Welcome to the September newsletter. The days are getting longer giving our members more opportunity to play our great course. With the recent warm weather the course had dried out considerably but there are still some damaged areas caused by vehicular traffic.
The club is regularly updating its Covid requirements. It is important that all members and visitors read these updates on our website. Members will have noted that new ball retrievers have been purchased and installed for each hole.
The major course renovations are set down for Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October. This will be completed after our Men’s and Ladies Club Championship as well as the Men’s Foresomes.
The Men’s Club Championships are due to be held in October. The event will run over four consecutive Saturdays. The Ladies Club Championships are scheduled for the 6th, 8th,13th and 15th October. Please check Members book regarding eligibility to play.
The grades for each division have been set. To be eligible for any grade you must have a handicap between the range. A member’s handicap on the first day of the championship is the same for the whole four rounds. A member’s handicap is not their GA but the handicap based on course and slope with their GA. For example;a player with a GA of 12.4 may be in mens’ B grade as the course for the championship will be the black course and their handicap will be over 13. Prizes for the Club Championships will be provided by the club and we will not be requiring a nomination fee for members.
I wish all players every success in the forthcoming championships. The mens match play in stoke and handicap is now at the semi final stages. Good luck to all players. Just a reminder that all matches in the handicap section must use the club match play index. There is a scorecard with this on it and the pro shop will print as required.
The Encourage Shield is progressing and some of our very junior members are getting their first representative experience.
Members will have noticed some major changes around the course
1 The rebuilding of the rear of the 9th green
2 The removal of path from the 6th fairway to the 14th tee
3 The removal of some of “Ayres Rock”
4 The sanding of the 5th and 17th Greens
The removal of soil from Ayres rock is to be used for future work on the 6th fairway/7th tee. Plans are in place to beautify this area. There are also plans for a screen on the 7th tee .
The installation of a protective fence on the 13th tee is proceeding. To protect all players you must stand behind the screen when players are teeing off from the 12th tee. Remember it is for your own protection.
The match Committee has given instruction to the Greens Committee to identify all gardens on the course. Basically all gardens will have a white stake with a green top. In the interim until this project is completed any area bounded by timber or a border is a garden. Any other areas until staked will form part of the general area of the course. It is hoped to have this project completed before the club championships. All bushes/shrubs behind the 2nd green will have the stakes removed. The rule of golf will apply entitling players for relief if the bush/shrub is under two club lengths in height . Members should note that long handled putters are not to be used for this purpose.
I have had considerable discussions with members regarding the area on the 9th fairway and the drop peg. I would remind members that the area bounded by the white pegs is a compulsory drop zone and not a garden or GUR. The nearest point of relief does not apply. Any person landing in this area is entitled for free relief to the drop zone. If a player lands in the penalty area then the normal rules of golf apply.
Members will have noted that the special grassed areas on the 15th fairway and near the 17th green now have a timber edge and are now defined as gardens. Members should note that the nearest point of relief is not the bunker as you are not permitted to drop in a penalty area.
Members are advised of the concern that carts are causing additional damage to the course. Members are reminded to stay on the designated paths, avoid wet areas and remain behind the blue line near greens. Where there is no blue line members are not to use their carts within 10 metres of the greens.
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. When practicising please remember to take a bucket and fill your divots.
- Please repair all divots on the greens
- Please take a sand bucket
- 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.
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