CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

Recent Results
Wednesday 25th September. An American Foursomes event was played in ideal conditions, with the course showing the early effects of the recent rainfall. In all 50 players joined the field, and Rob Bearup (16) and The Captain (13) won the day with 68 1/8th from David Simmers (26) and Bruce Windybank (30) with an even 70. Ash Southon won 2 balls from the Eagle and also collected the pro-pin, while Piero Dal Bianco won the NTP 11th. Vernon Vella joined us from Tully Park GC.

Saturday 28th September. A day for the ages! Fantastic weather and a fabulous field, (swelled by the attendance of a large contingent of family and friends of the Dalton family). When the final tally was determined, Piero Dal Bianco (21) emerged with the victory to claim the Redmond Dalton Memorial Trophy with a score of 40 points. Unfortunately Piero was unable to attend the presentation. Redmond's son Paul gave an excellent speech during which he described how his father had enjoyed being involved with the BGC during his lifetime, and of how highly anticipated the event was to the Dalton family. Runner-up on the day went to John Mellen (13) with 39 points. David Stanley relieved the Eagle of 4 balls, Tim Dowling won the NTP 11th and Brian Lamb won the pro pin. We welcomed visitors from Pambula-Merimbula, Mt Broughton, and Royal Sydney. The DSR was 69.

Sunday 29th September. The field this week the largest since the start of this event with 13 players in all. The men represented the larger component with 8 players, the ladies with 5. With a score of 40 points, Harry Horwitz-Rourke (10) from Royal Sydney GC took out the men's event and Margaret Horwitz (19) with 34 points on count back the ladies'. Other visitors on the day came from Royal Pines GC and the DSR (M) was 69, (W) 72.

Winter Eclectic. This year 13 players contested this competition, and the scores were quite astounding yet again. Wouldn't it be great to actually play a round with these results!! Both the Nett and Gross winners were decided on by count back in the usual fashion for a stroke event. With a gross 60 Alec Dietsch (13) emerged as the winner from Tony Hobson (13). When the 50% handicap is applied to achieve a net result, Alec Dietsch again won on a count back from Tony Hobson (whose handicap dropped back from 14 to 13 just the day before the competition closed) with a score of 53.5. Tight scores indeed. Well done everyone, as the range of gross scored went from 60 to just 69, and the net scores from 53.5 to 59.

The Rules Quiz
Last week I posed a question involving play in a foursome competition (go and read it now). The answer to the question is: either player is permitted to drop or place (or pick up, when necessary) the ball. With the large crowd at the presentation there were 4 successful contenders for the prize so a 'putt-off' ensued, much to the amusement and enjoyment of the visitors from the Dalton party. Following a number of failed putt attempts (and under great social pressure !!) Tim Dowling from Mt Broughton GC emerged victorious. Congratulations everyone.

​This week's question. A player plays his/her tee shot from outside the teeing area and the shot sails out of bounds. The player then plays another tee shot (this time from within the teeing area) and the ball is now in play. The question; what number shot will the player play next?  Is it 3, 4, 5 or 6? Come to the presentation next Saturday for the result.

Know Your Course.
As advised last week, this competition is being revamped and a new competition will appear shortly, watch this space!!

A Little Humour
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Taking a lesson.......

•  Stephanie Clarke was taking her first golfing lesson. 

"Is the word spelt p-u-t or p-u-t-t?" she asked her instructor. 
"P-u-t-t is correct," he replied.  "Put means to place a thing where you want it.  Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing." 

•  "Now", said the golf pro, "suppose you just go through the motions without hitting the ball." 

"But that's precisely the difficulty I'm trying to overcome", said Stephanie.

•  The only problem with golf is that the slow people are always in front of you and the fast people always end up behind you.

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

It's with sadness that I must advise the membership that our longstanding Course Superintendent Damian Gair has tendered his resignation. Damian is looking for a change of direction in his future business dealings and as a result will be leaving the club in mid November. Having joined the club in 2001 as a casual groundsman, Damian progressed quickly and took over the role of Superintendent in 2007, a role he has held now for 12 years. When I asked him how he felt about leaving the club Damian said that he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the club, and would miss the very many friends he has made during his tenure.
All our members owe Damian a debt of gratitude for the work he has done over the past 12 years, and our course is a great testament to his dedication and effort. I wish him the very best for his future, and he will always be welcome on the tee.

Course Renovation Update.
The inclement weather last week has delayed progress on the work to the rear of the 6th Green. Further mounding is still to be completed, but this will not be accomplished until the ground dries out. Please note that the works are 'Compulsory GUR' and "Drop Stakes" have been positioned either side of the green to facilitate play. Drop within 1 club length of the stake (no closer to the hole).
The mulch pile behind the 5th green has been spread and is starting to look more settled. More mulch will be spread when it becomes available.

Coming Events.
Things are going to get rather busy on the course over the next 6 weeks. Next Saturday (28th Sept) is the Redmond Dalton Trophy event for Single Stableford. Members of the Dalton family will be joining the field on the day, so why not come back to the club after the competition to welcome them at the presentation.
The October long weekend starts with the first round of the Club Championships. In addition, the first rounds of the Lifestyle Cup and the Veterans Shield will be held. If that's not enough for you, the October Monthly Medal will also be held. Be sure to read the appropriate Conditions of Competition before the first round. The following Saturday features the 2nd rounds of these competitions, before the Vicars Shield, which will be held over successive weekends the end of the month.
​The Sunday Single Stableford competition continues, and is a great opportunity to pick up a full prize in a smaller field.
The popular Friday afternoon 12 hole competition will commence again on the 4th October with tee-offs beginning at 2pm. The daily competition fee is $8.00 and the organisers are promising improved prizes and refreshments following the game. See the notice board for full details.

Recent Results.

​Wednesday 18th September. Mother nature turned on the rain to welcome the players today. Of those brave 20 players who did venture out, Dennis Neale (21) proved the most resilient to register 38 points and win the day on a count back from Peter Stokes (29). The Eagle protected her nest from pilferers, John McGuire won the NTP 11th and Dennis Neale rounded out his day with the pro pin as well. Pascal Timores was welcomed from Tully Park, and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 21st September. An afternoon thunderstorm tried to upset the field of 62 in a rare Saturday 4BBB competition. However the scores indicated that the players found the going fairly easy!! With 45 points on a count back, Matt Helm (17) and Glen Welsh (14) took out the prize from Ken Dobie (20) and David McGinnes (21). Matt Helm scored a fine individual 42 points to win the single event. There are now 4 balls in the nest for next Saturday, Brian Hanrahan won the NTP 11th and Nick Reinhard won the pro pin. Visitors from Tully Park and Roseville joined the field with the DSR at 69.

Sunday 22nd September. The Sunday competition this week saw a very small field, perhaps the weather was a negative?? Ray Furner managed another win to continue his fine form, with 30 points, and Ellen Goodwin won the ladies' event with 26 points. Is anyone kicking themselves for not having a go?

The Rules Quiz.
Congratulations to Ash Southon for finally making it onto the podium with a win. He tried hard to mess it up again, but managed to trip over the finish line eventually!!
For those who did not know the answer, (go back to my last blog to read the question) the ball must be dropped within 1 club length of the reference point (directly under the position in the buggy, of course the buggy must be moved!!) and no closer to the hole. There is no penalty.

This week's Question relates to a Foursomes competition. When playing in a foursomes competition, if a ball must be dropped for some reason, which member of the team is to do the drop?

Know Your Course.
​This week's competition was won by Alec Dietsch, who correctly identified that the Owl was looking at the 15th green. This is the last of this competition for the time being, as a new competition will be starting soon, bet you can't wait!  😟

A Little Humour.
"You're late on the tee, John!"
"Yes, well, being a Sunday, I had to toss a coin to see if I should go to church or go and play golf!"
"Okay, but why are you so late?"
"I had to toss it 15 times!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

Michelle Di Natale
Three years ago, fourteen year old Michelle Di Natale liked the idea of taking up golf. Just three years later, under the guidance of the ladies of the Bowral Golf Club and their PGA Professional Kevin Kenny, Michelle has had a meteoric rise which culminated in July with her winning the NSW Girls 13 Years Championship. The NSW Junior Championships and the Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) State Age Championships were played over four rounds in Newcastle, Belmont and Charlestown Golf Clubs over the 9th – 12th July. Michelle was crowned 13 years Champion with a score of +36 which was 12 strokes ahead of her nearest rival. She also won the Nett competition by 8 strokes. The JNJG championship is open to national and international players aged 17 years and younger and Michelle, one of the youngest in the field, placed 31st. Also in July, she won her first Bowral Golf Club and Golf NSW Women’s medal event with a Gross 79, Nett 72. All these achievements saw Michelle, who is in Year 8 at Chevalier College, a very worthy winner of the Junior Berrima District Sports Award for July. Congratulations from everyone at Bowral Golf Club.

Current Course Status
As most players will have noticed, there are a considerable number of course-work projects currently underway. There is a large mulch pile located to the rear of the 5th green, which will be spread shortly. The work to mound the surrounds to the 6th green has started, the greens have been tined and sanded and the tees cored and sanded. This work on top of the regular course maintenance has the staff stretched fairly thin. The course has generally been fertilised, so things are ready for the growing season. The 'Preferred Lies' condition has been removed as of Monday 16th September, and 'Play it as it Lies' is now the current playing status.

Recent Results
Wednesday 11th September. A fantastic Spring day, and 50 players on the course to contest a Single Stableford event. My thanks to David Stanley for standing in for me during my absence. John Ferguson (18) with 40 points on a count back was the winner on the day from Peter Dunn (28). The Eagle was not troubled, Jim Larkin won the NTP 11th and John Jones the Pro pin. Visitors from Royal Melbourne, Moss Vale and Avondale and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 14th September. Another of Spring's marvels (although a little rain would be more than welcome at present). A tight and high scoring event saw 18 players equal or better their handicap on the day.  Ray Furner (32) the eventual winner on a count back with 42 points from David Farthing (31). The Eagle was not bothered, Paul Carroll won the NTP 11th and Mathew Cleary the pro pin. We welcomed a visitor from Wakehurst to the club and the DSR was 69.

Sunday 15th September. Another fine day and 10 players (6 men, 4 Ladies) made the most of the opportunity to walk away with a prize. Ray Furner (30) continued his hot form from the previous day to collect the men's prize whilst Jenny Ogg (22) collected the prize for the ladies event. Chris Hill won the NTP 14th for the ladies, while there was no winner in the men's competition. We enjoyed the company of a player from Kooindah Waters, and the DSR was 69 (men) and 73 (ladies).

The Rules Quiz.
Last week I posed a question regarding the correct procedure (and applicable penalties to be applied) should a player cause their ball to move during a practice swing on the fairway (go and read it now). The correct answer is that the ball must be returned to its position and there is a penalty of 1 shot. There were no winners of the competition at the Saturday presentation last week.

The question for this week. A player hits his/her ball from off the green and lands it in another player's buggy. What is the procedure to be followed, and is there a penalty to be applied? Look it up and come along to the presentation to try your luck, your putting might improve as a result!!

Know Your Course.
There was no winner in this competition, held over the past 2 weeks. The correct answer to the question ( go back and read it now) is 4. There are 4 spinners currently located on the course. One on the dam wall on the 15th, one beside the 15th tee, one to the left of the 10th green and one between the 17th and 4th fairways.

This week sees the return of our old friend the Owl. Have a look at the photo for the question.
Responses to bgclubcaptain@gmail.com please. Good Luck and keep the answers coming in, I'd love to hear from some of our newer members, don't be shy.

A Little Humour
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Recent Women's CSGA Results.
CSGA Foursomes Championships - Gold Creek (Sunday 25 August)
Three pairs travelled to Gold Creek to represent Bowral Golf Club at the CSGA Foursomes Championships.  Pam Barker & Carol Warner, Annie Geddes & Jan Deane and Sue Flaxman & Jane Clifford.
The course is a long walk but the weather was perfect.

Jane Clifford is delighted to announce that Annie Geddes and Jan Deane were the CSGA Division 1 Net Champions with a net 75.  What a great result and congratulations to you both.

Sue Flaxman won the NTP for Division 2.  A very tricky shot through a narrow gap between a bunker on one side and water on the other.

To take out three prizes from a field of 68 players (almost all from Canberra clubs) was a fantastic result.
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Congratulations ladies on another sterling performance!

Recent Results

Wednesday 4th September. The second of the 'Green Keepers' Revenge' events, and the boys did not hold back on the greens. The pin placements were dastardly, and many a player found themselves putting completely off the green on frequent occasions. A good learning exercise on course management. The 3 person Ambrose event was won by the team of Peter Stokes (29), Alan Turpie (20) and Robert Eriksson (19) with 52 2/3. With a score of 53 1/6, the team of Don Orrock (20), Ric Denny (31) and Les Brooker were runners-up. Brian Lamb pinched 4 balls from the Eagle's nest, Chris Kunz won the NTP 11th and Dennis Neale won the pro-pin. In all 54 players entered the day's competition.

​Saturday 7th September. If you thought Winter had left the Highlands earlier in the week, mother nature dropped back to remind us that she controls the seasonal calendar. Wind gusts exceeded 105 kph during the afternoon and players found even standing upright to be a challenge. Winning the 3 ball aggregate event with a score of 104 points was the team of Tom Whitmarsh (22), Fraser McDonald (23) and James Macreadie (21) (visitor from the Ridge GC). In second place were Mark Stanley (36) (Visitor, son of David, from Wakehurst), David Stanley (26) and Paul Carroll (15) with 92 points. The individual prize went to James Macreadie with an excellent 40 points. The Eagle did not relinquish the ball in the nest, Glen Welsh won the NTP 11th and Tom Madigan won the pro-pin. 38 Players braved the trying conditions and the DSR came in at 70.

Sunday 8th September. Our second Sunday event. The results will be published in the next blog as the Captain is taking a little trip for the week.

The John Owens Trophy for 4BBB Handicap Matchplay has been won this year by the team of Tony Fitzpatrick and Jim Phillips. The presentation of the trophy will be made on a date to be advised.

Know Your Course.
You'll need to go back to my previous blog and look again at the photo. As the competition was not won last week, the same competition will continue this week.
​As usual, please email your entry to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour

Marriage Made with a long Putt!
He: "You spend too much time thinking about golf!  Do you even remember the day we got married?"
She "Of course I do!  It was the same day I sank that 15 metre putt!!!!!"

Now Go Out and Play Some Golf !
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