Dannevirke Golf Club ,COVID-19, latest news...
Bryan Burt - Club scribe • March 25, 2020

What a week. As we go in to tonights lock down for Covid-19, I was asked to update you all on our Course.
NZGA Official Statement; From Wednesday 25th March at 11.59pm, all operations at golf clubs must cease for at least four weeks. This means all golf courses, practice facilities, clubhouses, pro shops, bar, function and cateering facilities must now close.
Today gates have been installed at the entrance on Tamaki River Road to prevent members, campers and members of the public entering. I had messages from Glenys Nicol (Ladies Captain) and Robbie Benson (Seniors) earlier in the week. I have included Gleny's note in edited version because of the NZGA Officail statement. Robbies has been superceded by the NZGA statement. As requested last week Gus Terry has provided a list of results from the 4 course classic which is listed below.
Glenys;
Good morning everyone - Events are moving very quickly for us all so the following changes are necessary to make sure we are all as safe as possible and following the guidelines
All Wednesday/Saturday Ladies golf competition is cancelled for the year.
HBPB Competitions Pennants etc have been postponed.
Pahiatua Open Day and the Feilding/Rangitiki Tournament cancelled.
Four Course Classic;
Last week the Central and Southern Hawkes Bay Seniors hosted the 4
Course Classic which was conducted mostly in fine weather. Here are the
first four place getters in each group.
Group 1 Men: 1st Colin Vincent(Riverside) 150
2nd Bob Fair (Porongahau) 147
3rd Vaughan Hales (Dannevirke) 143
4th Sylv Eaton(Takapau) 143
Group 2 Men !st Alan Alsworth (Mahunga) 166
2nd Aaron Chen (Whitford Park) 155
3rd Roger Martin (Linton Camp) 152
4th Bruce Churchill(Linton Camp) 150
Group 3 Men !st Owen wilson (Okoroire) 165
2nd Barry Thom (Springfield) 157
3rd Eddie Betts (Kaitake) 152
4th Graham Irvine(Linton Camp) 150
Group 1 Ladies 1st Jenny Chen (Whitford Park) 153
2nd Sharyn Buchanan (Strathmore) 152
3rd Pat Gard (Waipawa) 152
4th Kahu McGaskill(Okoroire) 150
Group 2 Ladies 1st June Churchill(Linton Camp) 172
2nd Josie Loye (Tokoroa) 164
3rd Yvonne Alsworth (Mahunga) 159
4th Gwen Murphy(Cape Turnagain) 156
Cheers
Gus.
We each have an opinion on what is happening and why, some positive, some negative. All I hope and pray for is at the end of four weeks I can send a What's On to each and everyone of you, and that you have all come through unscathed. We are a sport with many elderly members (described as persons over 60) so me included, It will be a very new and strange experience for us all, but stay calm, stay focused on the end goal, and keep yourselves out of harms way.
With the current drought that our farmers are going through at present, my job has obviously been deemed Essential. PGG Wrightson had to apply for a License to operate from MPI, which was granted. We have one license for 96 stores, and any breach of requested operating standards will result in that license being suspended. After the close down was announced, our store went manic, and some actions by individuals had me pulling some more of my limited quantity of hair out. My staff and I have been subjected to some complete madness and ill mannered behavior in the past 48 hours. I hope this settles in the days ahead, otherwise it is going to be a very stressful time.
The purpose of What's On is to inform members about all things golf. In the next month, we are going to experience a whole new way of life. If any members see fit to put finger to keyboard and provide an article that can go to us all to keep our spirits high, then I will gratefully publish a Thursday What's On. Likewise should there be any changes notified from NZGA you will hear from me. Remember we are all in this together.
Good health one and all, Be safe and be kind. We will meet again on the other side of four weeks.
Bryan Burt
Club Scribe

Coring; Kierane and his team had a good run early in the week and got the course open for golfing today. Thanks to our staff and all who helped out. Friday 12th September; (3 options) 1 Our course is open, so weather permitting, there will be golf at Dannevirke 2 Cape Turnagain are hosting the Annual Firms Day. 18 holes 10 am Morning tea, 11 am Tee off. $30 entry fee; 3 Onga Onga, Our very own Jim Hickey (aka Doug) thinks the weather here tomorrow is going to be horrid, but a bit further away from the ranges at Onga Onga, things look better with rain not predicted until later in the day. Anyone wanting to go north, leave from the Mangatera Hotel car park at 10.45 am, Tee off at Onga at 11.30 am. Saturday 13th September; Kitt, Kerr, Hape, Simpson foursomes. Duty Zane, House Johnny. Zane has a copy of the rules for those who are not sure on them. 11.30am tee off Green Staff: There is a rule that states "Greens Staff have the right of way". There is only so many hours in a week, and the staff have lots to do to get everything groomed. If a tractor is heading towards you, please wait for them to get out of your range before hitting your ball. You wouldn't hit a ball at someone walking towards you, so don't do so to someone on a tractor. They can't jump out of the way of an oncoming ball if that were to happen. If a green is being mowed, wave the green staff to carry on; it only takes a few minutes to mow a green. A couple of minutes' delay for your round of golf is nothing compared to consistent stopping and starting for the staff. Common sense should prevail. If in doubt, " Wait, thank you. Spring weather is really upon us at present. Tomorrow looks ugly, but who knows? If you wish to brave the conditions, there are plenty of options this weekend. Good Golfing👍 Bryan Burt Club Scribe

Evening all, Saturday 6th September; Card draw at 11.30 am, Duty? House Tony Saturday 13th September; Kitt, Kerr, Hape, Simpson 4somes over 18 holes. This has been mentioned previously, so make up a pair and come along for an 11.30 am start. Takapau 18 Hole Strokeplay Tournament. Thanks for the support from the 20 members who went through to Takapau last Saturday. We made up close to a quarter of the field, so great support for our friends at Takapau. The gross winner was J McGillicuddy. Pongaroa were the 2025 winners of the Ruahine Rosebowl. That's it for tonight, folks. Have a good weekend. Good Golfing👍 Bryan Burt Club Scribe

A few bits and pieces to mention. Friday 29th August; Course Closed. The course is closed tomorrow for a Master Builders Ambrose Tournament. There is 90-something players in the field starting on multiple tees, so best we keep clear for them . Friday Boys Mid-Day Competition: Doug has suggested playing in Takapau tomorrow. Gather at the Mangatera Hotel car park for an 11 am departure, 11.30 am tee off at Takapau. Saturday 30th August; Takapau 18-hole Stroke play tournament. (Final Ruahine Rosebowl). The draw for this event is attached (click) . Please ignore the numbers down the left side . The top part of the draw is teeing of Dardanelles with the junior field going off Westwood Ho. It looks like a late start but given they have allowed 11-minute gaps, I am sure the field will start quicker than written. I would suggest being early as I can't see 11-minute times being adhered to. For those interested, a van is leaving Drums at 9.15am. Saturday 30th August; At home, Duty Richie House Angela. Seniors, because of the impending visit by Central and Southern to Cape Turnagain on Tuesday, September 2 nd , we will have a full Club day on Thursday, 4 th , complete with raffles, approaches, etc. On the 9 th September, we are unable to play because of coring. We are looking at a visit to Fielding or Eketahuna on that day. We shall advise next week as to where we are going, and see who are interested. Monday 8th September; Coring. The course will be closed until this job is complete. Kierane will advise when the course is reopened Hole In One; Congratulations Jolanda Van Viliet for holing out on number 14 yesterday. Great effort, Jolanda. Plenty happening as we head into spring golf. Good luck to the 22 heading to Takapau on Saturday. Hopefully, this isn't their last Tournament, but that is a matter for the members to sort. Good Golfing👍 Bryan Burt Club Scribe