SBS BANK CROMWELL GOLF CLUB

SBS Bank Cromwell Golf Club

October 2017 Newsletter

THE SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS IS RIZZ. I WONDER WHERE THEM BIRDIES IS?”- SAID WHO?.

September Events

Norman Riggir Trophy: was held on Sunday 17th. This is a

Men vs Women event with the winner being the highest

average stableford score and the winner was…the Men.

Jean McLellan presented the trophy to Lester Scott with Norman Riggir

family representation Estelle Scott looking on (and some unknown

character loitering in the background).

Special General Meeting

Highlights from the meeting held on Tuesday 19th were:

Chairperson Des Minehan spoke briefly about the Boards

work on continuing to improve the Club’s financial situation

while also continuing to upgrade the Club’s greenkeeping

equipment asset.

Presentation of the financials. Robin Pimm outlined the

2016-17 year’s likely financial outcome:

• Improving our cash position and upgrading assets

as we go.

• Management keeping control of expenditure and

Greenkeepers working within their budget.

• Volunteers efforts, running tournaments with a

focus on profit outcomes as well as the golf,

grounds work and woodies contributions

• All going towards helping the positive balance sheet

and a cash surplus for the year.

The budget for 2017-18 was presented. The numbers are

based on the assumption that the approx. 10% increase we

have had in green fee and subscription income each year

over the last 3 years will continue. Another modest cash

surplus is forecast for the year while work continues on

course and equipment improvements.

The proposed subscription levels for 2017-18 were

presented with the following points being noted:

• Generally to stay the same as current year.

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• A new junior category for 26-29 year to help keep

younger family orientated golfers

• Some minor changes to Starter, Country and Casual

rates to tidy them up

• Casual and Starter were increased a little but an

early payment discount was added that isn’t there

currently

Category Full Early Net

Payment Payment Payment

Discount

Full $650 $50 $600

9-Hole $475 $35 $440

Starter $325 $25 $300

Country $325 $25 $300

Casual $365 $35 $330

Limited $515 $35 $480

School $65 $5 $60

Junior U22 $162.50 $12.50 $150

Junior 22-25 $325 $25 $300

Junior 26-29 $487.50 $37.50 $450

The proposed budget and the subscription levels for 2017-

18 were passed unanimously.

Building upgrade:

Chairman Des Minehan talked about the Boards work to

date, looking at all the options available for the future of the

clubhouse and deciding the best option was an upgrade of

the existing facility. The scope of work was likely to cost

around $500,000. He then outlined the processes to be

carried out to progress the project and the people within

and outside the club to be consulted.

Paul Robertson gave the members an outline of the

proposed changes to the building, moving the social area to

the lower level, extending that level to the north and south

keeping the same roof structure, decking north and south

to look over the 9th and 18th greens, moving the bar to

where the toilets currently are, upgrading the kitchen to a

commercial level. The upper level would include an area for

tournament/club day presentations, toilets, office, meeting

room, storage. The downstairs would see an extension to

and upgrade of the changing rooms and toilets.

The Chairman said the Board was looking for an indication

from the members that this was the path they would like

the Board to continue on. It was agreed by the members

that the outlined building upgrade process continue.

Men’s Club Captain Report

Continuation of good Saturday fields (50-70) post winter

period, also very good fields for Wednesday golf.

Pennants: Senior B’s and Intermediate teams into CO semi-

finals however they both failed to progress to the finals.

Presidents Pennants: Out of finals contention

Interclub: Cromwell is currently first equal after 5 of 8

rounds.

Hay Patterson Cup: completed, joint winner’s K Ludemann

& P Silvester

Bobby Jones Cup: 2 rounds played

Goodall Memorial: well underway

Brasch cup: final round completed, awaiting feedback

from Otago golf regards results

Norman Riggir Trophy: Winner’s Men

Many thanks again to the ladies for catering on Saturdays

George Hook

Women’s Club Captain Report Everything has been going along smoothly, the numbers

on Tuesdays and Thursdays have improved over the last

month.

We are reverting back to a 9.30 start now that daylight

saving has come in. This will start after we have played the

27-hole Jubilee Cup on the 26th September

The Champion of Champions will be played at Arrowtown

next month. Executives day on Thursday 5th October and

the Champions day Friday 6th. We will have no team in the

Championship this year as our Silver Champion is away.

We have had 2 days catering this month 1 for Town v

Country and the other the Eagles Tournament.

Jean Giller.

Saturday Morning Golf Will start 7th October. Tee off must be between 8-8.30am

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Member Profile This month we profile a relatively new member to the

club…Thitikarn Seaton….known to all by the nickname her

mother gave her …Laa.

Laa moved to Cromwell 18 months ago from Perth, with

husband Phil. Laa is a Thai national. She grew up and

worked in the town of Klonghad which is in Eastern

Thailand and only 10 minutes from the Cambodian border.

Laa received a government scholarship to train as a dental

nurse. When she qualified, she worked in the Klonghad

hospital for over 12 years. During this time Laa was

involved regularly as a volunteer working in an aid

programme in poorer areas. The programme was under

the patronage of the King’s sister. Because of a shortage

of dentists, Laa undertook many of the tasks we would

associate with them, including extractions, fillings, cleaning

and education. Laa is justifiably proud of the two medals

she received from the King’s sister for her work as a

volunteer.

Because of the proximity to the Cambodian border, the

area around Klonghad is designated a red area. Although

not as dangerous as it was during the Cambodian

insurgence it is still a higher risk area for personal safety.

Laa also received a medal, this time a king’s Medal, for her

work in the hospital in this area.

Laa met Phil in Bangkok in 2007. It was only the second

time Laa had been to Bangkok, so Phil acted as tour

guide…Laa says she was not good in the big city! Laa and

Phil married in Thailand and shifted to Perth in 2009.

They moved to Cromwell in 2015. Laa was apprehensive

thinking Cromwell might be too quiet and that she would

be lonely. It has been just the opposite. Laa says she loves

Cromwell. The people are great and have made her very

welcome. Looking out the window at the mountains, she

says,” it is like paradise every day!”

Laa says she wanted to play golf but was too shy. Phil gave

her some professional lessons for her birthday and with

the encouragement of neighbour, Noeline Lister, she

plucked up the courage to join the ladies competition. She

was made really welcome and looks forward to playing

every weekend. Her goal now is to reduce her handicap

from 34 to around 20.

Between golf and working, Laa also manages to fit in

gardening, some tramping, step-pump and yoga…… a busy

life…and then she has to look after Phil!

Firewood

The club would like to thank Des Minehan and co for the

donation of a truck and trailer load of logs this season. The

woodies have sliced, diced and delivered this and it has

helped our fundraising efforts once again.

Starter Members

Golfers in the Starter Membership can now play in the

regular club competitions without the payment of an extra

fee. The Starter membership is for those new to golf and

are only available for a maximum of 2 years.

Subscriptions

Invoices will be in the mail next week for the 2017-18 year.

Remember that there is a discount for most categories for

payment in full prior to Oct 31. We endeavour to get the

invoices correct but if you believe something is not right

on yours please give the office a call.

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Professional Willie Moore

From 1st October Willie will be taking over some of what was previously under the Club’s control. Under a lease agreement Willie will have financial and management control of the driving range, cart hire, golf club cub and trundler hire. He was already doing some of these activities on his own behalf while others he was doing on the Club’s behalf. Willie has had new hire golf club sets and trundlers for a while now and will have new electric carts here in the near future. Any questions or issues relating to these activities should now be directly to Willie.

Willie is also looking for a Junior Convenor to help with

Junior golf on a Sunday morning. The number of kids

participating in coaching sessions has grown significantly

over the last 6 months. If you are able to help please talk

to Willie.

The Bar

Prices will be going up from 2nd October. There will be a

small increase across most of the range of products

offered in the bar. The prices for the most popular items

will be:

Beer – big bottles $9, handles $6, stubbies $6, mid

strength stubbie or handle $5

Wine – Pinot Noir $9, whites/rose $7, cask wine $4

RTD’s $7.50. Most non-alcoholic drinks will remain the

same.

The Club Committee have decided that the Club house and

bar shall be locked and secured by 9pm on regular club

days. It will only stay open longer hours for specific events

and tournaments.

Wednesday and Saturday volunteer bar staff are only

expected to stay on duty until 6pm at the latest. If

members are still using the bar facilities after 6pm one of

them must assume responsibility for closing and securing

the club house not later than 9pm.

Upcoming Events Men’s October Calendar

Sun 1 – Presidents C.O Final Wed 4 - Men's Wed Competition Thu 5 - Twilight Golf Starts (registered teams) Fri 6 - 9 Hole Men's Competition Sat 7 - Monthly Medal. Blue or White Tees and Putting. 3rd Round of the Goodall Memorial completed.

Sun 8 - Travellers Cup. Foursome. Wed 11 - Men's Wed Competition. Thu 12 - Twilight Golf (registered teams) Fri 13 - 9 Hole men's Competition Sat 14 - 4B Aggregate Stableford. 3rd Round Bobby Jones Sun 15 – Pennants Otago Final. Presidents Pennants Otago Final. Mon 16 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Tue 17 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Wed 18 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Thu 19 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Fri 20 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Sat 21 - Bisque par Wed 25 - Men's Wed Competition. Thu 26 - Twilight Golf (registered teams) Fri 27 - 9 Hole Men's Competition Sat 28 - Medal. Interclub at Queenstown Sun 29 - RU Cook Memorial Mixed American Foursomes

Women’s October Calendar

Sun 1 - Travellers Cup. Mixed Medal Tue 3 - 18 Hole-Monthly Medal & Putting 9 Hole - Medal and Putting. 4th Round Eclectic (F) Thu 5 - O'Kane Trophy Sat 7 - Match of the Day Tue 10 - 18 Hole -4BBB Net 9 Hole - Final Joan Wilson Trophy (F) Thu 12 - Rae Henderson Trophy. Beginners' Match Play. Red Tees. Mon 16 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Tue 17 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Wed 18 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Thu 19 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Fri 20 - Fire Service Tournament (course closed) Sat 21 - Match of Day. Last day for Top Cat competition. Tue 24 - 18 Hole - Vin Pro Game Last Day for TOP CAT Competition 9 Hole - 7th Round Vina Paterson 4BBB (B) Thu 26 - 3 Clubs and a Putter Sat 28 - Match of Day. Final Top Cat (Medal Round). Ringers Close. Sun 29 - Ru Cook Memorial. Mixed American Foursomes. Tue 31 - 18 Hole- Medal Round. Final Top Cat (Medal Round). Ringers Close 9 Hole - Hidden Hole Stableford (B)

Vehicle tracks

The wheel tracks along the left side of hole 12 as well as similar tracks in other spots around the course are a part of the course and you do not get relief from these tracks. Relief is only available from the tracks/paths with a formed artificial surface such as the gravel/crusher dust cart paths.

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Facebook If you use facebook make sure you check out our Club’s

facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/cromwellgolf/

and click ‘like’. It is amazing how far and wide we as

members can spread the word about our golf course.

Website

Don’t forget to check out our website from time to time.

Amongst other things you will find our Men’s and

Women’s events calendar under the “Club/Events” tab.

https://www.cromwellgolf.co.nz

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