The final preparations are being placed on the course prior to the Shirley Open and Shirley Links is looking magnificent! Congratulations to Mark Lawson and his team. The New Zealand Golf Representatives have arrived in town and they are enthusiastic as to the condition of the course especially the development of the creek area and the mounding that has taken place!! It seems as though this year we will be using the back tee on our normal 13 and the tee will be moved back to the creek as far as possible on our normal 5. The greens are now playing well and will only improve further as the week progresses.
The pro-am on Thursday has attracted a full field so it will be a busy day notwithstanding the shotgun start. For those playing watch out for me as I intend to be out on the course in the drinks cart and refreshments will be available at the Pagoda as well. We will also be looking to run "double your money" on our normal third hole so take some cash. At the prize giving, to be held at the Carlton Hotel, we will be running a short Auction to raise further monies for the Club so bring your cheque books as Bryan Andrews will be in form.
We have attracted a full field of professionals and amateurs but clearly the star attraction is the participation of our Patron Sir Bob Charles. We are both incredibly honoured and lucky to have such a New Zealand and World golfing icon playing in the event and this adds a special cachet to this round of The Charles Tour. It would be an absolute waste if you did not make time to come down and see him play. I suspect Sir Bob will be there or there abouts on the Monday round.
On the first two days there will be a morning tee off at 7.30am and an afternoon tee off at 11.45am, because we are using the alternate course two tees will be in play our normal 16 (Hole 1) and our normal 1 (Hole 10). After the cut there will be a two tee single start of 9.00am from both holes on the Sunday and Monday so you will need to be out for mid morning to catch the action.
Even with the assistance of New Zealand Golf and The New Zealand PGA it is big task to run a four day tournament but in my mind it provides the best possible avenue to promote both the Christchurch Golf Club and Shirley Links. To continue to be successful we must strive to excel and continually market to the widest possible audience. The Shirley Open is truly the opportunity to showcase the Club.
On behalf of the Club I extend thanks to those members who have offered assistance and to all members for their patience and forbearance during the running of the Open. If you wish to have a round on Saturday speak with the pro shop or the office to ascertain where reciprocal arrangements have been made.
In the interim good golfing and I will see you at Shirley if not before.
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