Member News – 13 October 2023

Weekly Update - By Club Captain Phil Barlow

The weather did not behave as forecasted last weekend. It was a damp and showery day for golf on Saturday. This led to a much-reduced ladies’ field with players withdrawing after 9 holes, there was a solid field of men playing in the par round and for those chasing a Shootout score. The occasional rain and the irrigation on the course has seen the course develop its spring coat of fresh grass and thickening rough. For those who found the rough on Saturday it could be challenging getting out the trouble you had got yourself into.

This weekend is the centenary Shotgun and the gala dinner. For this who have entered you would have been advised of your tee number. It is a 9.30 am tee off.

Young up and coming golfer and Woodward cup team member Otis Holland was a member of the Canterbury Boys interprovincial team that competed the Interprovincial Tournament at Cambridge Golf Club in the Waikato. The team finished 3rd after a tight match for the 3rd and 4th places. Well done Otis in making his Canterbury Golf debut.

In the weekends Interclub results both the Woodward Cup and Blank Cup teams played a double round on last Sunday and both achieved their goal of making the semi-finals in their respective grades. The Simon team ended up finishing 6th after losing the winner of the grade. The Pollock cup team finished the season in 5th place. Finals day is at Pegasus next month.

A reminder that the Centenary Shotgun is on tomorrow. For those playing, please wear your Harewood centenary shirts and club colours to embrace the special year we are celebrating. We will be having the prizegiving outside with a bar and food to be available outside as well. Preparations for the Saturday night event will be underway at the same time.

Please note that the course will be closed for the week commencing 16 Oct for coring. At this stage the course may be open on Friday 20^th all going well, but please check with the Pro Shop closer to the time.

Results for last Saturday

There were 7 two’s last Saturday paying $26, and the nett eagles was struck by 2 players and was on hole 9.

Interclub Update

Woodward Cup (4^th) by Scott Manyweathers

Big day for the boys at the Dale (Avondale). First up Christchurch

Josh lost to Tom Lee, Dan Lundt got a good half against Peter Lee. Harry and Kerry lost to Reid Hilton and Tim Leonard respectively. Scott beat Mika 4&3 with Otis losing to a steady Jason Sincock. James beat Charles 4&2 and Ryan birdied his final hole to get a half against Richard Reed. Not the result 5-3 loss we needed, also hearing that Russley scraped in against Bottle Lake 4 ½ to 3 ½. We needed help from the Waitikiri vs Russley match in the Afternoon.

Afternoon round vs Weedons.

Josh won 3&2, Otis played great winning 9&8, Scott winning on the last and Kerry had a good 5&4 win. James winning 3&2, with Harry losing to Jonny 1 down. Dan losing to Forde 3&2, and Ryan winning 1up. A 6/2 win meaning we had done our part. News in the Waitikiri vs Russley match we heard was tight match. As the lads were sitting down for a cold beverage, news came back Waitikiri beat Russley. Managed to sneak our way into the top 4 for a rematch against Christchurch on 12^th November at Pegasus Golf Club. Great season from the Woodie lads. We all go again in 4 weeks.

Blank Cup (3^rd=) by Sam Watkinson

AM - We had a chance to beat 2nd placed Clearwater but just fell short settling for a 4 all draw. Liam had a hard-fought win at #1 - 1up, although was in control most of his match. Unfortunately, we defaulted at 2 having only 7 players.

Sam W and Brad continued strong seasons with 5&3 and 2&1 wins respectfully. Sam M continued his winning ways in a tight match at 5. Jason lost to former Blackcap Craig McMillian 4&3. Benji & Shane filling in for regular players fought hard and stuck around in their matches until both losing close games at the end.

PM – A great 5-3 win vs Avondale to secure 3rd equal in the competition and make the semi-finals. Liam continued his knack of winning close games, chipping in for a crucial birdie on 16 to halve the hole and continue the momentum he was building eventually winning 1up. Jason put his hand up to go up the order and came through in a very close game 1up to secure the team win, as both players were 1 up going down the last.

Sam W had another strong win 6&4 finishing under par in his match. Brad lost a close game to Canterbury junior rep Louis Edwards 2&1 after being down all match. Showed good fight to keep the match close to the end. Sam M birdied his 18th hole for his team leading 7th win of the season. Rumours of MVP chants could not be confirmed although were suspected to have occurred.

Jordan W stepping up from Simon had a bit of a lop-sided loss but a good experience for a young golfer eager to learn. Benji had a nice win to get the 1st point on the board for the afternoon. Special thanks to Jordan Coffin who filled in last moment (literally 45mins notice!) at 8 so we could field the full 8 players. A massive thanks to all that have helped us out by filling in for us through the year.

Excited to make the semi-finals and join big brother the Woodward Cup team at Pegasus on finals day to bring some much-needed silverware back to Harewood! A coin toss post the last round means we have finished 4^th with Clearwater taking 3^rd place with both teams even on points and games in a very tight finish for the competition.

Simon Cup (6^th)

The weather was a contrast from Saturday with calm sunny weather for the final round of Simon Cup. All the teams in the grade were being hosted at Harewood. The Simon Cup team had a simple equation, a win sees them advancing to finals day. Unfortunately, the result was not what we hoped for, going down 3½ to 2½ to the tied competition leader, Weedons. The Simon Cup competition was a tight one, with the winner of the grade being decided on a coin toss between Weedons and Avondale due to a tie in points and matches won. Avondale was the winners. I would like to thank all the players who have played for Simon this season, those who had been called up at the last minute when the Simon team had been reduced in numbers due to players being called up to play up in the Blank side. We had a couple of results not quite go our way and a couple of draws which in hindsight hurt us a little at the end of the season. The Simon Cup team will stay in division 2 for next season, and hopefully be able to bring and introduce players into the match play format of golf for the future.

Pro Tip of the week – Craig Mitchell

Change two things to hit the ball lower

Next time you’re hitting into a two-club wind and it’s an eight iron distance – hit a six and make a three quarter swing backswing and a three quarter follow through. By reducing the speed of your swing, it reduces the backspin on the ball so it flies lower.

Upcoming Saturday golf (for full details refer to the 2023 programme).

14 Oct – Harewood Centenary Shotgun – 9:30 tee off. Note this is different to the programme, there will only be a single shotgun competition.

Course closed for coring – Mon 16 – Fri 20 Oct.

21 Oct – Cancer Charities best 3 of 4 teams Stableford. Note this is different to the programme, this is instead of a shotgun.

28 Oct – Men: Ashby Mugs – combined Stableford. Women: 4BBB.

29 Oct – Women’s AllPrint Shootout.

4 Nov – Men: Monthly Medal (Blue tees). Women: International Stableford.

11 Nov – Men: Stableford (AllPrint Shootout closes). Women: Irish Stableford

Enjoy your golf.

Midweek Men Results - By David Williams-Jones

Monday 9th October, Yellow ball Stableford 

1st with 79 points: Simon Hubble, Brian Blazey, Alistair Christie & Max Wright

2nd with 76 points: John Hooper, John Gilmore, Alf Hewitt & Chris Straker

Thursday 14th October, Centenary Stableford

The MWM limbered up for their special Centenary game with bacon butties at the BBQ hut. Over a dozen got in the mood by dressing up for the occasion - though what the relevance of an Archbishop is to 100 years of Harewood Golf defeats me!

The game involved a dozen hickory clubs on the course that everyone had to use to putt or make their tee shots on given holes. Despite dealing with brassies, 2 irons and a couple of mashies, some good scores were achieved. Maybe the on-course sustenance helped?

Div. 1: Patrick Guo, 34 points

Div. 2: Simon Hubble, 38 points and overall winner

Div 3: Darryl Dowthwaite, 35 points

Lunch provided in the clubhouse ensured that some members who, for a variety of reasons can no longer play regularly, were able to join us. Raffle prizes, sponsored prizes, the jackpot and a variety of on-course challenges ensured that no one left empty-handed. All were agreed that a fun day was had under perfect conditions and also left with a renewed respect for our forebears' ability to play with the equipment that they had then.

Particular thanks to Dennis Morgan and Bill Turner - our longest consistently-playing Club member - for sourcing the clubs that provided a true Centenary twist to the day.

Midweek Ladies Results - By Sonia Brown

Tuesday 10th October

VISITORS DAY - COMBINED  STABLEFORD:

1st     Ann McKenna & Annette Tansey   76 stb

2nd   Karen Munro & Cath Costello         70 stb

3rd    Liz Warren & Rose Stevenson         69 stb

4th    Kay Gilray & Helen Bishop               68 stb

VISITORS PAIRS:

1st     Marie Bell & Mary Jo Murphy         73 stb

2nd   Linley Trapp & Pippa Neilson           71 stb

TWOS:

#3     Alison Lynch

#6     Ann McKenna

#6    Mary Kuipers

NETT EAGLES:

#1    Ann McKenna

9 Hole Ladies Results - By Kay Worley

Wednesday 11^th October

Stableford

Winner        Sylvia Strong

Runner up   Kay Worley