Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens

A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1.

At least that was the range of excuses for some of the “poor scoring” out on the course.

There were certainly challenges to holding the event this year with the clubhouse having been demolished the previous month. But thanks to an army of volunteers and very generous sponsors everything went off without a hitch and the prize-giving and dinner were held under the oak trees synonymous with the Martinborough course.

The winning professional was Nick Coxon with a score of 63. The team prize went to John and Sarah Monaghan and Bindy McLeod who will be enjoying their prize: a round of golf at Cape

Kidnappers as well as accommodation in Havelock North.

Club opening day was held on Sunday 11 February with a large field even though the weather looked pretty dodgy and summer had definitely taken a break. 

The competition was foursomes with a mixture of mixed, mens and womens teams – the mens’ eyes lit up when told everyone would be playing off the yellow (ladies) tees meaning a number of par 4s

definitely became driveable for the men.

Winners on the day: best gross Jason Shaw and Josh Hawkins with a 75; best net Steve Prescott and Kieran McGovern with a 65; the stableford went to Bernadette and Richard Pither with 44 points.

The club’s mens and ladies teams in the Wellington interclub competitions are well into their schedule and travelling far and wide to represent the club _ chalking up some impressive wins against high profile opposition. 

At the time of writing the mens Division 2 team lies in 2nd place while the Division 10 team leads their division. The ladies Combo Pennants have two teams, Team 1 lying 6th and Team 2 11th out of 15 teams.

Holmes Construction are on schedule with the clubhouse rebuild and groundworks are well underway. The building is planned to be multipurpose, catering for community use as well as a meeting venue or for functions and as a Civil Defence hub. 

While it will be a fabulous facility and great asset, not only for the golf club but the community, it still has a cost. Thanks to the transfer of the Featherston club to Martinborough and for the generous donations received from club members as well as a number of grants. 

However, fundraising will be a major focus for some time. So keep an eye out on our Facebook page and website: 

martinboroughgolfclub.co.nz  to see progress on the build and upcoming events.

Two pix: (If only one used, make it the prize-giving)

Caption 1: Closing day prize giving under the oaks at Martinborough golf club

Caption 2: Ground-work for new Golf clubhouse from 9^th tee