CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

The annual Member and Offspring competition is on this Saturday. Although run in conjunction with the Monthly Medal and the 1st round of the Peter Tait Trophy, this 4BBB will be scored separately and the winners results calculated manually. Please let the Pro Shop know that you are playing in this event when booking in. We are very liberal with the term "Offspring" and you may include any player you believe fits the criteria. Preferably they will have a Golflink number to confirm a handicap, however,  if that is not available, they are still welcome. In that case, it would be prudent to have those players hit off mid morning, so it does not effect the rest of the field. Good luck to all players.

Every success comes with it's own unique set of problems. The Friday afternoon 12 hole competition has been a resounding success with 70 odd players signed up and their $20.00 entrance fee paid. However, now we have the success we have to deal with the problems. It is becoming apparent, that a walk up start is creating a situation on the first tee. To avoid these issues many players are arriving earlier to avoid the congestion. However, this means we are running into other members, playing each Friday after Bridge, which is creating a merging effect on the 17th tee. This is OK when it works, however at one point, we had 4 groups waiting on the tee with a further two groups coming on the approach. In order to avoid this congestion it has been decided that we will revert to bookings on the computer and will restrict access to the course until after 2.30 pm for the 12 hole players. Those players turning up without a booking, will be allocated playing partners.The other bridge players will be encouraged to hit off slightly earlier to also help the situation. From experience, we know we can complete the 12 holes in under  3 hours provided everyone keeps up with the group in front. This means all groups should be in by 6.15 pm at the latest for the presentation and drinks on the terrace. Last week there were delays and I understand a time of 3 hrs. 20 min. was recorded, which is selfish golf by those holding up the field. It is not good enough to stay in front of those players behind, you must stay immediately behind those players in front or let the following teams through. This is golf etiquette and is a requirement on our course. Over recent weeks we have experimented with free food, which I am sure has been appreciated. However, it cannot continue and we will be seeking a $5.00 donation to cover costs of the hamburgers which we supply. Our beloved President, his lovely wife, my lovely wife and myself, will provide more regular BBQ's, which seem to be well accepted. As this Friday is the First Friday Dinner (which I thoroughly recommend) by our new Chef it is not appropriate for us to cook. However, the following Friday will be a BBQ, as will our last Friday Comp night for this year, on the 16th. Let me remind you, the $20.00 you have paid for this competition, is returned to the winners and runners up in full. There are still 3 weeks left this year and 10 weeks next year to record that great, best 5 rounds to be our 2017 best female and best male winners.The $2.50 you pay each week is returned in balls. The club relies on drink sales to achieve a profit to justify this event. Your support is most appreciated. As this is a club sponsored event, our dress regulations apply and shirts worn by men, must be tucked in on the course. We look forward to seeing you on the course and enjoying your company on the Terrace in the coming warmer months. Thank you for your support.

,Contrary to what you may have heard, we will have a Teams Event, Shotgun start at 8.30am on Sunday 11/12/16 to celebrate our clubs Christmas Cheer. All tees will be open except for the 8th, 9th and 10th. for an 8.30am shotgun start. On completion of golf, there will be lunch, music, dancing, prizes, frivolity and an all round raucous good time, to which all members are invited. Christmas decorating of carts and players is always welcome, as is the ladies assistance in the preparation of the course, tables, prizes and gifts. We look forward to a great day and your attendance and support to this last event of the year would be most welcome. Please book your golf through the computer or at the pro shop and lunch at the bar. Further details to follow from the office.
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On Saturday, we had bad news that Alex Mulholland had injured himself on the 16th hole during the competition and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. As he was due on the 1st tee on Sunday morning to defend his title as Club Champion against his father John, this was shattering news. After an x-ray of the injury it has been determined that it is a bad strain which will put out of action for some weeks. In view of the circumstances and importance of the event, the Captain has given Alex an extension of time to heal and deferred the match to a later date to be advised. In the meantime,  "B" Grade combatants, Alec Dietsch and Pascal Timores and "C" Grade combatants Dennis Neale and Alan Lindsay lined up on the first tee at 12.30 Sunday afternoon, in glorious weather. Pascal took an early lead with some superb putting and was never headed. He closed out the event on the 16th green 4 / 2. Alec was gracious in defeat and I am sure the arduous week of golf in NZ last week took a toll on his body as he was not up to his usual game. Taking nothing away from Pascal, he played great golf in front of his wife and son, who caddied for him and deserved to be the "B" Grade champion for the third time. Dennis Neale and Alan Lindsay  was a closer event with both fighting for each hole. Alan had the edge on the 18th green and Dennis needed to square to proceed to the 19th hole. Alan made a putt of about 60 cm which gave him the hole and the match. After 5400 odd meters over 18 holes in four hours it came down to a 60 cm putt. That's golf. Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to Alec and Dennis. There is always next year.