Just returned from a short stay with our cuzzies across the ditch and it is wonderful to see everything looking so green and lush. Having had a good amount of rain over the last couple of weeks, the course is a little damp but still in great shape thanks to all the drainage that has been done over the last few years.
We are very pleased to hear that our good friend from Blenheim who had the heart attack on the weekend of the Open Foursomes has fully recovered and doing great. We wish him all the best and hope to see him back playing here in Motueka.
You would have noticed that there has been some work getting done on the men's 3rd tee block. This is being done by Dereck my good neighbour. He is doing it voluntarily and a great job it is too. He is happy to have a quick chat but don't hold him up too long.
Big thanks to Dereck for doing all these projects that make the course look so good.
As long term members of our Club, we often don't see things with such rosy glasses, and it really is great to get the viewpoint from a very new member. (see next article)
Happy Golfing.
Pete Cederman.
President.
REFLECTIONS FROM A NEW MEMBER
I recently moved to Motueka from the Coromandel. One of the first things I did was to join the Motueka Golf Club. The friendliness of the club members, staff, and committee that I have met so far has been fantastic. The membership process is very straightforward. I was pleasantly surprised at the cost of full membership - very reasonable compared to other clubs I have been to. My 14-year-old grandson has also joined - again, very reasonable fee to join.
After joining, I received a phone call from Peter Johnson to welcome us to the club - what a nice way to be welcomed.
My first round was a Wednesday, and I was drawn to play with Ralph, Peter, and Rodger. Great guys to play with even though Ralph and I lost the beer!
Having fairway watering is something I haven't seen on too many courses where we came from - it is a pleasure to play off such great fairways (when I'm not hitting out of trees!).
Thanks for the warm welcome and I look forward to meeting club members on the course and in the clubhouse this year.
Steve McDowell (not the ex-All Black)
FROM YOUR GREENKEEPERS
Autumn Green maintenance is complete in time for the autumn growth. The dump of rain last week was timed perfectly to assist our efforts.
Work on replacing No 4 (Tiny) tee block is commenced on Monday 7 April. The tee will be levelled, returfed, irrigation replaced and a refurbished path installed. We expect this work to take about two weeks. Whilst this is taking place, we have established a temporary tee block ahead of the existing one. Rest assured that we will select appropriate pin placements to reduce a multitude of Hole in Ones happening.
FROM YOUR HOUSE COMMITTEE
Catering - When Jenny left her role as our caterer to move to Kaikoura, we couldn't help but wonder how we would manage without her. As it turns out,we need not have worried. Thanks to the combined efforts of David, Linda and volunteer members, both the quality and availability of food have been very capably maintained.
David and Linda generously added the kitchen to their bar duties, working alongside volunteers to prepare and serve food throughout the day. Their willingness to take on additional responsibilities demonstrates their commitment to the club and team spirit.
A heartfelt thank you to all the club members who stepped up when we needed you, and to David and Linda for embracing the extra workload with such grace and commitment. Your efforts have made a real difference, and we're truly grateful.
As successful as this interim approach has been, it's clear that relying so heavily on goodwill is not sustainable in the long term. While we will not be replacing Jenny with another catering contractor, we are increasing staff hours to meet the ongoing catering demands.
Over the winter, Linda will increase her hours to enable her to look after catering on Wednesday afternoons. In addition, we are now seeking a third person to work Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. This person will primarily be engaged as a caterer. The role will also require the successful applicant to be available to cover for David and Linda when they are away on annual leave or sick leave, and to be available for events such as tournaments, dinners etc.
If you know of someone who would be both suitable and interested in such a position, please ask them to contact Ron on housechair@motuekagolf.co.nz
Bar and Chiller Renovation Update - You may notice people walking around the bar and walk-in chiller area with tape measures and clipboards over the coming weeks. That's because, after many years of reliable service keeping our beer and wine cool, the chiller has reached the end of its life.
During the quieter winter months, the existing chiller will be demolished and removed, and replaced with a new, more energy-efficient model. Naturally, this will cause some disruption to our bar operations. To minimise the impact, a temporary bar will be set up so we can continue serving members throughout the transition, though service may be slightly limited for a week or two.
While the chiller is out of action, we're also taking the opportunity to renovate the bar service area. Although plans are still being finalised, the intention is to renew and enhance the bar counter, shelving, and storage to create a more functional and appealing space.
As the plans take shape and timelines are confirmed, we will be sure to keep you updated with further details.
FROM THE WOODIES
Firstly a big thanks to our Woodie Wayne, that's our musician and artist extraordinaire, for the painting on Mens No 18 Tee. He has turned an ugly stump into a great feature of our course. I know the men can't miss it but, ladies, take a stroll up from the Ladies Tee and have a look.
Like all of us I'm sure you will be greatly impressed. There have been a couple of interesting comments;
1. Will it last? Yes, Wayne has used exterior Dulux paint so it will be good for many years.
2. Is the model Bill Agnew? No, Wayne assures me it isn't. Sorry Bill but your chance at immortality has gone!
In line with our course improvement plan coordinated by Nick our focus over the next few weeks is to remove some ugly and deteriorating trees to the Left of the No 6 and No 17 Greens. They will be replaced with fresh tree plantings. On No 6 we will be planting Evergreen Ash's and probably Lacebarks on No 17.
From time to time the Woodies do work felling trees for neighbours bordering our course. We recently removed a neighbours tree and we have decided to use the payment we received to buy the trees we are going to be planting No 6 and 17.
And it doesn't stop there. Next month we will update you on our next improvement plan!
FROM THE 18 HOLE LADIES
The 25th Allan Scott Tournament in Blenheim usually has several Motueka girls but this year only Shirlene Miller went, she did us proud by winning the 1st Nett in her division on the 3rd day & collected 10th stableford on 2nd day plus a closest to pin prize. Well done Shirlene.
We held our 18 hole 4BBB competition last week. On a perfect sunny day Jane Adams scored her 3rd "HOLE IN ONE" - on No 4. Congratulations to Jane!
Rhonda Heckler & Sandy LePine won with 47 points on a countback from Tania Appelman & Evelyn Hay, Shirlene Miller & Joyce Bullock 3rd.
Sunday was Motueka's turn to host the ladies Westrupp Cup - Nelson defeated Totaradale convincingly. Greenacres won 11 points over Motueka 7, for some who don't realize this is a team of the lowest 6 players available on the day, is 4ball match play in the am & singles in pm- no handicaps, all off the stick so our 7 points was well earned as many of these players from Greenacres & Nelson are on single figure handicaps.
FROM THE 9 HOLE LADIES
The BEV BRADLEY CHALLENGE - This is Match play on handicap between 9 and 18 Hole Ladies
The first challenge this year resulted in a resounding victory for the 9 Hole Ladies with a decisive 7 to 3 winning matches against the 18 Hole Ladies. Great effort 9 Holers! There were some big wins as well as some very close ones that went down to the last hole. Over $130 dollars was collected to go to Hospice from the donations. See you all in September for the second challenge for the year.
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following new and returning members. Toby Flatman, Ken Foskett, Neville Fyfe, Olivia Gillespie, Bruce Harper, Brodie Maru, Daniel McDowell, Steve McDowell, Jonty Price, Brady Richards, Jennifer Rutherford, Marian Schirmer, Benjamin Syme, Riley Tate and Luca Welham.
© Motueka Golf Club
