15 October 2017
From Renee’s desk: “Share your smile with the world. It’s a symbol of peace and friendship”
Christie Brinkley
Over the past month spring has sprung and the weather is improving in terms of sunshine.
I recently played in the Anita Boon Pro Am in Auckland. Pro-Am’s are always fun and a great way to meet new people. We are looking forward to our own Harcourts Pro Am in January (21st) 2018.
We have been bombarded through the media by the politics of our country leading up to the election and now awaiting for the outcome of an MMP decision so a government is formed. As we know New Zealand was the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in. I was also lucky to have the privilege of attending LPGA McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open. This was a first for our country and it has to be the biggest international tournament I have attended here. It was great to catch up with people I know and fab to catch up with our star Lydia. I was a volunteer for two days and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was lucky though that I was back at work when the weather became feral!
Profiling John Marshall Chair of the TGC Board
John was born in Wellington and attended Karori West Normal School and Onslow College attaining his School Certificate. During his teenage years he participated in various sports including soccer, hockey, canoeing, surfing and golf.
He began his Cadet Engineering apprenticeship with Wilkins and Davies Construction. Wilkins and Davies were well-known for a number of engineering construction projects such as: the Ohakki Geothermal Power Station; the Moutoa Sluice Gates for the Manawatu River Control and the Picton Ferry Terminal. During his cadetship John attended Polytechnic College part time and completed his NZ Certificate in Engineering: Civil. John spent ten years with Wilkins and Davies Construction Company working around New Zealand and in Samoa on large construction projects.
John then moved to Taupo to start a concrete business and later started a building company which he ran himself until his retirement. John joined the Registered Master Builders Association in Taupo where he was president on two separate occasions. In 2000 he stood for the national board of Registered Master Builders and remained on one of their two boards over the next sixteen years. One of the highlights during 2004 was John was the President of the Registered Master Builders Association.
Having participated in various sports over the years John played squash before returning to golf. He now is an active participant in road biking, mountain biking, tramping and golf. John has two adult children who live in Australia and says he has been lucky that Margery has put up with him for the last 34 years.
In 2010 John was asked to join the TGC Board. In recent years the club has struggled financially and it has been John’s leadership and the board’s hard work that has enabled the club debt to be reduced. The board has had to make some unpopular decisions to ensure the future health of the club. As a Chair John has continued to have his eye on the future and has worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure proposed actions are carried through. As an example the recent physical changes to the Pro-shop were completed on a very limited budget with John regularly turning up to work. John however continues to challenge new ideas to ensure there is rigor behind any changes or decisions that are made. He has been a much focussed Captain who has steered the ship out of the storm!
Highlights during his tenure have been the significant reduction in our debt, gaining free water from the TDC for three years, completion of numerous projects, improved machinery for the green keeping staff and an objective, harmonious board who work well together. John will be stepping down at the next AGM and is looking forward to playing more golf. Thank you John for your energy, practical work undertaken but most of all for your commitment to the Club in ensuring its future health.
Patsy Hankins Room -
The office vacated by the administrators is in the process of a facelift.
The room will be titled the Patsy Hankins Room in recognition of Patsy’s trailblazer qualities. Patsy fostered and developed the women’s game, was a board member and Chair for Women’s Golf NZ. Patsy was also bestowed on of the greatest honours in golf when she was offered membership at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Patsy was elected as the Women’s Chairman for the IGF in 2012. Her appointment was one of the biggest achievements for a New Zealand golf administrator.
The new Patsy Hankins room will be multipurpose. This will be utilised for tournament officials as a Tournament Office Hub and a meeting room as required. If you wish to book the Patsy Hankins Room please see the administrators at the office.
Email Provider Changes
If your email service provider has changed can you please let us know so we can update our records. Thanks for your assistance.
Saturday Men’s Competition
The net Eagles jackpot was won by Neil Murley – congratulations Neil. The putting tip I gave you must have helped!
Rules Official
Ralph Robertshaw recently passed his rules examination with a 100% perfect score! Congratulations Ralph
Mini Masters Tournament 2017
What a great bunch of young golfers we had at the Taupo Golf Club on the 13 & 14 October to play in our Annual Lake Taupo Junior and Mini Masters Age Group Championship.
Our own Olly Monkman was the overall winner with rounds of 73 on Tauhara and 75 on Centennial for a total score of 148. In second place Keegan Jephson on 155, Ari de Meyer from Tahiti with a combined score of 156. Two players returned scores of 157 Matthew Fairweather (Omanu) and Oak Archivarian (Riverside). Congratulations Olly and well done to all the players and a special thanks to the Junior Committee for their tireless work to make this tournament possible.
It was fantastic to see players from our sister club TINA GC, Noumea, New Caledonia competing and enjoying our course. We look forward to another successful event next year.
Upcoming Events
· Now that Day Light Saving is here this Friday Club Twilight Golf starts from 4pm. $5 for members and $15 for visitors so bring a friend! The Café and Bar will be open on Friday night for dinner and drinks.
Summer Membership 9 and 19 hole options available