ANOTHER UNSETTLED START FOR COVIC PLAY IN 2021

COVIC golf has had yet another unsettled start to the year. In 2020 it was COVID that disrupted

the playing calendar and in 2021 it is the weather. The cancellation of the opening VVV event at

Waiterimu back in February, has now been followed by the forced postponement of the Clarks

Beach qualifying event event, due to a torrential downpour during play. This qualifying round has

now been rescheduled as round four on the 1st June, after the Onewhero (23rd April) and Waiuku

(18th May) rounds, before we return to the schedule with round 5 at Waikare on the 28th June.

It is a pleasure to confirm that Waikare are once again back in the COVIC family of clubs, under

the direction and commitment of club member Noel Steele. Their return to play at Awhitu resulted

in an equal second place and as COVIC Convenor Tim Howard commented at the aftermath,

“Waikare’s return is timely and welcome, especially given that we all love playing at their golf

course.”

And that is what COVIC is all about…the opportunity to visit and play at member clubs and in so

doing to contribute to their financial health and well being. While the optimum number of

participating clubs is probably the present ten, COVIC have catered for up to a dozen club entries

in the past. Applications to join are always welcome from interested Club Vets sections, located

within the historic Franklin District region, namely: Manukau, South and East Auckland, Counties and Northern Waikato.

After the opening round at Awhitu the COVIC Shield standings are: Awhitu (1point); Clarks Beach

(2); Waikare (2); Huntly-Waiterimu (4); Pukekohe (5); Hauraki (6); Onewhero (7); Maramarua (8);

Waiuku (9); Wattle Downs (10). In a close battle Maramarua took the COVIC Challenge Cup from Awhitu and will now defend it against Onewhero on the 23rd April.

Maramarua have established a sound track record in the Challenge Cup event, having previously held it for up to 15 defences on

the trot. Could they do the same this time around.