Fairway Times January 2018 In this issue: New Membership Cards There are still a number of members who have not collected their membership cards from the Pro Shop. These have been produced to enable members to identify themselves when visiting other golf courses here in NZ and also around the world. The club has reciprocal rights with a number of clubs and presenting your card will ensure easy access to these clubs. Your membership card is also important locally as it will unlock discounts with those businesses who are club advertisers/sponsors. New offers will be emailed out shortly and support from members will encourage these business people to continue to advertise with the club. Advertising/sponsorship provides much needed additional income to the club. New greens mowers have arrived By now many members will have seen the two new greens mowers that arrived just prior to the Maori Golf Association Tournament. Gordon and the team are delighted with this new equipment and believe they will assist them in maintaining both courses to the current high standard. The board approved leasing these mowers late last year however we were successful in receiving a $20,000 grant from the Grasslands Trust towards their purchase, not lease. As a result of this grant we have arranged finance to cover the balance of the purchase price with the result being that we now own them and the finance cost is less than the lease cost. Tee Signs all up The final tee signs were put in place just prior to the Pro Am Tournament with all 36 holes now sporting signs. Advertising on five of the holes was not sold and OnPar Golf Advertising agreed to complete the project by placing their own generic advert on these signs. Many thanks to members of the Men’s Nine Hole Group who spent a considerable amount of time putting up over 50 signs. New Carpet for the Club House New carpet throughout the club house is being laid this weekend from Sunday through to Waitangi Day. Once again we have been fortunate in obtaining partial funding for this project with $10,000 being donated by the Lion Foundation. While the carpet is being laid the Café and Bar will be closed. The junior committee will be running a fundraiser and providing food downstairs this Sunday to Tuesday. A limited bar service will also be provide by the Pro Shop. Patsy Hankins Room The Patsy Hankins Room changes were completed prior to the Maori Golf Association Tournament and had a good test run that week. It has also been used for meetings and tournaments since and is proving a valuable asset to the club. A big thank you to the Ladies Playing Group for their generous donation which enabled the old admin office to be converted. Also thanks to the team lead by Bernie Percell in completing the alterations and to Tony Riordan for painting and decorating. Alcohol Did you know the TGC is not BYO licenced? The club and both courses are covered by a club liquor licence that does not permit consumption of BYO alcohol. This has meant a change to tournament rules with all events now required to purchase alcohol through the club. This also applies to members and casual players. Please ensure that if you wish to have a drink out on either course, you purchase your supplies from the bar. Course Fees It has been noted over the holiday period that members are refraining from paying their course fee and pro shop staff are having to chase people. Please do not make them feel guilty if they ask you for the fee as they are just doing their job. If you arrive outside our trading hours we have a honesty box where you can deposit your course fee. ($3/$1.50) The honesty box is located to the left of the Pro Shop door. Thanks to those of you who are using the honesty box it is much appreciated. From Renee’s Desk “Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat”. Thoughts: I was fortunate enough to be involved with the NZ Maori Golf Association (NZMGA) recently and attended the prize giving ceremony where Phil Tataurangi was inducted into the NZMGA hall of fame. In his humble speech he said he felt golf had afforded him many “riches”. He joked that it was by far not richness in wealth but a richness of people he had met in his personal golf life journey that impacted him. Phil’s comments got me thinking about my first Maori Nationals. At the time I was 15 years old and hadn’t long started golf. Brenda Ormsby (a NZ Golfing legend) had taken me under her wing and I caddied for her that week. Mid-week Brenda suggested to me “Come along to the Hangi”. I wasn’t really a hangi fan, but instead of sharing my thoughts I said “I can’t go I’m not playing”. “Don’t be silly” she said “come along you will love it”. I was painfully shy and too scared to say no, so I went. These three things have always stuck with me my whole life as a result of my experience and why we run events: 1. Kai - there should always be enough food for all to feel welcomed 2. Music - that even with one string on a guitar at 3am in the morning you can strum out a great song 3. “He aha te mea nui o te ao. What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people”. Golf is a sport where you may not see each other often but when you play golf with someone you learn enough about a person that enables you to enjoy them as people and develop lasting relationships. Golfing friends can become “gold friends” and become part of your whanau/family.
I’m proud to say “Taupo Golf Club is the Home of Maori Golf Nationals”. Recent events NZMGA: By Mark Tito This year we had over 200 competitors and our locals shined! Five titles were won by local Taupo Golf Club competitors at the 2018 New Zealand Maori National golf tournament.  Rob Simmonds took the most sought after trophy, the senior matchplay and second in the strokeplay as well. Rob is the first local competitor to win the title in the history of the event. Mark Tito the Taupo golf club president won the best nett title for the Seniors on the Centennial course blue tees. Sarah Simmonds who is Robs mother won the strokeplay for the ladies Masters section. In the Intermediate section Mikki Mclaughlin won the intermediate stroke play title with rounds of 78 and and 77. 11-year-old Sasha Kingi/Mclaughlin Taupo junior won the Rangatahi girls Strokeplay title hitting her best scores in her first Maori Nationals tournament. 13-year-old Wilson Simmonds taking second place in the Rangatahi boys and 15 year old Candice Brunning making the semi finals of Matchplay in the open ladies. Well done to our team and the volunteers who made the event so successful – I am very proud of you all. Harcourt’s Pro Am With an incredible turn out for the very first Harcourts Pro Am Taupo! The team at Taupo Golf Club - unique in NZ with 36 holes hosted a well-run ProAm with special thanks to Renee Fowler and Anne Graham for a very well organized event. The green keepers did a “stellar job” on the course, it looked amazing! We had 38 Pro’s from all over the country play in the tournament, coordinated by Geoff Smart (National Events Manager) of Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand (PGANZ). Harcourts Taupo and the Taupo Golf Club are excited to announce that this may very well become an annual event. The business owners of Harcourts Taupo: Austin Harris, Rosie Harvey and Mary-Louise Johns were thrilled with the turn out and would like to thank each and every person who participated and supported this event. We had a range of players who entered the ProAm – Up and coming stars from Taupo Junior Golf Club Academy Candis Brunning, Sasha McLauglin and Wilson Simmonds who all featured in the top teams. 1. TGC - Grant Stockman, Gail Searle, Candis Brunning, Mike Alexander – winning Laser 5000IP Sure Shot 2. Harcourts Team - Daniel Pearce (holed his 2nd shot on the Par 4 8th hole for an Eagle) Austin Harris, Tim Bland, Janine McCauley – winning Sun Mountain Micro Carts. 3. NZMGA - Brett Allan, Mikki McLaughlin, Mark Tito, Sasha McLaughlin – winning PMP Wedges. 4. NZMGA#2 - Justin Morris, Rob Simmonds, Wilson Simmonds, Jody Tonga
5. TGC - Andy Gang, Dave Orchard, Ian Motion, Ernie Oxnam – winning Wilson pro Staff carry bags Prizes for winning teams were proudly sponsored by Prodrive Golf. Professional Golfers: Koh TAE PG shot a 65 - 7 under par round which equaled the course record. Justin Morris was second– and tied in 3rd place Shaun Jones & Joshua Munn. We had 38 Pro’s from all over the country play in the tournament, co-ordinated by Geoff Smart (National Events Manager) of (Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand). Harcourts Taupo and the Taupo Golf Club are excited to announce that this may very well become an annual event. The business owners of Harcourts Taupo, Austin Harris, and are thrilled with the turn out and would like to thank each and every person who participated and supported this event. We had a range of players who entered the ProAm – Up and coming stars from Academy Candis Brunning, Sasha McLauglin and Wilson Simmonds all featured in the top teams. 1. TGC - Grant Stockman, Gail Searle, Candis Brunning, Mike Alexander – winning Laser5000IP Sure Shot
2. Harcourts Team - (holed his 2nd shot on the Par 4 8th hole for an Eagle) , – winning Sun Mountain Micro Carts
3. NZMGA - Brett Allan, Mikki McLaughlin, , Sasha McLaughlin – winning PMP Wedges
4. NZMGA#2 - Justin Morris, Rob Simmonds, Wilson Simmonds, Jody Tonga
5. TGC - Andy Gang, Dave Orchard, Ian Motion, Ernie Oxnam – winning Wilson pro Staff carry bags Prizes for winning teams was proudly sponsored from . Winning the PGA – Koh TAE shooting a 65 a 7 under par round which equalled the course record. With 2nd place Justin Morris – and tying in 3rd place Shaun Jones & Joshua Munn. Photos credit: We had 38 Pro’s from all over the country play in the tournament, co-ordinated by Geoff Smart (National Events Manager) of (Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand). Harcourts Taupo and the Taupo Golf Club are excited to announce that this may very well become an annual event. The business owners of Harcourts Taupo, Austin Harris, and are thrilled with the turn out and would like to thank each and every person who participated and supported this event. We had a range of players who entered the ProAm – Up and coming stars from Academy Candis Brunning, Sasha McLauglin and Wilson Simmonds all featured in the top teams. 1. TGC - Grant Stockman, Gail Searle, Candis Brunning, Mike Alexander – winning Laser5000IP Sure Shot
2. Harcourts Team - (holed his 2nd shot on the Par 4 8th hole for an Eagle) , – winning Sun Mountain Micro Carts
3. NZMGA - Brett Allan, Mikki McLaughlin, , Sasha McLaughlin – winning PMP Wedges
4. NZMGA#2 - Justin Morris, Rob Simmonds, Wilson Simmonds, Jody Tonga
5. TGC - Andy Gang, Dave Orchard, Ian Motion, Ernie Oxnam – winning Wilson pro Staff carry bags Prizes for winning teams was proudly sponsored from . Winning the PGA – Koh TAE shooting a 65 a 7 under par round which equalled the course record. With 2nd place Justin Morris – and tying in 3rd place Shaun Jones & Joshua Munn. Photos credit: Helpers Clinic Run by Renee During my time here, I have been impressed by the volunteer club members (and at times their spouses/partners) who give of their time and really make a difference to the smooth running of events and carry out all the unseen but important jobs e.g. cart shed; helping the greenkeepers; potted flowers; flowers on the dining room tables etc. As a thank you I will be running a golfing clinic for our wonderful volunteers. Please let me know if as a volunteer you are interested in attending one of the clinics: Thursday 8th March 9-10.30am – Please sign up at the Pro Shop. Pro Shop Tip Click Here Sale Goods and New Stock in the Pro Shop We have some great bargains to be had. The new clothing and shoes have arrived for the summer season. Play the Lie – Placing – Local Rules Boards As noted in December’s newsletter you will now find printed on the scorecards placing or play the lie on the scorecards. This allows all golfers to check our local rules on the scorecard during their game. Those of you who are only just getting back into you regular golf will notice the Centennial Local Rules Board is now located next to the Tauhara Local Rules Board. Trading Hours – Golf Carts For those golfers wanting to get in early or later rounds of golf with a cart we can make this work. All we need is a little bit of notice so book in advance and we will organise it for you. Talking of carts – if any member notices misuse of golf carts please contact the pro-shop so we can head out and do some marshalling. Playing groups – tee times Monday: 12th Feb: 9 hole Women Opening Day Tuesday: 18 hole Women – 9am start Friday: Twilight Starts 2nd Feb Saturday: 3rd Feb: Weekend Men 12.30pm book online Weekend Women 9am book online
Upcoming events For the next 2 months we have a number of corporate events as well as local ones. Please check the online booking system for up-to-date playing availability · 11th Feb Cossie Club · 17th -18th Feb Westpac 48th Year Golf Tournament · 22nd 23rd Twin Classic: Entry forms are online or in the proshop · 24th 25th Feb LINZ · 26th 27th Feb Air NZ National Golf Tournament · Thursday 1st March 11-4pm Wilson Golf Fitting Day – Book in the proshop · 18th March Kiwi Amateur Challenge: This is a Members event for you. Please ask the proshop for details · 19th March Course Maintenance on Centennial
House Keeping
Repairing divot with sand – We have sand buckets located at the end of the club house and we want people to use them. For those of us who like to practice there is a sand bucket on the driving range.
Pitch Marks – remember to do your share otherwise you will be cursed by 7 years of bad putting. Up Coming coaching · Beginner Golf Programs Sundays 4th Feb – Open to all beginners Summer Camp – Starts 13th February 2018 – This 8-week course open to the experienced golfer wanting to become more consistent. Its not about being technically brilliant and more about practicing in a way that makes to good shots happen more often. · Helpers Clinic 8th March – This is for anyone who has volunteered and given time to the club in the past year. Please put your name down in the pro-shop. Keep Swinging We had 38 Pro’s from all over the country play in the tournament, co-ordinated by Geoff Smart (National Events Manager) of (Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand). Harcourts Taupo and the Taupo Golf Club are excited to announce that this may very well become an annual event. The business owners of Harcourts Taupo, Austin Harris, and are thrilled with the turn out and would like to thank each and every person who participated and supported this event. We had a range of players who entered the ProAm – Up and coming stars from Academy Candis Brunning, Sasha McLauglin and Wilson Simmonds all featured in the top teams. 1. TGC - Grant Stockman, Gail Searle, Candis Brunning, Mike Alexander – winning Laser5000IP Sure Shot
2. Harcourts Team - (holed his 2nd shot on the Par 4 8th hole for an Eagle) , – winning Sun Mountain Micro Carts
3. NZMGA - Brett Allan, Mikki McLaughlin, , Sasha McLaughlin – winning PMP Wedges
4. NZMGA#2 - Justin Morris, Rob Simmonds, Wilson Simmonds, Jody Tonga
5. TGC - Andy Gang, Dave Orchard, Ian Motion, Ernie Oxnam – winning Wilson pro Staff carry bags Prizes for winning teams was proudly sponsored from . Winning the PGA – Koh TAE shooting a 65 a 7 under par round which equalled the course record. With 2nd place Justin Morris – and tying in 3rd place Shaun Jones & Joshua Munn. Photos credit: We had 38 Pro’s from all over the country play in the tournament, co-ordinated by Geoff Smart (National Events Manager) of (Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand). Harcourts Taupo and the Taupo Golf Club are excited to announce that this may very well become an annual event. The business owners of Harcourts Taupo, Austin Harris, and are thrilled with the turn out and would like to thank each and every person who participated and supported this event. We had a range of players who entered the ProAm – Up and coming stars from Academy Candis Brunning, Sasha McLauglin and Wilson Simmonds all featured in the top teams. 1. TGC - Grant Stockman, Gail Searle, Candis Brunning, Mike Alexander – winning Laser5000IP Sure Shot
2. Harcourts Team - (holed his 2nd shot on the Par 4 8th hole for an Eagle) , – winning Sun Mountain Micro Carts
3. NZMGA - Brett Allan, Mikki McLaughlin, , Sasha McLaughlin – winning PMP Wedges
4. NZMGA#2 - Justin Morris, Rob Simmonds, Wilson Simmonds, Jody Tonga
5. TGC - Andy Gang, Dave Orchard, Ian Motion, Ernie Oxnam – winning Wilson pro Staff carry bags Prizes for winning teams was proudly sponsored from . Winning the PGA – Koh TAE shooting a 65 a 7 under par round which equalled the course record. With 2nd place Justin Morris – and tying in 3rd place Shaun Jones & Joshua Munn. |