CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

Notice of General Meeting.
Most members will have received the email from the club advising of the meeting to be held in the clubhouse at 6pm on Thursday 26th March. If you have not received the email, the details of the accompanying letter from the club President can be requested from the office. There is also a copy posted on the club notice board. Some questions have arisen about the location of the proposed development, so to address those questions the following map is provided. The area boundaries indicated are only approximate. Access to the proposed clubhouse/hotel is via Kangaloon Rd in the vicinity of the rear of the 15th green.( Indicated roughly by the blue line.)
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​The purpose of this meeting is to seek your approval and endorse the Board’s efforts to future proof the Bowral Golf Club finances and vote to support the Board in continuing negotiations with the “Developers” as defined in the “Future Proofing Bowral Golf Club” document and to engage appropriate legal and project management assistance as necessary. The Board is unanimous in its' support for the development proposal currently under consideration. 

No actions have been taken by the Board which affects the integrity of Bowral Golf Club. All communications on this matter will come directly from the office only to avoid any unsubstantiated rumours.  

Course Conditions Update
From Tuesday morning 25th, carts will be permitted back onto the course. There are still a few areas which are extremely soft and at risk of damage, and some have been marked "No Cart Access". These areas are located:

1. To the right hand side of the 2nd green (proceed around the green on the access road side)
2. The left hand side of the 14th green (proceed to and from the 14th green and 15th Blue tee via the Right hand side)
3. The area either side of the 17th green and between the 18th Blue and White tee boxes ( drive around the tree to the right side of the 17th green and walk back to the green and tee boxes)
4. The area to the right of the 18th green and below the practice/croquet area. (Proceed past the 18th green via the David Rd side of the green)

The 'Preferred Lies' condition will remain for the next week.
The mounded area surrounding the 6th green has established well and is no longer to be treated as 'Compulsory".
It's been amazing to observe the change in the appearance of the course over the past month. I've included the following photos to illustrate how the course has come back to life.

Recent Results
Wednesday 19th February. Our monthly open day was well attended despite the very wet and challenging conditions. The course is playing very long with the soft fairways. Tony Rourke (13) and John Mellen (13) combined well to amass 44 points to win the day by 3 shots from Alan Lindsay (23) and Ash Southon (12). Tony Rourke also won the individual event with 36 points on a count back. The Eagle now has 14 balls in her nest, John Mellen won the NTP 11th and Daniel Weekes the pro pin. Visitors from Braidwood, Gibraltar, Tweed Heads and Tully Park were among the 64 players in the field.

Saturday 22nd February. Unfortunately the poor ground conditions required the postponement of the original trophy events to next month, so only the individual PAR event went ahead. Two visitors, one form The Australian GC and one from Elanora joined the other 66 players in the field. Norris Dudgeon (22) won the day with a +3 score on count back from Jim Phillips (14). The Eagle was not troubled on the 6th, and due to a non-entered player signing for the NTP 11th the ball will jackpot to next Saturday. The pro pin was won by Nick Winstone.

Sunday 23rd February. The first of the non gender-specific competitions for the club. Only 8 players in the field ( 4 men and 4 women) saw Alec Dietsch (13) win with 35 points from Pam Barker with 34. Congratulations to all the players who played in this new format.

White Horse Cup. Our team headed down the coast to Sussex Inlet to face off against one of the front runners in the competition. This was a 'must-win' match for us. Unfortunately the opposition further established their position at the top of the table with a 6 - 1 win. The results were very close in reality with all the lost matches (except one) being 1up. 
This coming Sunday the team head down to Wollongong GC to play against Shoalhaven Heads. A win in this match could see the team make it through to the qualifying round. Good luck guys!

The Rules Quiz.

Last week I posed a question about a foursomes match play event (go and read my last blog now). Unfortunately it was poorly worded. The question related to players in one team playing out of order (within that team), not the team itself playing out of order. ie, player 'A' was next in order to hit, but player 'B' hit instead.
The result of the out-of-order play is the General Penalty, Loss of that hole. Ian McKenzie was adjudicated the winner at the presentation.

The Question for this week.
​When marking the ball on the green, may the ball marker be positioned to the side or behind the ball? Yes or No?

"Who Am I ?" Competition.
Several responses during the past week, but the identity of the current mystery member is still un-guessed. This clue may help.
"I've chalked up many a question over my time".

Send your guess to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

​(Note, the photo is a logo only.)

A Little Humour
My husband, an avid golfer, couldn't help challenging our boastful son to a game of golf.  He was in for quite a surprise when, on the first swing, our son got a hole in one!!  "OK", my quick-thinking husband said while subtly winking at me, "now, I will take my practice shot, and then we will start!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

RFS Charity Day
What a shame the rain prevented the actual playing of the golf day, but the wet-weather option proved to be a great success. At the time of writing, the total raised has reached $6000. What an excellent and very generous outcome from the members, staff, guests and friends of Bowral Golf Club. You should be proud of your efforts, I'm certainly proud of my club!! Over 100 people were in attendance to enjoy the wonderful sounds of Bronwyn Kenny and Bob Rodgers with a sausage sizzle cooked by our Dad's Army. Lots of fun all round with plenty of prizes won across the 18 fictitious holes. My wife Denise even submitted her very first card. Not sure quite how much collusion was involved, but she recorded a hole-in-one on all 18 holes!!, then claimed her handicap was 4 shots (husband and 3 children) to card a net 14 !! I think the handicappers might be all over that card!! 

Winners of the major prizes on the day were, Shelagh Armstrong (iPad), Ray Clayton ($250 Bunnings vouchers) and Craig Houden ($130 BWS voucher).
The raffle run by Helen Chadwick and her '500' ladies was won by Ruth Bailey, second to Regina Edwards (our lovely head chef) and third to Pam Barker.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors for the day. They step up regularly and without them so many of our charity events would be bare. Also a huge effort from Kevin Kenny in getting the event across the line, and the staff of the club who were fabulous as always.
​Birch
Mount Ashby Estate
Coca Cola
SAMS Security
Woolworths
Harris Farm
​Claytons Pharmacy
Anchors
Anonymous members
Women's Golfing Committee
Bowral Golf Club
Artemis Wines
BGC Womens "500" Club
Oxley Butchers
Hem
Bronwyn Kenny Music 
Southern Highlands Food & Wine Association 
Pino Russo 

Course Conditions
We have had a significant amount of rain over the past couple of weeks and as a result the course is flooded in several areas and generally very soft. The course is currently open, however, the use of carts is not available. Preferred lies in the General Area ('Through the green' in the old vernacular), however check with the pro shop as the course begins to dry out. At any time the course playing status can be checked on the bottom of the home page of the club website. A reminder, please repair your pitch marks and divots.

​Recent Results

Wednesday 12th February, A wet single Stableford attended by just 45 hardy souls. Peter Gallagher (31) with 38 points beat Tony Hobson (14) on a count back to win the event. The Eagle's nest was not troubled, Langdon Emery won the NTP 11th and Tony Hobson the pro pin. One visitor from The Ridge GC joined the field.

Saturday 15th February. Foursomes time. The Patron's Trophy was won this year by the team of Peter Metcalf (18) and Tony Hobson (13) (15.5) with a net 69.5, from Tony Fitzpatrick (14) and Jim Phillips (14) (14) with net 71 on a count back. The pro pin was held on the 13th hole as a combined 2nd shot prize and was won by Pat Donoghue and John McGuire. 58 players sloshed around the course, finishing just before the afternoon thunderstorm. A visitor from Wakehurst was also in the field. A note of appreciation for the club spirit shown by last year's winners Bob Constable and David Farthing who completed the course on foot, as carts were not allowed on the course. Great effort gentlemen!!

The Patron's Trophy serves as the qualifying event for the Club Championships.  The following is the draw for the quarter finals (to be completed by 01 March).

Match 1. Mulholland and Emery V's Reinhard and Southon
Match 2. Metcalf and Hobson V's Turpie and Jones
Match 3. Dietsch and Weekes V's Dal Bianco and Neale
Match 4. Phillips and Fitzpatrick V's Burgess and Hanrahan

The draw sheet will be posted on the club and pro shop notice boards. Good luck to everyone.

White Horse Cup update. BGC is still unbeaten in the competition as a result of the washout at Jamberoo GC last weekend. This week they play against Jamberoo in a 'must win' event at Sussex Inlet. Good luck guys!

"Who Am I ?" Competition.
As a result of Robert Eriksson correctly identifying the previous mystery member, Don Barker, a new mystery person is introduced this week. The clue,

"My name appears on at least 2 honour boards in the members' lounge".

Send your guess to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com
​(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour.
A little bedtime reading!! (Kevin Kenny says he can help with this problem).

What a difference one week makes. Last Saturday week, we experienced temperatures of 44' degrees (111' in the 'old money'). This past Saturday and over the weekend we experienced rainfall totalling over 225mm. Unfortunately the rain has forced the closure of the course until at least Wednesday morning at this stage, and carts will not be permitted on the course for most of the coming week. However, the dam is full/overflowing and everything has had a fabulous drink. Sadly one of the Weeping Willows drank a little too much and had to have a wee lay down. 

White Horse Cup
As a result of the wild weekend weather the BGC White Horse Cup team remain undefeated. They have now notched up a bye and a washout, and are firmly in line for a spot in the playoffs. In the pool which features the BGC team the current standings are : Sussex Inlet #2 and Jamberoo #2 in equal first place followed by BGC and Wollongong equal second with Shoalhaven Heads last. Our guys head off to Jamberoo to face off against Wollongong next Sunday. The team will be chosen on Wednesday, best of luck lads!!

Request from the Captain
Two things please, firstly the course will be very soft and all players need to be conscious of repairing any damage they cause or come across. Secondly, could all players please delay their tee shots from the 11th tee until players ahead have cleared the 12th tee signpost. There have been a few near-misses lately. Thank you.

​Recent Results.
Wednesday 5th February. My appreciation to Paul Carroll for standing in for me and running the presentation. 75 players made a good field for a midweek competition. It's great to see the support for our competition days growing steadily. Winner of the day was Peter Campbell (18) with 39 points on count back from Don Barker (21). Since this was the first Stableford event following the introduction of the WHS it was interesting to note that there were 12 players who played to 36 points or more. The Eagle's nest was not won, the NTP 11th went to Ken Street and the pro pin to Tony Rourke. A visitor from The Ridge joined the field.

Saturday 8th February. Only 6 players swam the course on a day better left to fish!!. This was the practice round for the upcoming PAR trophy event. Tony Fitzpatrick (15) won the men's 100m freestyle with a +3 score from Mathew Helm (17) a lap back with -3. A really tough day in the pool, well done guys. Unfortunately the NTP's washed away and I couldn't find the results. Don't stress, the prizes will have been credited to your club accounts.

​Sunday 9th February. No play today, as the course was closed.

The Rules Quiz.
Due to the inclement weather there was again no presentation. Thus the question from 2 weeks ago is still in play. Check it out and try your luck next Saturday after the Patron's Trophy.

"Who Am I ?" Competition
The mystery member is still unidentified, so here's another clue. Remember to email your guess to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

"I've never felt handicapped by my penchant for numbers".

​(note, the photo is a logo only)

Something Completely Different.

The love of field and coppice 
Of green and shaded lanes, 
Of ordered woods and gardens 
Is running in your veins. 
Strong love of grey-blue distance, 
Brown streams and soft, dim skies 
I know, but cannot share it, 
My love is otherwise. 

I love a sunburnt country, 
A land of sweeping plains, 
Of ragged mountain ranges, 
Of droughts and flooding rains. 
I love her far horizons, 
I love her jewel-sea, 
Her beauty and her terror 
The wide brown land for me! 

The stark white ring-barked forests, 
All tragic to the moon, 
The sapphire-misted mountains, 
The hot gold hush of noon, 
Green tangle of the brushes 
Where lithe lianas coil, 
And orchids deck the tree-tops, 
And ferns the warm dark soil. 

Core of my heart, my country! 
Her pitiless blue sky, 
When, sick at heart, around us 
We see the cattle die 
But then the grey clouds gather, 
And we can bless again 
The drumming of an army, 
The steady soaking rain. 

Core of my heart, my country! 
Land of the rainbow gold, 
For flood and fire and famine 
She pays us back threefold. 
Over the thirsty paddocks, 
Watch, after many days, 
The filmy veil of greenness 
That thickens as we gaze ... 

An opal-hearted country, 
A wilful, lavish land 
All you who have not loved her, 
You will not understand 
though Earth holds many splendours, 
Wherever I may die, 
I know to what brown country 
My homing thoughts will fly. 

** Dorothea Mackeller**

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!!
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The Members' Lounge.
Recently a number of members and staff answered the captain's call to help paint the Members' lounge. As the trophy boards had already been re-hung, it was obvious that the walls were in great need of a coat of paint. My thanks to : Kevin Kenny, Tim Davis, John McGuire, ​John Mulholland, David Stanley and Paul Carroll for again putting in the effort. The result is a great improvement. Interestingly the painting was done during a power outage, so that's our excuse!!

White Horse Cup 2020.
It's that time of year again, and the BGC has a team entered in the Illawarra District White Horse Cup competition. The teams consist of 7 players, each of whom play in a match play format against a player from one of 4 other teams in our pool. As BGC were hosting the first round we received a bye, and had the privilege of watching our future competitors as they played our course. Bowral team captain Dave Burgess says there were plenty of good comments on the quality of our course. The BGC team has their first hit-out next Sunday against the Sussex Inlet #2 team at Shoalhaven Heads. Tee-off times are still under negotiation. The team for our first outing is : Ash Southon, Tony Rourke, John Mellen, John Ferguson, Brian Hanrahan, John Buchanan (plus one other still to be confirmed). Congratulations on your selection to represent the club, and we wish you the very best of luck. I'll be adding the WHC results to the blog each week.

Anniversary Dinner.
Following the President's Cup golf event, the club will host the annual Anniversary Dinner. This is the only formal club event on the calendar and among other things it is an opportunity to recognise the Club Champions and Trophy winners of 2019. Players who won a Club Championship event are entitled to 2 vouchers to cover the meal, while the runners-up receive 1 voucher each. Trophy winners and also are entitled to 1 voucher covering the dinner. It is a black tie event, and booking are filling fast.
The following players receive 2 vouchers each : John Mulholland, Tony Rourke, Ken Dobie, Craig Houden, Phil Jeffery, Sam Mulholland and Michelle Di Natale.
The Following players each receive 1 voucher: Phil Jeffery, Craig Houden, Roberto Ratalino, John Ferguson, John Mellen, Jim Phillips, Christine Hill, Langdon Emery, Chris Harvey, Dave McGinnes, Ken Dobie, Robert Eriksson, Roberto Ratalino, Grant Blanchard, Alec Dietsch, Jim Phillips, Tony Fitzpatrick, David Farthing, Bob Constable, Ian McKenzie, Maggie McKenzie, Tim Tyler, Jim Phillips, John Mellen, Martin Flaxman, Alec Dietsch, Jim Phillips, Tony Fitzpatrick,  Piero Dal Bianco, Dennis Cooper, Terry Downing, Chris Harvey, Rob Humphreys, Tony Fitzpatrick, John McGuire,  Alec Deitsch, Ash Southon, Alec Deitsch and Ash Southon. You will note that many names are repeated, as they have claimed a number of wins during the year, each attracts a voucher. Vouchers may be used to invite guests to the dinner.

Recent Results.

Wednesday 29th January. This event became an American Foursomes format due to the processing of the World Handicap System, and the unavailability of the handicapping computer. The team of Terry Downing (19) and Norris Dudgeon (21) posted the winning score of 67 to win by the barest of margins (1/8 of a stroke) from Dennis Cooper (24) and Jim Larkin (13). The Eagle is safely nesting with 12 balls for next week's competition. Jim Larkin won the NTP 11th and Peter Metcalf won the pro pin. There were 52 players in the field which included one visitor from Campbelltown.

The Rules Quiz
As the presentation was not held due to the extreme weather of the day, the question from last week will carry forward (go and read it now).

A Little Humour
​
After I waited patiently while my husband played a round of golf on our 18th wedding anniversary, he and I went out to dinner at a lovely restaurant.  We discussed many happy memories we've shared during the years.  
Then I said "Want to go for another 18?"  
"No" he replied, "I think it's too dark now!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!!