Golfers delighted to be back on course as Covid restrictions relax
Since dropping down to Covid-19 level 3, many Waihi golfers took the opportunity to play on the course, and have adapted well to the rules and regulations set down by NZ Golf and the Government—booking a tee-time, no lingering in groups in the carpark, compulsory registration at the office before going straight to the tee either alone or with a playing partner from within the same bubble.
It is quite straightforward, wellorganised, and players happy to abide by the required conditions, just pleased to be back on the course.
Playing to a green without a flagstick to aim for was a bit hard to get used to, but now in level 2, there are flagsticks on greens (but not to be touched), numbers of players in each group have been increased to four, and the clubhouse is open including all its facilities.
Women’s 18-hole
All available morning slots saved for women to play on Saturday, May 16 were filled, and it was a beautiful day for a warm-up game before competitions begin in earnest.
■ There were 34 women in the field on Wednesday, May 20 and it could not have been a better day for golf. It was such a pleasure to be back on the course in almost normal conditions, although everyone was very mindful of the gravity of the coronavirus, and rigidly obeyed the conditions under which we were allowed to play. The long break from golf gave plenty of time to forget bad swing habits, and there were some remarkably good scores in the stableford competition.
Results: Glennis Burgess 42 points; Rosalind Giffney 41; Heather White 38; Adele Gunning, Denise McConnon, Nan Hoggard 37; Ros Robson 36; Jenny Gallaugher 35; Chris Mercer, Helen Baynes 34; Carol Leary, Edna Connolly 33; Dianne Douglas, Wendy Matutinovich, Rae Brown 32; Sally Sherson, Klara Ingle 31; Mavis Bruce, Avon Gordon, Kay Still, Diane Lewis 30. Twos: Rae Brown. Hidden hole: Denise McConnon.
Veterans
There were 42 players in the field on Monday May 18, playing an individual stableford competition.
Everyone was so happy to be on the course again playing competition golf, testing their skills after the long Covid19 lockdown break. With the new world handicapping system, many handicaps have changed quite dramatically, and the very high stableford scores of the past will probably be a pleasant dream.
Results: Men—Gyan Prole 35 points; John Houston, Peter Hewitt 34; John Purkis, Allen Sarjant 33; Eddie Bruce, John Drent, Daryll Denyer 32; Gerry Tompkins 31. Women—Kristine Gascoigne 37 points; Nan Hoggard 36; Rae Brown, Klara Ingle, Michelle Libby 35; Mavis Bruce 34; Judy Borchard 32; Jenny Gallaugher, Chris O’Connell 30. Twos: Michelle Libby, John Purkis, Bill Tiffin.
Nine-hole
While in Covid-19 alert level 2 there will be no nine-hole competitions or haggles until further notice, but players can look forward to playing their games in groups of four on Tuesdays in their usual slot, with prior tee-booking a necessity.
Following qualifying rounds for matchplay championships in early March, the first round matches can now proceed, and must be completed by Tuesday June 2.
Division 1: Barbara Schrider v Glen Bennett; Gwen Garrett v Yvonne Stack. Division 2: Jill Morrison v Jill Keats. Men: Noel Crowley v John Paul; Keith Stewart v Kevin Corney; Terry Paterson v Garth Pritchard.
The winner of each match must arrange a suitable time with the next opponent, and all matches must be completed by Tuesday, June 23.