‘Spectacular’ new golf club building opens

Martinborough golfers say it’s hard to believe that just over 12 months ago they were still in the old clubhouse _ “and now we have a spectacular new building.” 

“To get where we are today has meant a huge fundraising effort and amazing support from members: we couldn’t have done it without them,” said committee member Emily Loughnan. 

The club extended a huge thanks to Holmes Construction who managed to bring the building in ahead of schedule and under budget, kept in line by fastidious project manager John Thompson. 

Fundraising will continue for quite some time to cover the full cost of the build while sponsorships from businesses will be an additional focus. Major sponsorship deals have recently been signed with P&K and The Orchards in Greytown.

The new era brings a new look with a modern logo and a different management structure.

“It is important that we move forward and have the clubhouse offering more than in the past” said vice captain Shayne Hammond. “We have appointed an operations manager (Seanoa Isaac) and his focus is to co-ordinate all the aspects of the club from running events, managing staff, marketing and sponsorship management.” Renowned chef Tennesee Liumaihetau who has a strong local following will help create the food offerings at the club. 

“The facility now gives us the opportunity to offer more than golf. The aim is to use the facility for functions and other events outside of the time it is used by the members as well as creating more social opportunities for members and their families,” Hammond said. “We are really keen to introduce a formal junior programme to bring along the next generation of golfers.”

The new clubhouse opened its doors on 21 January with ‘The Grumpies’ the first group of members to check it out. There was very little time to iron out any wrinkles as the enormously popular Pro Am was held on Thursday 23 January. The event was sponsored by Holmes Construction and C&ER Electrical as well as numerous others who donated prizes and other services. It is one of the richest Pro Am tournaments in New Zealand and always attracts a big field of professionals. This year was no exception with over 40 taking part and a total of more than 170 players. The professional winner was Dongwoo Kang with a round of 67, 5 under par. The amateur team, all Martinborough members, were Jane Fanselow-Price, Peter Price and Davis Lester-Clark.

“Plenty of members have contributed to this massive project – one example is the work of Nigel Malneek, our plumber, and is proof of the value that plumbers can add to a build,” Hammond said. By being involved right from early designs Nigel was able to advise on various aspects that have saved the club tens of thousands of litres of water a year, and reduced the load on the septic tank. “His solid reputation means he was also able to negotiate on suppliers’ pricing – we are so grateful to Zip in Masterton” said Emily. “Nigel has saved the club so much money, not only through his own generosity, but also his ideas and smart thinking,” said John Thompson. 

“Another who deserves a mention is Dayle Scrimshaw from CCL who has done all the drainage and septic tank work and could be seen on site almost every day of the week – we are enormously grateful. To those not mentioned (there are too many) _ a huge thank you.”

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Newly-opened Martinborough Golf Clubhouse hosts 170-plus players and guests for Pro Am event.