Latest news with #Putt
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Nick Putt is Hawke's Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year for 2025
Nick Putt, of Craggy Range, has reclaimed the title of Hawke's Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year for 2025. Having previously won the title before taking a break from the competition, Putt returned to the regional final on June 5 with renewed determination. 'It was great to lift the trophy
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Meet the 86yo sensei who can 'take someone's knee out'
By Eva Kershaw of Frank Film From her backyard in one of the poorest parts of Christchurch, 86-year-old Mary Patu teaches martial arts for $2 per class. The price of Mary's classes haven't changed since she opened her Okinawa te Aranui dojo (practice room) almost 40 years ago. In that time, she estimates having shared the art and discipline of Okinawa-te with about 3000 students. 'We do everything to help this community,' said Mary from her home in Aranui. 'They say it's a poor area, but it's what you want it to be.' Mary Patu outside her home. Photo: Frank Film Mary has lived on the same street for 60 years – 48 of them in her current home, which she renovated with her late husband, Rawiri David Patu (Putt). Along the front fence are painted metal sunflowers that Putt bought from The Warehouse. Inside the property, designs of butterflies, geckos and angels cover the sides of the buildings, the tops of the gates, and even the tree trunks. 'He just liked them,' says Mary. 'But sometimes he put too many up.' Just four years shy of ninety, Patu is sharp as a tack. She's bright-eyed, quick-witted, loves to tell a story and, with her soft face and a warm smile, she appears harmless. 'But I can take someone's knee out,' she told Frank Film. 'I can still take a person down.' Patu has seven children and picked up martial arts after two of her sons joined a karate dojo. 'I'd be sitting in the dojo watching, and I'm not a sitter. I can't just sit there and watch,' she says. 'So I said to sensei Lee is 48 too old to start doing karate?' Mary was told she would get as much out of the practice as she put into it. Mary Patu teaching a class last year. Photo: Geoff Sloan Two years later, she had saved enough money to take herself to America, where she spent three weeks learning with shihan (master instructor) Gordon Doversola – the founder of the Okinawa-te karate system. In Okinawa-te, a student becomes a sensei as soon as they earn their black belt. However, as a purple belt, Mary received a special letter of permission to teach classes for seniors in the Aranui town hall. After securing her black belt several years later, Mary realised she could offer cheaper classes if she built a dojo on her own property. 'We paid $50,000 for the materials to do it, and it took us about 15 years to pay off that mortgage,' says Mary. 'That wasn't from the class fees. We paid it off ourselves.' Photo: Frank Film Mary's husband Putt, who was a carpenter, built the dojo by himself with the help of his sons. Today, in the window of the office, a wooden sign hand-made by a student commemorates the man who brought the space to life. Putt's dojo – fitted out with an office, bathroom, and weapons room – welcomes students of all ages, starting at five years old. 'Big ones, small ones, you name it – they're here,' says Mary. In teaching Okinawa-te long after the age of 'retirement', Mary has found a sense of pride. 'You can see [students] slowly building confidence, but also a little bit of discipline, which will carry them through a lot of other things ... it helps with everything.' Donna Boese, who started out as a student at the dojo in 2016, says Mary's classes turned her life around. 'I used to be a self-harmer, until I came here. Mary is the one who made me stronger,' says Boese who has gained her black belt and now teaches at the dojo. Six other members of her family have also joined classes. Mary says enabling entire families to join the dojo is the reason she keeps her fees so low. 'I look at other places – they're charging $15 a class, and it's only for one person. But, you see, ours is about the community,' she says. 'It's never been a money-making thing.' Mary Patu demonstrates the dragon claw. Photo: Geoff Sloan Mary says taking classes has kept her mentally sharp and physically fit. She has never had to use the skill for her own self-defence, but says the effect of Okinawa-te on her reflexes and bracing has been worth its weight for 'self-protection'. 'Because you're trained to be able to fall, when you do slip over, it comes straight to your head,' she says. 'It stops you breaking bones.' Mary plans to continue running classes for years to come, and doubts she will ever increase their price. 'At my age, you have to adjust to what you can do,' she says. 'As long as I can give the right instructions, I think if I had to be in a wheelchair I'd still teach. I'd get a ramp made into the dojo. 'Do you know what was one of the last things Putt said to me? Dear, I'm so glad I built that dojo for you.' -Frank Film
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Meet the 86yo sensei who can still 'take someone's knee out'
By Eva Kershaw of Frank Film From her backyard in one of the poorest parts of Christchurch, 86-year-old Mary Patu teaches martial arts for $2 per class. The price of Mary's classes haven't changed since she opened her Okinawa te Aranui dojo (practice room) almost 40 years ago. In that time, she estimates having shared the art and discipline of Okinawa-te with about 3000 students. Sensei fighting to keep 'kids off the street' 'We do everything to help this community,' said Mary from her home in Aranui. 'They say it's a poor area, but it's what you want it to be.' Mary has lived on the same street for 60 years – 48 of them in her current home, which she renovated with her late husband, Rawiri David Patu (Putt). Along the front fence are painted metal sunflowers that Putt bought from The Warehouse. Inside the property, designs of butterflies, geckos and angels cover the sides of the buildings, the tops of the gates, and even the tree trunks. 'He just liked them,' says Mary. 'But sometimes he put too many up.' Just four years shy of ninety, Patu is sharp as a tack. She's bright-eyed, quick-witted, loves to tell a story and, with her soft face and a warm smile, she appears harmless. 'But I can take someone's knee out,' she told Frank Film . 'I can still take a person down.' Patu has seven children and picked up martial arts after two of her sons joined a karate dojo. 'I'd be sitting in the dojo watching, and I'm not a sitter. I can't just sit there and watch,' she says. 'So I said to sensei Lee is 48 too old to start doing karate?' Mary was told she would get as much out of the practice as she put into it. Two years later, she had saved enough money to take herself to America, where she spent three weeks learning with shihan (master instructor) Gordon Doversola – the founder of the Okinawa-te karate system. In Okinawa-te, a student becomes a sensei as soon as they earn their black belt. However, as a purple belt, Mary received a special letter of permission to teach classes for seniors in the Aranui town hall. After securing her black belt several years later, Mary realised she could offer cheaper classes if she built a dojo on her own property. 'We paid $50,000 for the materials to do it, and it took us about 15 years to pay off that mortgage,' says Mary. 'That wasn't from the class fees. We paid it off ourselves.' Mary's husband Putt, who was a carpenter, built the dojo by himself with the help of his sons. Today, in the window of the office, a wooden sign hand-made by a student commemorates the man who brought the space to life. Putt's dojo – fitted out with an office, bathroom, and weapons room – welcomes students of all ages, starting at five years old. 'Big ones, small ones, you name it – they're here,' says Mary. In teaching Okinawa-te long after the age of 'retirement', Mary has found a sense of pride. 'You can see [students] slowly building confidence, but also a little bit of discipline, which will carry them through a lot of other things ... it helps with everything.' Donna Boese, who started out as a student at the dojo in 2016, says Mary's classes turned her life around. 'I used to be a self-harmer, until I came here. Mary is the one who made me stronger,' says Boese who has gained her black belt and now teaches at the dojo. Six other members of her family have also joined classes. Mary says enabling entire families to join the dojo is the reason she keeps her fees so low. 'I look at other places – they're charging $15 a class, and it's only for one person. But, you see, ours is about the community,' she says. 'It's never been a money-making thing.' Mary says taking classes has kept her mentally sharp and physically fit. She has never had to use the skill for her own self-defence, but says the effect of Okinawa-te on her reflexes and bracing has been worth its weight for 'self-protection'. 'Because you're trained to be able to fall, when you do slip over, it comes straight to your head,' she says. 'It stops you breaking bones.' Mary plans to continue running classes for years to come, and doubts she will ever increase their price. 'At my age, you have to adjust to what you can do,' she says. 'As long as I can give the right instructions, I think if I had to be in a wheelchair I'd still teach. I'd get a ramp made into the dojo. 'Do you know what was one of the last things Putt said to me? Dear, I'm so glad I built that dojo for you.' -Frank Film
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
'Dear, I'm so glad I built that dojo for you': 86yo sensei 'can still take a person down'
By Eva Kershaw of Frank Film From her backyard in one of the poorest parts of Christchurch, 86-year-old Mary Patu teaches martial arts for $2 per class. The price of Mary's classes haven't changed since she opened her Okinawa te Aranui dojo (practice room) almost 40 years ago. In that time, she estimates having shared the art and discipline of Okinawa-te with about 3000 students. 'We do everything to help this community,' said Mary from her home in Aranui. 'They say it's a poor area, but it's what you want it to be.' Mary has lived on the same street for 60 years – 48 of them in her current home, which she renovated with her late husband, Rawiri David Patu (Putt). Along the front fence are painted metal sunflowers that Putt bought from The Warehouse. Inside the property, designs of butterflies, geckos and angels cover the sides of the buildings, the tops of the gates, and even the tree trunks. 'He just liked them,' says Mary. 'But sometimes he put too many up.' Just four years shy of ninety, Patu is sharp as a tack. She's bright-eyed, quick-witted, loves to tell a story and, with her soft face and a warm smile, she appears harmless. 'But I can take someone's knee out,' she told Frank Film. 'I can still take a person down.' Patu has seven children and picked up martial arts after two of her sons joined a karate dojo. 'I'd be sitting in the dojo watching, and I'm not a sitter. I can't just sit there and watch,' she says. 'So I said to sensei Lee is 48 too old to start doing karate?' Mary was told she would get as much out of the practice as she put into it. Two years later, she had saved enough money to take herself to America, where she spent three weeks learning with shihan (master instructor) Gordon Doversola – the founder of the Okinawa-te karate system. In Okinawa-te, a student becomes a sensei as soon as they earn their black belt. Mary Patu teaching a class last year. Photo: Geoff Sloan However, as a purple belt, Mary received a special letter of permission to teach classes for seniors in the Aranui town hall. After securing her black belt several years later, Mary realised she could offer cheaper classes if she built a dojo on her own property. 'We paid $50,000 for the materials to do it, and it took us about 15 years to pay off that mortgage,' says Mary. 'That wasn't from the class fees. We paid it off ourselves.' Mary's husband Putt, who was a carpenter, built the dojo by himself with the help of his sons. Today, in the window of the office, a wooden sign hand-made by a student commemorates the man who brought the space to life. Putt's dojo – fitted out with an office, bathroom, and weapons room – welcomes students of all ages, starting at five years old. 'Big ones, small ones, you name it – they're here,' says Mary. In teaching Okinawa-te long after the age of 'retirement', Mary has found a sense of pride. 'You can see [students] slowly building confidence, but also a little bit of discipline, which will carry them through a lot of other things ... it helps with everything.' Donna Boese, who started out as a student at the dojo in 2016, says Mary's classes turned her life around. 'I used to be a self-harmer, until I came here. Mary is the one who made me stronger,' says Boese who has gained her black belt and now teaches at the dojo. Six other members of her family have also joined classes. Mary says enabling entire families to join the dojo is the reason she keeps her fees so low. 'I look at other places – they're charging $15 a class, and it's only for one person. But, you see, ours is about the community,' she says. 'It's never been a money-making thing.' Mary Patu demonstrates the dragon claw. Photo: Geoff Sloan Mary says taking classes has kept her mentally sharp and physically fit. She has never had to use the skill for her own self-defence, but says the effect of Okinawa-te on her reflexes and bracing has been worth its weight for 'self-protection'. 'Because you're trained to be able to fall, when you do slip over, it comes straight to your head,' she says. 'It stops you breaking bones.' Mary plans to continue running classes for years to come, and doubts she will ever increase their price. 'At my age, you have to adjust to what you can do,' she says. 'As long as I can give the right instructions, I think if I had to be in a wheelchair I'd still teach. I'd get a ramp made into the dojo. 'Do you know what was one of the last things Putt said to me? Dear, I'm so glad I built that dojo for you.' -Frank Film
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
PAR 3 MASTERS: Jaipur's Rambagh Golf Club Hosts Rajasthan's First-Ever Pitch & Putt Golf Tournament
SMPL Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], May 12: History was made at Rambagh Golf Club as it proudly hosted Rajasthan's first-ever Pitch and Putt golf tournament, Par 3 Masters, which concluded with resounding success. Drawing an overwhelming response with 156 entries, the event was played in two flights to accommodate the enthusiastic turnout. Tee-off began with 84 golfers in the morning session at 8:00 AM, followed by 72 players in the evening at 4:00 PM. A brief spell of rain in between added to the charm, creating ideal conditions for play. The unique format, featuring all Par 3 holes and limiting players to just three clubs (including a putter), attracted golfers across all ages and genders, including club members and special invitees. Speaking on the occasion, Yogendra Singh, Captain of Rambagh Golf Club, said, 'This was a new and exciting format for our members, and they are already eager for more such tournaments. Given the fantastic response, we are seriously considering launching Rajasthan's first Pitch and Putt league, as proposed by the organisers and in high demand by our members.' Rajan Sehgal, President of IGTA and mentor of Team Par 3 Masters, underscored the broader vision, stating, 'Now is the time to promote shorter courses and encourage the wider public to take up this dynamic format. Popular across Europe, Pitch and Putt is poised to grow rapidly in India and beyond.' Adding to the momentum, Munish Arora, Founder of Can and Able Entertainment and promoter of Par 3 Masters, expressed his excitement: 'This format is the T20 version of golf is fast, thrilling, and accessible. We are proud to bring Pitch and Putt officially to India under the guidance of the global governing body. Stay tuned for a major announcement as we aim to put India firmly on the global Pitch and Putt map. With Jaipur's successful 4th edition, we're now ready to expand to more cities across the country.' The Par 3 Masters tournament at Rambagh Golf Club wrapped up in grand style with a prize distribution ceremony that celebrated outstanding performances across categories. Pushpendra Singh Rathore emerged as the champion in the Men's Category, while Atul Poddar secured the runner-up position. In the Female Category, Nitika Jadeja claimed the title, with Monisha Samaria finishing as runner-up, marking strong performances in this debut Pitch and Putt event. Adding to the competitive spirit, the 'Closest to the Pin' contests on two designated holes provided moments of high excitement. These were won by Col. S. S. Rathore and Rafeek Khan, who showcased precision play. While no official hole-in-one was recorded on the designated challenge hole, a remarkable highlight came when golfer Haider Ali scored a hole-in-one on the 18th hole, a rare and celebrated feat that added an extra spark to the tournament's conclusion. Suman Billa, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, also graced the occasion with his presence. The tournament served as a curtain-raiser to a significant event, Great Indian Travel Bazaar, one of the country's premier tourism events organised by FICCI in collaboration Ministry and tourism, Government of India with Rajasthan Tourism, highlighting the synergy between sports and tourism in the region. The celebrations concluded with a captivating Sufi qawwali performance by artists from Punjab, enhancing the event's festive atmosphere. Ensuring fair play throughout the tournament was former professional golfer and trainer Tavleen Batra, who officiated as the tournament referee. Organized by Can and Able Entertainment, one of India's premier sports and entertainment management companies, the event was presented by Indian Oil, Celebrations Partner Royal Ranthambore, OK Plus Homes, Mayoor School, IGP as gifting partners, and State Partners Flow Trade . With its remarkable success, the Par 3 Masters has set the stage for more such innovative golfing experiences, paving the way for the future of Pitch and Putt in India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
