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  • Conditions of Competition -Local Rules

The Winter Solstice

24/6/2019

 
In This Issue
  • ​A Trophy Awarded
  • Coming Events
  • Recent Results
  • The Rules Quiz
  • Know Your Course
  • A Little Humour
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A Trophy is Awarded 
​
Langdon Emery was on hand following the competition presentation last Wednesday to be presented with the H. A. (Harry) Murdoch trophy. Langdon won the trophy the previous Saturday with a Stableford score of 39 points. 

Coming Events
  • The closing date for entry into the John Owens 4BBB Handicap Match Play Knockout competition is the 3rd of July. The dates for matches are listed in the online calendar, and the Conditions of Competition are available online as well as in the Pro Shop and on the club notice board. The standard competition fee applies per player and is payable at time of entry. This is a good opportunity for any eligible player to win a major club competition, as it is handicap based. Give it a go!
  • The inaugural "Winter Whiteout". Wednesday the 10th of July sees the trial of a new format of competition. This replaces the Ambrose competition previously scheduled on this date. The competition will be played off the white tee's (hence the name) and players will be competing in one of two divisions. One division for those 75 and over, and the other for those 74 and below. The slope applicable on the day is 118, so this may mean that your handicap on the day is slightly different to usual. There will be an NTP prize for each division on the 11th, and a divisional prize each for the longest drive on the 8th hole. The normal Pro pin and ball rundown competitions will still apply. As some of those white tee's are quite forward of where we are used to playing, the game will be a very competitive one indeed!!
  • The final round of the Club Championships in Foursomes will be played next Sunday 30th June. The team of John Mellen and John Ferguson will play off against the team of Phil Jeffery and Craig Houden over 36 holes of Match Play competition. Come along and enjoy some fine and competitive competition and lend your support to the players. 
  • Planting Bee. Next Friday 28th June a number of new trees will be planted on top of the mounding along the side of the 18th fairway. If anyone has a few spare hours and wishes to help Paul Carroll and myself your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Starts at 09:00. Bring gloves and suitable digging implements.
Recent Results
  • Wednesday 19th June. The June edition of the Club 'Open Day' event saw 66 players contest a 4BBB Stableford competition, with a single Stableford held in conjunction. Visitors from Russell Vale, Wollongong, Kangaroo Valley and Woolooware joined the field. Winning the major competition on the day were the visiting team from Wollongong, Ron Davison and James Romanowski (both off 27), with a combined score of 46 points. A fairly remarkable result given that neither player's individual score exceeded 24 points. Runners-up, on a count back,  were Don Barker (21) and John Mellen (15) with 42 points. The minor event prize was won by Nick Reinhard (19) with 39 points. John McGuire won the NTP 11th, Bruce Frankland the Pro-pin, while the Eagle's nest continues to grow and now holds 5 balls. Daily Scratch rating 70.
  • Saturday 22nd June. Young gun Nick Reinhard (18) pulled out all the stops for this competition, taking out the Single Stableford with 40 points on a count back and the Pro-pin as well. I've never seen a golfer so 'on the edge of his seat' waiting to see each result appear on the monitor in the members lounge. John Hobbs (22) was runner-up. Langdon Emery taking out the NTP 11th completed the prizes. Again no winner of the Eagle's nest. Visitors from Gibraltar, MacArthur Grange and Sam Farthing from Ireland joined the field. DSR of 70.
The Rules Quiz

Last week I posed a question about the number of options available and the penalty applicable to a player who's ball had ricocheted behind them into an unplayable lie. The trick in this question revolves around the availability of 'Stroke and Distance' relief, since that point would be closer to the hole than where the ball currently lay. This relief is always available even if the shot would occur from a spot closer to the hole. Ash Southon was SO close to winning the prize at the presentation, unfortunately faltering at the last step. John Buchanan then fully answered the question correctly, to become the second winner in the competition, and duly received the club ball marker for his effort. I would love to see some of the morning players come back for the presentation, we have a lot of fun with this section.

This Week's Scenario.

A player plays their tee shot from the 17th tee. The ball heads left into the trees, and impact noises are heard. The Player decides to play a provisional ball, which ends up on the fairway, well beyond the trees which interfered with the first ball.
The players head off to find the first ball and a ball is subsequently located in the vicinity of the trees. The player then plays a good shot down the fairway, finishing beyond his/her provisional ball. The player asks one of his/her playing companions to collect the provisional ball (which they do) and heads off down the fairway. When the player arrives at the ball, he/she realises that the ball is not their ball. The player has hit the wrong ball from back amongst the trees.

The Questions.
  1. What to do?
  2. What number shot will be the next one?
(Assume this is a stroke round, and the player wishes to complete the hole.)
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Know Your Course.
Last week's competition was not won, as the answers received indicated a knowledge of the course, but lacked the ability to 'read the question'! Go and have a look and see if you can work it out.

This week's photo is an interesting one.

Who is the player, and which hole is he playing?
​Both answers required.

A Little Humour

A couple of older gentlemen were golfing when one said he was going to a particular specialist for a new set of dentures in the morning. 
His friend remarked that he had gone to the same specialist a few years before. 
"Is that so?" the first said. "Did he do a good job?" 
"Well, I was on the course yesterday when the fellow on the ninth hole hooked his drive," he said. "The ball must have been going 200 kph when it hit me in the stomach. 
That," he added, "was the first time in two years that my teeth didn't hurt."

​So, go out and enjoy a game of golf.

My Preferred Lie

17/6/2019

 
In This Issue
  • New Temporary Local Rule
  • Hole in One
  • Marking the Green
  • Coming Events
  • Recent Results
  • A member gives the course a face-lift
  • Rules Quiz
  • Know your Course
  • A little Humour
New Temporary Local Rule.
As of 13th June 2019 the following local rule was brought into play. It will be in play until ground conditions improve in the Spring.
​
Preferred Lies
“When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:
  • Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.

  • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point:  30 cms from the reference point, but with these limits:

  • Limits on Location of Relief Area:

>> Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
>> Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General PenaltyUnder Rule 14.7a.”
(Reference : R&A and USGA Official Guide to the Rules of Golf Off Jan 2019, Model local rule E-3)

What does the term 'cut to fairway height or less' mean in a practical sense? It means any closely-mown area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less and includes such areas as paths cut through the rough, fairways, tee boxes and the fringe/apron to the green. 

Procedure. The position of the ball must be marked first, then the ball lifted (and cleaned, if desired ). Then the ball must be placed on a spot no closer to the hole, and within 30 cm, of the reference mark ( the diagonal span of the score card , or the grip on most golf clubs are approximately 26cm).
Note. The ball is in play as soon as it's placed on the ground. If the player picks it up again and moves it he/she would incur a penalty stroke for 'moving his/her ball in play'.

Hole in One.
Congratulations to the Woman's Club Captain for achieving a hole in one on the 14th hole last week. Jane Clifford is the first player to achieve this feat for nearly 18 months (over 4 years for any woman player). Something to which all golfers aspire, but few actually realise. Great shot Jane!
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Marking the Green
​
Would the player, who was responsible for marking the green, the 14th green pro-pin Saturday 15th June, in this fashion ( '>' ) please stop doing so. This is an UNACCEPTABLE practice and they will, in future, find themselves having to explain to the Captain why they should not be disqualified from the day's competition. 
​I will even provide a ball marker to use, if you don't have one spare.

Upcoming Events
  • The sign up sheet is available in the Pro shop for the 4BBB John Owens Handicap Matchplay Knockout competition. The sheet closes on the 3rd of July. Check the online calendar for applicable match completion dates.
  • The Foursomes Club Championship final will be contested between the teams of John Mellon/John Ferguson and Phil Jefferys/Craig Houden on the 30th of June. This is a 36 hole match, and will commence from the first tee at 08:30, with the second 18 holes commencing at 12:15. The matches will be accompanied by a referee. Please come along and add your support to the players on the day.
Recent Results

Wednesday 12th June. Another beautiful Highlands Winter day saw 47 players tee up to contest a 3 Person Aggregate Stableford competition. With 103 points, and on a count back, the team of Alan Turpie (21), Peter Stokes (28) and Tony Dick (27) secured the win. Pat Donoghue (22), John McGuire (25) and Peter Leon (15) just being edged out. There are 4 balls staying warm in the Eagle's nest (not won), John Mulholland won the NTP 11th and John Ferguson claimed the pro-pin. The DSR was 70.

Saturday15th June. A trophy event for the H. A. ( Harry ) Murdoch prize. Harry Murdoch is a name associated with a considerable history within the BGC, having held the job of Captain from 1956 - 1959, and again from 1971 - 1973.  Harry also held the positions of President from 1960 - 1962 and Patron from 1978 - 1986. This year, the trophy went to Langdon Emery (16), with a score of 39 points from Peter Dunn (27) on 38 points. The best Stableford score on the day of 41 points came from John Oakes (21) who, as a country member, is ineligible to win the trophy. The balls in the eagle's nest are still there waiting for someone to win them. One of 6 visitors in the competition, Richard Bolton, claimed the NTP 11th and Tom Dunlop the Pro-pin. 68 players in the competition with visitors from Killara, Highlands, Bayview, Qantas Club and Royal Sydney. The DSR was 69.
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The course has received a much needed face lift. My thanks to John McGuire for his time and effort spent painting a number of the seats and features around the course. He, and  the members of Dad's Army, are doing wonderful things on our course. Great effort, and much appreciated.

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The Rules Quiz.
Last week's quiz (go and read it now) created quite a conversation at the Saturday presentation. The answers to the two questions are,
1.   The available options are :
  • Take 2 club lengths 'lateral relief' from the last point of entry into the penalty area,
  • Take 'back on the line relief' from the last point of entry into the penalty area,
  • Take 'stroke and distance' relief at point from which the last shot was played, or
  • Return to the teeing area and play another tee shot.
2.   The next shot to be played after determining which type of relief to take will be the 4th shot.

How did you go guessing the answer? Please feel free to join the gang at the Saturday afternoon presentation ceremony where the quiz for the week is discussed. There is a prize (which as of yet, has not been won, you could be the first winner!!).

This week's scenario.

The player's ball lies amongst the trees short of and to the right of the 5th green. When playing the next shot, the ball hits a tree and rebounds backwards (further from the green) behind the player, coming to rest against another tree. The player inspects the lie of the ball and determines it to be unplayable.
Questions,
  1. What are the available relief options, including club lengths to be applied?
  2. What is the applicable penalty?

​


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Know Your Course

Last week's prize was not won. The photo was of the 150m post and conifer on the 8th fairway. This week's photo is a much easier one, so send in your email guess (no mulligans I'm afraid) and the first correct answer wins the ball marker. 
​
​To which green is this seat/bin combo nearest?

A Little Humour

A golfer sliced a ball into a field of chickens, striking one of the hens and killing it instantly. He was understandably upset, and sought out the farmer. 

“I’m so sorry,” he said, “my terrible tee-shot hit one of your hens and killed it. Can I replace the hen?” 

“I don’t know about that,” replied the farmer, mulling it over. “How many eggs a day do you lay?”

​Go Enjoy a Game of Golf.
​

The Queen's Birthday.

10/6/2019

 
In this Issue
  • Queen's Birthday 12 Hole Competition
  • Recent Results
  • Coming Events
  • Bunkers
  • Know your Course
  • Rules Quiz
  • A little Humour
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A great field of 44 players made up the competition for the annual Queen's Birthday Medley event. This year's event was played as a 4 person Ambrose, and prizes were awarded for the longest drives and nearest the pin (second shot) on the 18th and 12th holes respectively. Paul Carroll, kindly agreed to cover the presentation, and provided the photos of the event. Seems like everyone enjoyed a great day on the course and a warm mug of soup to welcome them back to the clubhouse.
Winning the day's event with a net 36 1/4 were Helen Chadwick, Ash Southon, Jim Phillips and Anne Vitou. Longest drive winners were Sonya Bleakley and Paul Carroll, while Leonie Carroll and Peter Leon won the NTP (second shot) to the 12th. Congratulations to all involved. Here are some photos of the post-game conviviality.

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Recent Results.
  • Wednesday 5th June. Much improved conditions from those of the previous week welcomed the field of 46 players to a rare midweek event, a stroke competition. Winner on the day with an outstanding 63 net was Langdon Emery (17), who rounded off his good day by also winning the pro pin. John Mulholland was runner-up on a count back with net 69, from John Mellen (15) who's 36 points gave him the Stableford win. No winner of the Eagles nest, while Darryl Purchase picked up the NTP 11th.
  • Saturday 8th June. Eighty one players turned up to contest a single Stableford event in beautiful conditions. Four visitors from MacArthur Grange, Wakehurst and Sam Farthing (David's Son) from Ireland joined the field. One of our new members, Oliver O'Malley (29), cleaned up the contest with a score of 44 points from Michael Halfhide (22) on 40. Three balls are nesting in the eagles nest waiting to be won, Noah Roet won the NTP 11th and Tony Fitzpatrick the pro pin.
Coming Events
  • The sign up sheet for the John Owens 4BBB Handicap Matchplay Knockout​ competition will be available in the pro shop from Wednesday 12th June. The sign up sheet will be closed after play on Wednesday 24th June and the draw published by the following day. Get your partners and sign up!
  • Next Saturday (15th June) is a trophy day. The H A Murdoch trophy for single Stableford.
  • Sunday 16th June is the last day to complete the semi final matches for the Club Championships in Foursomes.
  • Next club Open Day is Wednesday 19th June. A 4BBB Stableford competition with a single Stableford in conjunction will be held. ALL players will be completing a score card, and the computer will complete the team score when the second player's score is entered.
Bunkers
​

The bunkers, of which there are only 9, located around the course are maintained in such a way that when a ball enters, the ball should travel to the bottom. The raked sand in the base of the bunker should provide a player a reasonable chance of playing a recovery shot. It's most important that players are aware of the correct method of raking the bunker following its use, and where to position the rake afterwards. The rake should be returned to the base of the bunker, in the direction of play, after use. The following photos show a correctly raked bunker (and a couple not correctly raked). Would all players please  make an effort to leave the bunker in a better state then when they entered it. I'm sure you'll greatly appreciate it when you next find yourself 'on the beach'.
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Know your Course

Last week I introduced this new segment to the weekly Blog. Unfortunately the prize (a club ball marker) was not won. The correct location, the 7th green, was identified by several members, but none emailed me their response. This week a new photo with the same competition prize. The first member to email me with the correct answer wins the marker. Give it a go.
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The Rules Quiz
In my previous Blog, I raised the question as to whether a player in a 4BBB competition was able to use a club from either his/her partner (or anyone else on the course), and if in doing so, a penalty should be applied.
The answer is that the player may use another player's club, but at a penalty of 2 strokes. If the player uses the club again a further 2 stoke penalty is applied. A maximum total of 4 strokes in penalty across the entire round. The prize was not won at this week's presentation unfortunately.

The scenario for this week.
A player plays a poor tee shot from the 15th tee box (located behind the 14th green). The ball rolls past the last pole (which supports the protective netting) and into the penalty area (Lake Katekar, Red Stakes). The accompanying players walk towards the ladies/visitor's tee and wait as the player plays their next shot. As the ball lays clear of the water,  the player decides to play from where the ball lays. Unfortunately it's not their day, and it is hooked to the left and the ball hits one of the accompanying player's buggies and ricochets back into the lake and underwater. The ball is now unplayable and the player wishes to take relief.

The Questions.
  1. How many Options of relief are available to the player?
  2. Having taken relief, which number shot will next be played?
A Little Humour
Police are called to an apartment one day, and when they arrive they find a woman, holding a bloody 3 iron,  standing over the body of a lifeless man.
The detective asks her "Ma'am is that your husband?"
"Yes" replies the woman.
"And did you hit him with that golf club?".
"Yes, yes I did", she replies as she begins to sob, drops the club and puts her face in her hands.
"How many times did you hit him?" the detective continues.
"I'm not sure" she replies, "better put me down for a 5..........."


Go out and Enjoy a fun game of golf.

Winds of Change

3/6/2019

 
Winter is here!!
In this issue.
  • Winter weather precautions
  • Queens Birthday golf event
  • Recent results
  • ​How well do you know your course?
  • Rules Quiz
  • ​A little Humour
Winter weather has arrived, and with it the strong (to gale force at times) winds. It's not uncommon to have a windchill of minus 4 or 5 degrees on the course. So take sensible precautions when you go out to play in these conditions. Remember to dress for the conditions, rehydrate regularly, and keep an eye out for tree branches or birds nests falling from above. "Swing easy when it's breezy".
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Queens Birthday
We are celebrating the Queens 93rd Birthday with a four person mixed 12 hole Ambrose event. The event will commence with a Shotgun start at 10 am. In addition to the usual prizes, there will be a prize for the nearest the pin (2nd shot) on the 12th hole, and a longest drive (on the fairway) on the 18th. Following the golf the club will be serving a mug of soup with a crusty roll to help warm you up. Price for the golf and soup is $25.00 per person. Sign up is now available online.

Recent Results
​​Wednesday 29th May.
​This was the final Autumn event on the men's calendar for this year, although the weather, which greeted the field, was more akin to a mid-winter day than Autumn. Eighty five kph winds and ambient temperatures around 5 degrees meant the wind chill was in the vicinity of minus 6 at times in the afternoon. Twenty eight brave (???? foolhardy????) players made up the field with John McGuire (26) taking out the prize with 36 points from Nick Reinhard (20) on 34 points on count-back. Terry Downing won a ball with the NTP 11th, the eagles nest was not won and Ash Southon won the pro-pin. DSR 69.
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Saturday 1st June.
A cold and frosty morning, but without the winds of the previous week, meant the course was considerably more manageable. 78 players made up the field, including four regular visitors from Port Kembla. Tony Fitzpatrick (14) won the 'A' Grade medal on a count-back from Michael Ljubic (8) with a net 69. 'B' grade went to Patrick Donoghue (22) with a net 67 from Noah Roet (16) on 68. 'C' grade was won by John McGuire (25) with a net 69 from Alex Mitkovski (25) with a net 70. Congratulations to all the medalists on some good golf!! The scratch winner on the day was Michael Ljubic with a score of 77, and the best Stableford score was 38 points from Patrick Donoghue. David Spies won the NTP 11th, and young Robert Eriksson the pro-pin. DSR 69.

Foursomes Club Championships.
The quarter finals have now been completed and the teams of John Mellen & John Ferguson, Peter Dunn & Ken Dobie, Dave Burgess & Brian Hanrahan and Phil Jeffery & Craig Houden have progressed to the semi final round, to be completed by the 16th June.
How well do you know your Course?
​Do you recognise this area of your course? 
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First member to email me with the correct location wins a club ball marker.
Rules Quiz.
Last week I posed a question about what score should stand after a player finds that the ball he/she used to putt out with, was in fact, a ball they had picked up during play to the green. The inference being that the correct ball had been unknowingly swapped when it was picked up upon arriving at the green. There had been only one putt, and the total number of strokes played (to that point) was 5.

The correct answer was provided by Paul Carroll, who received his prize at the Saturday afternoon presentation.
The correct answer, (presuming only one putt was required at the second attempt) is a score of 7. The putt with the incorrect ball is discounted, a general penalty of 2 strokes is applied (due to playing an incorrect ball) and the putt to be re-taken. Note that if the correction was not applied before teeing off on the next hole, that the player would be disqualified.

This week's Question
​The item from last week's humour section raised an interesting question (go and read it now). Let's say you've just played up near to the green on the 2nd hole and need your 9 iron for the next shot. Alas, you realise you've left it in the pro shop. No problem, you are playing a 4BBB event, you can just borrow your partner's club (since you have less than 14 clubs in your bag). You play the shot, putt out and score 5 on the hole. 
Part 1. Is there a problem with this action?
​Part 2. You utilise your playing partner's 9 iron on a further 3 holes during the round. Has the problem  worsened?
A little Humour.
It was the final day of the Local Tournament and, sure enough, Bert and Ernie had tied for the lead through 72 holes of play. Lifelong rivals, they went to a sudden death playoff starting on the 18th tee.  Wouldn't you know, they both hit mighty drives straight down the middle about 300 metres each.  In fact, when they reached their balls, they were side-by-side with no more than 12 cm separating the two.  Bert turned to  Ernie and said, "I'm playing a Titlest 3, what ball are you playing?"  "I'm playing a Titlest 3 as well, how did you mark your ball to identify it?" Ernie responded.  "I didn't mark my ball." said Bert. "I didn't have time at the 18th tee!  What about yourself?  Did you mark yours?"  "Didn't think I'd have to." Ernie answered.  So, first was the shouting match about why the other didn't mark their ball.  Finally they decided that it didn't really matter which ball belonged to whom, since they were the same brand and lay less than a few cm apart.  But then they got to arguing about who should get to play first.  When they calmed down, there was nothing to do but call for a tournament official to come and straighten things out.  "What seems to be the problem here, lads?" asked the official.  Again there was shouting and arguing while they explained to the official that they were both playing a Titlest and both balls had a number "3" stamped on it, but neither ball had been marked by the player to distinguish it.  "I see." said the official. "Both balls are Titlest and both are marked with the number 3."
"Right, then," he continued, "Which one of you lads is playing the YELLOW Titlest 3 and which of you is playing the WHITE Titlest 3?"


Now rug up and go and enjoy some golf!
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