January Newsletter

Welcome to the January newsletter. Happy New Year to one and all.

January has started off with a bang with wet weather and the re-introduction of our Covid Rules.

Members are reminded of the following:

• No rakes in bunkers
• Preferred lies in bunkers
• Ball washers are not in use
• Score your own card and do not exchange after the round
• Do not touch the flags and use the lifter with your putter
• Bubblers are not in use so no action necessary
• After the round do not shake hands but elbow or touch clubs to thank your playing partners
• Advise the members that only one person should be driving the cart
• Do not touch your fellow players golf ball or mark their golf ball
• Try to keep the 1.5-meter distance
• When in proshop you must wear a mask. The kiosk window will be open should you wish not to go into proshop.

In the club house:

• No mingling, remain at your table
• One-dollar betting or the five-dollar club is still not allowed
• Strict 1.5-meter distancing
• You must wear a mask if in the poker machine area

A question has been raised regarding our tree root rule and the definition of what constitutes  a “clublength” According to the rules of golf a clublength is determined by the longest club in the players bag excluding the putter. Members are advised that this rule should be followed. This would normally be the driver.

Over the holiday period we have introduced amended timesheets to cater for the holidaying visitors. I would like to thank members for their patience and their welcoming attitude to these guests. On a small issue it has been noted that some of these social players are playing off the members markers. Perhaps a friendly word to these players will help protect our course.

The board has changed the By Laws of the club which now allows members with a disability an exemption to where they can drive their carts. Any member who wishes to take advantage of this ruling must apply in writing to the Director of Golf with supporting medical evidence. Once approved, members will be given special signage to denote their status.

Members will have noted the damage caused to the course during the recent heavy rains. The majority of this damage was caused by carts. Please follow the simple rules of keeping behind the blue lines at the front of greens and where no blue line exists, keep ten metres from the edge of the greens. If you notice any person not following these instructions please report to the proshop. I appreciate it is sometimes difficult to police some of the visitors and social players.

At a recent board meeting it has been suggested that we re-introduce an information and rules night for new members. I will arrange for the first one of these to be held in February and invite any new members to attend. If members wish I can also have a fully accredited rules official to answer any of your questions.

The Mens CCDGA pennants will resume in January to complete the 2020 programme. The 2021 programme will commence at the end of January with nomination forms for A,B,C and juniors now  on the proshop notice board. These nominations will close on the 16^th January which is also the cut off point for handicap eligibility. A grade up to 12.4, B Grade up to 18.4 and C Grade above 18.4. Bob Thomas has again volunteered to manage the men’s pennants teams and Richard Brien the juniors. My thanks goes out to the two gentlemen. Please give them your full support.