FLOP SHOT: Lynda Renner looks to play a chip shot towards the green. PHOTO BRAYDEN LINDSAY
THERE’S been plenty of balls hitting the fairway at Waitomo Golf Club lately. Numbers are strong, and the last few months have seen some really good signs for the Waitomo Golf Club. President Steve Wilshier said the last few months had been fantastic for the club. “We’ve had some new golfers come through the doors and we’re starting to see more of the 25-45 age group come and have a whack. “Like all clubs we used to put a lot of onus on sticking to golf etiquette like wearing correct clothing and shoes, however now if people rock up to play especially on a Sunday afternoon, we aren’t sending them away. “We’re encouraging them to get out there and have a whack.” Wilshier said their annual ITM tournament attracted a full field of more than 120 golfers. “It went well. We couldn’t have allowed any more golfers to take part it was at full capacity.” “We also had between seven to 10 golfers taking part in their first ever tournament and that was great to see.” Recently they hosted the North Island Chartered Clubs tournament and that saw more than 130 golfers competing. “It’s been busy but it’s fantastic for the club.” He said they had also updated their scoring capabilities, so now people can print cards and everything themselves, when they turn up to the course. The club has also purchased five new golf carts. “They are super popular the carts. Sometimes they are going out two or three times a day. “They have certainly been justified as everyone loves to play golf with a cart.” He said seeing people play was a big thing for the club. “Members number have probably gone up a bit and we’ve got more in the younger brackets than we used to have.” Wilshier said the club’s all about people giving the wonderful sport of golf a try. “We don’t mind if you turn up in jandals to have a hit after work during the week, while it is daylight saving or on a Sunday afternoon, it’s getting more and more people to give the game a crack and hopefully it leads to more members for us. “We’ve had to work hard to break that collared shirt stereo type but most people know if you are playing a club event you dress appropriately, if not then we don’t mind too much.” Golf for many years has been portrayed as a winter sport but Wilshier said things are slowly changing. “You still have your serious golfers but now you’re starting to see more of your social nine-hole golfers, who are more casually dressed, and members are starting to get used to that and when we have a gem of a course here like we do, why not welcome them here to play?” The course is in superb condition thanks in large to the employment of an extra greenkeeper. “It’s in fantastic condition. We just need the weather to play ball. It’s great seeing so many people out here playing.” The club championships and other major tournaments take place in winter where Wilshier said you get the heartier golfers.
