Captain’s Chronicles October 2026
Well it’s been an interesting start to the Spring with some very hot spells, followed by having to put the fire on, and then brain rattling wind! Here are a few updates and reminders.
Greenwood Cup this weekend
The 2nd weekend of the Greenwood Cup is being held at Maraenui Golf Club this weekend. Our team will be playing Dannevirke, CHB, Napier and Onga. After losing to Hawkes Bay on the first weekend and being forced to take a half against Maraenui due to rain cancelling play, we’ll have our work cut out for us if we are to retain the cup, which we won last year. The Greenwood Cup is a 10 man, individual match play, interclub event. Those representing the club are:
- Dan Pearce Stu Duff Jared McGillicuddy Sheridan Rangihuna
- Mike Trass George Bidwell George Pogson Luke Jarvis
- Stewart Eaton Nicholas Schnell Mark Tasker Louie Williams
You are encouraged to come out and support the team if you have some spare time over the weekend (red tops and black bottoms are our team colours).
Golf Committee – your club needs you
I’ll be handing over the Club Captaincy to Mike Trass when my term comes to an end in December. The men need another committee member; there are currently three ladies on the committee. If you’re interested in finding out more about what is involved with being on the committee, please get in touch. The committee is responsible for the playing of golf at the club, and meets once every two months, or as needed.
Reminder – Kaweka Series Final coming up
Just a quick reminder that we have the finals of the yearlong Kaweka Series on the 21st of November. The finalist, who qualified by finishing high up in one of the 4 seasonal events are:
- Mike Trass Mark Mills Eli Wainohu Richie Ratima
- Dave Shaw Tony Johnson Kris Bower Dillon Solomon
- Adam Jackson Ian Flynn John Kelly Joe Tuoro
- Andy Kupa Mark Shergold Jed Schnell Marc Rackett
- Robyn Kelly Jane Howie Ruby Jarvis Phillipa Cook
And they will face off on the 21st for some substantial prize money thanks to our generous sponsor, Kaweka Hospital (https://www.kawekahospital.nz/). Good luck!
Junior Golfers
We love having a strong junior contingent at our club, and we understand that everyone has to start learning the game somewhere. We’ve had a few instances of juniors playing on their own and being a bit disruptive to the flow on the course (e.g. running up to the hole on a par 3 to check if the ball was in the hole, then returning to the tee). So, we’re introducing an induction program for new junior members that will tell them about the facilities, how to book, how to care for the course and the etiquette and behaviors expected of all golfers. It will commence next month.
In addition to that, if you’ve got a child starting to play, can you please run them through the basics of keeping pace with those in front and behind and running them through the etiquette expected.
End of year functions
This year we’ll be having a separate Christmas Cheer and Men’s presentation day in December with the idea being that we place special emphasis on our presentations rather than being a sideline thing on Christmas Cheer. We are going to aim to have a system whereby you enter the draw and get randomly assigned your playing partners so that you get to play with members you wouldn’t normally play with. This should help foster the club spirit.
Gender Neutral Trial
The gender-neutral trial has come to an end, so the committee will do a review at its next meeting on the 19th and decide next steps.
Thought for the day - What is golf about?
As I continue on my golf journey, I’m becoming increasingly aware that the real goal in golf is simply blow-out minimisation. This sounds simple, but in practice it isn’t that easy. It’s about picking the right targets based on your total dispersion (if you hit 20 seven irons on the range where they all land) and making sensible choices rather than trying to be a hero! It is far more about not making bogeys and doubles or triples, than making birdies.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to see you out on the course sometime soon.
Nic Schnell
Men’s Club Captain
menscc@hastingsgolfclub.co.nz
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