Welcome to the last Friday Flash for 2024. We hope you've enjoyed the updated format and interesting articles. Thank you to all who have contributed throughout the year. We love getting images to share, and we hope to 'up our game' in this regard in 2025 - as they say "a picture paints a thousand words!"

Greenkeepers Revenge Tournament

• Last Friday's Greenkeepers Revenge Tournament was a hoot and a fitting way for TK & his team to thank our amazing volunteers. As you can see from the pics below, there were all sorts of obstacles strategically placed on and around the greens, holes in interesting spots, and quirky rules to follow.
   

• Everyone was a winner, especially given the feast we all enjoyed afterwards. Special mentions go to: 

  • Winners: David McNaughton & Gail Kirkland

  • Placings: Steve Witkowski; Boyd Kenna; Keith Chung & Ngatau Hemopo

  • NTP: Mark Reed & Gail Kirkland

  • Longest Drive: Wayne Cook & Gail Kirkland (Gail had some day!)

Annual Wednesday Club Prizes

• The Wednesday Club held it's Annual prizegiving last week. Awards were presented for the cumulative points scored during the year in both Stableford and Par rounds. Points are granted based on the position of each player in each round. Winners could only receive one of the prizes on offer within either of the two age categories. Cup winners also received New World Vouchers as did the 2nd & 3rd placegetters in the General category.
   
• General Category Winners:
  • Stuart Cathie Cup (Combined Stfd & Par) - Ian Bates
  • Par Trophy (Par rounds only) - Mike Cox
  • Stableford Trophy (Stfd only) - Terry McAlister
     
• Over 75 Yrs Winners:
  • Mel Cade Cup (Combined Stfd & Par) - Chris Pearce
  • Motor Distributors Cup (Par only) - Derek Fitzgibbon
  • Vin Mitchener Cup (Stfd only) - John Timperley
     
• 2nd Place Awards: Ossie Santos (Combined), Patrick Cordue (Stfd), Alex Lim (Par)
   
• 3rd Place Awards: Jim Waters (Combined), Ian Patience (Stfd), Gerd Warnke (Par)
   
• In addition a number of gifts were given to Club staff for their contribution to member's support and the Karori Club Course excellent condition. (Cheers Ian)

Photo ( L-R): Derek Fitzgibbon, John Timperley, Mike Cox, Ian Bates, Chris Pearce. Terry McAlister (absent).

Wednesday Club

• Twenty-four golfers played a Stableford competition on Wednesday in pleasant conditions. We welcomed four irregulars, Vinh Phan, Van Tran, Luke Underwood, and Paul Westermayer.  Vinh was the winner with an excellent 42 points, with Patrick Cordue second on 39 points. Balls were given down to 35 points. Patrick Cordue was nearest the pin and paid the pig for missing his (lengthy) putt. There were no twos. The winner of the cash raffle was John Timperley with Fergus McLean second. The red & white wine raffle was drawn with Jim Waters winning the wine and Peter Wilcox winning the golf balls.
   

• That was the final Wednesday competition for the year, and we restart on 8 January 2025. (Cheers Patrick)

Wednesday Twilight

• What a great way to end the year! Thirty came out to play this week and enjoy a fabulous gourmet Christmas buffet. The winning group saw six getting a $5 voucher with 18 points: Geoff Lee, Peter Nichols, John Stubbe, Carey Clements, Peter Mager and Gail Kirkland.  All alone, Wayne Cook won $10, scoring 19 points. Runners up were Ossie, Jeff Mason and Brigitte Boenisch-Brednich on 21 points (and $15) and this week we had 'the two Terrys' in first place, on 22 points, winning a $20 voucher (Terry McAlister and Terry Bastion)!
   
• Golf balls went to Ossie and Terry M for 'twos', and to both Gail and Terry M for chipping in for NTP. Thanks to everyone who brought along Christmas treats to share: Doug Calhoun, Ossie, Geoff, Karen and Brigitte and a big shout out to Lina, who was very busy in the kitchen this week. Twilight kicks off again on Wednesday 8th January - till then 'Happy Holidays' and see you all in 2025! (Cheers Gail)

Junior Golf

• Funding & Donations: We’re delighted to announce that funding from Meridian Energy’s West Wind Power Up Community Fund has enabled us to purchase 10 x sets of junior golf equipment to supercharge our Junior Coaching Programme in 2025. Not only this, but the Shirties & Matts Mob recently donated $500 towards the Junior Programme. It was a huge success & fully subscribed in Term 4, 2024; and we’re oversubscribed for Term 1. A huge thanks to the generous support of both Meridian Energy and our club members
   

• Junior Golf Coaching Programme 2025: Starts up again on 16 Feb 2025. We're oversubscribed, and have a growing waitlist.

• Junior Inter Club Teams: We've registered two teams for the 2025 Wellington Junior Inter Club Competition. We could do with a couple more players (especially 18H) to cover for illness, injury or absence. Please advise ASAP if you know of a player that might be interested. Details are:
  • Starts: Sunday 02 Feb 2025
  • Finals: May 2025 (dates depend on number of teams entered)
  • Play: Sunday's - typically fortnightly but can sometimes be two weeks in a row
  • 18H Penants: Tee-off typically 9am - 10am
  • 9H Pennans: Tee-off around midday

IMPORTANT: For the latest course status visit - www.karorigolf.co.nz

Christmas/New Year Greenkeeping Roster

The greenkeeping staff will be operating at reduced capacity over the Xmas & New Year period. While we have staff rostered on most days, there will be no-one working on the stat days. This means the greens will be slow on both Boxing Day and the day after New Years Day. The greenkeeping staff wish everyone a happy, healthy & safe festive season and we look forward to seeing you back in 2026. (Cheers TK & the GK Team)

Christmas Opening Hours

The clubhouse will be closed Christmas Day. Volunteers will run it on 24 & 26 December, however no alcohol will be served as no bar manager will be present. Green fees, cart hire, snacks and soft drinks will be available.

Foyer Lighting

You may have noticed the improved lighting in the foyer. We have one more light needing installed which will sit above the painting. If there is a member willing to install this light, please let denise@karorigolf.co.nz. Tools can be supplied.

Food Menu

If you have any suggestions for improvements to our food for sale or clubhouse appearance, we would love to hear from you. Please email denise@karorigolf.co.nz - all ideas/suggestions welcome.

New Membership Email

A new email has been established to deal solely with memberships. If you have a query or seek a change in category, please email - membership@karorigolf.co.nz.