McLeans Island Golf Club
Newsletter - October 2025

Captain's Comment

Hello everyone and welcome to October, what a shame to have what can only be described as the very definition of a "wet weekend" two day of zero golf at the club.

October Top dog is missed now, meaning the lucky winner from last Month gets an extra 31 days in the car park. The rest of October will run as per the programme; that being Stroke white this week, stroke yellow next and a basic Stableford on Labour weekend. The Blue round of stroke champs will be on November 01, the next top dog day. Also last chance to qualify for top dog trophy, to be played on Nov 29.

Please can we have all cups, trophies plates etc back soon, so there is plenty of time for engraving.

Mens interclub

Thompson McDonald squad is going very well. One round robin match to go and we are definitely in the semi's. Win we will be second place getters, halve for third, lose and still forth. All to play for.  Pressies one win one loss, disrupted game with the rain. Over 60 just one round played and Metro B kick off this Sunday. Go well all those teams, and be sure to talk to myself or Monty if you are interested in interclub and have not yet been asked.

Course is getting better every week, soil plus seed on the irrigation ditches almost done, Spring grass growing like crazy and the greens had their first verticut since the Winter and it has improved look of them straight away. New trees are going in - not anywhere you are likely to hit your ball- and generally Spring is in the air.

Rules

Remember all the areas that are not cut as rough are under our local rules deemed penalty areas. This includes the patches of natives where the fences have been taken down. If you can't find your ball, it is not lost, for one shot penalty drop where it last crossed. The R & A have a rules app which I highly recommend you add to your phone. Some people thought recently that you can ground your club in a bunker. You may Not! You can lean on your club, but must not ground it in taking a practice swing or addressing the ball.

Looking forward to some sunny golf, go well and I'll see you out there,

Warren.

McLeans Island to Host 2026 NZ Secondary Schools Championship Finals
 

We’re proud to announce that McLeans Island Golf Club has been selected to host the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship Finals, one of the most prestigious junior team events on the national golfing calendar.

The championship will be played over 36 holes of competition, with teams from across the country descending on McLeans Island to contest the national title. More than 20 schools representing nearly every golfing district in New Zealand are expected to take part, continuing a proud tradition that began in 1984.

Each school team is made up of three players, with the best two gross scores counting each day. Teams can be male, female, or mixed, making the finals one of the most inclusive and interesting events in New Zealand golf. The standard of play is exceptionally high—many competitors play off scratch or better—and the event has a strong track record of showcasing future stars. Past competitors have included major amateur champions and current professionals on the world stage.

Hosting this national championship is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our course and club facilities to the wider golfing community. McLeans Island will provide a true test for the country’s best young golfers, rewarding accuracy and course management, while our spacious layout and natural surroundings promise a memorable experience for players, supporters, and officials alike.

We look forward to welcoming schools, Golf New Zealand, and supporters to McLeans Island in August 2026 for what promises to be an exciting and competitive championship. As the event draws nearer, we’ll share more details about opportunities for members to get involved and support this awesome tournament.

Baz’s Mental Health Mission at McLeans Island on 17 October

This month we’re proud to welcome Barrie “Baz” Coleman to McLeans Island as part of his incredible journey to raise awareness and support for mental health in New Zealand.

Baz has set out on an extraordinary 18-month mission to play all 414 golf courses across the country, carrying a powerful message with him: “Saving butts, sinking putts.” His journey was inspired by the sudden loss of his wife, Megan, two years ago, and his determination to honour her memory by helping others.

In the past two years, Baz and his friends have raised over $75,000 for the I Am Hope charity, which provides free counselling for young people across New Zealand. This year he’s taken things a step further — selling his home, taking time off work, and hitting the road in a motorhome that will later be raffled off to raise additional funds for the cause.

Baz’s journey began in Christchurch in March, then headed to the North Island for winter, and with warmer weather on the way he has headed south again.

You can follow the journey on social media

If you wish to donate, you can do so here

From the Golf Shop

Got Old Clubs Gathering Dust?
We’re looking to expand and refresh our hire sets, and we’d love your help. If you have any old sets of clubs—complete or partial—that you’d be happy to donate or sell to the club, please get in touch with the office. Your unused clubs could be put to great use by visitors and new players discovering the game at McLeans Island.

Membership card reminder

Our new 2025-2026 membership cards are here and looking great in bright yellow. Remember to grab yours the next time you are in the shop.

"Have your say" reminder

The suggestion box is still open in the clubhouse, so please make sure you get your ideas in. The committee will be starting on the 5-year plan process in the coming months and they'd like to have as much input from members as possible

Webcam coming soon

We have installed a new "course view" camera that will be streamed on our website, so you can have a look at the conditions before coming out. There is a bit of techy stuff to sort out to get it up and running, but here is a sneak peak of what it will show.