CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

​
​                                                         

COURSE MATTERS
               We have secured free of charge a substantial amount of high quality clean fill that will enable us to implement some ​of the course improvements outlined in our strategic plan.


​18th HOLE
The majority of this fill is being used to extend the current mounding on right hand side of this hole back to the watercourse that crosses the 18th fairway. The mounds will be shaped, grassed and planted with approximately 15 to 20 suitable trees.
​The new work must be treated as compulsory GUR until the work is complete.
​This new work will add to the ambience of this already picturesque finishing hole.

​4th Hole
Irrigation lines have been installed on the 4th fairway to facilitate its extension from the current fairway back to the men’s tee.

​​12th Hole
The extension of the 12th fairway is looking good and Damian predicts we will be walking on it before Christmas.

SHORT GAME PRACTICE AREA
Our fund for this area is growing however we still need a further $8,000 before any work can commence. We hope to have a drawing soon to give the  impression to show the finished area will look when built, and as soon as this is received I will publish it.

CART STORAGE EXTENSION
As our President advised in the Club News, the club has been successful in our grant application of $10,790 from the State Government for an extension to our cart storage. A sketch design is been prepared and a DA will be submitted to the council in the near future. There is a continuing need to extend our storage areas and to allow for an increase of the clubs carts.

​CLUB MATTERS and COMING EVENTS
To those members who ordered club sweaters and vests a reminder that the stock has been received and is ready to be picked up and paid for at the Pro Shop.

​
MEMBERS CHRISTMAS CHEER
SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER ALL WELCOME
Be part of one of our most popular, festive events. 4 person medley team event with a 9.00am Shotgun Start followed by a Christmas BBQ at 1.00pm. deck your buggies, carts with decorations mistletoe if you’re game, dress in festive attire but whatever you do don’t miss this chance to let your hair down and greet Christmas with a few birdies an eagle or two, bogies, three putts, who cares, just be there!  I’m sure there will be prizes for the best turned out team.
$35 per person, book at the bar, (phone option 2)
Golf bookings as normal on line, at the pro shop, or phone 4861 1042 (option 1)

​ 
      Club Championship Final. – D R Hill Douglas Trophy
Damian Gair  v  Jim Phillips  - Referees – Paul Carroll & Don Barker – 36 holes
 
Jim Phillips and Damian Gair hit off at 8.30 on Sunday 18th November in perfect conditions to contest the final of the Club Championship over 36 holes.
Although appearing at ease from these two “professionals” there were obviously nerves to contend with as Damian cleared the creek with his drive then managed to “skull” three shots across the green to finally concede to Jim’s par. On the second, Jim hit short of the dam and then managed to put his next two shots straight into the water and conceded the hole to Damian. Once these dramas were over they settled down to some exciting golf with magnificent shots from both. The lead changed regularly with Jim being one up at the turn. Damian then won the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th squaring the last 3 which left him up 4 holes at the end of 18. Both players were competitive however played the match in great spirit. Don Barker took over as referee for the final 18 with his report following. I wish to congratulate both Damian and Jim on a great match and for reaching the final. Both can be very proud of their performance.
After lunch the final 18 commenced on the 1st teewith Don Barker as referee.  Both players seem more settled with Jim pegging  Damain’s lead back to 2 up on the 6th Damian then regrouped winning 7 then 8 & 9 were halved Damian won the 10th Jim the 11th to be 3 down . Damian then won 12 and 13 closing out the match on the 14th to take out the Championship 6 and 4. Neither player was consistently at their best mixing brilliant play with uncharacteristic mistakes. Damian’s tee shot on the 13th had to be seen to be believed, finishing a metre behind the hole. As Paul said in his report the match was played in great spirit. Congratulations to Damian our new Club Champion and to Jim as runner up. The score in the end is not a true reflection of the closeness of the match.

B Grade Championship Final – Prosper Ellis Plate

Brian Hanrahan v John Jones – Referee Brian Lamb
​
The "B" grade finalists hit off in the morning after the “A” grade. John made the early running to be 4 up after six holes.  Brian reduced Johns lead to 2 at the turn. Both players were struggling with their games as neither made the established fairway on the 12th and referee Brian had to step in to advise them of their nearest point of relief to avoid playing of the GUR section of the new fairway. Unfortunately for John he couldn’t maintain his lead with Brian closing out the match on the 17th to win 2 and 1.
​Congratulations to both players for a hard fought match played in great spirit. Both were disappointed in their games however to reach the final of any grade is an accomplishment in itself.

“C” Grade Championship Final – Hastings Clark Cup

Norris Dudgeon v Ken Dobie – Referee - Roger Williams
​
The C grade championship final was played on the 18th November between Ken Dobie and Norris Dudgeon, who enjoyed pleasantly cool overcast weather.
Norris won the first and second holes before Ken found his game, 3 and 4 being halved. Norris managed to lose the fifth, regained a two hole advantage on the 6th then lost it again on the 7th. Ken was unable to win another hole and, apart from halving the 11th when both found the bunker with their second shots, the match ended on the 13th with Norris the winner 6 and 5.
 
My personal thanks to the referees for giving up their Sunday to control each match and also to those members who came out to follow and support the finalists.
My congratulations to all players who qualified for the final series. 
​Match play is different game .As well as skill a true test of tactics and nerve. Next year it may be your turn.

1st January 2019 Rule Changes
A last minute reminder to all golfing members.
Graeme Phillipson, General Manager NSW Golf, will be paying a visit to our club tomorrow Friday 23rd November. Graeme will have a game in our ten hole competition, partake in our gourmet sausage sizzle then give a talk to all present on the new rules of golf which take effect on the 1st January 2019. He is giving this time to us out of his busy schedule so I would urge anyone who can, to attend and learn the new rules before they take effect on the 1st of January.. I expect his talk to take 45 minutes approx. so we should be finished by 6.30pm at the latest.
​Depending on the weather the presentation will take place around the 18th green.

​
John Owens was a popular and respected member having joined the club in the early 70’s. In 1995 a bequest was received from his estate of $4000 part of which was used to establish the The John Owens Memorial Trophy for the annual four ball knockout stableford competition.
The final was contested on Sunday 21st of October between Tony Hobson and Piero Dal Bianco v Alan Turpie and Jacob (Ko) Buisman. The event is  4BBB handicap Stableford Match Play .
Both teams had overcome some formidable opposition to reach this point and the final followed the same pattern with the match going to the 20th where Alan and Ko prevailed. Congratulations! 
 
 

The Captain v Captain Trophy event  played last Sunday,  October 21st in conjunction with Our monthly Sunday Roast.
An even break of 22 players on each team made for a competitive score comparison at the end of the day with the men's team running out winners 441 points to 381 thus avenging our defeat when last played in 2016.
The 9.30am shotgun start commenced in a typical Highlands drizzle but turned into a beautiful warm spring day by the end of play. There were no cancellations from the booked players so in my opinion the storms on Saturday and the adverse weather forecast for Sunday did not affect the turnout.
Having the Sunday Roast at the end of play to my mind was an attraction and in my opinion contributed to the larger field than usual and in future, where possible, monthly Medley events must always programmed with a Sunday Roast. 
Due to the combination of both these events the day was an unqualified success. 
I can't speak highly enough of the quality and quantity of food Regina and her crew provided. The food was delicious and varied, the presentation first class. The same can be said for Tim and his team in the manner they were organised, serving desert, clearing the tables and their bar service. Their pleasant and happy demeanor added to the occasion.