Spring Pairs boost golf course path project

Warkworth Golf Club is hoping the wet winter has finally departed as it gears up for its popular Spring Pairs women’s tournament next month.

The annual combined Stableford invitational competition attracts more than 100 players from as far away as Tauranga and Dargaville, with a wide range of prizes to be won and lunch included in the $45 entry fee.

Golf administrator Sue Hadfield said the club and local businesses sponsored prizes that included plants and garden items, golf equipment and accessories, and vouchers and products for women.
Proceeds from the entry fees will go towards the club’s Pathway Project that was launched last year to fund and install concrete paths right around the 18-hole course. The aim is to help players with restricted mobility or other health issues to be able access the course and use a cart even when the course is wet underfoot, something that has been even more of a problem this winter. Hadfield said recent conditions had been the worst she had ever known, with the course forced to close for almost two weeks in total.

“I’ve been here four-and-a-half years and in that time the course has only been closed for one or two days, but this year has been horrendous,” she said.

Although the Pathway Project was only launched last year, club members have already raised around $30,000 and tracks have already been laid around several holes over the last six months. Hadfield said people had been incredibly generous, from giving cash donations to bringing in everything from old golf clubs to fruit from their gardens to sell for the cause.

“We’ve been trying to raise $50,000 and we’ve already raised an awful lot through various means.

We’ve had so many fantastic people who’ve donated things,” she said.

The Ladies Spring Pairs takes place on Monday, October 3, then the club’s popular Business House 10-week evening tournament starts on Wednesday, October 5.

The club is currently seeking a new coach, following the recent departure of Tony Mordaunt.

Info: Visit www.warkworthgolfclub.co.nz or call 425 8248.