July 2026
The Management Committee, at our July meeting, focused much of the discussion on the course. Ben joined us to provide an update on recent work and outline the programme for the remainder of winter. He will shortly provide members with a more detailed update on current projects, particularly tree planting and the successful agronomic programmes over the last year.
The 16th hole enhancement is imminent, and this will be advised in a members’ newsletter to be emailed to you separately.
We have agreed (and I hope our members will too), to introduce a dedicated Monday morning maintenance window, and we hope members will appreciate the long-term benefits this will bring to the course.
Providing the course team with uninterrupted time each Monday morning will allow important cultural practices, chemical applications and irrigation work to be completed safely and efficiently before play begins. In turn, this will improve course presentation and playing conditions throughout the week.
Monday was selected because it is traditionally our quietest day and already operates as a one-tee start. By concentrating maintenance on this day, we can continue to protect two-tee starts on our busier playing days, allowing more members to play and preserving the enjoyable social atmosphere in the clubhouse as groups finish within a similar timeframe.
From Monday 5 October 2026, the first tee time on Mondays will be 9:15am, with Mondays continuing as a one-tee start. Public holidays and tournament days will not be affected by the later start. Many clubs around New Zealand have adopted a similar approach to provide their course teams with dedicated maintenance time while maximising member access during the remainder of the week.
Our club now has an official Privacy and Personal Information Handling Policy in line with recommendations from the Privacy Commission and Sport NZ. The policy outlines how personal information is collected, used, stored and protected in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. Members wishing to read a copy are welcome to contact the General Manager.
Looking ahead, we have three significant events on the calendar during January and February 2027.
From 4–8 January, alongside Napier and Hawke's Bay Golf Clubs, we are proud to host the 2027 New Zealand Maori Golf Tournament.
This will be followed by the Wallace Development Hastings Open on 30-31 January and the prestigious New Zealand Women's Seniors Championship from 22–25 February.
Member play will continue wherever practical during these events, with further details provided closer to each date.
Enjoy your golf.
Robyn Bell
President
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