CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

ANZAC Day 2014 - As in previous years the clubhouse was closed on ANZAC day morning to mark this day. 





ANZAC is commemorated on the anniversary of the Gallipoli  Peninsula landings 99 years ago where troops from Australia and New Zealand, together with English, French and Indian troops fought a campaign in the Dardanelles against the Turkish Army . The club's prime charity is Legacy - a charity for the support of ex service personnel families.  Bowral Golf Club has many members, past and present, who have fought in various conflicts. The loss of life in the defence of freedom is marked by ANZAC memorials through every town in Australia and New Zealand.     Lest We Forget. 

ANZAC Day afternoon - This year we had a 12 hole stableford competition that attracted a field of 32. This was followed by refreshments in the clubhouse. Robert and Uschi Eriksson won the day with Jim Phillips and Helen Chadwick as runners-up. On the 6th hole we had a drive & pitch (or drive & putt) Pro Pin and Wendy Burke won $96. 
We were pleased to have visitors John Mellen and Julia Skamperle.

The next Open Day is May 21st. The Open Days are 4BBBB medley events. There is a small flyer in the clubhouse with the days circled where visitors and guests can play in the competition (provided they have a Golf Australia handicap) for $15 without having to pay an additional green fee. The last Open Day was a big success with Keith Markwell inviting 10 Moss Vale members to take part in the competition. 

Teeing off on time. The Pro Shop is in charge of tee times and if a group is late to the tee it, of course, affects all subsequent players. At some clubs a late group has to tee off at the end of the field. In general groups at Bowral are always on time, so it is not a big issue but we must be attentive to punctuality on the tee.

The Monthly Medal was on Saturday, with a field of 65. Medal winners were Sam Mulholland - A Grade; Alec Deitsch - B Grade; John Cooper - C Grade. We enjoyed the company of 7 visitors with Austin's son-in-law, Scott Campbell, being the A Grade stableford winner with a scratch score of 74, giving him 39 points. Don Barker, with 37 points, was the B Grade stableford winner and Peter Dunn the C Grade winner with 37 points. 

Slow play is a perennial problem , but let's address the problem rather than see it as insolvable. Most golf clubs have problems with slow play from time to time and some employ measures to penalise slow play. It is pretty obvious that we are playing in a long procession around the course and, if one group falls behind, it affects all the other groups behind them. At Bowral Golf Club we normally enjoy sub-4 hour rounds; occasionally if the conditions have been wet, it is a little slower. Let's look at some things that can speed play.

 

On the course be ready to play. On the PGA circuit a slow group can be "put on the clock".  You may be aware that on the PGA circuit they have 50 seconds to play a shot (you can read the full protocol by clicking here). 


Each golfing group must keep up with the group in front of them and just because a group may be clear of the group behind them, doesn't mean they can slow down. The lowest handicapper in the group is responsible for keeping up the pace of play. A friendly reminder such as "they are getting away from us" is normally sufficient for a courteous golfer to speed up their play. 

If you are the lead group then you should ne walking off the 5th green in under 1 hour and walking onto the 10th 2 in under 2 hours - this timing will get you around in well under 4 hours without rushing

Without belabouring the slow play issue, please keep the pace of play up so that all the golfers on the course can enjoy their game. 

Just to reiterate our tee placement policy


"It has been the practice at BGC to play events ‘off the plates’ ie at the standard measured length of the course. Because we play many events this has a consequence of excessive wear of the tee around the plate area. 


With the new handicapping system, which is being progressively introduced by Golf Australia, there is now the requirement that the course, as set up on the day for a competition, be within 100 metres of its ‘standard’ measured length – that is the length used for the calculation of the ‘slope’ with reference to a particular set of tee markers or plates. If set up this way the results of a competition round can be used for the calculation of handicaps.


The Board has adopted the recommendation of the Match and Greens committee to play the Club Championships and the Jubilee Cup off the plates. Other events will be played on a course, set up to the Golf Australia requirements, but not necessarily off the plates, ie the course on the day to be within 100 metres on its measured length. The policy will also cover using the full width of the tees for Club Championship’s and the Jubilee Cup but not necessarily for other events."

The DSR or Daily Scratch Rating, is a mathematical  mechanism in order to normalise golfer's scores, so that a handicap adjustment made as a result of a score will reflect the difficulty of the day, competition etc. We used to have the CCR, or Calculated Course Rating and this was a fairly unsophisticated method of normalising scores. The new method has been developed by analysing millions of rounds of golf which have been submitted to GolfLink over the years and then developing a formula that will give the most accurate result.

 A question was raised: how come a few days ago we had a DSR of 70 when we have preferred lies and yet yesterday the DSR was 69 when we were playing "off the deck"? DSR is calculated just after the scores for the day have been uploaded to GolfLink and the formula then gave us the DSR of 69. If one wants to get deeper into the theory of it, a full explanation can be found in the Golf Australia document by clicking here. 

Recently we have had two generous donations from members. Paul Pettiford donated a ride-on mower (sans deck) and trailer and Jim Dickson donated a John Deere ride-on mower which (seen in  the picture) was put straight to use last week for mowing around the clubhouse. 

Sand in the bunkers. After the wet period the bunkers were GUR. This was because the sand hand packed down  with the water that found it's way into the them. There is adequate sand inn the bunkers. The screw driver provides some scale to show the depth of around 400mm

Damage to a wet area of the course caused by a cart being driven through an obviously wet area

Mary Poppins arrived as scheduled. Last Wednesday at 2:15pm the "Poppin Chopper" landed near the net on the 14th and Mary was taken around the dam, with the pilot John Levi. Residents of Bowral House were gathered on the balcony which was decorated with Mary Poppin-like umbrellas.

The new ephemeral waterways on the 15th, 13th, 16th and 2nd are nearing completion. The one on the 16th has had a continual problem with the 400mm pipe blocking. The photo shows a very large root ball from the willow adjacent to the 13th pond that was removed about 10 days ago. At this stage it is not intended to remove the willow which very much adds to the aesthetic of the hole. Removing the roots will continue to be a maintenance job over the years.

Cart Use - many of our members depend on carts when playing golf. After a wet period our course takes some time to recover. The time to recover is of course, dependent on both the fall in the land and the sub soil structure. Courses built on sand can recover in as little as half an hour, whereas courses built on a clay/shale sub soil structure, take much longer. Sometimes the condition of the course means that carts can't be used and this is most unfortunate for the members who depend on carts. The decision to not allow carts is not taken lightly. Everyone wants to see golfers on the course. It is of advantage to all, after all we are a golf club. I will be writing to all users of carts, just to highlight the necessity of following the rules laid out in the Member's Handbook. I should  emphasise that the vast majority of our members are very careful where they drive their carts.  Please click here to see the letter.

Sunday 21st Mixed Medley field 

Players may have noticed a white colour cast around the edges of some of the greens. This is a selective herbicide for kikuyu grass. Kikuyu spreads by runners and these have been invading some of the greens, particularly on the 17th. 

On Sunday, 13th April, the Jubilee Cup event was held. A field of 70 golfers from around the state competed in our club's Vardon event. Our course was quite wet after several weeks of rain and not at it's best but, never-the-less, due favourable comment. In playing an event everyone is playing the same course so the contest is fair.  Entries came from interstate and overseas,  30 clubs were represented. 

I am sure everyone has been watching the Masters on TV  - some of the shot making is superb - it is a different game. With the slopes on some of the greens it hasn't been unusual to see a less than perfect shot punished by rolling into a hazard. I wondered what the worst score for a hole in the Masters was and the 'honour' befalls Tom Weiskopf. Here is a piece found on the internet detailing how Tom managed to score 13. 


"Tom Weiskopf, 13, 1980 Masters, par-3 12th hole, Augusta National Tom Weiskopf's place in Masters history is secure with his four runner-up finishes (1969, 1972, 1974, and the epic showdown with Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller in 1975). But he also holds a more ignominious honor: the highest score ever recorded on the famous par-3 12th: 13. It happened in the first round of the 1980 Masters. According to Augusta.com, Weiskopf's 7-iron off the tee spun back in to Rae's Creek. Then from the drop area, he dunked four more. With his 11th shot, he reached the back of the green. At least he didn't three-putt."

Secretary's Trophy
Saturday's field was much reduced but the determined Carrolls braved the conditions and won the Member and Offspring event. The Secretary's Trophy, the silver tray trophy for the event  was donated by Karl Bolte, the club's secretary between 1985 and 1995. In conditions that were less than optimum Paul and son Matthew completed their round and were seen celebrating their victory in the clubhouse mid afternoon. 

Next Wednesday, 16th April, we will have a visitor on the 15th hole. Mary Poppins is visiting the residents of Bowral House and, after taking advice from experts not to trust the aerodynamic properties of her umbrella, she has decided to use the services of John Levee's helicopter. An arrangement has been made that the helicopter will land on the western wall of the dam at 2:15 pm. John, the pilot, says that the 'copter will be on the ground for 10 minutes. Whilst the rotors stop, Mary Poppins alights and the helicopter prepares to leave. The pilot will be in contact with me if the schedule changes. While there may be a small inconvenience to our members in the competition, whose play is held up for a few minutes, the enjoyment of the residents of Bowral House should overcome that. So that is 2:15 pm next Wednesday. It should provide some spectacle. 

Some more History

click here

Matchplay Matters
A couple of times in the last week I have been asked about the rules and conditions covering matchplay. 

Some of the points that have been raised, are: 

• What handicap is used? The player plays off their daily handicap, not their Golf Australia handicap. In foursomes the daily handicaps of the players on one side are added together and then halved, then the nearest whole number becomes their handicap. (rounded to nearest whole number, .4 rounds down and .5 rounds up). The opposing team calculates their handicap in the same way. One team's handicap is subtracted from the other and that may give a stroke difference and these strokes are allocated on the holes according to the match index. 

• Local rules - any local rules in force on the day are in force for all competitions.
  
• Late on the tee:- 
  
• From the R&A "Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition."
  

When playing in club championship or club trophy conditions, please read the Conditions of Competition for the particular event where these are published. The competition must be played in accordance with these conditions and the Rules. 

Golf is a fabulous game and is unique in the way the sport is conducted - it has been said that it is "A game for ladies and gentlemen" with all that it implies. Whilst one can be a determined competitor, the rules, etiquette and the spirit of the game come first. 

Etiquette and Courtesy Increasingly visitors are enjoying our course. Now we have Open days on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and visitors are seen in our fields on comp days. Our club has gained a reputation as a friendly club where visitors are welcome and this is a reputation that we are proud of. In the event that there is an issue perhaps with play not proceeding by a group as a member feels it should, the procedure is to call the Pro Shop and they will assist. 

As far as priority on the course goes, all groups on the course have equal status.For example where there maybe a foursomes match, they may be playing at a rate faster than a 4BBB field. So the occasion may arise when an invitation for them to play through is welcomed. Normal courtesy should be observed for all groups on the course. Member groups, groups in the competition and visitor social groups - all groups have equal status, especially our visitors who are our guests for the day. There are a couple of areas on the course where a polite protocol is necessary. On the triple tee where consideration is appreciated by all, with everyone taking their turn. On the 14th, where the local rule stipulates how play should proceed, this is necessary for safety as well as to speed play. The 3rd and 16th tees are another area where consideration is appreciated - the group first to their tee, has priority -consideration is always appreciated. Reputations are earned

Matt Jones Wins the Shell Houston Open

In an exciting finish Matt Jones chipped in to win his first PGA event. On the final hole Matt sent his drive to the right, landing in a bunker that had been cross-raked. Kuchar's drive was perfect, in the centre of the fairway. Matt Jones then, following the advice of his caddy, sent the ball up the right hand side of the fairway, short of the green. Matt Kuchar's 2nd shot ended in the green side bunker. Matt's chip onto the green was perfect and ran into the hole - the photo shows his jubilation. Kuchar's bunker shot failed to hole, giving Matt Jones his first PGA win. He said in an interview after the game that he had been practising chipping a lot in the last few weeks and he had said to his caddy "I am going to chip it in" - and he did. This win entitles him to play in the Masters later this week, along with 6 other fellow Australians including Adam Scott and Steven Bowditch.

Anzac Day - April 25th. This year we are having a 12 hole competition, with a shotgun start at 1:30 pm. The $25 comp fee includes the ball comp, prizes, the Pro pin and a shared sandwich plate for each 2 teams. (The tables will be set up to seat 8 people) The sign up sheet is in the Pro Shop. 

The Bruce Smith Cup

The Bruce Smith Cup will be held this year on Saturday 10th May 2014 against Moss Vale Golf Club  at Bowral.

As this is a club representative game, priority time spots have been allocated to participants of club team events in other competitions.

The event is teams of 20 pairs against Moss Vale 20 players with the day decided on a 4BBB basis with the total number of points added for each side to determine the winner.

We have very high hopes for a Bowral win this year as we have good success in team competitions in recent times. Several positions on the team remain and it will be on a first in first served basis.

Sign up sheet is at the Pro shop and entries close on Saturday 19th April 2014.

We look forward to your support.

Cheers -  Paul Carroll

RULES - WATER HAZARDS

Golf Victoria has posted an excellent video on water hazards and taking relief from them.
click here to view. 

Here is another short video from the R&A with another explanation - click here

As explained by  the R&A :-

If your ball is in a water hazard (yellow stakes and/or lines) you may play the ball as it lies or, under penalty of one stroke:

• play a ball from where your last shot was played, or
• drop a ball any distance behind the water hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

If your ball is in a lateral water hazard (red stakes and/or lines), in addition to the options for a ball in a water hazard (see above), under penalty of one stroke, you may drop within two club-lengths of, and not nearer the hole than:

• the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, or
• a point on the opposite side of the hazard equidistant to the hole from the point where the ball last crossed the margin.

click to picture to zoom

continuing  extracts  from Doug Stalley's book:-



       'Bowral Golf Club 
          1901 - 2001'

In the Beginning Bowral 1901


The First President
Thomas Henry Keigwin, the Club’s first president, continued in that capacity until 1906. He arrived from the UK in 1879 and established a shipping agency as representative of the ships owned by W.M. Thomson and Company of Dundee, Scotland, and Ant. Dom Bordes and Fils of Bordeaux, France. He also built up a considerable business as an importer and general merchant, amalgamating in 1902 as Orme, Keigwin and Company, of which he was the governing director. This firm was to remain prominent in the Club’s records for many years, since it continued to be the supplier of one of the Club’s important golfing requisites, whisky.

Thomas Keigwin was on the board, and later vice president, of the Berrima District Cottage Hospital, a vice president of the Bowral Football Club, an active member of the Berrima District Gun Club, and president of the Bowral District Tennis Club at its inception. He was also on the parochial council of St Simon and St Jude’s Church of England, to which he was a generous benefactor. He became president of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce in 1894–95.

Mr Keigwin and his family were not permanent residents of Bowral. They had been visiting Bowral for several years during the summer season, residing at one time at Binderry, and were widely recognised as some of the most distinguished visitors to the district. They left for a visit to England in 1902 and again in 1906, Keigwin resigning from the Club and intending to tour the Continent before retir- ing to live in England. However, due to ill health, T.H. Keigwin had decided to return to Bowral and made arrangements to rent accommodation in Bowral as from February 1908. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in Vichy, France, on 23 June 1907.

The First Captain
Richmond Whytt, an Englishman, the Club’s first honorary secretary–treasurer and also the first captain, is described in one source as ‘a finished golfer, English taught’ but elsewhere by an experienced observer, professional Dan Soutar, thus: ‘he can on occasion put up a very good round; but he is somewhat erratic and will play remarkably well one day and go to pieces the next’. Most readers can readily sympathise with such an assessment. 

The Teddy Boys.
On Saturday we had our annual match against the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, followed by a dinner in the clubhouse. Members of the RPEYC aka the "Teddy Boys" have been friends of Bowral Golf Club for 60 years and we have been playing golf against them since 1956. The first match was played at Bowral and it was agreed that the loser of the match present a trophy. This was the Captain's Bell that hangs in the Members Room. The Bell came with a deed that stipulated that the bell only be rung by the Captain of the club and others ringing it would have the obligation of shouting the bar. In years gone by, many times it was rung when a golfer, infused with enthusiasm and bonhomie, rang the bell to celebrate a victory or occasion. The 'Edwards' have given many things to the club over the years. 

On Saturday the match was won by Bowral 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 and the E.S. Coles Trophy - a pair of fighting cocks that resides on the mantlepiece in the Members Room - was won by Brian Hanrahan and David McGinnes, with the best stableford score on the day. Ian and I played against Robert and Phillip England and we had a very enjoyable match, winning and avoiding a draw by just 1 point. At the dinner in the evening different poems were recited, as is the tradition. One that is suitable for publication was written by Commodore Orm Thomas and was presented by him for the first time in 1987. Michael Fitzgerald asked me to recite it on the evening. 

Browsing the internet I have come across a series of Youtube videos on the history of golf - they are very interesting - once the advertisement at the start is over.

Click here to view

THE BALLAD OF BOWRAL GOLF CLUB

Oh, Captain! This Sydney's a great place to be.
There are golf courses stretching as far as you'll see.
Royal Sydney, Killara to Pymble and down
Through Avondale and Roseville and back to the town.
There's St. Michael's, Australian and New South Wales
With its tee by the sea and its hills and its dales.
But, Captain, in Bowral I'd much rather be
Where the bush flies swoop down upon every tee.

If it's more to the north you're wanting to be
Elanora and Monash look out to the sea
At Long Reef and Manly you'll be wanting to stay.
Pennant Hills and Oatlands are out to the west
And perhaps it is there that you'll play at your best.
But in beautiful Bowral I'd rather be
Where the bush flies swoop down upon every tee.

There's Ryde-Parramatta, and not far away
Castle Hill and Muirfield and Concord to play.
Bonnie Doon, Wollahra and Moore Park are more
And then Gordon and Chatswood on Sydney's North Shore
The Lakes and Warringah and more I could name
But, whatever their  beauty, I still feel the same.
It's playing at Bowral I'd much rather be
Where the bush flies swoop on every tee

by      Cmd Orm Thomas 1987