General Manager’s Update

I am sure we are all noticing autumn seems to have arrived early this year, given the amount of leaves we are seeing about the course - more “Global Weirdness”. While players have the Leaf Rule to assist them, Ricky and his team just have more work added to their list. Thankfully, this only lasts three weeks and we are almost halfway through already.

The Board has re-emphasised the need to progress the major projects to improve the experience of members and visitors. Our focus is on the Course and Clubhouse (see updates in this newsletter) as well as a motorised cart storage, given the pressure on the storage below the Clubhouse - which was never designed for all that is now down there.

The Club continues to perform well, with plenty of member and green fee activity. Many of our traditional corporate golf events have deferred while uncertainty continues around the damn virus. Interestingly we are having more clubhouse events such as birthdays and anniversaries as the quality of our offering is becoming more widely known.

Rod Templeton

General Manager

Improving the Course

It is a source of pride to all members and our staff that our golf course is a quality one, presented always to a high standard by Ricky, Naomi and Callum. However, the course does need ongoing investment which is part of our current focus. As we enter into autumn, we will be looking at areas of melting out (a grass disease caused by thatch build-up and turbo-charged by wet warm weather), removing some trees that cause major shade in winter and improving our irrigation.

We will also be upgrading many of our old tee signs.

Thanks to the support of sponsors, new or upgraded tee signs are in place for Hole 1 (EPL), Hole 3 (Fitzwilliam Electrical), Hole 4 (Gas Engineering), Hole 10 (Ford Baker), Hole 12 (Peter Diver Plumbing) and Hole 17 (Henrys) The remaining old signs will be replaced over the next few months.

Refurbishing our Clubhouse

At our 2021 AGM, Warren Grey (our Chair) identified the Club’s intention to re-invest in our facilities by refurbishing our Clubhouse, building a new Cart Shed and improving aspects of our course. At this week’s Board meeting, the plans for refurbishing the Clubhouse were signed off. The plans were prepared by Space Studio, a specialist design studio experienced in delivery of hospitality projects. The refurbishment will occur in stages, to allow funding and the Clubhouse to still function. More detail will be coming. Booklets of the Space Studio plan are available in the Clubhouse.

Delivering our Golf

A reminder that we will be reverting back to Two Tee starts on Saturdays on the cessation of Daylight Saving (Saturday 9th April). One tee starts will resume when we get through winter and Daylight Saving returns (Saturday 1st October).

The Club Captains and Conveners are coordinating the movement of the various reserved tee times for winter, and this will be communicated later this month.

Another reminder for members to use Dotgolf for not only bookings but also for seeing what’s happening on the course. We will be using Dotgolf’s messaging ability to provide current information on cart use, groups on the course and so on.

Greenkeeping

We think the golf course is in great order and thank Ricky and his team for their work in the trying conditions. Also, a special thank you to Ricky for helping one of our members rescue her golf trundler, bag and all of her golf gear out of the ditch by the car park when it decided to go walk about by itself. 

Our Interclub Teams

Waitikiri Women have five teams which consist of two weekend, two midweek and a 9 hole team in this year’s Interclub which is a great representation for the Club. The results at this stage have been mixed, and wet weather has postponed and effected some of the rounds. We look forward to the coming weeks and wish the teams luck for the remaining of the Interclub season. 

Fay McCarthy

Women’s Club Captain

Men’s News

It is with sadness we note that Kay Thomas passed away after a long illness.  Kay along with husband Tony, have been long-standing Waitikiri members with both holding numerous positions in the Club. On behalf of all members, we offer our deepest condolences to Tony, Geoffrey & Stuart for their loss.

Record levels of rainfall in February has provided lush growth and extra work for our greenkeeping staff.  We had two Saturday club days washed out as a result. Coring took place last week and the greens are bouncing back really well.

Congratulations to club members, Brett Turner (Men’s Masters) and Alex Kelliher (Under 19) on winning the Canterbury match-play titles played at Bottle Lake Golf Course. The Casbolt Cup was won by Gareth Cook by two shots from Clarke Baldwin with Neville Shackley a further three shots back in 3^rd place. The Waitikiri Cup was won by Ryan Fowler and Jacob Hyland with 89 points. The Glanville Cup won by Brian Palmer & Jim Goddard with 75 points. Top Dog for March is Paul Coates.

Our Presidents Team is performing extremely well under the guidance of Peter Yock.  The team lies 2^nd equal with some key games coming up. Metro A has two rounds remaining in the current season, however will not be advancing to the playoffs.

Stuart Turner

Men’s Club Captain

 Café News

Dear Members,

First & foremost, I would like to say a huge thank you to you all. Your support, smiles and positive feedback is so appreciated. And once again to my Senior Men Group, the garden is amazing. Basil pesto being made this week, with a constant supply of fresh herbs, spinach and other goodies. It’s so rewarding being able to pick fresh produce as it is, cost effective, healthy and convenient. Oh – don’t want to push the envelope but where could we plant lemon trees?

I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to our lovely Anna. A very double-sided sword. As of the end of the month Anna will be leaving us and taking on admin and trainee manager role in her fathers’ new business. I, along with Rod, staff and members I am sure, wish her every success and happiness in her new role. Her commitment, coffees and versatility will be very missed. Hence you will see more of Kylen and his great coffee.

I’m currently working on a permanent Menu board as I realised you do not have ESP. Any suggestions are always welcome, and I will endeavour to try and cater to your needs. As of April, I’m looking at a takeaway menu with meals and chowders. Anyone who isn’t keen on cooking (either for themselves or for their spouse/ partner) can order a meal, play golf, have a drink and nothing more needs to be done.. Your feedback on menu options would be appreciated.

You may notice some slight price rise on some of our items. This is to cover our increased ingredient prices. It will be obviously kept to a minimum and I thank you for understanding. One of these items will be the PK Special. (Peter Keen – bacon, egg, cheese and relish toastie)- but I’m sure PK won’t mind as he is now (in)famous on our new menu board.

Shirley Bruning

Café Manager