Golf is a simple game and, the rules of golf are quite clear. Rule 1.1 of the R&A rules state.

Golf is played in a round of 18 (or fewer) holes on a course by striking a ball with a club. Each hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball is holed on the putting green (or when the Rules otherwise say the hole is completed).

This week I was advised of a report of a group of players giving putts during club champs qualifying. There is no excuse for not holing out, and a gimmie putt is not part of Saturday competition golf. This group has been advised in respect to this and have been given a warning. Given the speed of the greens last weekend we all would have liked the odd gimmie – given my issues on the green it would have helped me! Golf is about fairness, and respect to others playing the competition of the day. A gimmie is not part of Saturday competition golf.

The membership has grown, and this is reflected in the full fields on Saturday, and the complaints around obtaining a tee time, or a preferred tee time. There will be a re adjustment of tee bookings once the Club Champs first round matches are decided after this weekend. Those that do not make the club champs first round may end up playing with someone who you don’t normally play with. Please bear with us, as it is a new situation for golf on a Saturday. This weekend there are 194 players in the field, and this reflects the growth in the membership. There is a review underway of the Saturday golf booking and format so if you have any constructive ideas please pass them on.

It is the 3^rd round of qualifying for the club champs with the first round for the Intermediate, Junior A and B grades next week. The Senior grade with 8 to qualify will play on the 12^th of September. Good luck to all those who are qualifying.

Congratulations to Don Robertson who had a Hole in one on the 3^rd last Saturday. It was great to see him celebrate in style. Congratulations are also in order for Neville Bamford, our club manager who was named the 2019/2020 Administrator of the Year in the 2020 Canterbury Golf awards.

A big thank you to the ladies club captains and all the volunteers who came out and planted the gardens in front of the clubhouse patio area; it looks fantastic and will only look better as the plants and trees grow in time.

Best of luck this weekend for golf, please be patient as it is a full field and we all start from the No 1 tee.

Results:

Tuesday 25 August

LGU

Silver:

Winner: Debbie Scott 81 nett

Bronze A:

Winner: Helen McKay 70 nett

Runner-up: Janet O’Brien 77 nett

Bronze B:

Winner: Kath Sullivan 80 nett

Amalfi Motels Closest to the Pin:

Silver: Debbie Scott

Bronze A: Hyeza Kim

Bronze B: Young Ja Eum

Two’s: Ann McKenna, Debbie Scott

Top Cat: Helen McKay

9 Hole Ladies:

Wednesday 26 August

Qualifying Round Club Champs:

Winner: Min Kim 53 gross

Runner-up: Jenny Treleaven 55 gross

Hole in 2: Min Kim

Vs Russley at Pegasus 23rd August

The morning dawned misty and damp but remained dry with the usual cold wind on the back nine.

Catherine Knight played Maddy May and remained in touch throughout the match to finish with a half.

Lynn Brand had a 4/3 win. Playing a steady game and managing to keep in front all day. Anne Dick 3/2, Debbie Scott 4/3, Jo Kent 6/5 and Lynda Brown 4/3 losses. Team 4 1/2 - 1 1/2 loss. All playing some good golf, and some unlucky golf at times. Their very young opponents will certainly be players to watch out for in the future.

Our next match is on September 13th at Christchurch vs Pegasus.

Thanks to the caddies. Liz, Pam and Lynley.

The team heading to Russley at the weekend Top of the table and in confident mood to face a strong Pegasus side. The day didn’t start too well for Harewood, with a lot of our matches, the team found themselves down early, but as this team does, they hung in there and battled to provide a very exciting finish.

Early baths for Josh Smith (6&5) and Gavin O’Hara (4&3) left us 2 nil down early, but with Sam Watkinson bringing home the first win for the team with a solid 5&4 win, it was all to play for again.

Kerry Branson had his hands full with a tough match against Peter Lund. Kerry who made a beautiful birdie on the 4^th hole to get his match back to square, he then witnessed Lund holed a monster birdie putt on very next hole, the Par 5 5^th, to put himself 1up with 2 to play. Branson made a solid par on the Par 3 6^th hole, to force an error from Lund to take them down the last hole all square. When they were playing their last hole, Daniel Lundt holed a bomb on the 6^th for birdie to win his match 2up, and all the focus then turned back to the Branson match. With a great tee shot down the 7^th, he played his 5 iron into the 7^th green, only to find himself come up just short of the green. They were both were in similar positions playing there 3^rd, and both hit average chips by their standards, but Kerry stepped up first and from just off the green, rolling in an unbelievable 30+ footer for the biggest roar of the day. A fantastic putt at such a crucial moment. Lund was stunned, and Peter had a similar putt himself for the halve. His great effort just slipped past the hole, and Branson was delighted to secure another win for the team and a great moment for him personally producing such a critical shot at the perfect time under pressure.

This then turn all the focus back to the top matches, Matt Mclean had a tough match on paper playing the very talented Kazuma Kobori, in the number 1 match. Matt admitted by his high standards, his short game wasn’t as tight as it is normally is and couldn’t chip away at Kazuma, with Kazuma running out with a 4&2 victory.

So, with the score at 3-3 it was anyone’s to win/lose or draw, and all the action turned back to the par 3 6^th. James Howard was 1 down with one to play and Scott Manyweathers was 1up with one to play, so it couldn’t be any tighter, Howard was unable to win the 6^th hole, and was defeated 2 down, and with Manyweathers in the left trap from his tee shot, he produced a lovely splashed trap shot, to only a few feet. With his playing partner in the hole for a Par 3, Manyweathers had a putt for the halve, and to win his match 1up and for a 4 all draw for the team. Unfortunately the par putt slid past by the hole for Manyweathers who as you could imagine, was really disappointed not only for himself but his team mates not to get his job done, and we all felt his pain, losing 4.5 / 3.5.

But as Manager of this team of fine talent, we win together and we lose together, and we go again in a fortnights time against the new leaders Russley GC at Christchurch GC.

The Blank team suffered a 2-6 loss against unbeaten Clearwater at Clearwater this weekend.

Renewals for the 2020/21 subs year have all been sent out to members so if there are any issues or changes please let the office know ASAP.

Membership cards, Reciprocal cards (Waimairi Beach & Waitikiri) and bag tags will be ordered shortly, and you will be advised when they are available to pick up from the pro shop.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your membership, renewal or subs please contact the General Manager neville@harewoodgolf.co.nz or 359 8843 opt 3.

THANK YOU!!

A great turn out last Wednesday to plant out the garden and tidy in front of the Club House and Pro Shop garden. Looks great!!

Thanks again.

Julie and Debbie.

This iconic Kiwi brand really needs no introduction.