A DOUBLE WHAMMY OF COURSE CLOSURES AT HUNTLY

Recent years have seen Huntly Golf Club Inc. overcome several adverse incidents, mainly due to the resilience of volunteer members and a ‘never say die’ attitude typical of the golfing mindset! This year seemed to be sailing along quite well post 2020 COVID19 lockdowns, with the course presented and playing in excellent condition, membership numbers growing and visitor rounds increasing. Then on the night of 2nd August 2021, a freak south-westerly storm front sped across the farmland plains of Rotowaro, before slamming into the tree lined fairways of the club’s Waikato River adjacent Te Ohaki golf course. After a week and a half of contractor and volunteer work, the course opened again for play on the 14th August, back to its best state except for some neatly piled GUR wood pyres lining several fairways, awaiting removal when firmer summer ground conditions arrive. Play however was only short lived, as a SARS-CoV2∂ lockdown arrived on the 17th and the course had to close again. All in all, the unplanned tree program saw around 30 trees wind damaged, with well over a dozen completely uprooted and felled. Good, however, does come from such an adverse event as Huntly golfers will soon find out, with a number of those pesky ball claiming trees gone forever. No longer will they menace those wayward tee shots, or grab at those green approach shots. Alike all golf clubs across Australasia, the Huntly club live in hope that this latest Delta outbreak will quickly be over, allowing their new look golf course to be reopened for the pleasure of all. Photos: Uprooted roadside trees on the 5th fell in unison, while the 17th fairway was blocked.