Presidents Newsletter May 2019

Well we are half way through May and winter is just around the corner. After a very dry autumn we are in a very good place heading into winter. We have had some really good fields playing on Wednesday’s and Saturdays’ and the green fee take over the Easter period was very good with the course hosting plenty of visitors.

I will mention two examples of visitor’s experience of our club. Four ladies from Akarana (Auckland one of our reciprocal rights clubs) who were traveling around the South Island, played a round on a beautiful day and really enjoyed the course and the way they were welcomed by the members who were present. The ladies returned a week later to play the course again simply because of the way they were welcomed and the condition of the course. As they were from a reciprocal rights club they did not have to pay green fees, however before they left they gave our club a very nice cash donation. A couple of weeks ago Graham McHaffie one of our members bought along five of his work colleagues who were visiting from the Waikato and joined our Wednesday field. I was in the group behind them and every time I spoke with these guys they couldn’t get over what a wonderful course we had. They were stopping regularly taking photos of the snowcapped mountains and other special views. Two examples that the club can be proud of.

This brings me onto the discussion we are having at the moment about Gender Equity. I ask that you all take the time to take part in the survey that has been emailed out. My personal view is that as a club we can treat our own members the same way we have treated the visitors that enjoyed our club so much. Every member should have the right to partake and enjoy their golf as they wish. I am extremely proud of how the club has grown and evolved over the last few years and this is just another way the Timaru Golf Club will become the club of choice for both men and women.

St Andrews Donation

I am pleased to mention that we have received the $25,000.00 donation from the St Andrews Golf Club as agreed. It has been great getting to know all our new members from St Andrews and I note some of the men are mentioned regularly in the results. We are still working on a club day to welcome all our new members.

Golf Hub

We are making slow progress. Once we have finalized the preferred structure more information will be available.

Club House

I am sure you will have noticed the wonderful work Ian Poulter has been doing in painting the interior of the club house. This has certainly freshened the club house up, thank you Ian.

Kerr Cup

The ladies hosted a very successful day for the playing of the Kerr Cup. Thanks to Susan Brown and her team for a lovely day.

Financial

Janya Lobb is standing down as our treasurer in September. Kerri Cady has volunteered to take on the role. As the club does not own an accounting package and been relying on the goodwill of Janya, Wayne Sidaway, Ian Poulter, Kerrie and myself visited the Russley Golf Club to talk with them about how they operate using the Dotgolf system and Zero. After the meeting it was recommended that the club start using Dotgolf and Zero for our accounting moving forward after balance date. This was agreed at our last committee meeting.

Grounds

With the grass slowing down and cooler weather on the way we will be lifting the cutting height of the greens mower. We hope to use the greens roller more during the cooler months. We have started spiking the surrounds and the greens will be mini tined as well. As reported in a weekly newsletter there will be some trees coming down that serve no good purpose just drop bark and nuts on greens and tee blocks.

Returning of scorecards

A reminder that all scorecards must be signed by the player and marker and retuned in the slot under the Kiosk