Position unchanged

Peter Barker’s letter makes a number of observations including the number of golf courses in the area, and his opinion that there are too many in the region is a view held by many others. However I believe his issue with Taranaki Golf and its perceived lack of action in such matters needs to be addressed. So in the interests of ensuring that your readers are aware of the facts regarding Taranaki Golf and the clubs it represents I wish to point out the following:

Each of the 20 golf clubs that operate in our region are independent and as such run their clubs as they see fit in what they believe is the best interests of their clubs.

These 20 clubs are the stakeholders of Taranaki Golf and elect a board and executive committees to provide governance and operational support and to date no mandate exists for the association to take direct action on club matters including amalgamation.

Taranaki Golf has long held the view that there are too many courses, and whilst the association is more than willing to support its clubs in possible mergers, it has no jurisdiction over clubs on such matters and ultimately these are decisions that the clubs have to make for themselves.

With regard to the matter of the proposed partial sale of land currently occupied by the Fitzroy Golf Club; Taranaki Golf made a submission in 2015 to the NPDC regarding the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, in which we advocated that a municipal golfing facility within the city boundary should continue to exist and this continues to be the association’s position.

Whilst we will continue to support our affiliated clubs when and where we can, for reasons stated above we respect each club’s right to determine their own future and will not take actions to undermine them.

Ken Durrant

Taranaki Golf Association