CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

Dad's Army
The troops under the command of Brigadier Anton have done a great job tidying up the area around the entrance to the clubhouse. They do a great deal around the course, of  which many members are probably unaware. Those who have sat on the patio recently may have noticed the new paint work on the tables, chairs, planter boxes and the BBQ area. Many thanks to the troops, and keep up the good work.

47,18,76,58.
So what do that series of numbers mean you might ask. Well last Wednesday Peter Leon put them up as the result of his game. 47 Stableford points, playing handicap of 18, a scratch score of 76 and a net score of 58. Quite a remarkable round, congratulations!!

Recent Results
Wednesday 23rd October. Oh what a round of golf!! Ordinarily a score of 43 points would win most Single Stableford events. Peter Leon (18) had other thoughts though when he posted a score of 47 to defeat Roberto Ratalino's (22) 43. David Simmers whisked 4 balls away from the Eagle when she wasn't looking, Peter Campbell won the NTP 11th and Ash Southon won the pro pin. 54 players in the field with a visitor from Warringah joining and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 26th October. The Vicars Shield, in honour of a past club vice president and patron. The trophy for 2019 was won by Roberto Ratalino (22) with scores of 40 and 35 for a total of 75 points from David Simmers (25) with scores of 37 and 36 for a total of 72. The daily prize was won by Les Brooker (19) who took good advantage of milder conditions in the morning to post a score of 40 points. Runner-up went to Peter Cottee (19) with 39. The Eagle was not troubled (just a note, the ball must be within one pin distance of the hole to qualify). Alan Turpie won the NTP 11th and John Ferguson, the pro pin. Visitors from Shoalhaven Heads, The Ridge and Woodlands GC's joined the field of 64. DSR was 69.

Sunday 27th October. A far nicer day to play golf than the previous day!! Peter Davis (36) won the Men's competition with 41 points and Sonya Bleakley the ladies with 26 points. Three visitors from The Highlands joined the field.

The Winter Eclectic finished at the end of last month with Alec Dietsch winning both events, net and scratch from Tony Hobson. Alec was presented with his awards during the Saturday presentation.

Reminder
For all players who qualified for the Men's Club Championships, the quarter finals need to be completed by the 3rd of November. The semi finals by the 17th of November with the final to be played on Sunday the 24th November. Anyone wishing to act as a referee on the 24th please let John Buchanan know.

Rotary Hoe Progress.
Last week I made reference to my desire to procure a rotary hoe for the club. There are so many areas of the course which are in dire need of turning and softening. In addition is the preparation of the 4th fairway for seeding. Thus far there have been a number of gracious donations totalling $1600. Still a little way to go to reach the target of $2300. If anyone wishes to donate towards this effort please email me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com
​I thank you in advance.

The Rules Quiz.
Last week's question was well contested at the Saturday presentation with 4 entries entering the putt-off. Ian McKenzie, John Buchanan, Jim Phillips and Alec Dietsch all provided the correct ruling (go back and read the question from my last blog). Alec finally putted his way to victory. There is no penalty applicable, as a player may overlook a rules infringement providing it was not advised to the other player.

This Week. We get away from the match play run of questions. 
Player B's ball lays in an unfavourable position, and he/she is contemplating options. Player A (the marker) says "You have no shot at all, if I were you I would declare the ball unplayable and take a drop". What is the ruling?

1. Player A's suggestion could have influenced player B's decision and thus constitutes advice. Player A is penalised 2 strokes, B is not penalised. OR
2. Player A is penalised 2 strokes for giving advice, and player B is penalised 2 strokes for taking advice. OR
3. Neither player is penalised since the advice was in regard to the rules.

"Who Am I?" Competition
Congratulations to Helen Chadwick for correctly guessing the identity of the "Who Am I?" character. It was of course John Mulholland!! 
The competition begins again with a new character of the Bowral Golf Club membership. The first clue:
'I was not born in Australia'.
Email your guess to me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour
A recent study found the average golfer walks about 1,500 kilometres per year.

Another study found golfers drink, on average, 97 litres of alcohol per year.

That means, on average, golfers get about 15 kilometres per litre.

Kind of makes you proud - almost feels like a hybrid!


​

Recent Results

Wednesday 16th October. Our October 4BBB Open Day competition, (or the day we get the club pro on the course!). 68 players joined the field on a beautiful Spring day. John Buchanan (18) and his partner Brian Lamb (20) found some form and combined well to amass a healthy 47 points to win the day from David Farthing (30) and Warren Ryan (22) with 46 points. The single Stableford win went to a visitor, Brian Helps (32), from Highlands GC with 40 points. The Eagle was not troubled on the 6th, Tony Fitzpatrick won the NTP 11th and John Buchanan rounded out a good day with the pro pin.

Saturday 19th October. The first round of the Vicars Trophy saw Mother Nature provide some very challenging conditions for the 74 players in the field. Windy, Windy!! When the dust settled in the clubhouse, it was Roberto Ratalino (23) who positioned himself in the lead with 40 points with David Simmers currently in second with the last round next Saturday. The runner-up in the 'day event' was Mathew Cleary (12). Brian Hanrahan relieved the Eagle of one ball on the 6th, Jim Larkin taking out the NTP 11th and Alec Dietsch winning the pro pin. We welcomed a number of visitors on the day from Elanora, Magenta Shores, Avondale, The Australian, Rosanna  and Mollymook GC's.

A Request from the Captain.
There are many areas of our course which are suffering badly with the dry conditions we've experienced over the past 6 months. Players will all recognise those bare, rock-hard ares of the rough which are now like concrete. No one likes having to play from them. I have sourced a rotary hoe attachment from a local business which will fit our tractor and help the greens staff to improve those concrete-like areas. In addition, it will allow me to get the 4th fairway prepared for seeding. I am asking for donations to cover the purchase price of $2300.00. I made a recent request to cover the cost of the new tee markers during a presentation, and a number of members expressed their sadness at not being present and thus missing out on that opportunity to donate to that worthy cause. So this is your opportunity. please email me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com if you are interested. My heartfelt appreciation in advance.

The Rules Quiz.
Last week I asked for a ruling in another match play scenario (go and read my last blog to find out). There were 3 solutions offered. The correct ruling is number 3 , Loss of Hole. Did you get it correct??

The Question for this week is yet another match play scenario.
In a match play round, a player observes a breach in the rules by his/her opponent, but decides to disregard the breach. What is the ruling?

1. Both Player and Opponent are disqualified, OR
2. The Player is disqualified, OR
3. The Opponent is disqualified, OR
4. There is no penalty.

"Who Am I?"
The competition continues without a winner thus far. Go back over my previous blogs for the clues given so far, and with the new one this week see if you can guess the identity of the mystery club member.
This week's clue. I am a full playing member, I hold a handicap which places me in 'A' grade for monthly medals, and I can tell a good yarn.
​Send your response to me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour

​At a municipal golf course, a foursome approached the tee of the 400 metre par 4 Sixth hole.

The long, straight fairway ran along a road that was fenced on the right.

The green was slightly to the left of the straightaway with another road paralleling the green from which golfers often received heckler calls

The first golfer teed off with a long ball slice in the direction of the road.  The ball went over the fence bounced 150 metres down the road, where it hit the tire of moving city bus and was knocked back on to the golf course stopping just 10 metres short of the green.

As they all stood in amazement, a fellow golfer asked, "How on earth did you do that?"

The response came without hesitation, "You have to know the bus schedule."

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

Recent Results.
Wednesday 9th October. A lovely day and 60 players competed in the 3 Person aggregate Stableford competition. The team of Ken Dobie (20), David McGinnes (21) and Ashley Southon (14) combined for a winning score with 103 points from David Stanley (26), Peter Dunn (27) and James Larkin (14) with 102. The single event went to John Jones with 40 points. No one troubled the Eagle, Ashley Southon won the NTP 11th and Bob Bearup the pro-pin. The DSR was 69.

Saturday 12th October. The weather which was forecast during the week failed to materialise (thankfully/sadly, depending on your outlook), although several showers greeted the start of the afternoon session. The winner of the Veterans Plate for 2019 was Chris Harvey (27) with (net) rounds of 72 and 66 for a combined total of 138. Runner-up in the event went to John Mellen (12) with (net) rounds of 69 and 71 for a combined 140. There being no players entering the Lifestyle Cup this year, the award was not won. The daily competition was won by Nick Reinhard (15) with a fine net 65, from Chris Harvey on 66. Nik Potter won 2 balls from the Eagle, Jim Larkin won the NTP 11th with Fraser McDonald winning the pro-pin. 68 players in the field including a visitor from Barton Ridge, and the DSR was 69.

Sunday 15th October. A day totally for the visitors. Just 3 players in the field, all from Nambour GC, with Brett Maunder (18) winning the money with a score of 34 points on count back. There were no ladies in the competition.

Draw for the Club Championships.
After completing the required two rounds of stroke competition the 8 finalists in each of the Club Championship categories have been determined. The following are the draws for each division.
The Club Championship.

• John Mulholland will play Brian Hanrahan​
• Clark Gibbons will play Paul Pettiford
• John Mellen will play Tony Hobson
• Phil Jeffery will play Jim Phillips

Note: these games are Match Play over 36 holes.

The 'B' Grade Club Championship.

• Alec Dietsch will play Craig Houden
• Jim Larkin will play John Jones
• Ash Southon will play Nick Reinhard
• Tony Rourke will play John Ferguson

Note: these games are Match Play over 18 holes.

The 'C' Grade Club Championship.

• Piero Dal Bianco will play David McGinness
• Alan Turpie will play David Simmers
• Norris Dudgeon will play Ken Dobie
• Alan Lindsay will play Roberto Ratalino

Note: these games are Match Play over 18 holes.

The dates for completion of the first round is Sunday the 3rd November, the semi finals by Sunday the 17th November and the final is to be played on Sunday the 24th November. Referees will be provided for the final round only. Good luck to all the competitors.

The Rules Quiz
Last week I raised a question in Match Play (go and read it now). The ruling is that the player must replace the marker (ball) and play out the hole. There is a 1 stroke penalty applied. Following a three-way tie, Daniel Weekes putted his way to another win in this week's competition.

This Week's Question. Another Match Play scenario. A player is required to offset their ball marker on the green to allow their opponent a clear line of putt. Unfortunately the player forgets to replace their ball marker in the correct spot, and instead putts from the offset location. What is the ruling?

1. Ball marker should be correctly positioned and the putt re-played for a 2 stroke penalty. OR,
2. As above, with a 1 shot penalty. OR,
3. Loss of Hole.

"Who Am I?" Competition.
Go back and read the clue from last week's blog.
This week's clues. "I've been a playing member of BGC for over 20 years, and I was not born in Australia".
(Please note that the silhouette photo is a logo for the competition, not the photo of the unknown identity)

A Little Humour
Really Good Player

Dick brings a friend to play golf with two of his regular golf buddies.

His buddies ask him if his new friend can play golf and Dick replies  "He's very good".

The new guy hits his first tee shot into the bush, so his buddies look at Dick and say "You said your friend was a good golfer!"

Dick says, "Just watch him play."

They see the ball fly out of the bush onto the green where the new guy takes two putts and makes an easy par.

On the second hole par 3, he hits the ball into the lake.  The two buddies look at Dick again and say "You said this guy was good!"

Dick replies "Just watch, he's a great player."

The new guy walks right into the lake after his ball.  Two minutes pass and there's no sign of him.  Suddenly, an outstretched hand comes out of the water and Dick's buddies tell him to dive in to save his drowning friend.

Dick replies, "You don't understand, that just means he wants a 5 iron!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf!!

Course Works Update.
The Greens' Keepers have been working flat out over the past weeks getting the course ready for the Club Championships. I'm sure all players will agree with me when I say how fantastic the course has been presented. In addition, the work at the rear of the 6th green is gradually progressing. Just a reminder, the entire work area is GUR, and whilst players may take a free drop in the normal method, there are 2 'Drop' stakes available which may be used instead.

Recent Results.

Wednesday 2nd October. A spectacular Spring day welcomed the 58 players in the field, and with the course approaching Championship standard the scene was set for some great golf. Our President Rob Humphreys (28) proved he is ready for the competitions to come with a fine 42 points, comfortably accounting for Chris Shaw (19) who secured 2nd on a count back with 38 points. The Eagle protected her nest again, David Simmers won the NTP 11th and Warren Ryan accounted for the pro pin. DSR of 69.

Saturday 5th October. Whilst this represented the first round of a number of events, the prize on the day was the Monthly Medal. In 'A' grade, with a net 68, Alec Dietsch (13) won the medal from John Mellen (12) with net 69. In 'B' grade, Ross Jauncey (22) took out the prize with a net 67 from Mathew Helm (16) on net 68. 'C' grade was won by Bruce Windybank (29) with a net 69 on a count back from David Simmers (25). The scratch winner on the day was a visitor from Moore Park, Jeremy Wilcox with a gross 78. We also welcomed visitors from Warringah and David Stanley's son Troy to the club. The Eagle's nest was not won, John McGuire won the NTP 11th and Roberto Ratalino won the pro pin. In all 74 players were in the field, and the DSR was 69.

The (unaudited) standings for the Championships after the first round are:

Sunday 6th October. We finally had sufficient players in a field to be able to award a runner-up prize. Michael Halfhide (20) won the men's event on a count back with 38 points from Gil Levy, whilst in the women's event, Ellen Goodwin (26) won with 31 points.

The Rules Quiz.
Last week my question related to a player who has hit from a 'wrong location' (go back and read it now.) There was an element added to the question which was included purely to create some uncertainty (the 'out of bounds' element). Those 4 players at the presentation, who saw through the deception, recognised that the ball being hit out of bounds had no bearing on the outcome whatsoever. There was a 2 shot penalty for hitting from outside the teeing area, then there was the following tee shot. So the answer to the question was 4. The next shot to be played counts as number 4. Following the now popular 'putt-off', Ash Southon emerged as the winner.

The Question for this week.
We are about to head into some matchplay events, so it's perhaps timely to examine some aspects of the rules in this regard. So, a player picks up his/her ball marker from the green in the belief that he/she has won the hole. But, alas, that is not the case, what is the ruling?

A New Competition Begins.

The new competition is called, "Who Am I?". The prize is the same as the previous competition. Each week I will reveal a new clue to the identity of the person in the silhouette. If you think you know who the person is, email your response to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com  (one response each per week please).
Here is the first clue.
My name appears at least once in the members' lounge.

A Little Humour
The Dentist.
A man and his wife walked into a dentist's office.

The man said to the dentist, "Doctor, I'm in one hell of a big hurry!  I have two buddies sitting out in my car waiting for us to go play golf.  So, forget about the anaesthetic and just pull the tooth and be done with it,  I don't have time to wait for the anaesthetic to work!"

The dentist thought to himself, " My goodness, this sure is a very brave man, asking me to pull his tooth without using anything to kill the pain."

So the dentist asked him, "Which tooth is it, sir?"

The man turned to his wife and said, "Open your mouth honey and show the doctor which tooth hurts!"  

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