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Golf Information

The keenest golfers in the world seem to share one common opinion when it comes to the style of golf course they most enjoy playing. Quite simply it is this: ' "A well-presented and challenging links course is the game's ultimate test". Paraparaumu Beach, situated on the Kapiti Coast, just 40 minutes north of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, fits this description to a 'tee'!

Due to the foresight of Stronach Paterson, the founder of the Club, and his friend Mr D.O. Whyte who, in the 1940s jointly gained the support to buy the land and then employed famed golf architect Alex Russell, New Zealand gained a classic links course which has now hosted the New Zealand Open Championship 12 times.

The 2001 edition of Golf World rated Paraparaumu Beach 95th in the world. Many of the world's top professionals have rated it more of a challenge than that, particularly when the championship tees are at their full length and pin placements have been plotted by someone with a devious sense of cunning. Appropriately, the course record of 62 is shared by 1963 British Open Champion, New Zealander Sir Bob Charles, Maurice Bembridge and Paul Gow. Playing the course off the recently extended 3rd, 12th and 18th championship tees, you may agree that this record may well stand for all time.

Four sets of tees allow each club golfer to set his or her own test of skill. From the blue championship tees, shots to the par three holes can be quite daunting for, while there is not an over-abundance of bunkers, straight hitting and correct clubbing is a premium to avoid playing from the deep and steep hollows which border many of the greens. Whilst the 185 metres 2nd hole may be longer, the 5th hole, 148 metres and all carry to an island green, leaves little room for error and must be closely related to the infamous Postage Stamp par 3 at Troon, well known to the architect Alex Russell.

Of the longer holes, the par 4, 408 metre 13th is a classic. From the tee the vista is of a roller-coaster fairway with the green set atop a huge sandhill. Woe betide the short or long shot into this green. The backdrop of the majestic mountains, snow-capped in winter, makes this not only a great hole, but truly spectacular. The split fairway par 4, 404 metre 17th, leaves the golfer the conundrum whether to play the shorter route and hit the second 'cross green' and over bunkers - or to take the high road for the safer second shot.

Without a doubt, every hole at Paraparaumu has its own character and many are named, albeit unofficially, after famous golfers who were beaten by the hole. But the social golfer should not be intimidated, for sensible play and nice iron shots will produce their just reward on this tough but fair examination.

REGULAR CLUB EVENTS & COURSE PRIORITIES

• Mondays -Disc Draws - *See Information below
• Tuesdays -Ladies' Club Day (mornings)
• Wednesdays -Midweek Men's Club Day - White Tees (11.am - 3.pm)
• Saturdays -Ladies' Club Day (mornings)
• Sundays -Mens' Club Day - Blue Tees - all day tee priority applies. Please refer to the notice below covering Sunday Start Sheets.

MONDAY DISC DRAW PROCESS

19 dates are included in the 2008 programme.

• Mixed draw - men & women welcome.
• Meeting time is from 10.15 - 10.30 a.m.
• Tee times 10.46 - 11.30 a.m.

A $2 entry fee covers small prizes given on the day.

Organiser is Brian Chapman, phone 298-4321.

SUNDAY START SHEETS - TEE TIME PRIORITIES & OPTIONS

The men's club events are played on Sundays, i.e. it is the designated men's club day at P.B.G.C.

For this reason full playing men members have priority on Sundays and there are restrictions on play for other groups of members.

Men have the option of morning play tee times although the majority of men play in the afternoon field with tee times normally from 11.30 am onwards. (winter) There is usually a one tee start during daylight saving periods, and a two tee start operating - from the 1st & 10th tees. (winter)

Mens Sunday Golf - is played from the blue tees and the No.1 tee start times for the afternoon are reserved for men playing the blue tees, i.e. all start times from 11.am, or from 11.30am during summer.

Men members playing the Sunday morning option also have priority use of No. 1 tee start times during winter.

Men can also book tee times for the No.10 tee for competition blue tee rounds throughout the day.

For some events the men's club may require full & exclusive use of all tee times throughout the day. However it is more likely that exclusive use of both the 1st and 10th tee start times for men's events would be necessary for afternoon play only.

Yellow & White Tee Play - i.e. women, non-competition men, mixed groups and juniors.These players will usually be able to use a limited number of tee times on Sundays but only from the No.10 tee. There will be occasional days when these groups are unable to obtain teetimes because of maximum participation levels in men's club fields or due to special events, tournaments or shotgun start fields. Options for juniors are expanded below.

JUNIOR MEMBERS

In order to encourage junior golf, the previous restriction on junior start times on Sunday afternoons has been relaxed, such that juniors may now commence play to prior to 3.30.pm, subject to certain conditions:

• Unaccompanied Juniors, i.e. those that are entering their own names on the Sunday afternoon start sheet. These junior players must play within the allocated 10th tee start times marked for juniors, usually around 1.pm. There are also 10th tee reserved times for juniors on Sunday mornings, usually around 9.am.
• Juniors accompanied by a parent or another adult - subject to all the other members of their group being aware in advance that juniors are to play with them, these groups may book tee times outside the "juniors reserved" slots but may only book 10th tee start times.
• Junior members that hold a blue course handicap of 9 or lower (index 8.1 & lower) - the Committee has granted these junior members playing rights consistent with full playing adult members. These include eligibility to enter trophy and competition events and a waiver on junior start time restrictions.

UNACCOMPANIED GREEN FEE GROUPS

On a Sunday, outside green fee groups that are unaccompanied by members are restriced to a total of eight (8) players unless prior approval has been given by the Committees.

The Men's Committee will keep Sunday playing arrangements and restrictions under review and welcomes any feedback from members on the subject.