The Russley Golf Club is waiting on sign-off from both central and local government but is confident the redevelopment of the course's back nine could be under way as early as next month.

Last week Russley signed the overall agreement with the Government to sell 1.4 hectares on the corner of Russley Rd and Memorial Ave for the widening of Russley Rd.

The development of the road takes out part of both the 15th and 16th holes at Russley and the club needed to redesign the entire back nine to fit comfortably into the smaller space.

The Government has agreed to buy the land and to meet the club's redevelopment costs.

Phases one and two of the development are expected to be finished by the end of summer with the third phase completed the following summer.

Russley general manager Rod Gordon hoped the entire development would be finished and the "new" course, including a new-look back nine would be open for play in October 2014.

Eight of the nine back holes would be "very different", Gordon said, with just the 18th retaining its shape. It would be lengthened to make it a par five.

Gordon said it was the club's intention to have 18 holes available to members and green fee players throughout the entire process.

The back nine has been designed by the company part-owned by Greg Turner - Turner-McPherson - the same designers used for the Harewood Woodlands course.

❏ The worst kept golfing secret in Canterbury was finally made official this week. The new Woodlands Course at Harewood will host the Charles Tour event given up by the Shirley Club because it was unable to host what would have been its fourth Charles Tour event. With no clubhouse, it was too difficult to host the pro-am eventwhich would have been run to help raise funds for the tournament purse. Two months after The Press announced the move, New Zealand Golf confirmed Harewood will host the October 19-22 72-hole tournament. "A real key for us was keeping a Charles Tour event in the South Island and, more specifically, Christchurch," Harewood manager Rod Latham said. With many of the country's top professionals and amateurs expected for next month's tournament, Owen Burgess's course record of a two-under 70, is almost certain to go.

❏ The top half of the Woodward Cup table became decidedly congested after Sunday's rounds at Coringa. Christchurch established themselves as outright leaders with two wins, Russley moved to second, Rangiora edged Templeton on games-won after they had a win and a loss, with Templeton coming back into contention with two good wins. Previous leaders Waitikiri dropped back to third equal after a winless Sunday.

Avondale's Murray Turnbull played his 100th game of Woodward, and Waitikiri's Ian Donaldson reached 150.

Meanwhile, Coringa consolidated their lead at the top of the Pollock Cup table with two wins at Harewood Woodlands course on Sunday. Russley moved up to second with a win and a half leaving Waitikiri, Templeton and Waimairi Beach all tied for third. Waimairi were the surprise package for the day and not in a good way. The defending champions lost both their matches, 2 -1 to Waitikiri and 4-0 to Russley.

Woodward Cup standings after seven rounds: Christchurch 12 points 31 games, Russley 10 (28), Rangiora 9 (25 ), Templeton 9 (22), Waitikiri 9 (21 ), Clearwater 7 (20 ), Coringa 6 (21), Weedons 6 ( 20), Waimairi Beach 6 (19), Harewood 6 (16), Avondale 4 (17), Windsor 0 (10).

Meanwhile, Liz Shepherd from Templeton was presented with a badge in recognition of reaching her 50 games milestone in Pollock Cup play.

Pollock Cup standings after four rounds: Coringa 8 points 14 games, Russley 6 (11 ), Waitikiri 4 (7 ), Templeton 4 (7 ), Waimairi Beach 4 (7), Harewood 3 (8 ), Christchurch 3 (6), Clearwater 0 (2).

- © Fairfax NZ News