Member News – 9 February 2024

Harewood Golf Club – Board Update

One of the roles of the board is to update members on the progress of work based on our strategy. The board and management team have a five-year plan and are committed to ensuring that we are future focused and aligned on achieving the outcomes in our strategy document.

The over-arching vision for us as a club is:

Providing a positive and memorable golfing and social experience.

To ensure we deliver on our vision we have four focus areas:

• Growth (financial health, membership)
• Our Community (culture and engagement)
• Core Business (course, clubhouse, environment)
• Telling Our Story (profile)

The focus areas enable us to group the wide range of activities involved in the club and set goals within each category.  With this structure in place, the board aims to ensure that all decisions are made in the interest of achieving the measures and targets as set out in our strategy.

You will have noticed that work has started on some of our plans, the wifi and internal network systems have been upgraded, the new blow-down area has been completed, new sand bucket stands have been erected, there have been improvements to the driving range, to the roof of the clubhouse and development work has begun on the course.  We have been pleased with the improvements and work completed to date and are keen to see this work continue.

Course Development

In terms of the course, all aspects of holes 1-14 as per the course plan will be completed, between April and May. This includes the completion of the removal of trees and the replacement of trees as outlined in the plan, the completion of mounding (including seeding) on holes 4, 5, 13 and 14 and the new bunker for hole 5.

Clubhouse Development

We have committed to achieving all exterior components of the clubhouse and BBQ Hut as per the design (apart from the pro shop entranceway and some of the planter boxes). This work is expected to take place in March and includes further repairs to the roof, replacement of rotten wood, new spouting, painting the exterior as well as painting the “south room”. The kitchen requires an upgrade to meet Council requirements, so this has become a priority project. Plans are underway for refurbishment of the kitchen in April.

Machinery

We are looking at the long-term requirement of machinery to continuously improve the condition of our course. A 20-year asset plan has been created and the board have committed to purchasing a tractor, rough mower and surrounds mower.  In the past much of our machinery has been leased, this is no longer viable, as a result we have made the financial decision to purchase the above machinery over the next year.

As you can see, there will be plenty of activity in and around the club and course over the next few months. We seek your support of these projects and your patience with the disruption that may be cause. Richard and the team are working hard to ensure that there is minimal impact on the ability for us to enjoy playing golf during this time.

Copies of our strategic plan is on the notice board will be placed around the clubhouse, please make sure to ask any questions or follow up on any queries you may have. We are more than happy to provide a copy for your own viewing.

There will be further updates provided before each project is about to start.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Club Captain - Phil Barlow

With other golf events on in the Canterbury region as well as inviting timing for an extended long weekend, our Club Opening Day suffered with numbers with a bit under 100 entrants in total. The forecast was a rainy for last Saturday with some heavier falls predicted later in the day. With two shotguns taking place, the morning group got a bit of drizzle, while the afternoon had an early light shower while most of the round was fine. However, we got a heavy shower on the second to last hole meaning a lot of quite wet people in the club for prizegiving. That being said, the atmosphere was still one of celebration and smiles all around. Well done to all the prize winners and we hope you enjoy your vouchers. A massive thanks to Julie Hamilton for the organising of prizes so it was fair to all, as well as easy to understand for the presenters.

Well done to Otis Holland for winning best overall men’s nett by 6 strokes, and 16^th overall gross in the Canterbury Strokeplay competition last weekend. Harry Weeds also had a respectable finish coming in 6^th place in the nett. Lynn Brand was also best nett winner in the women’s master’s division – well done!

Interclub Update

The men’s Metro A team hasn’t been getting its way this year with interclub golf. Currently sitting in 8^th place with a loss against Avondale last weekend. The Metro B team is currently in 4^th place with their 2024 season underway again this weekend against Avondale. The Pressies team is currently in 6^th place with their 2024 season underway this weekend also. They have Hagley in their sights for that match.

You may have noticed there is a QR code on a stick on the women’s 8^th tee lately. This is so you can order food and drinks in advance ready for delivery at the 10^th hole. An initiative by the G & T catering crew, so if you are a bit peckish, give it a shot. If you have any feedback (good counts as well), catch up with Louisa back at the café when you have finished your round. You may have also seen the BBQ Shack setup behind the driving range on a Saturday as well. Check it out on the weekend.

Next week’s competitions are 4BBB Qual Rnd 1 for the men, others Stroke, and for the women, 4BBB Qualifying, others Combined Stableford.

A reminder to be vigilant with filling divot holes and pitch marks. Generally speaking, they were good over the Christmas period, but a few deep divots in particular are starting to appear. Don’t forget, it doesn’t have to be yours to fill or repair – do any you walk over.

Results for last Saturday

Tip of the week – Undercover pro

Don't Tinker Mid-Round

One of the biggest mistakes amateur golfers make is tinkering with their swing too much during their round. When you mess with your swing mechanics too much in the middle of a round of golf things tend to get worse.

Remember, your objective on the course is to play golf, not play "golf swing". tinkering with your swing should be done on the range, not the course.

Hit some balls before you play and make any adjustments there. Then, start your round and use the swing you found on the range. Keep it consistent.

Upcoming golf (for full details refer to the 2024 programme available at the Pro Shop).

Sat 10 Feb – Men: Monthly Medal (Blue). Women: Jean Dench All irons, others Stroke.

Sat 17 Feb – Men: 4BBB Qual Rnd 1, others Stroke. Women: 4BBB Qualifying, others Combined Stableford.

Sat 24 Feb – Men: 4BBB Qual Rnd 2, others Stableford. Women: FMS Stableford Rnd 1.

Sat 2 Mar – Men: Monthly Medal – Black, Blue and White tees. Women: LGU Rnd 2 and other comps.

Sat 9 Mar – Men: Harewood 4BBB Rnd 1, others Stableford. Women: Harewood 4BBB Rnd 1, others Par.

Sat 16 Mar – Mixed Pairs Combined Stableford Shotguns – 8:00am and 12:30pm options.

Enjoy your golf.

9 Hole Women Results – Valerie Hampton

Wednesday February 7th

Stroke 

1st Sylvia Strong Nett 37

2nd   Faye Sedgley Nett 38

Mid-Week Men Results - By David Williams-Jones

February 5th, Combined 4BBB Stableford

A fun, combined game between the Ladies and the Men off the Yellows saw some excellent dove-tailed scoring and some impressive individual scores – not least a gross 68 from our guest, Dave Crosbie.

Jackpot winner was Dave Crosbie who received $54. (Don’t come again!!)