1.   Welcome and Apologies

The meeting was opened by the President in the Chair at 1.04 pm. Present were Gerard Moloney, President; Ross John Barnes, Treasurer; Simon Briggs, Captain; Kevin Arnold, Vice-President; John de Jersey, Secretary; Katie Hewitt and Kristo Bradley.

Guests were Andrew Revie, Club Professional; Graeme Andrews, Greenkeeper; and Ross Hodgson.

2.   Professional’s Report

There was discussion of how to best use the Women and Girls grant received from GA. Gerry noted that he will need to provide an update to GA shortly. It was agreed that some of the money should be used for advertising, both on the local FM radio (Rebel FM and Breeze FM) and in the local newspapers. Gerry gave Andrew a copy of the grant application. There had been no reply to our proposal for an interaction with the TM Netball Club (Secretary to follow up). Katy and Secretary to write an article for the TM Times and/or News, together with an advertisement. We need to decide on the programs we are able to offer beginning women and girls. Simon will follow up on a possible link to the high school from club members. Andrew suggested that the Pacific Pines area may be a good hunting ground for new members.   

Andrew noted that he is still looking to appoint a trainee if a suitable applicant can be found. Andrew and Ross will investigate further the water coming from the ice machine waste outlet, perhaps using a dye. It was suggested that purchase of a new ice machine may solve the problem. Andrew reported that Mitch is leaving on August 6 to take up a full golf scholarship at Wichita State University in Kansas. Gerry will put this information in the next newsletter.

Andrew will continue to monitor the situation with the ladies’ competition on Tuesday mornings, re when it is reasonable to allow other players to hit off the first tee, possibly 10.45 am.

3.   Greenkeeper’s Report. Graeme noted that he is going on annual leave in the last week of July. A roster has been prepared for essential mowing and watering duties. Graeme noted that the current strong westerly winds caused rapid drying of the course, particularly the greens. Kristo will help out with watering as required. Graeme noted several projects underway around the course. For example, the cart path below the 17th tee has been levelled and topped with road base. The koala trees have arrived and will be planted out on the southern side of the first fairway near the water in early September. Graeme noted that his budget has been overspent due to unexpected repairs. He was advised that his greenkeeper’s budget was not meant to cover significant repair bills which would be the responsibility of the main budget to meet.

There was a discussion of the need to have an extra green available for when one of our nine greens is out of use, either because of weather or other damage or because of refurbishment, building on the recent experience of the sixth green outage. In planning for a better replacement green and alternate holes, it was agreed that there were three decisions to be made: firstly, the location of the practice fairway, and whether this would require construction of a new practice green; secondly, should the practice green be grassed with bent grass; and thirdly, where would it be suitable to locate a nursery for bent grass to repair damaged areas on our greens (perhaps the current practice tee). A further consideration is the ability to link the practice green and the grass nursery to the new irrigation system.

4.   Minutes of Previous Meeting. The Minutes of the June 20th meeting had been reviewed and recirculated. They were confirmed on the motion of Katy, sec. Kevin.

5.   Business Arising. Re the raffle money, it was agreed that the cleanest approach is to open a new bank account specifically for the raffle money. Ross agreed to pursue this.

Re the kitchen floor waste, Kevin suggested that if a pit is required to handle wastewater, it could be dug while an excavator is here for the irrigation system. Kevin to follow up.

Re name tags for trees. Leon has provided a list of trees, both native and exotic, worthy of name tags. Ongoing.

Bamboo near our sign on Golf Course Road needs trimming as does vegetation along the public path beside the first fairway. There is also a concern about dead branches held up in trees outside the course near the second tee, which could drop at any time. Katy agreed to contact the Council about these issues.

Irrigation. Simon tabled a quotation received from Geoff at GBH Irrigation Services for an irrigation system for the greens and tees, which could easily be extended to include fairways. Simon had discussed the plan with an hydraulics engineer, and also with Graeme, Kevin and Tim. The base quote is for $134,000, plus $20,000 for a new pump set. In addition, it was considered appropriate to include a contingency fund of $10,000 to cover any changes needed in the pump shed as well as unforeseen problems. The work could start towards the end of September. Tim and Kevin would be on hand to deal with any breakages/leaks in the current system which may happen during installation of the new system. The potable water component was removed from the quote. It was noted that the current water pump could be sold for a reasonable amount since it is fairly new.

It was moved by Simon, seconded by Gerry, and carried unanimously that the TMGC commit the sum of $164,00 for the purchase and installation of a new irrigation system as outlined above, with the major component being $134,000 to GBH Irrigation Systems. It was noted that most of this allocation of funds would be covered by funds set aside by the MC for just such a major project. Also see note above in greenkeeper’s report concerning practice green and grass nursery.

6.    New Membership Approvals. Ross circulated a list of 13 membership applications, including two full members, four lifestyle members, four weekday members, two young adult members and one junior member. All of these applications were approved. This brings the number of financial members to 183, plus 104 members who had not yet paid their annual membership subscription due by June 30. It was considered that most of these lapsed members will pay up, but that it will be important to follow them up.

7.   Financial Report. Ross pre-circulated the financial statement till the end of June, showing a closing balance of $144,146.96. 854 visitor rounds were played over 35 days till the end of June.  The financial report was approved, moved Ross, seconded John.

8.   Workplace Health and Safety. See note above under business arising about hanging branches on gum trees just outside the course near the second tee.

9.   Competition Report. Discussion was continued about the upcoming club championships for men and women to be held over three Saturdays in August (3rd, 10th and 17th). It was agreed that all men hit off the black tees and women off the white tees. Ross H will be helping Simon with MiClub entries. The plan is to have a small ceremony in the clubhouse as the leading players finish their rounds and prizes are presented. It was noted that people unknown appeared to be interfering with the MiClub competition set-up. Gerry will investigate. It was noted that slow play during the Saturday competition continues to be a problem.

It was proposed that, instead of the Club providing free drinks to members in the bar as a hole-in-one celebration for achievement during the Saturday competition, that $100 be added to the account of the successful golfer. This was agreed to.

10.                      TMGC Strategic Action Plan. Consideration postponed till next meeting. A meeting with Andrew Leventis and Virginia Irwin is scheduled for Thursday July 1

11.                      Correspondence In.  GCDGA has provided prizemoney of $250 towards our Club Championships. 

Tom Childs, insurance assessor, provided an update on our claims arising from the December 25 tornado. It was noted that the repairs to the practice nets should be done in the next two weeks.

12.                      Correspondence out. Letters sent to GCDGA and Tom Childs (see above).

13.                      General Business.

·       It was agreed that a successful grant for $2500 to strengthen volunteer capability and provide safe participation opportunities be dedicated to training sessions in first aid and CPR for volunteers/committee members. Gerry will arrange with Zoe ……

·       Honour Board Review. Gerry is continuing to work on this, including scrolling honour board event winners, from 1959 till present, with photographs, on the screen above the bar.

·       Insurance cover. Kevin will approach Elders Insurance re the possibility of cover for the Club at more advantageous rates.

·       Green Fees. It was agreed to increase green fees for visiting golfers, making the new fees as follows: visiting adults: $40 for 18 holes, $30 for 9 holes; Members guests, $30 and $20 respectively. For juniors, $10 for 9 or 18 holes. The new rates will apply when the new irrigation system is completed.

·       TMGC Membership Committee Charter is being prepared for publication on the website.

·       Succession Planning. This is an important consideration especially in view of the forthcoming AGM (September 28). The most important matter at the moment is the provision of support for the captain. The simplest approach is to designate one of the three committee members with undesignated portfolios as a Vice Captain. To achieve this, John agreed to resign from his elected position while continuing in the position of secretary at the behest of the MC. Ross Hodgson agreed to stand for election to the MC and would, if elected, take on the role of Vice Captain.



·       Katy and Kevin requested that they be permitted to organize a memorial competition on a Saturday for Richard Pickering, with a likely date in early December. This was agreed to.

a.    Closure and next meeting. The meeting was closed at 3.50 pm. The next meeting will be at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 21.

Minutes prepared by John de Jersey, Secretary, TMGC.