- Ash & Nick
- A New Course at the BGC
- Course Conditions update
- Coming Events
- Recent Results
- The Rules Quiz
- "Who Am I ?" Competition
- A Little Humour

A very interesting (and greatly humorous) competition closed at the end of 2019. Two of our members made a wager that the person with the higher GA handicap at the end of the year would publicly declare the other to be far and away the better golfer. Well, despite playing an estimated 25 rounds in the last two months of the year, Ash Southon at the Saturday presentation, dressed in his finest suit, declared that Nick Reinhard was the better player. Ash was magnanimous in defeat and declared that he was a mere ripple in Nick's pond. Lots of fun from two great club members and good mates to boot.
A new course has been developed and will be introduced when the World Handicap System goes 'live' on the 31st January this year. There is great support for a designated 9 hole course at the BGC, and as handicaps can be processed from 9 hole results it should prove a popular addition our full course offering. It is hoped to have cards printed in time for the course to be open.
The course will run holes 1 - 6, then 12, and finish on 17 and 18. Specific tee locations vary, and utilise some Green, Red and White course plates. The 9 hole course will measure 2593m, and for Men will be a PAR 33 (SCR 34), Slope 119: Women PAR 37 (SCR 37) and Slope 122.
As usual, players playing any course shorter than 18 holes will give priority to players playing the full course.
The recent rain has provided the course with a very welcome drink. However, as it has been some time since the course has been soft, it's worth reminding all players of the importance of repairing your divots and pitch marks. We are all responsible for looking after our course, and to assist the greens keepers with providing the best quality playing surface possible.
The rain has certainly provided a much needed top up of the dam. (see photo)
A recent purchase has provided the greens keepers with a new (re-conditioned) 'rough' mower, to replace the John Deere which blew its engine last month. (See photo of new machine)
- Next Saturday 25th, is the first trophy event of the New Year. The Sefton Cullen Cup. This is a stroke event with no grades.
- Australia Day Medley. The Sunday event starts with an 08:30 shotgun, and includes a number of interesting prize categories. A BBQ will be available after the event and bookings should be made through the Bar staff. Still some tee slots available, so put on your fancy duds (you may win a 'best dressed' prize) and join in the fun. See the notice boards for more information.
- WHS introduction. Read my previous blog coverage of the introduction of the new handicap system. The new system goes 'Live' on the 31st of January. For the period 27th - 30th Jan, no handicap entries can be submitted.
- The February Monthly medal round will be played on Saturday the 1st, which will conclude three consecutive Saturday stroke rounds. (Thank goodness, I hear you say!!)
- Don't forget to put the RFS Charity Day in your calendar. Sunday 16th February. Tee times from 09:00 until 1 pm. More details will be published shortly.
Wednesday 15th January. Our first Open Day of the year, and the mild and less smokey conditions brought out a good field of 78 players. Welcome to 3 visitors from Antill Park and The Ridge GC's. Nick Reinhard (13) and Ash Southon (14) combined very well in posting a score of 47 points to beat Neil Halvorsen (22) and Vernon Vella (28) by 2 strokes. Nick Reinhard also tabled the best individual score of the day with 39 points. The Eagle now has 9 balls under her wing for next week, Alec Dietsch won the NTP 11th and Ken Dobie won the pro pin.
Saturday 18th January. Our first monthly medal round of the year. It was raining intermittently, and the course had received 15mm before play commenced. As a result, the course played considerably longer than it has over the past 8 months, evidenced by only 6 players (in a field of 83) equalling or beating PAR. The 'A' grade medal was won by Ash Southon (13) with an excellent net 64 from Ben Evans (14) on net 65. The 'B' grade medal went to Jamie O'Reilly (22) with a net score of 66 from Simon Taufel (20) on net 67. The 'C' grade medal was won by Ian McKenzie (24) with a net 72 on a count back from James Evans (30). The best scratch score of the day went to David Ferguson with a 75. The Eagle's nest was again not won, the NTP 11th went to Ben Evans and Terry Downing won the pro pin.
Sunday 19th January. Only two ladies in the field and Sonya Bleakley (38) prevailed with 21 points. The men provided 5 players in their field, and Paul Barnes (16) took out the day with 32 points.
Last week I posed an interesting question about the rights of a player to have loose impediments replaced after another player has removed them. (Go and read the question now.)
The correct answer is that the player may have the loose impediments replaced if they so desire. As a result of a slight change in procedure at the Saturday presentation, (where I am now reading out the question before asking for answers), there were 5 players who knew the correct answer and the now familiar putt-off ensued. David McGinness, John Buchanan, Daniel Weekes, Clark Gibbons and Grant Blanchard each tried their luck, and again (he is yet to be beaten!!!) Daniel Weekes provided the best roll. Congratulations all!.
This Week.
YES or NO, a player uses an alignment stick to check their alignment or swing plane between the playing of two holes. Is there a penalty to be applied?

Last week Alec Dietsch correctly identified the mystery member as Langdon Emery. Well done!
This week then, the new mystery member says,
"Numbers are very important to me".
Who am I? Send your guess to me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com
(Note, the photo is a logo only)
Morris had been playing golf for years, and he had the finest equipment, but his technique never improved a bit.
As his friend watched, Morris teed up at the first hole and promptly drove a brand new ball into the woods. On the second hole, he drove another new ball into a lake. On the third, he lost a new ball in another part of the woods.
"Why don't you use an old ball?" his friend Sam asked.
"I've never had an old ball!"
Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!