Welcome to the March newsletter . The weather has dried the course and we were able to spend some quality time on the course. However members are reminded that major course renovations are due at the end of the month.
February has seen the commencement of the mens and junior pennants with the ladies commencing shortly. The results so far have not been good but I am sure that all representatives will turn these results around..
The WHS (World Handicapping System) has now been introduced as well as the new hole ratings. Members will have noted that the hole ratings for each hole changes for each course. There are still teething problems with those members playing the Green Course. We are in contact with MiClub to have the problem resolved.
The Match Committee has resolved that all members will play the course of the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays. On Fridays and Sundays which are medley competitions there will be separate courses for the male and female members.
Members are reminded that carts are restricted to the designated paths and behind the blue lines in front of the greens. At no time are members to drive their carts near the edges of greens or tees. Please be mindful of this and take care of your course.
When on the course members are reminded of the following:
All Social play is off the yellow markers. Members please do not practice off the plates or the blue, white or red teeing areas
Please repair all divots on the greens,
Please take a sand bucket and fill your divots
Please rake the bunkers and leave the rakes in the middle of the bunkers
Please keep up with the group in front
Please stick to the ready golf principles
Please do not drive carts in areas where they are prohibited. Please stay on the designated paths and outside the blue lines.
Graham Chee
Mens Captain
Ladies Captain’s Report
Opening Day on the 4th of February was a success. We had a field of 94 players which was a pleasing improvement on last year. Liz Robinson welcomed the Ladies back to the golfing year and told the members that Breakers have chosen Lifeline as the CCWGA charity, Gosford will continue to support Central Coast Kids in Need. I went through the golfing information for the year.
February has been hot and wet. The course is still a little soggy underfoot but the dams are full. Gosford hosted the CCWGA District Opening Day on Monday 17th February. Despite the intermittent rain the day went well and the District President complimented Gosford on a well organised day. Thanks to the Committee, the Social Group, F Troop and Graham Chee for all their help in the lead up and on the day. Many players missed out on this event as it booked up very quickly. The CCWGA committee has decided to schedule this event on 2 courses on the same day next year to accommodate more players.
It’s not too late to register for the Top Ten Shootout; it promises to be as good a competition as it has been in the past. The first round is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd of March.
St Patricks Dice Day replaces Joker Day this year and will be played on the 17th March. As it’s not the main golf day for Breakers’ we have invited their players to join us. We will run a raffle and the profits will go to our charity Central Coast Kids in Need. The booking sheet will open in a couple of weeks. In the spirit of the Irish, Green Ball day will be played on Thursday the 26th of March; contrary to what the programme book says, it is a 4 person team not a 3 person team stableford with 2 scores to count.
The Pennant season starts on the 16th of March, the first round is at Gosford and our team will have a bye. Kieran will run a clinic for the Pennant players on Friday 6th of March at 9am and I will recap the match play format for those who haven’t played it before.
Open Day will take place on the 12th of May and we are hoping that Bendigo Bank will sponsor the day as they did last year. We will circulate the entry form to clubs in the next couple of weeks.
A reminder that the next Rookies programme begins on the 5th of March. Please pick up a brochure from the Pro Shop or from me if you have a friend or family member who may be interested.
Please pick up a programme book from the office if you don’t have one yet and remember that the start time changes to 7.30 in March.
Sheena Asken Ladies Captain
F-Troop Report
In February we had wild winds and some much needed rain which made a bit of a mess on the course.
Our volunteer numbers were really good for this month averaging 13-14 starters each week which helps a lot to get projects done.
Our main projects this month were course clean up and tree maintenance, firewood preparation and hedge maintenance and clean up of weeds in the dams. The high winds have brought down some very large branches and trees.
Along with the rain comes a lot of growth in shrubs, hedges and Garden weeds. This month weeding has been on the projects list along with some 800 meters of hedges which are the biggest maintenance program we have.
Another good project completed before the rain set in was the re-marking of the car spaces.
There is ongoing maintenance of trees, maintenance to shrubs, hedge maintenance, clean up of the paths and gardens around the clubhouse, wedding garden and practice nets and BBQ area, cleaning of the bush toilets, clean up of the drain on the 6th, maintenance to the clubhouse when required, plumbing and hose repairs on the course, removal of weeds from the dam.
If you have some free time on Monday mornings and you would like to contribute to our projects please contact Peter or Jan Martin. We generally work from 7.00 am until 10.30am with morning tea supplied by the club about 10.15 to 10.30 am. We are currently averaging 13/14 volunteers each week which is a big help towards speedy completion of our projects.
Peter Martin 0437 325 207
Jan Martin 0400 430-088
Superintendent’s Report
Well, we wanted rain at the start of the year and we got it. So far for the year we have received 824mm of rainfall.
In the past 38 days we have received 706mm of rain with the course only being closed for maybe 4 days…… Not bad.
All this rain, foot traffic and constant mowing of wet turf at 4mm has resulted in greens starting to hurt. The areas on the greens that are hurting are all the low points, where water has pooled for hours even days during the heavy rain. This has resulted in the plant becoming weak, stripped from all food sources and open to disease.
It is then our job to replace that food source and spray fungicides to protect the plant only for more heavy rain to return so then we need to go through the entire process again.
During the wet, we managed to go around to all the greens and spot spray a weed called “creeping Oxalis”. You will see on the green’s small patches with a white leaf, the white leaf is what the chemical does to the Bent grass. It will last for a few weeks and then grow out.
We then went around to all the greens again, and sprayed out another weed called “Mullumbimby Couch”. This weed has started to yellow off and will take a few weeks to die completely. Both weeds excel in moist soils and humid conditions and are also very difficult to control in Bent / Poa greens.
A lot of work has started around the dam on the 17th fairway. The Idea is to tidy this area up, lessen the chance of bush fires, snakes and to remove dead trees.
David Nicholls
Course Superintendent
News From the Pro Shop
We have said farewell to Dylan, who is no longer working in the Pro Shop.
We welcome Sam Hatfield, who used to play here as a junior and worked as a cart boy, who will be joining the Pro Shop team. We look forward to having him join our ranks, and we are confident he will be a great addition to the family.
Shoe Sale
We have got massive discounts on our shoe sale table. Grab your size, while supplies last! Under Armour, FJ, Callaway and Ecco shoes in both Men’s and Women’s styles.
Evoke Australia
Due to popular demand, we are now stocking Evoke Australia hats. These hats are travel friendly, crush resistant, and conveniently pack flat into your suitcase or travel bag.
Selected styles have been designed with a hidden magnet inside the headband for your golf marker. Evoke hats also feature flexibraid material that keeps its shape, and is crush resistant, colour fast, lightweight and hard wearing. They can be washed, feature maximum UPF50+ sun protection and have an internal wind resistant ComfyFit size adjuster that provides the perfect fit every time.
These hats range in price, starting at $49 and we will also have visors available, which are currently on backorder.
Tee Time Golf Apparel
The new styles of local Central Coast resident Ally Jones have arrived after much anticipation. Her clothing is not only unique, but the sizing is accurate, and her styles add just the right amount of femininity to your golf apparel.
Golf Bags
All golf bags in the Pro Shop are 20% off!
This includes Bagboy, Bridgestone, Callaway, Ping, Srixon, Sun Mountain & Titleist branded golf bags.
This sale is only on stock IN the pro shop, while stocks last.
Titleist TruFeel
Titleist TruFeel is the softest Titleist golf ball with low spin for long distance along with excellent control into and around the green. Available now for $35/dozen.
If you prioritize soft feel above all, and still want the unmatched quality and performance of a Titleist golf ball, you will love the all new TruFeel.
Everyone wants more confidence around the green. The proprietary TruFlex cover is designed for excellent control on your short shots, to help you play better and enjoy the game.
How did they make the new TruFeel longer for your game? They enhanced the aerodynamics to maximize flight, so you can experience more distance where your game needs it most.
