The recent introduction of the COVID Protection Framework traffic light system has necessitated some hard decisions for our golf clubs as to what type of policy they will adopt. Many have surveyed to “gauge the temperature” of their members, and have taken this into account when making their final decision. It is interesting that many clubs have gone to a hybrid policy allowing non-vaccinated on the course and in the Pro Shop but not in the Clubhouse, while many have gone for the full “no vax, no play” policy. For those using the hybrid system, the coming weeks will tell how manageable this policy is with the clubhouse environment having to be tightly policed.
We have had feedback from clubs that they expected Golf NZ to tell golf clubs what they should do. Golf NZ have done a great job with providing detailed information to guide clubs in making their decision, but at the end of the day it is up to each individual club to decide their policy based on their own unique circumstances.
Interclub competition has also been affected. We have instructed all team management to make sure they know what the club policy is at the club they are playing at and visiting, and making sure their players fit within these requirements. For consistency, some other Districts have gone to “no vax, no play” policy for interclub. We will keep an eye on this and make any changes if necessary.
At this time we are taking the stance that for any interclub or Canterbury tournaments we will be guided by the host club policy.
From Canterbury Golf we wish you happy golfing and safe travels over the Xmas period!
Grant Lewis, General Manager
2021 Women's Interprovincial Review
The NZ Women’s Interprovincial took place last week in Timaru with our Canterbury Woman’s team coming agonising close to lifting the title progressing all the way through to the final vs Wellington.
“Oh so close” for Canterbury Men at NZ Interprovincial
The annual Men’s New Zealand Interprovincial tournament took place in Ashburton the week starting 29 November with the Canterbury team looking to try and repeat their efforts of the year prior.
HISTORIC WIN FOR TEMPELTON IN WOODWARD CUP!
Sir Bob Charles became the first New Zealander to win a major championship when he won the British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963. A little known fact is that this is also the year when Templeton Golf Club last won the Woodward Cup. 58 years later Templeton have finally done it again!
Blank Cup
Templeton got the double when they also won the Blank Cup beating Christchurch 5-3 in the final.
In the morning they had beaten Waimairi Beach in the semi-final 6-2 with wins to James Robb, Greg Hey, Ricky Butson, Paul Burke, Terewa Tamihana, and Lance Gahan. In the other semi Christchurch and Russley had a good battle before Christchurch prevailed over the young Russley team 5-3. Christchurch had wins to Grant McEwan, Reinhardt Van Zyl, Ian MacDonald, Grant Mercer, and Gary Gillard. For Russley young stars Yuki Miya and Cooper Moore won, along with veteran Andrew Richardson. Read More
Simon Cup
Christchurch beat Russley 5-3 in the final of the Simon Cup.
As they have done for many years, Russley have used this competition to foster young players who did them credit in the final. Hayden Lam, Ethan Lam, and Ron He had wins but they were beaten by a more experienced Christchurch team on their home course. For Christchurch their first players out set the tone with wins to George Keeble, Kevin Martin, and Andrew Gillespie. Read More
CHRISTCHURCH WIN POLLOCK CUP
The Pollock Cup Final was held at Harewood on Sunday 7 November on a breezy cool day where it didn’t reach the expected 18 degrees. This was a final where the golf was of a very high calibre and the two clubs Christchurch and Clearwater had many supporters out to witness many quality golf shots. With Christchurch keen to lose the ‘bridesmaid’ title for the last five years, and Clearwater very keen to win it allowed for some very close matches and almost ‘down to the wire’ finish.
The 2021 NZ Freyberg Masters concluded on Friday 12 November after an as always grueling week of golf with each association playing 8 rounds of golf in 5 days.
Played at the challenging Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club the Canterbury team ended up with an 8th place final ranking finishing with 2 wins, 2 A/S, and 4 losses from their 8 matches.
The near-perfect course and weather conditions at Rangiora on 22 November set the stage for the Women's Champions of Champions and Gross Stableford Rosebowl tournament. Catherine Bell of Christchurch did not disappoint in playing par golf to take out the Champions trophy with rounds of 71 and 76 for a gross total of 147.
This time honoured fixture in the Canterbury Golf calendar was held at Harewood Golf Club on Friday 3 December - the home club of current Canterbury Golf President Mike Rondel. He, along with many other Club Presidents and Secretaries gathered together to celebrate the contribution these important people make to the ongoing success of their clubs.
The Presidents Trophy was hotly contested with three time winner Steve Kilpatrick the favourite to come through again. However Mike Rondel was too good having his best round ever on his home course shooting 77 off-the-stick and scoring 42 stableford points. His nearest rival was Chris Collins from McLeans Island with 38 points.
Tracy Wills from Tai Tapu won the Secretaries Salver with 38 points followed by Ian Connor from Ellesmere in the runner-up position.
TOURNAMENTS & INTERCLUB WRAP UP
- Junior Foursomes InterClub Click Here
- Canterbury Central Masters Final Click Here
- Canterbury Golf Women’s Ringers Tournament Click Here
- Woodward Cup Promotion/Relegation Match Click Here
- Canterbury Golf 9 Hole Xmas Tournament Click Here
