Hi all.
Many of you would have got to know Dereck and his dog (Checka) on the 3rd tee block over the last few weeks, He has been doing a fantastic job in putting steps in and surrounds. He has done a great job even with all the unsolicited advice.
Thank you all for not holding him up too long chatting. I'm sure you will see him on the course in the future.
Winter golf is now here and the ground is a lot softer, so you will be more likely to take a bigger divot, All the more need to carry a sand bucket and fill in the divots even in the rough. Also I have noticed that there is a lot of unrepaired pitch marks on the greens. If you have time while waiting for your turn just check around to see if you can repair some.
Great to see the new tee block (No 4) is up and running, Have you noticed that I got the greenkeepers to angle it straight at the money tree.
Remember that the money tree is just fun and any money gathered goes back into the club. (See woodies report for details)
Have fun and enjoy your golf. Remember its only a game. But great to win the beer!!!!!!!
Pete Cederman.
President.
FROM YOUR GREENKEEPERS
We have now completed spraying the whole course from tee to green to deter earthworms and the damage they cause with their castings (poop) and wear on our machines. The process doesn't kill the worms, but it does encourage them to move away from the sprayed areas.
Now that the bulk of mowing is complete the plan is to put some time and energy into the underwhelming pathways. We plan to extend several further toward the fairways, giving you a drier and smoother run/walk to your second (hopefully) shot.
We have received some feedback in the last couple of weeks expressing dissatisfaction with the height and thickness of the rough. We accept that conditions have not been ideal. However, you will recall that April had some prolonged and heavy rain events. These were coupled with three short weeks due to public holidays (yep, we get time off too!) So the rain and short weeks had limited the amount of time we had available to mow. In addition, we have learnt a very good lesson from painful experience, and that is if we mow the rough when the ground is soft and wet we invariably end up with heavy tyre damage (ruts) and bogged equipment. So now when these conditions arise - we hold off mowing until conditions improve.
We are really pleased with the end result of the new turf lay on Tiny (No. 4) tee. It looks great, seems to play okay and the paths and woodwork top it all off. Thank to Dereck for the latter, and the Woodies for all their hard work removing and installing turf. It was also the Woodies which funded and planted the new trees on 6 and 17. Another noteworthy achievement.
FROM THE WOODIES
The highlight this month was US Masters Monday. Not just because of the golf but because we laid the Number 4 Tee Block that day. While the technical cutting and rolling was done by Nick and Steve, the "grunt" work was done by the Woodies. We loaded and unloaded 350 rolls of turf. While, with the help of gravity, we were able to unload the rolls singularly it took two of us to lift them on each time. Seven trailer loads of 50 rolls. The mathematician amongst us, Steve, worked out that we had loaded seven tons of rolls onto and then off the trailer! Not a bad effort for a group of geriatrics! In my 15 years of Woodies work I can't remember a bigger day!
Thanks also go to Derek for laying the new wooden boundary and Shona for cleaning up the ditch side of the block and laying fresh mulch. We have a new sign on the block acknowledging Lisa and Rusty from Moutere Hills Wine for their generous sponsorship of Closest to the Pins on Saturdays.
Thanks to Daryl for getting the sign printed. We are all very proud of the end result. Once we finished about 1.30pm we enjoyed a few congratulatory beers and still managed to get home to watch the recording of Rory winning the Masters without anyone having told us the outcome. A minor miracle in its self!
The old trees have now been removed from 6 and 17 Fairways and have been replaced by Evergreen Ashs on 6 and Ribbonwoods on 17, they will have greatly appreciated the recent rain!
We have now moved on to our next project, planting natives outside the boundary on No 10. I've said enough this month so will include a detailed breakdown on this next month.
FROM YOUR HOUSE COMMITTEE
Welcome to Melissa McKenzie, our new part-time hospitality assistant.
We are delighted to announce that Melissa has joined our team as a part-time hospitality assistant. She will support David and Linda in the kitchen on Friday and Saturday afternoons. You may also see Melissa behind the bar from time to time, when either David or Linda is on leave.
Make sure to take a moment to introduce yourself and extend a warm greeting when you have the chance!
FROM THE MATCHROOM
The Haig cup is well under way with the Quarter finals being played on Saturday 17th - good luck to all those still in the mix.
The other annual men's match play event, the Rowling Trophy, starts in late June. This is a 4BBB Matchplay on handicap competition, drawn partners. Entries are limited to the first 64 members to put their names on the entry sheet, which is out now, so don't miss out.
We also have the Du Maurier, Canadian Foursomes, coming up on Sunday May 25th. This is a pairs competition, mixed and same gender. The posters are up and online now, however, we won't be putting a sign-up sheet out for this comp, as registration and the draw will happen on the day. Please register by 10.30 for an 11am start.
And finally, for those of you yet to hear, PJ (Peter Johnson) has recently resigned from the Match Committee. On behalf of myself and the rest of the Match Committee, a big THANK YOU PJ for all your time and assistance over the last 2 yrs, you are leaving very big shoes to fill! But don't worry all, PJ is continuing in his other valued roles within the club.
FROM OUR 18 HOLE LADIES
Motueka retained the Acheson cup v Nelson with a 4/2 score April 14th.
Sunday 4th May saw the Motueka team of Sally & Tania (nett67) Sandra & Sandy (nett65) win the Tasman District National Teams final - The final- a 4BBB was held at Hokitika on a beautiful still sunny day with the view of Mt Cook to the south stunning.
Their course was in great condition & greens were good- thanks apparently to the greens roller they bought from Mot so we were told!
FROM OUR 9 HOLE LADIES
Our Nine Hole ladies have held the Biddy Smith trophy for over two years. Other clubs have challenged us for this over this time, without success, but sadly and finally the trophy is now with Greenacres.
Interclub for the season has finished. Motueka, Tasman, Greenacres, Totaradale, Nelson and Marlborough all competed at all of the courses with Motueka coming out 3rd.
Well done to all the ladies who took part in these competitions.
NEW AND RETURNED MEMBERS
We welcome the following new and returning members to Motueka Golf.
Joanne (Jo) Arthur, Hugh Douglas, Sebastian Ellis, Sam Gregory, Hone Kareko, Sid Lambert, Theo Lutton, Jonny Richards, Dakota Senior, Phil Sheard, Ron Stuart and Graham Timms.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription renewal process is almost complete. We thank all that paid promptly and those that are keeping up with their instalments. The implementation of the red bag tags is providing a much simpler way of identifying our members who are financial for this season. If you are reading this and have yet to pay, or arrange an instalment plan, (and there are still a small number of you) then you really do need to contact subs@motuekagolf.co.nz and sort it out.
