The start of the year has been a busy one, with our club hosting multiple tournaments. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these closures, and I want to extend a huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make these events such a success.
Ruby Jarvis and I had the opportunity to compete in the Wallace Development NZPGA Pro Am— 52 teams entered, and Ruby was paired with Australian Kyle Michel finishing 10th, while I teamed up with New Zealander Sungjin Yeo, who plays on the Korean Tour, and we placed 32nd. It was fantastic to see so many friendly faces out there supporting us; your presence truly helped ease the nerves.
A special thank you to Louise Sanko who caddied for me. Your support made the day so much less stressful!
Congratulations to the following ladies
- Rosemary Burns for her incredible hole-in-one on the 16th!
- Martha Manaena and Di Syer on their selection for the Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay Masters Team, competing at the NZ Women’s Masters tournament in Ashburton from 10-13th April.
- Ruby Jarvis and Sandra O’Sullivan for winning the Play it like the Pros gross and net gross women’s competition over the weekend.
If you see them around, be sure to pass on your congratulations.
Women’s Club Days & Competition
Tuesdays and Saturdays are our 18-hole women’s club days—perfect opportunities to meet and play with other ladies while participating in club competitions. To join, simply book your tee time through the Golf NZ website, app, or in the Pro Shop.
Regardless of the day, always check in at the Pro Shop before your round, whether you’re printing a scorecard or using a digital one. This ensures the field runs smoothly and on time. The day’s competitions will be displayed on the screen—if you’d like to enter, just tick the box. Your competition entry will be indicated on your scorecard (printed or digital), so double-check before leaving the Pro Shop. Your tee time and assigned tee number will also be on your scorecard. It’s important to start at the correct time and tee—if you need changes, the Pro Shop can assist. In competitions as per Rule 5.3a of The Rules of Golf you will be disqualified if you tee off on the wrong tee and/or time. For fairness to all our golfers please adhere to the Rules of Golf. More information on this rule can be found here https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-5
Tee bookings open two weeks in advance, so we recommend booking as soon as they become available to secure your preferred time. Additionally, if you’re holding spots under placeholder names, please update them with the correct players as soon as possible or remove them if they’re unavailable. Do not show up on the day expecting to take someone else’s reserved spot. The Pro Shop does keep a close eye on this.
Handicap & Pennant Team Selection
There has been much discussion around the Golf Committee’s policy decision on submitting scorecards for pennant team selection. This is not about questioning integrity but ensuring accurate handicaps for fair competition and giving our teams the best chance to win. Please respect the Captain’s decisions on team selection.
For those not playing pennants, accurate score submissions still matter. They help maintain fair competition by ensuring players have the correct handicaps and contribute to rating the difficulty of each hole. For example, our hardest hole (stroke hole 1) is currently hole 14, with an average score of 5.84, while our easiest hole (stroke hole 18) is hole 4, averaging 3.93. As a collective group in 2024 our ladies handed in 76% of their cards, if more cards are entered it could potentially change these ratings.
Competition Scheduling & Conflicts
Some players have asked about the scheduling overlap between the National Teams Qualifying Strokeplay, LGU Net Medal Round 2, and the Campbell Cup/Bill & Mary Cup first-round matches. The latter has a deadline of Sunday, March 30, while the other competitions can be played on either Saturday this week or Tuesday next week.
If you’ve scheduled a match on Tuesday, you can still compete in the other events simultaneously or choose to play on Saturday—there are still 3 available spots. Alternatively, you may also participate outside the designated women’s playing times on Saturday and still enter the competition.
Mystery Trip
The course will be closed due to coring between Monday 7th and Friday 11th April. On Tuesday 8th April we are organizing a Mystery Trip to play another golf course. This is open to all 18- and 9-hole golfers regardless of membership category. You can register by putting your name on the registration form in the locker room which will be up by Tuesday. Carts are usually limited and will be allocated as a first in first served basis.
More details to follow.
Course Etiquette Tip – Speed Up Play: Move Off the Green Efficiently!
To keep play moving smoothly, ensure the safety of golfers and an enjoyable round, please follow these simple etiquette guidelines when leaving the green:
- Move Promptly - after the last player has holed out walk off the green without unnecessary delays. Mark your scorecard at the next tee box to avoid holding up the group behind you.
- Take the most direct route - exit the green efficiently heading toward the next tee without backtracking or interfering with the next groups approach. To do this once you have played your last shot onto the green move your trundler away from the front of the green to the pathway heading to the next hole. Then go putt.
- Be aware of other groups - if the course is busy maintain a steady pace and be considerate of faster groups when necessary allow them to play through.
Golf Rule Tip – Don’t Let a Wrong Ball Ruin Your Round!
Playing the Wrong Ball - Rule 6.3c(1)
We have all been there and it can trip up the most experienced players. To help avoid this costly mistake, before you tee off tell your group what ball you are playing with – brand, number, and any identifying marks. It’s a good idea to switch to a different one if a player’s ball is very similar. If you do hit another ball:
- Match play - loss of hole.
- Stroke play - two-stroke penalty.
More detailed information can be found here - https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-6
In Memoriam: Wendy Nichol
Unfortunately, it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Wendy Nichol. Wendy was a cherished member of our club, known for her dedication to the Crossman pennants team which she competed in for over 20 years. A private funeral was held for her in her garden last Sunday at the same time the Crossman Team competed at Waipukurau. This was a hard day for all and Crossman Cup Captain Martha Manaena shared some kind words after competition followed by others sharing stories. Wendy also won the Campbell Cup last year which we are competing for at the moment. Her presence and contributions will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. My heartfelt condolences to those that were close to her and her family.
Emma Mouat
Women’s Club Captain
0210429133
emmamouathgc@outlook.com
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