
Nelson club won the Pennant final v Picton played at Nelson course.
Old Hickory Report - The last round was played in great conditions, the course at Greenacres was in terrific shape and our team played proper golf to win in convincing fashion. Motueka scores were Bernie Walsh 39, Brian miller 37, Andrew Fenemor 36, Reinhard Pauls 35, Keith Dowie 33 and Ralph Meikle 32.
In the Club of the Year table Motueka retains a firm lead on 1673 points with Takaka 1575, Waahi Taakaro 1573 and Tasman 1547.
Rex
FROM THE HOUSE CONVENOR
Staffing
We are pleased to welcome Renee White to the hospitality team. Renee will primarily support the club during the busy summer period and provide cover for staff holidays and illness.
Although Renee's role officially begins in mid-December, you will see her at the club while David is on leave during October and November. She will also cover Wednesday Twilight.
Welcome Aboard
With the AGM and elections coming up the house committee is looking for interested members to join the house committee with the hope of organising some social events during the coming year, if anyone is interested in coming on board please contact either Paul Hay or Shona Johnson add your name to the list in the clubhouse.
Super Liquor Tournament
Our recent Super Liquor tournament was a great success. A power outage on Saturday evening affected the ovens and computers, delaying proceedings by about an hour, but the rest of the event ran smoothly.
Including a meal with the entry proved especially popular, and everyone I spoke with gave positive feedback. The hospitality team did an excellent job in trying circumstances. For those who had to leave before the meal due to the power issue I do apologise.
Clubhouse Planning Update
The Future Development and Action Plan emailed to members last week identified the bar and kitchen service areas as being in need of improvement.
The first action point in the plan in relation to this is to (? italic Undertake a structural and usage review of the clubhouse, including the bar and kitchen areas, the toilets and the changing are ?)s}"
As a first step, we have asked an architect to review the clubhouse in anticipation of developing plans for potential improvements. As part of that review, questions have been raised about the building's structural integrity. It has become apparent that we have limited structural information about the building. The clubhouse has been extended and altered over time, while the plans held by Council contain limited structural detail. To ensure we have a clear understanding of any potential issues with the building before we start planning possible future alterations, we have engaged a structural engineer to assess the building and identify whether there are any structural works that may need to be taken into account as part of future developments or alterations.
So, you may see architects or engineers around the clubhouse taking measurements and carrying out inspections. There is no cause for concern, and no building work is planned at this stage. These assessments are simply part of the Club's longer-term planning.
Apparel
A new range of clothing & bucket hats will be arriving in the next couple of weeks if you would like to update your golfing apparel or get organised for Xmas.
Paul
NEW & RETURNED MEMBERS
Probably due to the fact the Editor was away picture taking in the Pilbara last month, with no newsletter being produced, we have quite a few new and returned members to welcome.
Full Playing - Brad Lang, Paul Tryon, Scott Webby
9 Hole - Sam Corston, Sam Drummond, Ian George, Hadleigh McLean, Jacqui Orman, Dee Rickard, Susan & Paul Shand
Summer -Olivier David, Jenny Ferrier, Robbie Greer, Mitchell Hedges, Liz Horlacher, Liam Kennard, James King, Aaron Lawrence, Mark Lutterman, Glenda & Paul Molgat, Luke Nicholson, Mitchell Turner
Junior - Toby Butler, Oscar Gaskell, Jett Haskell, Noah Jones, Hunter Krammer, Ryan Kroupa, Nico Traut
