CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

BGC Celebrates Australia Day!!
​My thanks to the organisers who worked very hard to bring together a very successful day. Chris Hill and Robert Eriksson have very kindly taken on the role of Medley Day organisers, and their first foray was an excellent affair. Together with Helen Chadwick the team created displays across the course and arranged some interesting prize categories. Thanks also to Tim Davis and the team for looking after all the members with a sumptuous BBQ lunch complete with Pavlova and Tim Tams!! (Doesn't get more Aussie than that!)

The competition on the day consisted of an Irish Stableford with the best 2 scores on each hole and the best 3 scores for the 1st and 18th holes. With a total of 90 points, the team of Glen Welsh (13), Annie Chabert-McKay (38), Jim Rowe (14) and Sharon Rowe (39) took out the competitions' major prize. The team of Martin Flaxman (22), Sue Flaxman (30), Julie Jeffery (19) and Phil Jeffrey (9) amassed 85 points to claim the runner-up prize. An interesting addition to the prizes was one for a mystery score. This score was determined by Robert before the start of the competition, and was won by the team of Tom Dunlop, John Hobbs, Amanda Menogue and Nigel Menogue with a score of 66. There were 4 NTP competitions, and these were won by Clark Gibbons and Wendy Burke on the 14th hole, and Phil Jeffrey for his 2nd shot to the 13th hole, and Sue Flaxman for her 2nd shot to the 15th hole.
​

Other competitions within the round included a Long drive on the 18th, in two divisions for each gender. The Mens (handicap 1 - 18) went to Jim Rowe, and to Nigel Menogue (handicap 19 - 36). For the Women, Julie Hayden (handicap 0 - 22) and Faye Frith (handicap 23 - 45) took out the honours.
At the conclusion of the BBQ lunch, Tim Davis was tasked with selecting the 'Best dressed' on the day, and he chose the team of Tony Dick, Wendy Burke, Kevin Burke and Robert Eriksson. Definitely a close competition in this category with the team of Helen Chadwick, Ash Southon, Chris Hill and Shane Harvey making a strong showing. Congratulations to everyone for supporting the club and making the celebration an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Recent Results

Wednesday 22nd January. A nice day to play golf, and 66 players agreed. Tony Hobson (14) put up 40 points to win from Langdon Emery (14) with 38. The Eagle must be getting very proficient, as again the prize was not won and now stands at 10 balls. The NTP 11th went to Tim Davis and the pro pin to Peter Metcalf. Two visitors, both from Gibraltar joined the competition.

Saturday 25th January. The Sefton Cullen Anniversary Cup, the first trophy event of the year. Warren Ryan (22) held off the field with a net 68 to win on a count back from Andrew Tomkins (20). The daily event was won by country member, Tom Dunlop (22) with a net 67. The Eagle's nest was again not won, and now holds 3 balls. The NTP 11th went to Scott Olding and the pro pin to John McGuire. John Cox from The Australian GC joined the field.

WHS Begins.
As previously advised, the Golflink computer will be unavailable for retrieving handicaps or sending scores until Friday January 31st. As of that time, the new WHS will become active (read my previous blogs for more information, or check out the poster on the noticeboard). In addition, the newly calculated Slope and SCR figures for all our courses, Blue, Red, White and Yellow (new 9 hole course) will become active. The bottom line, check your score cards to see the effect of the changes.

Course Care.
I'm disappointed to see the number of un-repaired divots throughout the course. Please fill your sand bucket at each tee, and fill your own and any other divots you come across. Together we can get the fairways back into a good condition. The greens keepers do as much as they can, but divots and pitch marks are YOUR responsibility. Thank you.

The Rules Quiz.

Last week's question was fairly simple (go and read it in my last blog now). It related to the use of swing aids during a game. The answer is Yes, there is a penalty. Since 5 members provided the correct answer, I chose to add to their competition by giving any winner a 1m advance if they were able to quote the correct penalty, and of how it was to be applied. The General penalty is the result (2 shots in stroke play, loss of hole in match play). The penalty is applied at the commencement of the next hole in stroke play (player is now hitting 3 off the tee) and at the end of the next hole in match play. Dave McGinnes putted his way to his first win in competition, beating Alec Dietsch, Paul Carroll, Andrew Tomkins and David Stanley.

This week's Question.
A player drops a ball in the correct manner, but the ball is accidentally stopped by the player's foot and comes to rest inside the relief area.

TRUE or FALSE, the player is required to re-drop the ball?

"Who Am I ?" Competition.
Lots of responses over the past week, however, none were on the mark so here is the next clue. Remember to enter you have to email your response to [email protected]

​"I share my name with a famous Australian Actor".

​(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour
​
The union denied that their workers were flagrantly abusing their contract's sick-leave provisions.

One morning at the bargaining table, the company's chief negotiator held aloft the morning edition of the newspaper, "This man," he announced, "called in sick yesterday!"

There on the sports page, was a photo of the supposedly ill employee, who had just won a local golf tournament with an excellent score.

The silence in the room was broken by a union negotiator.  "Wow," he said, "just think of what kind of score he could have had if he hadn't been sick!"

​Now Go Out and Enjoy A Game of Golf !!

Ash & Nick.
A very interesting (and greatly humorous) competition closed at the end of 2019. Two of our members made a wager that the person with the higher GA handicap at the end of the year would publicly declare the other to be far and away the better golfer. Well, despite playing an estimated 25 rounds in the last two months of the year, Ash Southon at the Saturday presentation, dressed in his finest suit, declared that Nick Reinhard was the better player. Ash was magnanimous in defeat and declared that he was a mere ripple in Nick's pond. Lots of fun from two great club members and good mates to boot.

The Yellow Course. 
A new course has been developed and will be introduced when the World Handicap System goes 'live' on the 31st January this year. There is great support for a designated 9 hole course at the BGC, and as handicaps can be processed from 9 hole results it should prove a popular addition our full course offering. It is hoped to have cards printed in time for the course to be open.
The course will run holes 1 - 6, then 12, and finish on 17 and 18. Specific tee locations vary, and utilise some Green, Red and White course plates. The 9 hole course will measure 2593m, and for Men will be a PAR 33 (SCR 34), Slope 119: Women PAR 37 (SCR 37) and Slope 122.
As usual, players playing any course shorter than 18 holes will give priority to players playing the full course.

Course Condition Update
The recent rain has provided the course with a very welcome drink. However, as it has been some time since the course has been soft, it's worth reminding all players of the importance of repairing your divots and pitch marks. We are all responsible for looking after our course, and to  assist the greens keepers with providing the best quality playing surface possible.
The rain has certainly provided a much needed top up of the dam. (see photo)
A recent purchase has provided the greens keepers with a new (re-conditioned) 'rough' mower, to replace the John Deere which blew its engine last month. (See photo of new machine)

​Recent Results

Wednesday 15th January. Our first Open Day of the year, and the mild and less smokey conditions brought out a good field of 78 players. Welcome to 3 visitors from Antill Park and The Ridge GC's. Nick Reinhard (13) and Ash Southon (14) combined very well in posting a score of 47 points to beat Neil Halvorsen (22) and Vernon Vella (28) by 2 strokes. Nick Reinhard also tabled the best individual score of the day with 39 points. The Eagle now has 9 balls under her wing for next week, Alec Dietsch won the NTP 11th and Ken Dobie won the pro pin.

Saturday 18th January. Our first monthly medal round of the year. It was raining intermittently, and the course had received 15mm before play commenced. As a result, the course played considerably longer than it has over the past 8 months, evidenced by only 6 players (in a field of 83) equalling or beating PAR. The 'A' grade medal was won by Ash Southon (13) with an excellent net 64 from Ben Evans (14) on net 65. The 'B' grade medal went to Jamie O'Reilly (22) with a net score of 66 from Simon Taufel (20) on net 67. The 'C' grade medal was won by Ian McKenzie (24) with a net 72 on a count back from James Evans (30). The best scratch score of the day went to David Ferguson with a 75. The Eagle's nest was again not won, the NTP 11th went to Ben Evans and Terry Downing won the pro pin.

Sunday 19th January. Only two ladies in the field and Sonya Bleakley (38) prevailed with 21 points. The men provided 5 players in their field, and Paul Barnes (16) took out the day with 32 points. 

The Rules Quiz.
Last week I posed an interesting question about the rights of a player to have loose impediments replaced after another player has removed them. (Go and read the question now.)
The correct answer is that the player may have the loose impediments replaced if they so desire. As a result of a slight change in procedure at the Saturday presentation, (where I am now reading out the question before asking for answers), there were 5 players who knew the correct answer and the now familiar putt-off ensued. David McGinness, John Buchanan, Daniel Weekes, Clark Gibbons and Grant Blanchard each tried their luck, and again (he is yet to be beaten!!!) Daniel Weekes provided the best roll. Congratulations all!.

This Week. 
YES or NO, a player uses an alignment stick to check their alignment or swing plane between the playing of two holes. Is there a penalty to be applied?

"Who Am I ?" Competition.

Last week Alec Dietsch correctly identified the mystery member as Langdon Emery. Well done!

This week then, the new mystery member says,
"Numbers are very important to me".
​Who am I? Send your guess to me at [email protected]
​(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour
​
Morris had been playing golf for years, and he had the finest equipment, but his technique never improved a bit.

As his friend watched, Morris teed up at the first hole and promptly drove a brand new ball into the woods.  On the second hole, he drove another new ball into a lake.  On the third, he lost a new ball in another part of the woods.

"Why don't you use an old ball?" his friend Sam asked.

"I've never had an old ball!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

Course Marking.
Several areas of the course have been marked with coloured stakes. While most of these areas have previously been marked (and the stakes replaced) some are new. The area at the entry to the machinery sheds (adjacent the 1st fairway) has been marked as out of bounds. The out of bounds stakes have been re-installed along the left hand side of the 2nd fairway. Note, the drain at the rear of the houses is in play and marked with Red stakes. The most notable change has been to stake the entire "Wasteland" area which is contained inside the 3rd, 16th and 4th  fairways/green with White stakes as GUR. Note, the drain along the right hand side of the 16th fairway is in play and is staked with Red stakes (see photo). Also note that players have a GUR option when their ball lies in bird/animal damaged areas in the General area/Bunkers and on the Green. Ball location only, not stance.

World Handicap System (WHS)
As I mentioned in my previous post, the WHS introduction is imminent. The Golflink computers will be taken offline on the 27th January until the 30th. The system will be online for use on the 31st January. As part of the introduction, Golf NSW was asked to undertake a full survey of the coloured courses at BGC. As a result of this survey the following will apply when the WHS goes active.

• Blue Course: Slope: Men = 115, Women = 125,  Scratch Rating: Men = 70, Women = 76
• Red Course: Slope: Men = 111, Women = 121, Scratch Rating: Men = 68, Women = 74
• White Course: Slope: Men = 113, Women = 121, SCR: Men = 69, Women = 74

​As you can see, there are several changes which will have a minor effect on your Daily Playing Handicap (DPH). When you look up your Golflink Handicap (GH) you will see the raw average of the best 8 of the latest 20 scores (no longer factored by 0.93). This handicap is useable anywhere around the world where the WHS is in use. The change you will notice is when you use your Golflink membership to sign up to play a round. When you do this your GL will be processed by the computer to produce your DPH. The following example uses a simulated player with a GL handicap of 20 who is signed up to play the Men's Blue course (with the new ratings).

• Slope Adjustment : GL (20) x (115/113) = 20.35
• SCR Adjustment : SCR - PAR = +1 = 21.35
• Adjustment for 'Potential' x.93 = 19.86
• 19.86 rounds to 20. The player plays off a handicap of 20. (ie, no change to previous)

As you can see, there is only a minor change to the outcome, and the computer will do the work for you. The main item to notice is that each course will have a Slope and a SCR, which will allow for mixed genders (and/or mixed courses) in the same competition.

Recent Results

Wednesday 8th January. An excellent roll-up for the first 4BBB competition of the year. 71 players joined 2 visitors (from Kogarah and Barton Ridge) on a smokey day. The team of Andrew Tomkins (19) and James Burkitt (15) held off the field with 47 points to win by 1 from Will Clayton (12) and his dad Ray Clayton (36). Roberto Ratalino posted the best individual score of 40 points. The Eagle now has 8 balls waiting for the next Wednesday winner, Chris Deane won the NTP 11th and Brian Lamb the pro pin.

Saturday 11th January. Another good field of 81 to begin the regular season. Fraser McDonald (21) posted 42 points to win the day from Phillip Downing (27) with 39 points on count back. John Jones relieved the Eagle of 2 balls while Tony Fitzpatrick won the NTP 11th and Roberto Ratalino narrowly missed an Ace on the 14th to win the pro pin. Visitors from Wakehurst and Moore Park were welcomed.

​Sunday 12th January. Just the men playing in the competition last Sunday, with 12 in the field. Alec Dietsch (13) with 38 points claimed the prize from John Buchanan (16) with 37.

The Rules Quiz.
The question posed prior to the Christmas break was finally answered at the Saturday presentation with Alec Dietsch and Daniel Weekes both providing the correct answer. The answer to the question (go back and read the question now) is that there is a 2 stroke penalty and the stroke at the wrong ball is not counted. After the ensuing 'putt-off' Daniel again prevailed over Alec to win the ball marker. I definitely think Daniel now has the wood over Alec on the clubhouse green!!

This week is an interesting scenario. Player A ends up above the pin on the 16th hole and requires a tricky/quick downhill putt. While player A is assessing his putt, player B (who is below the hole, and has an uphill putt) removes some loose sticks and leaves from below the hole.
True or False, Player A has the right to have those loose impediments replaced as they may help stop his ball from rolling well beyond the hole if his putt misses.

​"Who Am I ?" Competition.
The second week of the new identity, and there have been some interesting responses thus far, none correct though. Remember to email your response to me at [email protected]

The clue for this week.
"I have previously held the position of Secretary/Treasurer of a national golf association".
​(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour
Secrets of Great Golf!

A reporter was interviewing Jack Nicklaus.

He said, "Jack, you are spectacular, your name is synonymous with the game of golf.  You really know your way around the course.  What is your secret?"

To which Jack replied, "The holes are numbered!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

Our Country is on Fire.
The thoughts, prayers and best wishes of every member of the BGC are extended to all those affected by the fires which have impacted our country, as well as our admiration and great appreciation to those selfless members of the emergency services and the general public who have given their utmost to protect and defend lives and property. Their efforts are truly inspirational and the very definition of what it means to be an Aussie. The job is not yet complete and we (The BGC) would like to assist them in their endeavours.
​(Please support the fund raising Charity day on Sunday 16th February. See below for details)

Recent Results
Saturday 28th December. 55 players in the field, with visitors from Gibraltar and Mt Broughton. Paul Barnes (18) won with 38 points on a count back from Les Brooker (19). The Eagle's nest was not won, the NTP 11th went to Dennis Neale and Paul Barnes also won the pro pin.

Saturday 4th January. A seriously hot day for golf, with all bar 2 players choosing to play in the morning. Terry Wood (20) cleaned up the field with a fine 41 points from Dennis Neale (21) with 39 points on a count back. The Eagle's nest was again not won, and due to the score paper missing from the marker, the NTP on the 11th, was not able to be presented. The pro pin was won by Chris Harvey. 34 brave players in the field.

Please watch out for this little guy, he has been hanging around the clubhouse lately.
​Also, the 6th green mounding has established well enough to allow access to the work area, however the area is still 'Compulsory GUR'. Use normal drop procedures as per a No Play Zone Rule 2.4.

The Rules Quiz.

It's been quite a while since the last quiz question was answered at the Saturday presentation, so here it is again.
​
In stroke play, a player swings at and misses a wrong ball. What is the ruling?

1. The player gets a 2 stroke penalty and the stroke at the missed ball is counted.
2. There is no penalty.
3. The player gets a 2 stroke penalty and the stroke at the wrong ball is disregarded.
4. Loss of hole.

"Who Am I ?" Competition.
The previous competition was won by Alec Dietsch, who correctly named Maggie McKenzie as the mystery member. This week a new member's identity to guess. Remember to email your guess to me at [email protected]

"I look at the game from a different perspective to the majority of players".

(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour
James was playing a round of golf with the club pro one day and after 18 holes they went into the clubhouse.

James asked the pro:"What do you think of my game?"

The pro replied: "You should shorten your clubs by two and a half centimetres."

James asked if the pro thought this would help his game.

To which the pro said, "No but it will help them fit into the rubbish bin!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!