Golf: Club makes the most of new manager's expertise

Renner Park Golf Club club manager Michael James-Cull is impressed with the condition of the nine hole course. Photo/File

NZPGA A Class professional Michael James-Cull may be the new club manager at Renner Park Golf Club, but you do not have to be a member of a club to make use of his expertise.

"I have been employed as the manager looking after the clubhouse and bar, plus your customer service is always coming from a golf professional background, but I will be doing both," James-Cull said.

"I will be offering golf lessons outside of my managerial time."

James-Cull's goals are obviously to get more bums on seats and far more golfers coming through and using the facilities, including the mini-putt.

"They kind of go hand-in- hand. It is the type of place that has kind of a niche market really. You can just roll up and play without booking and it only takes an hour-and-a-half if you are having a half decent game of golf. That is quite unique and quite attractive.

"It is targeting towards your social player, your casual player, but also the golfer who wants to work a lot on their short game. I played it for the first time and you end up playing a lot of half shots and three-quarter shots. I believe golf only really starts from about 70 metres in so it is a great way to tune up that aspect of your game."

James-Cull was most impressed with his first sighting of the course that has a real country feel to it yet is so close to town.

"I was most impressed. It is very well manicured and you wouldn't think it was a public golf course. Nice peaceful surround too, especially when you get around the back with all the native bush. It is kind of like being in an amphitheatre."