Golf Chat – Week of 30 October 2025

The long weekend is over, and what a weather weekend it was. I went from 27 degrees on the Canterbury Plains up to Lewis Pass at 3 degrees and snow in a 2-hour drive. Only in NZ. Two trees came down on the course as well – so look out for those!

A special request this week in the newsletter from our wonderful Pru, who is moving on from the Pennants Organiser/Convener role. She has been instrumental in growing our Pennants team and fostering such positivity in the team. We are on the cusp of being brilliant and winning the North Shore region. So I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to her and all the time she has put into the seasons gone by. I’d like to welcome in Jules Doddrell, who I know will do an excellent job growing the team and enthusiasm for women to join.

Waitemata Pennants 2026 – Join the Team

Pennants is our Interclub competition, where teams of six represent Waitemata against other Harbour Golf clubs across the North Shore — including Helensville, Wainui, Whangaparaoa, Pupuke (two teams), and North Shore.

Matches are played on Monday mornings, with six rounds scheduled between 16 February and 30 March 2026.
Anyone with a handicap of 40 or less is eligible to play, and all skill levels are welcome — handicaps are taken into consideration, so everyone has a fair shot.

We play on different courses throughout the season with no green fees, and practice rounds are available at each venue at a reduced rate. A great perk to play at these courses. 
We’re looking to build a pool of players to call on. Many of our 9-hole members have represented Waitemata in the past — we’d love to see you back — and we’re always keen to welcome new players too!

To help everyone get ready, Brad will run two Pennants Clinics:

    • Tuesday 25th November (morning)

    • Sunday 30th November, 3:30pm

These sessions are open to anyone interested in playing pennants now or in the future — whether you’ve played pennants before or are completely new. You’ll learn about match play etiquette and rules, followed by some on-course practice.

Please let Brad know which session you’d like to attend: golf@waitemata.golf.nz

A big thanks to Jules Doddrell for convening Pennants 2026!
Happy golfing and good luck!
Prue Gard          021518577
Jules Doddrell    0211295909

Christmas Closing – Tuesday 2 December 

Our End-of-Year Bash is almost here —mark it in your calendars and get entering online. It is free to enter, lunch is $25 and will be deducted from your house account. 

This time it will be Stableford play, off the Leander tees and the Back 9.

We want a full tee sheet and a full bar after. Expect a festive, fun-filled round, plenty of laughs and raffles.

In the meantime, please think about what you can donate to the raffles. Or if you have a business you'd like to showcase to our 200 members, this is a great way to do it.

Rule Reminder – Play Ready Golf 

Let's keep the pace up, so everyone enjoys their round.

• Be ready to play when it's your turn, and if you're a shorter hitter, you go first. Don't be too proud to go first. 
• Keep your pre-shot routine short—no one needs multiple practice swings! Save that for the driving range, get to your ball and go for it.
• Line up your putt while others are putting, either physically if you can or mentally if you're standing back.
• If you're not good at spotting your ball (like me!), ask the group to watch it while you hit so that you can find it quickly. 
• Playing 'ready golf' keeps the rounds moving and involves your whole team of four. Work together with excellent communication.

Have a great rest of the week ahead!

Penny and Sheridan 

9 Hole Ladies Golf Committee

Convenors:

Penny Elliott - 021 969 982

Sheridan Alexander - 021 134 4048

Treasurer:

Jacquee Pedrick - 021 032 4454

New Members Contact:

Laurie Gandras - 021 046 3374