Mangawhai making waves

By Neville Idour

Earlier in the year when in the far north we took the opportunity to visit Mangawhai Golf Club, one of the more popular courses and now most progressive clubs. 

We spoke with Owen Noonan, the golf club's finance and administration director, and Mike Howard, the club ambassador, who both revealed the huge strides the club has made in recent times.

Noonan said: “Three years ago we had a $100,000 overdraft and $35,000 in the bank. We have reversed that in three years. We have just told the bank we don’t need an overdraft now. We now have substantial funds and term deposits.

“On top of that we are now investing in the club with club extension, course development and  development of the practice range which is a huge move.” 

A large increase in green fees has been a major factor financially with $400,000 in 2021, significantly more than the previous average of $240,000. 

Noonan adds: “It has dropped back 30 percent on last year (due to covid) but what you have to remember is Auckland was closed down for six months but it is now getting better and better since it reopened again.”

The club's previous financial difficulties stemmed from a failure to increase subscriptions for six years. Membership back then was a little over 800. 

Noonan added: “We opened it up to the local community with social memberships so we could increase the café and bar trade along with other initiatives. Our full playing membership subscription is now just under $1400.”

When Noonan started his role, subscriptions were $900. In fact, he said with a chuckle, there was one year when members were given a 10 percent discount. 

“If you want a dollar's worth you have to spend a dollar. You can’t get it for 50 cents, and that is what the members had to buy in to. As a result our subscription revenue has almost doubled.” 

I haven’t bumped into too many club ambassadors (probably none) in my time but it appeals to me as a great role for a long standing and enthusiastic member of a club. So it was that Mike Howard further elaborated on the current situation.

“Our current active membership is 920 with a total membership including junior and social members around 1200,’’ Howard said.

``Our social and community engagement is a really important part of the club ethos. We manage to handle close to 40,000 rounds per year of which 9000 are visitor rounds. These bring a huge economic benefit to the community at large.

“We are one of the youngest clubs in New Zealand, celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2019. We did that so our remaining “originals” could enjoy another big party. We had the pleasure of Sir Bob Charles and his 1958 Eisenhower teammate Ted McDougall in attendance. It was a great night largely hosted by Michael Glading.

“We are very clear about who and what we are. We are simply a classic coastal and sand-based golf course in an undulating and largely native vegetation environment. We seek to manage and enhance the great bones that Harry Dale gave us in his design which, like many courses around the country was born out of farm and scrubland.”

The concept for the course was conceived in 1979 and endorsed at a public meeting later in the year. On land generously made available at a peppercorn rental by the county council, the original temporary nine holes were formed and played on within just 24 days. The first nine hole permanent course plans under the guidance of Harry Dale were completed in 1982 and construction began.

April 11, 1984, was the opening day for the new nine holes. Then a major milestone was the employment of Maurice Wightman as full time greenkeeper. Steady progress was then made in the completion of an 18 hole course. On May 1, 1988, the new 18 holes were played for the first time. The official opening was on Labour weekend with a record field of 177.

In June 1992 the new clubhouse project began with an area on two floors of 731square metres (7868 sq ft ) projected. There was a massive community effort in support of the building with many thousands of hours of volunteer labour leading to the opening of the clubhouse in 1993. In its current state the clubhouse is an impressive spacious facility.

It has everything needed for a large membership and for use by other organisations. The lounge commands glorious views of the course and vistas beyond, making it a very pleasant spot for that after match refreshment or for that coffee fix even if not playing golf.

Mangawhai was ranked 32nd in the Golf Digest New Zealand rankings in 2021. Howard enthuses about the attractions of the area which align with and bring benefits for the club. 

“There are great recreational facilities with beaches, the estuary, vineyards, markets, fishing options, local pottery and great shopping. In 2023 our new township will open at Mangawhai Central, which is conveniently placed between The Village and Mangawhai Heads. Yes it is a great place to be in.”

Over the years Mangawhai has hosted several national events the most recent being the 2017 Men’s Interprovincials. The course is one of the most attractive environments in the country and should not be missed if in the area.