Sideswipe - September 2010

6 September 2010

Parallel Universe in the chair this week for The Mantis. It's been another sticky week out there on the golf course and I understand pretty much all the Auckland courses are in the same boat (some literally). There's not a lot we can do about it really, so we have to grin and bear it and wait for the better weather to come along. In the meantime keep an eye on the suckered balls (it always helps if you are looking in the right place for them) and be diligent in fixing the pitch marks on the greens.

The temporary greens remain in play on the 1st and the 14th. I understand the plan is to try and protect them as much as is possible given that the club champs are approaching at the end of the month and I expect it is going to take a run of fine weather before these will be in play again and the forecast for this week is not that flash. Like it or hate it (and I have seen some really fluky putts on these greens in recent weeks, especially those players with ‘Hutchy luck') these greens are getting old and are going to need replacing sooner rather than later, otherwise the temporary greens will become more prevalent every winter. As we all know replacing greens is a very expensive process and is a pretty major expense in the budget process for any golf club and given the hard economic times virtually all sports clubs are facing at present, we may need to do a bit of thinking outside the square in finding funds to achieve this because major course improvements are going to be few and far between in upcoming years I suspect.

The jungle drums are beating and I understand that the club will be adopting a trial 1 tee start exercise lasting through the daylight saving period. I don't want to pre-empt the golf committee in giving us their full logic for suggesting this, but I understand they wish to create more flexibility in the afternoons to get more people onto the course to take advantage of the extended daylight hours (and this may kick a few more dollars into the kitty in terms of green fees and they will be gratefully received). I suppose we need to try new things and it will mean a few changes for everyone. I understand club champs and major 36 hole tournaments will continue to use 2 tee starts where applicable. Let's get in behind the golf committee and see how it goes. I am sure we will hear more on this shortly.

What this will do however is further reinforce the need for the pace of play to be maintained (in every universe) as one slow group has the potential to hold up the entire course throughout the day and I understand this is not going to be tolerated. There seems to be constant discussion and gnashing of teeth regarding slow play. It is one thing to complain about slow play, but it is another thing to actually know what to do about it. Many groups that are told to hurry up either don't know what to do to speed things along and unfortunately in a few cases some groups feel it is their right to play at whatever speed they see fit. Perhaps it is time for some simple slow play protocols to be developed and communicated to all members as to what is expected and how to make up lost ground when you are asked to. I am sure we recognise that policing slow play by the shop staff is not always going to be possible all of the time and we will need to self manage this issue ourselves at times.
The Wednesday haggle and scramble was taken out by John ‘Lex' Dias on 39 points (who only turns up when he is playing well) and Ken Collins also tucked in to the money on 38 points in second place and keeping up a strong run of form taxi man Yenta in 3rd on 37 points. The haggle also saw the return of Mick Connor from a hip replacement completed through the winter. Welcome back Mick – just in time to get some form back for the Akarana Invitational Calcutta coming at the end of October. The Sunday scramble was taken out by Donald Stewart on 38 points (that name is popping up a lot lately) followed closely by Bruce Jones and Joseph Boyle on 37 points.

Finally, the club champs are approaching, with qualifying on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October. Make sure you get your names down for that as this really is the highlight of the year. Senior – up to 6 handicap, Intermediate 7 -12, Junior 13-18, C Grade 19+. All qualifying is over 36 holes (except for C grade which is 18 holes) and the grand finals are over 36 holes (except for C Grade which is again 18 holes).

Parallel Universe

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