Captains Chronicles – April 2026
What a Masters that was a few weeks back! I’m so glad Rory managed to hold on at the end after that charge by Scotty Sheffler. Doesn’t the Masters just always deliver on so much drama – I’m so jealous of Brett and his crew that were over there to see it live!
Survey Results
Thanks to all of you that took the time to fill out the survey that was sent out. There were 68 respondents. Here is what you said:
A clear majority were in favour of Strokeplay Club Champs being 36 holes over two weekends in a row (54%, with next closest being 19% for 36 holes on one weekend).
For Club Champs matchplay qualifying criteria, it was close between “3 rounds with best two counting” and “2 rounds that also count as strokeplay” (44% and 38%).
Most were in favour of not limiting numbers to top 16 for matchplay (57% vs 42%).
Almost everyone liked the strokeplay draw being seeded.
I really appreciated all the written feedback too – it was great to hear everyone’s thoughts.
2027 Club Champs
Based on this feedback and to get as many players as possible playing in these premier events, we have made the following changes for the club champs in 2027:
Strokeplay: To be played over two rounds on successive weekends with round 1 on the 20th of February and round 2 on 27th February 2027.
Matchplay: You must play a minimum of one round to qualify. There will be no cut off other than that there is a limit of 128 players in the field (32 x 4 divisions). Strokeplay will be used for seeding. Those that play in the two rounds of strokeplay will be seeded above those that only play one (no matter how good the one round was). This is a more time efficient way of doing the best 2 of 3 and makes it easier in terms of the calendar.
We’ll be using “fluid” divisions to even out the players in each division, and the handicap cut offs will not be able to be determined until after the number of entrants is finalised. For example, if we have 108 entries, there will be 27 per grade and the senior championship will be the 27th players handicap ranking and below etc.
Kaweka Series
A few weeks ago, we had the first event of the new Kaweka Series. It wasn’t that well attended, and a number of people weren’t aware of it, or didn’t know what it was, so I’m going to explain below.
The Kaweka Series is a 5-event series, with one event played in each season of the year and a finale that you can qualify for through the lead up events. Kaweka Hospital has very generously agreed to sponsor and there will be an entry fee so there will be some good prizes up for grabs. It is a net medal comp.
At the end of the year, there will be a finale for those that have managed to qualify through the series. You qualify by winning the net division of each competition.
21 March - Black Tees
27 June - Blue Tees
22 August - White Tees
10 October - Blue Tees
$10 entry (all these entry funds goes to the prize pool to be split on the final).
4 Divisions - 2 Prizes for Gross ($75/$25) 2 Prizes for Nett ($75/$25)
1 Women’s Division - $75/$25
Divisions will be altered per round based on equity for the number of entries. If a person wins two rounds the runner up will go into the final.
The winner from each men’s Nett division qualifies for the final on 21st November where the best nett score for the 16 qualifiers wins.
The winner will receive the Mulholland Cup, which is a long-standing club trophy.
I’ve attached the results of the summer event below.
Gender Neutral Tee Bookings
Another reminder that 1st of May sees the start of the “gender neutral” or “open to all” tee bookings trial. In reality we don’t expect there to be a big shift in the way members book. It will just be an easier booking system for us to all use. If you have feedback, please email me. This is a trial to see how it works for our club.
Congrats
Congrats to Champ teams! The championship 1 and 2 pennants teams have both qualified for their respective finals, which will be very hard fought. I believe both are against Napier.
Dennis Hirshman must be doing a really good job of managing both teams this season – thanks Dennis.
Congrats to Stu Duff for winning the North Island Senior Strokeplay a few weeks ago at Paraparaumu with two 68’s!
Right, I’m off to go and pick up my new Mizuno irons that have just arrived after swinging that Mizuno shaft optimizer that I mentioned in one of my previous newsletters! I’m beside myself with excitement!
Happy golfing and see you out there.
Nic Schnell
Men’s Club Captain
menscc@hastingsgolfclub.co.nz
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