On Friday April 5 we were greatly saddened to learn that Rob Annett's partner, Rachel, had died suddenly overnight. Rachel frequently joined Rob and Jenny in the kitchen and behind the bar and was well known to many club members. We share our deepest sympathy with Rob, Jenny and everyone who knew Rachel.
Rob and Jenny have been taking some much-needed time away from the club since their sudden loss. Obviously, their expertise in running the clubhouse has been sorely missed during that time.
I do wish to thank the many club members who have volunteered their time to keep the bar, the matchroom and the kitchen operational and the clubhouse and facilities clean and tidy.
The kitchen is now back to normal, with Jenny returning to work, and we look forward to Rob's return to the bar in the near future.
New Apprentice Greenkeeper
The club would like to welcome our new apprentice greenkeeper Jack Bell who will be starting at the club in mid May.Jack is looking forward to working with Nick and Steve, so please make him welcome when you get to meet him.
From the Woodies
The Woodies have been very busy lately. The strong winds have caused quite a bit of damage that has now been cleaned up. In addition a dead Blackwood on the left of 18th Fairway has been removed. The bridge across the ditch in front of the carpark became a Health and Safety issue and this has now been fixed.
The long dry spell has put a lot of our trees, including mature ones, under stress. We have been helping the trees planted over the last year or so by drip watering them with water containers. Hopefully the recent good rain will be of great benefit. If you look closely you may even see the trees smiling!
We have just removed the dead shrubs on the side of the Matchroom, the replacement plants will be paid for by funds from the "Money Tree" tin!
It's a source of constant amusement to the Woodies that wherever they are working on the course our resident Cape Barren Goose turns up to supervise! We may need to get him a Safety Vest and a hard hat!
On the Fairways
The continuing fine weather is contributing to great playing conditions, greatly assisted by our fantastic greenkeeping staff and their helpers. Hopefully your handicaps are reflecting this. Only one bad weather day from memory, a Saturday with plenty of precipitation. Those that we have empowered to make the decision on whether to proceed with play, did so. No point in whinging about the outcome, as in general our guidelines are if the greens are playable, the course is playable. On the day in question, the sun eventually shone, and the 1st round of the Rowling trophy was completed successfully.
Things to look out for: On Thursday 3rd May the annual Festival of Golf tournament will be hosted at Motueka. A separate email has been sent outlining playing options on that day. On Sunday 5th May the Ladies National Teams Finals will be also hosted at Motueka. And finally, on Sunday 26 May the Du Maurier Open (Canadian Foursomes COP) is on.
Our Ladies
She Loves Golf has been very successful again this year. Well done and thank you again to Kevin Armstrong. From the 7 regular attendees, 6 have now joined as first year, 9 hole members. The 9 Hole Ladies group are very welcoming and set the newbies up with buddies to help them become familiar with the club and etiquette on the course.
New Members
Welcome to our new and returning members. Wayne Barcas, Hunter Cavill, Benjamin Corston, Adam Coughlan, Olly Davis, Harry Ensor, Peter Fox, Ryan Goodman, Hector Griffen, Zac Hannah, Deana Insley, Susannah Kerkham, Chris Leaning, Ryan Leppien, Elija Marshall, Jacqui Orman, Stuart Price, Sarah Robinson, Josh Sutton, Tom Winsloe, Briton Woodman.
Make our new members welcome, be friendly, When you see these players practising and playing on the course, please encourage them ... we all were learners at one time!
Our Juniors
We now have 30 Juniors registered, and under the guidance of Karl Heke, arrangements for coaching (Total Golf assisting) and eventually a competitive program are being put in place. The first formal coaching session will be at Motueka on Sunday 28th April commencing at 9:30am. I am sure Karl would welcome any offers of assistance. You can contact him on 0274726770.
From Inward Correspondence
To the President and Committee Motueka Golf Club.
I am a golf widow.
My Husband leaves me every Saturday to "relieve stress and relax with like-minded people".
What he does not realise is that I also cherish this time every Saturday.
He thinks he is clean, but he is not .... so Saturday enables me to clean the areas that he has " cleaned".
I also relish the opportunity to catch up on Coro, and any juicy NETFLIX mini series and get out and about walking and cycling.
Late in the afternoon I am completely relaxed and ready to face his moaning about how his " friends" treated him at golf. He says sometimes he is bullied......so much for the "relieve stress and relax with like-minded people.
Most of the time we get on quite well but the mini divorce most Saturdays is an important part of our relationship.
I realise you take great pride in your course and therefore at times the course must be closed due to heavy rain events.
However please consider there are other people that you need to consider before closing the course.
P.S I have threatened to join the club but I'm just messing with him.
Please treat this letter seriously,
Yours faithfully.
LESLEY
Oops, I mean UNKNOWN Author.
Cheers
Pete Cederman
President
© Motueka Golf Club
