CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

Computer Issues.
Hopefully the issues we have been experiencing are now behind us. However, it is important for everyone to ensure that any bookings already made for a time in the future  are checked. Some bookings were lost in the data migration process.

Rules Quiz.
Last week's question related to the correct process and penalties appropriate to cover a situation where you accidentally caused your ball to move by removing some loose impediments. The question related to a match play scenario.

The required procedure is to return the ball to its original position. You are penalised one stroke for causing the ball to move. If you do not replace the ball, and instead play it from its new position, in match play you have just lost the hole (2 stroke penalty in addition to the one stroke, if playing a stroke event). There were no winners of the quiz at the Saturday presentation this week.

This week's question.

In the process of looking for your ball, you find another ball (which is the same brand of ball you are already playing). You locate your correct ball and pocket the ball you found. You complete the hole with a score of 5, but, on removing your ball from the hole you realise that the ball you putted was not the ball you started the hole with, but was in fact the ball you found along the way. You made 1 putt after reaching the green. What is your correct score for that hole now?

A little Humour.

​Two friends were playing golf one day. They decided that they would adhere strictly to the rules with no improving their lie. 
After a few holes, one guy's ball landed on a cart path. As he reached down to pick up his ball to get relief, his friend said, "We agreed that we would not improve our lie." 
No matter how much the first fellow tried to explain that he was entitled to this relief, the second fellow would not allow it. So the man went to the cart to get a club. 
As he stood over the ball he took a few practice swings, each time scraping the club on the pavement, taking out big chunks of blacktop and sending out lots of sparks! 
Finally, after several practice swings he took his shot. The ball took off and landed on the green about 2 metres from the pin. 
"Great shot!" his friend exclaimed. "What club did you use?" 
"YOUR 7-iron!" he replied!

​Now go borrow a friend's clubs if you need, but get out there and enjoy a round on our beautiful course.

Recent Results

Wednesday 15th May. Our May Open day was well attended and the 4BBB competition saw some strong scoring. Unfortunately technology problems (see comments further on in the blog) created a little confusion regarding the use of individual score cards. However, that didn't stop Alec Dietsch (14) and Nick Reinhard (20) from posting an impressive 48 points, with John McGuire (26) and Robert Eriksson (21) in the clubhouse with 45. Alan Maher claimed two balls from the Eagles nest, Pascal Timores the NTP 11th and Langdon Emery the Pro pin. 60 players including 5 visitors for the day.

Saturday 18th May. The J M Stanford Trophy for single Stableford. Seventy seven players enjoyed more of the fabulous Autumn weather, and, with the course playing to a DSR of 69, only 4 players managed to score better than their handicap. Tim Tyler (28) took out the trophy with 39 points on a count back from Matthew Cleary (12). Matthew also managed to draw 4 balls out of the Eagles nest, Brian Hanrahan the NTP 11th and Ray White threw an early morning dart to claim the Pro pin.

Womans Bronze Pennants.
Congratulations to the women who contested the recent Bronze Pennants competition. Lots of traveling to the Canberra region didn't deter the ladies from performing extremely well throughout this past season. Making it through to their 3rd semi final in 4 years is an extraordinary effort, considering they had not won the event in over 80 years before claiming the title four years ago. They then successfully defended the title the following year. Unfortunately, the ladies from Royal Canberra ended this year's challenge in the semi final, played in windy and wet conditions at Fairbairn GC. Well done to Barbara Clayton, Chris Hill, Pam Barker, Carol Byrnes and Jane Clifford. The club is mighty proud of your performance, well played ladies!

Issues with Technology.
Computers make life easier. Computers also make life more difficult! Just look at how complicated things become when an issue with the system arises. We have been in the process of migrating our data from an old server to a newer one. Unfortunately some of the data did not wish to migrate (perhaps their passport was out of date ???), and this has caused issues with our booking system, the scoring and recording system and the operation of the register (for a short period). We understand how frustrating it can be to be trying to place a booking or check on a recent result etc, but please know that everything possible is being done to rectify the situation as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Rules Quiz.

Last week in my blog I posed a scenario to you. The question was to determine the options available to you to continue play after finding your ball in the lateral penalty area (red stakes) along side the 16th fairway (playing the 16th hole). Some good conversation and a few laughs later, Kevin Bourke received the first award for knowing that there are 4 options available. 

1. Return and play another stroke (stroke and distance penalty).
2. Play from the penalty area.
3. Drop from within 2 club lengths of the reference point (entry point into the penalty area, on the side nearest the 16th fairway).
4. Drop on a line backwards from the entry point, keeping the pin and the entry point inline.

Note: With the drop situation in option 3, that as the penalty area is very narrow, the 2 club lengths from the reference point may actually allow you to drop on the other side of the penalty area.

This Week's Scenario. Match play event (since there are a few games coming up). Your ball comes to rest under a tree and on pine needles. You attempt to move some loose debris from around the ball, and the ball moves several millimetres. 

Question. 1. What do you do?  Leave it in the new location or move it back?
                  2. Does a penalty apply in either case? If yes, what is it?

A little humour.

If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all..........

After a particularly bad round of golf, Robert decided not to go to the nineteenth hole [the clubhouse bar] and started to go straight home.
As he was walking to the car park to get his ute, a policeman stopped him and asked', Did you tee off on the seventeenth hole about twenty minutes ago?' 
'Yes', Robert answered
'Did you happen to hook your ball so that it went over the trees and out of bounds and completely off the golf course?' 
'Yes, I did. How did you know?' Robert questioned. 
'Well', said the policeman gravely', Your golf ball flew out onto the main road and crashed through the windscreen of a BMW. The car driver lost control and crashed into six other cars and a fire engine. The fire engine was unable to reach the fire in time and a building burned down. Now, what do you intend to do about it?' 
Robert thought it over very carefully and responded', I think I'll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb.'

Until next week, go enjoy a round of golf.

Bow to your partner, bow to your corner...... and the Foursomes dance begins.

Following the playing of the American Foursomes last Wednesday the Foursome Season began. Saturday saw the Patron's trophy event in conjunction with the qualifying round for the Foursomes Club Championship competition. Eight teams have now filled the draw (shown online, on the main notice board and in the pro-shop) with the first round to be completed by the 2nd June.

The Mixed Club Foursomes Championship begins next Sunday afternoon. The Wotton Trophy for mixed handicap foursomes is held in conjunction. The competition concludes on Sunday afternoon 26th May.
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The J W Draper open draw for the handicap foursomes matchplay trophy closes after play on Wednesday 15th May. It's your chance to compete for a trophy on an even playing field, so hurry and get your team entered. The draw will be published the following day in the usual locations.

Dad's Army needs our help.
Anton and his platoon of very hard-working soldiers are doing fabulous things around the clubhouse at present. They need help financially to stock the gardens with plants etc. If you wish to donate a little (or a lot), a direct donation button has been set up on the cash register at the bar. My thanks on behalf of Anton for your generosity.

Course Care.
My thanks for the improved care for the course I've noticed lately. The surfaces on the greens are looking a little better, but vigilance is still required. Plenty of divots remain unfilled, so please empty your sand buckets as you progress along the fairways. The green staff are ensuring that plenty of sand is available at each tee. Remember, there is always someone watching.....

On the Humorous side.
"The voice over the loudspeaker".
It was a sunny Saturday morning, a little before 8 a.m. I was on the first hole at my local golf club and beginning my pre-shot routine, when a piercing voice came over the clubhouse loudspeaker:
"Would the gentleman on the woman's tee back up to the men's tee please!"
I could feel every eye on the course looking at me. I was still deep in my routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption.
Again the announcement: "Would the man on the woman's tee kindly back up to the men's tee."
I simply ignored the guy and kept concentrating, when once more, the voice yelled, "Would the man on the woman's tee back up to the men's tee. PLEASE?!?!"
I finally stopped, turned around, cupped my hands and shouted back: "Would the jerk with the microphone please keep quiet and let me play my second shot!"  Anon.


Until next time, Go and enjoy some golf.

How time flies. One month in the job already! It seems only yesterday that I was presenting the April monthly medals, and now the May version has come and gone. I'm  very grateful for all the assistance (and patience) that the members have shown me. It's great to know that the membership support my activity thus far. I will endeavour to continue to deserve your support into the future and look forward to the challenges ahead.

Recent Competition Results

Wednesday 1st May. 78 players contested a stableford event and John McGuire (27) showed again the good form he's currently enjoying with 43 points to take the prize from Peter Campbell (18) with 41. Harry Caust  threw a dart to claim 2 balls from the Eagles nest, Les Brooker won the NTP 11th, and Dennis Cooper rounded out the winners with the pro-pin. 21 balls were duly delivered in the run-down. Twelve visitors from Pymble, two from Royal Sydney and one each from Bonnie Doon and Elanora joined the field and the course played to a DSR of 69.

Saturday 4th May. Winter threatened the afternoon field for the May monthly medal. 80 players contested the event with 'A' grade being won by Tony Hobson (13) 68 on a count back from Alec Dietsch (14). 'B' grade went to Dick Hiser (16) 69 on a count back from John Hobbs (22). 'C' grade to John McGuire (27) 71 from Bruce Windybank (30) 72. The best score off the stick went to Tony Rourke (11) 80. Jim Larkin won the NTP 11th, and John McGuire cleaned up the pro-pin. I seem to be typing the name John McGuire quite frequently at present!! Great work. Three visitors from Port Kembla and four from Strathfield joined the day. 21 balls in the run-down and the DSR right on 69.

Something to think about.
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Mark Twain once said, "It's not good sportsmanship to pick up a lost ball whilst it is still rolling"

Until next time, get out on our fabulous course and enjoy some golf.