FROM THE PRESIDENT
It is encouraging to see that the colder weather and shorter days have not been putting members off their golf. Playing numbers during the week and on Saturdays have remained strong, even if the scores have not been quite as flattering as they were over the summer months. Fortunately, the shortest day is now behind us, and while spring may seem a long way off, every round from here on is played with a little more daylight than the last. Summer will be here before we know it!
There are several matters I'd like to update members on this month. To do so in this newsletter would make it a rather lengthy tome, probably more than most people would want to read. So instead, I've given a brief overview below, with more detail in the attachments below for those with an interest to know more. Feel free to read as much or as little as interests you.
1. Last month I included a broad summary of the responses to our member questionnaire. I have now collated the 164 responses into a single document. Although it is eight pages long, most of it consists of graphs and members' comments, making it a relatively quick read. If you are interested, you will find it attached.
2. The questionnaire results are interesting in their own right, but their real value lies in how they will help shape the Club's future. The responses will form the foundation of the club's Strategic Plan.
Developing the plan won't happen overnight. The Management Committee will prepare a broad framework outlining the key areas the plan will cover. That draft will then go out to members for comment and input, before we move into the finer details. You'll find a more detailed breakdown of this process in the attachment entitled "Planning Discussion".
3. Another matter for members' consideration is a minor amendment to the Club's Constitution. The proposed change is intended to correct an oversight that occurred when the Constitution was adopted last year. It has been pleasing to see that since its adoption the Constitution has proven to be fit for purpose in almost every respect.
However, a couple of procedural matters relating to the conduct of the Annual General Meeting have been identified and need to be addressed. A fuller explanation of the proposed amendments is provided in the attachment entitled "Motion to amend the Constitution" below.
4. We have reviewed the allocation of the car parks reserved for Management Committee members and agreed that two of them can be put to better use by recognising members' golfing achievements. Accordingly, two of the reserved spaces will, from now on, be allocated each month to the winners of the men's and women's net competitions. One space will be awarded to the winner of the Men's Mug Medal round, while the other will be awarded to the winner of the women's equivalent net competition, played in conjunction with the LGU round on the same day. We have yet to settle on permanent names for these reserved spaces. In the meantime, we will label the parks "Net King" and "Net Queen". If you have an alternative suggestion, we'd love to hear it!
5. I'm sure everyone who plays on Saturdays has noticed the sharp drop in temperature around 3.30pm during the winter months, along with the loss of daylight towards the end of the round. Some Saturdays have been very gloomy and cold by the time results are out and we all head home. It's been suggested that, over the three winter months, Saturday start times be brought forward to 11.00am or 11.30am. The season is now too far advanced to make a change this year, but we'd be interested in hearing members' views before deciding whether to introduce earlier Saturday start times next winter.
As always, thank you to everyone who continues to support the Club-whether by playing, volunteering, serving on committees or simply contributing ideas.
Enjoy your golf over the rest of winter, keep warm, and let's hope for a few more crisp, sunny days.
Ron Noordijk
President
FROM THE GOLF CONVENOR
At this time of year everything is pretty low key golf-wise. Well done to Mike Inwood and Grant Thorn for winning the Mens Rowling Trophy. Two Sloan rounds since the last newsletter. First was held at Motueka, so our team didn't play in the main comp. They did however play the Tasman Junior and gained a strong win. The latest was held at Waahi Taakaro where Motueka provided the team performance of the day beating Murchison 8.5 - 0.5. With one round to go, Takaka will in all likelihood win this years competition. Motueka are fighting for third place with Waahi Taakaro.
Old Hickory played at Totaradale and were attempting to win three on the trot. However, once the scores were added up we were tied for 1st with Waahi Taakaro but then lost on count back as their 5th placed player with a 26 beat ours on 25. Best score on the day came from our Nick McIntyre.
A very successful 9 Hole Pink Lady Tournament was held on a sunny Thursday, June 18.
There were 45 ladies from around the district coming together dressed in varying shades and styles of pink to raise money for Breast Cancer.
The winners of the day were the Happy Wee Kiwis team of Helen, Kay and Wendy.
They raised $467 for Breast Cancer from the proceeds of the raffles consisting of items donated by our members.
Well done to our organising team and of course all the club staff who helped make it such an enjoyable day.
Our18 Hole ladies play Pennants this week at Home, so good luck to our team.
Early planning has commenced for our NBS Open to be held in January 2027, so watch out for entry information on the website.
The Superliquor Open Pairs tournament (Ladies and Mens Pairs) will be held 3rd and 4th October and entries will soon open on our website and in the Clubhouse.
NEEDING TO GET A GRIP
Recently, my playing partner commented on how smooth my putter was. Sadly, for me, he was referring to the Putter grip and not the stroke!
Midwinter is a great time to highlight the importance of well-conditioned grips. A fresh grip has a soft, slightly tacky texture that maximizes connection to the club-an advantage that's amplified in cold, wet months. An old, shiny grip, hardened by oil from hundreds of shots, can become slippery and difficult to control. Beyond staying put in inclement conditions, a good grip significantly affects your swing in normal weather. If grips are firm and glossy, it's nearly impossible to apply the correct pressure, which forces you to grip too tightly to keep the club from slipping. That tension prevents the club from working properly through the swing. Whether you're battling cold, damp weather or simply trying to swing to your full potential, grips in good nick make a big difference.
So if your grips are smooth and shiny, winter is a perfect time to get them changed in preparation for the warmer weather and you can do that right here. Just talk to Steve at the Greenkeepers shed, and he will do it for you at a very reasonable cost.
(The idea and content for this article was 'borrowed' from another Clubs Newsletter)
PREDATOR CONTROL
As many of you will know we have been trapping on the course for over ten years. For the last three years this has been undertaken by our Trapman, Brian Chandler, in addition to his normal woodie duties. Brian also runs a trap line in Ruby Bay and while he resided in Auckland he chaired the Tiritiri Matangi Supporters Group. (Tiritiri Matangi is an island in the Hauraki Gulf which is a Bird Sanctuary - a wonderful place to visit!) So he is very experienced! Currently we run 10 Mustelid/ Rat Traps and one Possum Trap.
We have recently formed an alliance with the Motueka Town Trappers (MTT) group. They run a trap line along Motueka Quay and from the North side of the golf course to the Kumeras. In addition many residents in our town have joined this group and have traps in their backyards. Our traps have now all been Geo Located and we can now log our kills into the national data base. We can also access other kills in the area and the baits used, which will be beneficial.
On average we have 3 to 4 kills each time the traps are checked. Originally, we kept a record but we gave up when we got to over 100 rats and 50 hedgehogs! Unfortunately, we are unable to control the main predator which are the domestic cats that are seen wandering across and about the course. If you see them, just give them a gentle reminder they are not welcome.
Another outcome of our alliance with MTT is that they are going to extend the trap line to the north of us to incorporate our boundary along the 12th fairway.
As you will have seen and heard this is certainly benefiting the birdlife on our course!
If you would like to know more about this group just Google "Motueka Town Trappers" or have a chat to Brian or Peter J.
UPDATE TO LOCAL RULES
Our Local Rules have recently been updated to cover relief from aeration holes and relief from the new plantings on Hole 16.
Aeration Hole Relief: For a period after greens have been aerated if a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole on a Putting Green the player may take relief under Rule 16.1.d. This temporary rule will be put in place by the Greenkeeper and be indicated by a sign displayed on the Matchroom.
Relief on Hole 16: The area to the left of the 16th Fairway, where the trees were removed and new plantings have been made, is marked as GUR, and is a NO PLAY ZONE. Dropping is compulsory. This area extends backwards into the wooded area. Relief is available under Rule 16.1.b.
The Local Rules are posted in the display cabinet on front of the Matchroom and on NZ Golf - accessible when using a digital card.
WELL DONE GEOFF
A shout out to Geoff Blois who has just completed refurbishment of all the rake holders. Frustrated with not being able to locate a rake holder during a recent round, Geoff decided to do something about it. They look great in their new bright yellow livery and can now be easily seen.
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following new and returned members. Give them a warm welcome when you see them.
Full Playing: Zac Adamson, Drew Butcher
Country: Jeff Huston
Junior: Luke Cooper, Millen Fry, Denys Greenfield, Oscar Muir, Daniel Pongipongo
