Fallen firewood and funding applications have helped the Maungati Golf Club buy a new fairway mower.
The club, which started in 1959 and has more than 90 members, was heavily affected by severe wind gusts in September 2021.
Maungati Golf Club president Neville Forrest said the storm knocked down trees all over the course.
‘‘When the trees came down, near every member turned up to help support the club.’’
They ended up deciding to trim, cut and stack the logs and sell them off for firewood.
‘‘We ended up with a hell of a lot of wood.’’
After raising money from selling the firewood, the decision was made to look at upgrading and replacing the club’s machinery.
‘‘The fairway mower was getting a bit stuffed, so we decided to have a go at getting some funding and get ourselves something that’s going to last 30 odd years.’’
The club also received funding from the Waimate District Council, Pub Charities, Trust Aoraki and the Community Trust Mid and South Canterbury.
‘‘All in all it’s worked out OK, we are grateful to have had the backing.’’
The club — located about 20 minutes out of Timaru — has been described as ‘‘one of the most picturesque golf courses in New Zealand’’ and has only $10 green fees which Mr Forrest believes is one of the reasons they are still going strong.
‘‘Everybody plays with everybody, it’s just good camaraderie, you can do two nines and shoot 40 on the first nine and 60 on the second as there is a hazard on every hole, it’s all flat so we get a lot of the older players and beginners.’’
The club is now considering seeking funding to renovate the club rooms with a nice coat of paint and some new carpet.
