CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

The Christmas Message, (as presented at the Christmas Drinks).
Rob Humphreys - President
Good evening members, a warm welcome to you all.
We will soon reach the end of the Club’s financial year and I thought you might like an opportunity to hear from the Captain, Dick Hiser in relation to the course and from the Treasurer, Warren Ryan concerning finances.

Dick Hiser
This past year has seen the club grow in many ways. Our clubhouse is attracting more events and higher numbers at regular events. On the golf course the player numbers are up from last year, and there is a definite ‘buzz’ in the club.
Over the year we have played in excess of 16,000 games of golf.
More than 80 trophies have been contested.
Our ladies have been successful in a number of outside competitions, and a female junior, Michelle Di Natale was named as ‘Young Sportsperson of the Year’.
The ground staff have made a major upgrade to the 5th green surrounds and the 6th green mounding has been completed. Members have participated in a number of working bees to plant and maintain the course. Dad’s Army have been particularly active with the gardens around the clubhouse, and they are beginning to ‘grow-in’ currently.
I’ve now penned 39 weekly ‘Blogs’, and the reader numbers are continuing to grow, as evidenced by the responses to the various competitions within the blog. The general knowledge of the rules of golf has improved as well.
We’ve enjoyed a very good year, and this is due largely to the efforts of the staff of our club. I’d like to thank,

• Kevin Kenny for his enormous assistance in helping me come to grips with the role of Captain, and the highly professional manner with which he runs his ‘shop’.
• The guys in the pro shop Darryl, Josh and Nick who are the first point of contact for many of our club members and visitors, and who have to handle all the issues which arise every day.
• The members of the Match and Greens committee who convene regularly to make the golfing process run smoothly.
• The work done by the Women’s committee to make the Women’s golf experience so enjoyable.
• The fantastic Dad’s Army crew under Anton Sanger, who never give up in their attempts to add to the visual presence of the club
• The many club members who give freely of their time to assist with the running of events and activities.
• And lastly (but in no way least), the Green’s Keepers, who provide us with this fantastic course. They have done a monumental job and we are all extremely thankful for their efforts.
  I wish to take this opportunity to wish the members of Bowral Golf Club a very Happy Christmas, and an excellent 2020.
  Dick Hiser -Captain

​
Warren Ryan
November revenue was $135k, a record, compared to $120k last year. Bar and Catering Revenue was up 10% compared to last year, our costs continue to rise but our book profit year to date is $68k compared to $86k last year. Our cash position is $378k compared to $332k last year. We need a gamechanger and ideas are always welcome, none the less we hope to make a profit of $28k for the year and this will be our sixth cash profit in a row.
Warren Ryan - Treasurer

Rob Humphreys
This is a time for holidays and reflection and so I would like to thank all of the people who contributed to the smooth running of the club this year. Firstly, to Brian Lamb for acting as our Patron for 2019, I hope he will continue next year, thank you Brian. Secondly there are members who contribute funds anonymously to various projects the club undertakes, I thank them for their generosity.

Kevin Kenny is the “main Man” in charge of the day to day management of the club and has done a brilliant job. Speaking personally, he has stopped me from putting my foot in it on a number of occasions and I’m sure I’m not alone. He has ensured the decisions of the Board are sensible and implemented in good time. Kevin says that it is just his job but he does it very well, thank you Kevin.
Tim Davis is the function king and ensures that all of the events run to plan under his guiding hand. Tim is ably assisted by his team of Sally, Josh, Alexia, Britney and James who work hard in the service of the Club. There is also Regina, the Queen of the kitchen and her team of Deb, Linzy, Olivia and Georgia. Everyone asks “how does she do it” I don’t know but she does, time after time. Well done and thank you all.

Legacy is the main charity that we support. No-one who attended this year’s dinner could forget the brilliant speech by Dr Brendan Nelson – my highlight experience of the year. Two members of the club, Bruce Franklin and John Jones, were part of the organizing group and we thank them for their contribution to the success of the day.
Thanks, are also due to the Women’s golfing committee, led by Barbara Clayton, the President and Jane Clifford, the Captain. They run the women’s Club competitions and ensure that Bowral has representation in regional and district competitions. They are all volunteers and their diligence and commitment are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Ladies.

I also thank my fellow Directors, Dick Hiser, Warren Ryan, Helen Chadwick, Carole Turpie, David Stanley and Linden Toll. They too are volunteers and take their responsibilities very seriously. They are all qualified and registered to Clubs standard and are diligent with the management of the Club, providing me with great support. Thank you all. Thanks too to the spouses and partners of all our volunteers who allow them to provide their time and energy to assist the club.

Incidentally, at the AGM next April there will be opportunities for any of you to stand for the Board. If you are so inclined, find out what the procedural requirements are and fulfill them in good time.

I also thank you the members, who make Bowral Golf Club so great. On behalf of the Board, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Rob Humphreys
​President

Recent Results
Wednesday 18th December. The December Open day 4BBB competition. A smokey smokey day. This was definitely one for the morning players, with the afternoon contingent accounting for just 2 balls in the rundown. Des Perkins (25) partnered with Dennis Cooper (24) to post 46 points to win the day on a count back from John Mellen (13) and Vernon Vella (27). Vince O'Connor scored a fine 40 points to win the individual competition on a count back. The Eagle again defended her nest, and there are now 6 balls on offer. Tony Hobson won the NTP 11th and Alan Turpie the pro pin. We welcomed a visitor from Antill Park to the course.

Saturday 21st December. As there was a severe weather warning and Catastrophic Fire conditions forecast, the Secretary's Plate was cancelled and only the Single Stableford competition held. In oppressive conditions, 26 players braved the conditions. Philip Downing (27) won the event with 39 points on a count back from Norris Dudgeon (22).

Sunday 22nd December. A much nicer day to play following the devastation of the previous day. With 36 points, Harley Wendt (16) won the competition from Hamish McCathie (26) with 35. 

The Rules Quiz.
​Due to the severe weather conditions last Saturday, there was no presentation. Hence the quiz question posed in my last blog will carry forward. You have plenty of time to work out the answer and try your luck at the presentation on the 4th January.

"Who Am I ?", Competition.
Lots of answers to this competition during the past week. None have been correct, so here is the next clue.

"My favourite colour would be a combination of two of the Tee marker colours on our course".

email your answer to [email protected]

(note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour
​







Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf!!

(Photos courtesy of Matt Hiser)

Members Handbook.
The data for the 2020 Members Handbook has now been dispatched to the printers and should be available at the bar in a few weeks. Please note that the online Calendar will ALWAYS be the correct reference for dates and fixture details. As contact details have been added to the online members area (secure via login), everything you need for the year at the club is available online.

Recent Results
Wednesday 11th December. A cool mild day and 56 players contested the 3 person Ambrose event. We welcomed 2 visitors to the club, one from Manly GC and Jack Punch from Bonnie Doon GC who then joined BGC as a full playing member! Warwick Kiernan (33), lead his team of Tony Fitzpatrick (14) and Dick Hiser (14), around the course as he sank long range putts from everywhere. The score of 54 5/6 strokes good enough to win the day by 2 strokes from Kevin Kenny (0), Tony Harmey (24) and Jack Punch (7). The Eagle has set up an impenetrable barrier around her nest and now has 5 balls on offer next week. The NTP 11th went to Phil Jeffrey and the pro pin to Jim Rowe.

Saturday 14th December. A busy day for Nick in the pro shop with 4 competitions to manage. The daily prize went to John Hobbs (19) with a remarkable net 62 and Robert Eriksson carded 66 to be runner-up on a count back. The Eagle is just unbeatable at present, there are 6 balls now in the nest. Glen Welsh won the NTP 11th and Tony Fitzpatrick rounded out a pretty good day with the pro pin.

The Peter Tait Trophy (played over two rounds) this year was won by Tony Fitzpatrick (14) with a total net 138 on a count back from Tony Dick (28).

The Ted Box Trophy, (Medal of Medals) was won by John McGuire (21) with a net 68 on a count back from Tony Fitzpatrick. The club Patron Brian Lamb was the Captain in 1985 when this award was created, and kindly agreed to present the award. My appreciation to John for returning for the presentation to receive the award.
​

The Wright Cavaye Trophy this year has been won by Alec Dietsch with a sum of 559 strokes from Grant Blanchard (26), who's best 8 net rounds totalled 560. Only one stroke the difference after the entire year. Quite amazing.

Christmas Cheer
This year 48 players took to the field to have a little fun whilst playing for their respective Captains' team in the annual Captain (Womens) V's Captain (Mens) competition. The 4BBB competition saw some very fine results, and the top 5 team scores for each gender are added to the Captain's score to determine the winner. This year the men prevailed with 227 points to 210 points. Both Captains would like to thank their teams for putting in a fine performance. Jane Clifford (Women's Captain) says to watch out next year, the new World Handicap System will sort the men out!!
The Ham Award Women's team event was won by Helen Chadwick (26) and Chris Hill (18) with a combined total of 47 points. Ray Clayton (36) and Dick Hiser (14)  collected the Men's Ham award with a score of 52 points. Andrea Tomlin won the Turkey shoot on the 6th and the pro pin went to Sharon Rowe. A special turkey award was presented on the day to the player who represented the best 'Christmas Spirit' with their outfit. This year Carole Byrnes was our 'Best dressed on Course'. Sadly we don't have a photo of her outfit.

The Rules Quiz
Last week I asked a question relating to a player identifying their ball (go and read it now). There were 4 possible answers offered. The correct answer is that the player must announce that they are going to touch the ball in order to identify it, and they must also mark the ball's position. Hence the ruling is a 1 shot penalty.

The question for this week is an interesting one. Look it up and come along to the presentation and try your luck in the competition.
In stroke play, a player swings at and misses a wrong ball. What is the ruling?

1. The player gets a 2 stroke penalty and the stroke at the missed ball is counted.
2. There is no penalty.
3. The player gets a 2 stroke penalty and the stroke at the wrong ball is disregarded.
4. Loss of hole.

"Who am I ?" Competition.
The second week with the new identity and all the guesses have thus far been well off the mark.
The Clue,
"My name appears several times on the honour boards in the Member's lounge".

Email your guess to [email protected]
(Note, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour












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

The BGC Staff Christmas Party
This year held at the Mittagong Hotel with a Mexican theme, 'Feliz Navidad'. On behalf of all the members of the club, may I extend our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the fabulous staff who make our experience at the club such a joy. Thank you !!

Members Handbook 2020.
In the next few days, the data for the Handbook for 2020, will be sent to the printer. The calendar has been completed for the year, and following the completion of the Trophy events on Saturday, the final trophy holders' names will be added. If you wish to have your personal contact details changed, please advise the office immediately in order for them to be included. The booklets will be available early in the new year. Just a reminder, the online calendar is always the most up to date reference.
Also of note is a new condition of play for our competitions. Players with Virtual golf club memberships are not permitted to enter club competitions. Members of other clubs must have played 5 games at their home club in the past 12 months to be eligible to enter daily competitions. The Captain may make a discretionary call for charity events.  These restrictions are put in place to protect the value of your annual membership.

Drought Conditions
I'm sure every player has noticed the extremely dry conditions on the course. The greens keepers are doing their utmost to protect the course as much as possible. The bore is running 24/7 to replenish the dam, but it still takes 3 days of infill to cater for one full watering cycle. Please be patient if the fairway sprinklers are running, or the staff are hand watering the greens, they are protecting your course. I think that, given the circumstances, our course is in remarkable condition, and I applaud our greens keepers for the job they are doing.

Welcome Back
Thanks to John Mulholland for restoring the old chair from the 4th tee. It is now back on the job!

Coming Events

• Next Saturday is the final day of Trophy play for the men's competition year. The 2nd round of the Peter Tait Trophy awaits, with quite a number of players in good position for the prize. In addition, the Ted Box Trophy (Medal of Medals) trophy will be contested simultaneously. The following players are eligible to contest for the trophy (having won a monthly medal throughout the course of the past year).

Roberto Ratalino, Paul Carroll, Tony Rourke, Grant Blanchard, John Buchanan, Warren Ryan, Martin Flaxman, Tony Hobson, Dick Hiser, John McGuire, Tony Fitzpatrick, Pat Donoghue, Frank Eggert, John Mellen, Norris Dudgeon, Bruce Windybank, Clark Gibbons, Dennis Cooper, Alec Dietsch, Rob Humphreys, David Bickford, Daniel Weekes, Jim Phillips and Russell Bourne. Good luck to all.

• Christmas Cheer and Captain V's Captain. Mark this one in your diary, and book very soon. Shotgun start at 08:30 with a BBQ lunch to follow accompanied by live music on the lanai. Watch out for the strange looking guy in the red and white outfit around the course, he may have a gift for you (naughty or nice??).
• The Clubhouse will be closed for Christmas Day and Boxing day, and (still to be determined) New Year's day. The course will be closed on Christmas Day (so you'll just have to wait till Boxing day to test out the new driver!!). The Blog will not be published on the 30th December to allow the production staff (editors, photographers, printers, typists, compilers etc) to have a holiday. Likewise there will be no formal presentations made between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Recent Results

Wednesday 4th December. Another windy dry day. 56 players ventured onto the course to try their hand. When the dust settled, Peter Shortle (26) held the upper hand with 37 points on a count back from Chris Kunz (18). The Eagle's nest remained untested and now holds 5 balls for next week. John Hopkins won the NTP 11th and Paul Carroll the pro pin. DSR 69.

Saturday 7th December. The December Monthly Medal and the first round of the Peter Tait trophy. A beautiful day for golf, and the course was presented in exceptional nick given the current conditions. With a 68 net score, Jim Phillips (13) won the 'A' grade medal from John Mulholland (10 on 69. In 'B' grade John Buchanan (17) won his second medal of the year with a net 66 from Paul Carroll (17) on 68. Russell Bourne (25) completed the medalists by claiming 'C' grade with a net 66 from Paul Griffin (35). John Mulholland scored the best scratch with 79. Mathew Cleary relieved the Eagle of 4 balls while the NTP 11th was not presented. Dennis Cooper won the largest single pro pin  prize in many years. Visitors from Bonnie Doon and The Lakes GCs joined a field of 85 players, contributing to the largest Saturday field for many years. Well done everyone. 
In the running for the Peter Tait Trophy, there are 18 eligible players currently within 6 shots of the lead.

Sunday 5th December. Again the men are showing the way with the numbers on the day. Ash Southon (15) winning in a small field from Glen Welsh (13) with 37 points on count back. Julie Hayden (18) winning the women's event with 32 points.

The Rules Quiz.
The quiz question from last week raised some good conversation during the presentation. (Go and read the question now.) The answer to when the search time begins was both b and d options. The player or the player's caddie arriving at the search area triggers the timing. 3 minutes now!! Congratulations to the two putt-off contestants, John Mellen and Ash Southon. After 4 puts each Ash Southon finally won the ball marker. Remember, the 'members' lounge green' is very quick and downhill!!

The Quiz for this week.
A player's ball lies half buried in the rough. Without announcing any intention or marking the ball's position, the player rotates the ball and identifies the ball as his/hers. What is the ruling?

1. No Penalty
2. 1 shot penalty
3. 2 shots penalty
4. Loss of Hole

Come along to the presentation next Saturday and try your luck.

"Who Am I ?". 
The mystery identity was finally guessed last Tuesday by Jim Phillips. Ian McKenzie was the correct answer. This week starts a new identity.
The clue:
​"I am easily recognisable on the golf course".

Email your guess to [email protected]

(Remember, the photo is a logo only)

A Little Humour






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

Recent Results

Wednesday 27th November. 61 players in the field for a warm and windy single Stableford event. Dennis Neale (20) topped the winners' table with 39 points on a count back from Daniel Weekes (13). The Eagle's nest was not troubled, John Buchanan won the NTP 11th and a new member, Peter Chen won the pro pin. Frank Bryant from Royal Perth was a welcome visitor to the club. DSR 69.

Saturday 30th November. St Andrew's Day !! A huge 'Thank You' to Ian McKenzie, Bob Young, Alan Lindsay and Alan Turpie for donating the Whisky for the major prizes, and to Ken Dobie for donating the Whisky for the nearest second shot to the 13th. 
70 players joined up to contest the annual 4 person aggregate Stableford teams event. A single Stableford event was run in conjunction (for another bottle of Whisky!).
With a combined total of 136 points, the team of David McGinnes (20), Paul McPettiford (13), John Mulholland (10) and Ken Dobie (18) took home a bottle of Whisky each. Second by only one shot was the team of Tony Fitzpatrick (15), Phil Jeffery (10), Jim Phillips (13) and Russell Bourne (25). Paul Pettiford continued a fine day by winning the single Stableford event with 40 points from David McGinnes with 39 points on a three way count back. As there was no winner of the NTP Eagle's nest, the prize now stands at 5 balls. Chris Kunz and Ash Southon each received a ball for the NTP 11th after someone forgot to replace the marker and Paul Pettiford completed his day by winning the pro pin.
My apologies for the current state of the 'Results' page on the computer. There is an issue with the set up for the competition which prevented the system from adding the team results. Instead only one of each team's result is displayed. The individual results are correctly displayed. We are working on correcting the issue to avoid any further complications.

Honour Boards.
In case you have not noticed the changes, next time you visit the clubhouse take a look around. Last week John Mulholland kindly donated his time and expertise to re-hang the Honour boards and Plaques around the walls. A little paintwork is still required to complete the job, but I'm sure you will all agree the results are very pleasing to the eye. Of note is the fact that all the women's Honour boards are now finally located in the Members' room alongside the men's boards.

The Rules Quiz.
In keeping with the general theme of St Andrew's Day, the quiz last week (go and read it now) related to the very first set of rules which were tabled in 1744. There were 13 rules in total, and the individual responsible for them was the then Captain of Leith Links, John Rattray. Congratulations to Daniel Weekes for doing his research and having the answer at the ready for the presentation. Daniel is setting a very high standard with his rules knowledge, being among the winners on quite a number of occasions, congratulations!.

The Question for this week relates to one of the new (introduced in 2019) Rules. In January of this year the time allowed to search for a lost ball was reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. How well do you comply with the new time limit?
So, the Question.... What will trigger the start of the 3 minute search time?

1. The Player's partner in a team event beginning to search?
2. The Player's Caddie beginning to search?
3. A member of the Player's Group beginning to search?
4. The Player beginning to search?

​Do your research and come to the presentation and try your luck.

"Who Am I ?" Competition.
Lots of responses over the past week attempting to identify the mystery member, but he remains unidentified. The clue for this week.

"I am featured in at least one of the photographs in this week's Blog".
Email your guess to [email protected]

(Note, the photo is a logo only)