Blog Posts

"Hey Marge, the rains are 'ere".

23/9/2019

In This Issue

Damian Gair to leave.
Course renovations update.
Coming Events.
Recent Results.
The Rules Quiz.
Know Your Course Competition
A Little Humour.

It's with sadness that I must advise the membership that our longstanding Course Superintendent Damian Gair has tendered his resignation. Damian is looking for a change of direction in his future business dealings and as a result will be leaving the club in mid November. Having joined the club in 2001 as a casual groundsman, Damian progressed quickly and took over the role of Superintendent in 2007, a role he has held now for 12 years. When I asked him how he felt about leaving the club Damian said that he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the club, and would miss the very many friends he has made during his tenure.
All our members owe Damian a debt of gratitude for the work he has done over the past 12 years, and our course is a great testament to his dedication and effort. I wish him the very best for his future, and he will always be welcome on the tee.

Course Renovation Update.
The inclement weather last week has delayed progress on the work to the rear of the 6th Green. Further mounding is still to be completed, but this will not be accomplished until the ground dries out. Please note that the works are 'Compulsory GUR' and "Drop Stakes" have been positioned either side of the green to facilitate play. Drop within 1 club length of the stake (no closer to the hole).
The mulch pile behind the 5th green has been spread and is starting to look more settled. More mulch will be spread when it becomes available.

Coming Events.
Things are going to get rather busy on the course over the next 6 weeks. Next Saturday (28th Sept) is the Redmond Dalton Trophy event for Single Stableford. Members of the Dalton family will be joining the field on the day, so why not come back to the club after the competition to welcome them at the presentation.
The October long weekend starts with the first round of the Club Championships. In addition, the first rounds of the Lifestyle Cup and the Veterans Shield will be held. If that's not enough for you, the October Monthly Medal will also be held. Be sure to read the appropriate Conditions of Competition before the first round. The following Saturday features the 2nd rounds of these competitions, before the Vicars Shield, which will be held over successive weekends the end of the month.
The Sunday Single Stableford competition continues, and is a great opportunity to pick up a full prize in a smaller field.
The popular Friday afternoon 12 hole competition will commence again on the 4th October with tee-offs beginning at 2pm. The daily competition fee is $8.00 and the organisers are promising improved prizes and refreshments following the game. See the notice board for full details.

Recent Results.

Wednesday 18th September. Mother nature turned on the rain to welcome the players today. Of those brave 20 players who did venture out, Dennis Neale (21) proved the most resilient to register 38 points and win the day on a count back from Peter Stokes (29). The Eagle protected her nest from pilferers, John McGuire won the NTP 11th and Dennis Neale rounded out his day with the pro pin as well. Pascal Timores was welcomed from Tully Park, and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 21st September. An afternoon thunderstorm tried to upset the field of 62 in a rare Saturday 4BBB competition. However the scores indicated that the players found the going fairly easy!! With 45 points on a count back, Matt Helm (17) and Glen Welsh (14) took out the prize from Ken Dobie (20) and David McGinnes (21). Matt Helm scored a fine individual 42 points to win the single event. There are now 4 balls in the nest for next Saturday, Brian Hanrahan won the NTP 11th and Nick Reinhard won the pro pin. Visitors from Tully Park and Roseville joined the field with the DSR at 69.

Sunday 22nd September. The Sunday competition this week saw a very small field, perhaps the weather was a negative?? Ray Furner managed another win to continue his fine form, with 30 points, and Ellen Goodwin won the ladies' event with 26 points. Is anyone kicking themselves for not having a go?

The Rules Quiz.
Congratulations to Ash Southon for finally making it onto the podium with a win. He tried hard to mess it up again, but managed to trip over the finish line eventually!!
For those who did not know the answer, (go back to my last blog to read the question) the ball must be dropped within 1 club length of the reference point (directly under the position in the buggy, of course the buggy must be moved!!) and no closer to the hole. There is no penalty.

This week's Question relates to a Foursomes competition. When playing in a foursomes competition, if a ball must be dropped for some reason, which member of the team is to do the drop?

Know Your Course.
This week's competition was won by Alec Dietsch, who correctly identified that the Owl was looking at the 15th green. This is the last of this competition for the time being, as a new competition will be starting soon, bet you can't wait! 😟

A Little Humour.
"You're late on the tee, John!"
"Yes, well, being a Sunday, I had to toss a coin to see if I should go to church or go and play golf!"
"Okay, but why are you so late?"
"I had to toss it 15 times!"

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

The Dry Spell Continues

16/9/2019

In This Issue

Michelle Di Natale
Current Course Status
Coming Events
Recent Results
The Rules Quiz
Know Your Course Competition
A Little Humour

Michelle Di Natale
Three years ago, fourteen year old Michelle Di Natale liked the idea of taking up golf. Just three years later, under the guidance of the ladies of the Bowral Golf Club and their PGA Professional Kevin Kenny, Michelle has had a meteoric rise which culminated in July with her winning the NSW Girls 13 Years Championship. The NSW Junior Championships and the Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) State Age Championships were played over four rounds in Newcastle, Belmont and Charlestown Golf Clubs over the 9th – 12th July. Michelle was crowned 13 years Champion with a score of +36 which was 12 strokes ahead of her nearest rival. She also won the Nett competition by 8 strokes. The JNJG championship is open to national and international players aged 17 years and younger and Michelle, one of the youngest in the field, placed 31st. Also in July, she won her first Bowral Golf Club and Golf NSW Women’s medal event with a Gross 79, Nett 72. All these achievements saw Michelle, who is in Year 8 at Chevalier College, a very worthy winner of the Junior Berrima District Sports Award for July. Congratulations from everyone at Bowral Golf Club.

Current Course Status
As most players will have noticed, there are a considerable number of course-work projects currently underway. There is a large mulch pile located to the rear of the 5th green, which will be spread shortly. The work to mound the surrounds to the 6th green has started, the greens have been tined and sanded and the tees cored and sanded. This work on top of the regular course maintenance has the staff stretched fairly thin. The course has generally been fertilised, so things are ready for the growing season. The 'Preferred Lies' condition has been removed as of Monday 16th September, and 'Play it as it Lies' is now the current playing status.

Coming Events

Sunday Competitions. This event is very slowly gaining traction as members and guests/visitors become more aware of its availability. The small fields mean a great chance to take away a prize, plus no congestion on the course to slow your round. It all points to a great opportunity to add to your golf calendar.
The Redmond Dalton Trophy for single stableford will be played on the 28th September. A good opportunity to sharpen up your game before the club championships commence.
The Winter Eclectic competition closes on the 30th September, so not much longer to get those birdies and eagles into your score. The Summer Eclectic commences the following day 01 October. The usual competition fee applies.
October is going to be a very busy month. October 5th see's the Monthly Medal played in conjunction with the 1st rounds of the Club Championships, Veterans' Plate and Lifestyle Cup. These are all obviously Stroke rounds. The 2nd round of each will be the following Saturday 12th. Please take the time to read the Conditions of Competition currently located on the club and pro shop notice boards. The 1st round of the Vicars Shield is on the 19th, with the final round on the 26th.
Titleist Fitting Day. To be hosted at the club on the 28th October from 12 - 4pm. Bookings are required, and can be made through the pro shop.

Recent Results
Wednesday 11th September. A fantastic Spring day, and 50 players on the course to contest a Single Stableford event. My thanks to David Stanley for standing in for me during my absence. John Ferguson (18) with 40 points on a count back was the winner on the day from Peter Dunn (28). The Eagle was not troubled, Jim Larkin won the NTP 11th and John Jones the Pro pin. Visitors from Royal Melbourne, Moss Vale and Avondale and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 14th September. Another of Spring's marvels (although a little rain would be more than welcome at present). A tight and high scoring event saw 18 players equal or better their handicap on the day. Ray Furner (32) the eventual winner on a count back with 42 points from David Farthing (31). The Eagle was not bothered, Paul Carroll won the NTP 11th and Mathew Cleary the pro pin. We welcomed a visitor from Wakehurst to the club and the DSR was 69.

Sunday 15th September. Another fine day and 10 players (6 men, 4 Ladies) made the most of the opportunity to walk away with a prize. Ray Furner (30) continued his hot form from the previous day to collect the men's prize whilst Jenny Ogg (22) collected the prize for the ladies event. Chris Hill won the NTP 14th for the ladies, while there was no winner in the men's competition. We enjoyed the company of a player from Kooindah Waters, and the DSR was 69 (men) and 73 (ladies).

The Rules Quiz.
Last week I posed a question regarding the correct procedure (and applicable penalties to be applied) should a player cause their ball to move during a practice swing on the fairway (go and read it now). The correct answer is that the ball must be returned to its position and there is a penalty of 1 shot. There were no winners of the competition at the Saturday presentation last week.

The question for this week. A player hits his/her ball from off the green and lands it in another player's buggy. What is the procedure to be followed, and is there a penalty to be applied? Look it up and come along to the presentation to try your luck, your putting might improve as a result!!

Know Your Course.
There was no winner in this competition, held over the past 2 weeks. The correct answer to the question ( go back and read it now) is 4. There are 4 spinners currently located on the course. One on the dam wall on the 15th, one beside the 15th tee, one to the left of the 10th green and one between the 17th and 4th fairways.

This week sees the return of our old friend the Owl. Have a look at the photo for the question.
Responses to bgclubcaptain@gmail.com please. Good Luck and keep the answers coming in, I'd love to hear from some of our newer members, don't be shy.

A Little Humour

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!

Renovation Week

7/9/2019

In This Issue

Course Renovations
Recent Women's CSGA Results
Coming Events
Recent Results
The Rules Quiz
Know Your Course
A Little Humour

Course Renovations
This week saw the commencement of a raft of course renovations and construction activity. All greens have been tined, tees cored and then both sanded and swept. The course is also getting a fertiliser covering. The boys have been working very hard, and will now turn to the mounding construction around the 6th green. Comments from the members have been extremely favourable on the high quality of the greens as a result.

Recent Women's CSGA Results.
CSGA Foursomes Championships - Gold Creek (Sunday 25 August)
Three pairs travelled to Gold Creek to represent Bowral Golf Club at the CSGA Foursomes Championships. Pam Barker & Carol Warner, Annie Geddes & Jan Deane and Sue Flaxman & Jane Clifford.
The course is a long walk but the weather was perfect.

Jane Clifford is delighted to announce that Annie Geddes and Jan Deane were the CSGA Division 1 Net Champions with a net 75. What a great result and congratulations to you both.

Sue Flaxman won the NTP for Division 2. A very tricky shot through a narrow gap between a bunker on one side and water on the other.

To take out three prizes from a field of 68 players (almost all from Canberra clubs) was a fantastic result.

Congratulations ladies on another sterling performance!

Coming Events

Redmond Dalton Trophy. This Single Stableford event will take place on the 28th of September.
The John Owens 4BBB Handicap Match play event has now concluded due to a family illness requiring Peter Metcalf to have to fly to Canada. As a result they (Peter and Tony Hobson) have had to withdraw from the final. We wish Peter well with the trip.
The Men's Club Championships commence on the 5th of October. Conditions of Competition for the event are available online under the link on the Captain's Blog page and on the relevant notice boards. There are some changes from last year, so make sure to have a read.

Recent Results

Wednesday 4th September. The second of the 'Green Keepers' Revenge' events, and the boys did not hold back on the greens. The pin placements were dastardly, and many a player found themselves putting completely off the green on frequent occasions. A good learning exercise on course management. The 3 person Ambrose event was won by the team of Peter Stokes (29), Alan Turpie (20) and Robert Eriksson (19) with 52 2/3. With a score of 53 1/6, the team of Don Orrock (20), Ric Denny (31) and Les Brooker were runners-up. Brian Lamb pinched 4 balls from the Eagle's nest, Chris Kunz won the NTP 11th and Dennis Neale won the pro-pin. In all 54 players entered the day's competition.

Saturday 7th September. If you thought Winter had left the Highlands earlier in the week, mother nature dropped back to remind us that she controls the seasonal calendar. Wind gusts exceeded 105 kph during the afternoon and players found even standing upright to be a challenge. Winning the 3 ball aggregate event with a score of 104 points was the team of Tom Whitmarsh (22), Fraser McDonald (23) and James Macreadie (21) (visitor from the Ridge GC). In second place were Mark Stanley (36) (Visitor, son of David, from Wakehurst), David Stanley (26) and Paul Carroll (15) with 92 points. The individual prize went to James Macreadie with an excellent 40 points. The Eagle did not relinquish the ball in the nest, Glen Welsh won the NTP 11th and Tom Madigan won the pro-pin. 38 Players braved the trying conditions and the DSR came in at 70.

Sunday 8th September. Our second Sunday event. The results will be published in the next blog as the Captain is taking a little trip for the week.

The John Owens Trophy for 4BBB Handicap Matchplay has been won this year by the team of Tony Fitzpatrick and Jim Phillips. The presentation of the trophy will be made on a date to be advised.

The Rules Quiz.

Last week I posed a question which looked at the impact of a change to an old rule with the new rules introduced this year (go and read it now).
The answer to the question is that there is no penalty, but the ball must be returned as nearly as possible to its original position. We had 3 successful contenders this week, and a putt-off ensued. Jim Larkin winning his first ball marker from Alec Dietsch and David Stanley.

This week. A Player makes a practice swing at their ball on the fairway and accidentally moves the ball. What is the ruling?

Know Your Course.
You'll need to go back to my previous blog and look again at the photo. As the competition was not won last week, the same competition will continue this week.
As usual, please email your entry to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour

Marriage Made with a long Putt!
He: "You spend too much time thinking about golf! Do you even remember the day we got married?"
She "Of course I do! It was the same day I sank that 15 metre putt!!!!!"

Now Go Out and Play Some Golf !

Spring has Sprung!!

2/9/2019

In This Issue

Course Works get underway
Golf NSW Roadshow
Coming Events
Recent Results
The Rules Quiz
Know Your Course
A Little Humour

Course Works.
Players will have seen my updates over the past weeks telling of the works around the 5th green, which have largely been completed (still some planting and the pedestrian pathway to be finished). Commencing today the greens and the tee boxes will be given a Spring makeover. So expect to experience sand on the greens for the next two weeks. Additionally, work will commence to create the mounding around the 6th green (similar to that around the 3rd and 13th). GUR signs will be placed as and where necessary.

Golf NSW Roadshow.
The Captain represented BGC at the recent Roadshow, hosted by Wollongong GC. Of the many topics discussed, the new handicap system (which will come into play from January 2020) is noteworthy. The new system will be known as the World Handicap System. There are not too many changes from our old system, (as the system currently in use in Australia was seen as the 'preferred' model). Of particular interest though is the fact that all tees will have an adjustment made to better equate the old 'Scratch rating' verses Par. Under the new system the Red tees, for example, will have a handicap adjustment which will mean a player who plays to their handicap will have scored 36 points. This will be similar on all tees, and the reference to the 'Ladies' Tees' will disappear and the tees will be referred to as a course, eg the Red course, or the White course.
A benefit of this will be the ability for a competition to be run from multiple tees, with competitors playing for the one prize. For example, we might run a competition where one group play the Blue course, while another (in the same competition) play the White course. The players' handicaps will be adjusted to ensure they are all playing the same competition. More details in the coming months.

Coming Events

Next Wednesday is the Greens-keepers' Revenge Ambrose. Who knows where they will place those pins, but you can be sure they won't be easy. There will be sand to contend with as well.
The Final of the John Owens 4BBB Handicap Matchplay will be played on Sunday 22nd September. The final will see Tony Hobson and Peter Metcalf take on Jim Phillips and Tony Fitzpatrick. Put the date in the diary and come along and support the players on the day.
The Club Championships are just around the corner. The first round of Qualifying is the 5th October. See the noticeboards for the updated Conditions of Competition (there are some changes from last year's event!).
The Sunday Single Stableford Competition is now up and running (see below for the results) and will continue until the new handicap system comes into play.
The Redmond Dalton trophy for Single Stableford will be held on Saturday 28th September.

Recent Results

Wednesday 28th August. Excellent conditions welcomed the field of 62 for a Single Stableford event. Ash Southon (17) emerged as the victor with 40 points from John Hopkins (23) with 39 points. The Eagle hung on to the 3 balls in the nest, Terry Downing (from Latvia !!) won the NTP 11th and Dennis Cooper the pro-pin. The DSR was 69.

Saturday 31st August. The last event of the Winter. The 65 competitors played a stroke event for the Max Allen Memorial Trophy in conjunction with the September Monthly Medal. A beautiful day after some mid-week showers saw the course in excellent condition. Dennis Cooper (25) with a superb net 64 won the Trophy with Daniel Weekes (16) as runner-up. In the Medal events, the 'A' Grade medal was won by Clark Gibbons (11) with a net 67 from Tony Fitzpatrick (15) net 69. 'B' grade went to Daniel Weekes (16) with net 66 from Don Orrock (20) net 67 on count back. 'C' grade went to Dennis Cooper ( 25) with net 64 from Peter Dunn (28) net 70. The scratch winner was Clark Gibbons with 78. Daniel Weekes made the most of a good day by relieving the Eagle of 5 balls, while Tony Hobson won the NTP 11th and Alec Dietsch the pro-pin. We welcomed one visitor, from The Coast GC, and the DSR was 69. An interesting note for all you statisticians; the 12:44 tee-time group each played in a different grade (A,B,C) and each came last in their grade!!?? What are the odds??

Sunday 1st September. This was the inaugural staging of our new competition. In all we saw 14 players enter the competition. 10 men and 4 women. The inaugural winners were Don Barker (22) with 33 points and Merilyn Cooper (23) from Avondale with 31 points. Due to the small fields, only the first prizes were awarded. The men's NTP 14th went to Glen Welsh and the women's to Merilyn Cooper. Visitors included Merilyn and Michael Cooper from Avondale and Reece Woods from Moss Vale GC. The men's DSR was 69, and the women's 73.

The Rules Quiz.

It's really pleasing to see the numbers rising in this competition. We've had 'putts-off' several times over recent weeks. This past week was no exception. My question from last week (go and read it now) related to a situation where the player and opponent in a match play had inadvertently hit each others ball. The correct outcome is for the first player who hit the incorrect ball to lose the hole. If it was undecided who had hit the wrong ball first, the hole should be completed with the balls currently being played. Alec Dietsch and Daniel Weekes both presented the correct answer and featured in the 'putt-off'. On the first attempt the putts ended up tied!!, so a second attempt resulted. This time Daniel left his putt within a millimetre of the wall, leaving Alec with an almost impossible attempt. Daniel ended up winning the ball marker.

This week we look at one of the rules which was amended and introduced into play in January this year. The question has two parts. 1. When searching for a ball, what penalty is imposed if the ball is inadvertently moved during the search by either the player or the opponent? 2. What is the procedure to follow if the ball has been moved? Good luck, do some research and come along to the presentation next Saturday and try your luck.

Know Your Course

Congratulations to Leonie Carroll for winning her second KYC competition. She correctly emailed that the minute hand on the clock was nearest the 35 minute mark.
This week we are back to a photograph. We have recently installed a number of new reflective 'Whirly-gigs' at strategic places around the course. I'm sure our eagle-eyed members have noticed them. Look at the photo, and send your answer to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour

"I'd like to see the fairways more narrow. Then everybody would have to play from the rough, not just me!" Seve Ballesteros

"If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball!" Jack Lemmon

Golf!! You hit down to make the ball go up. You swing left and the ball goes right. The lowest score wins. And on top of that, the winner buys the drinks!!!!! Anon.

Now Go Out and Play Some Golf!

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CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

"Hey Marge, the rains are 'ere".

The Dry Spell Continues

Renovation Week

Spring has Sprung!!

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