CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

Legacy Day 2019.
The Golf.
Yet again the Bowral Golf Club community came together to show their support for this very worthy cause. BGC has been supporting Legacy in this format for more than 15 years, and each year keeps getting better. A field in excess of 120 club members and a further 40 plus visitors enjoyed playing conditions as good as it gets. Gone was the howling and dusty winds of the past many weeks and everyone enjoyed the round. The team led by Jeff Hammond had the MASH 2576 tent running smoothly and was a welcome stop-off. A number of novelty events were hosted during the round, and these were won by : Ross Jauncey (Straightest Drive 1st Hole), Brendan McGuire (Drive and Pitch 13th hole), Alison Mooney (NTP 14th hole), Sharon Rowe (Long Drive Ladies 18th hole) John Ferguson (Long Drive Men over 65 18th hole) and Michael Ljubic (Long Drive Men 18th hole). My thanks to Bruce Frankland for organising the events.

The Dinner
The Legacy dinner experience is one not to miss. Canapès on the verandah, a moving  flag ceremony (with a very fine rendition of 'Taps' and 'Reveille' by Chevalier College student Chakaye Trace), an excellent meal prepared by Regina and her team, served by Tim and his amazing team. Then a moving and passionate address by our guest speaker Dr Brendan Nelson AO. The full house was treated to a magnificent affair.
During the evening the Club Captain presented Legacy President Tim McKinnon with a cheque for over $2000 from golfing proceeds during the day's game. We were privileged to have Ms Gillian Adamson present the major golf prizes during the evening. Winners of the trophies this year were:

1. The War Service Trophy, (for ex-service personnel with war service). Bruce Frankland, runner-up John Jones.
2. Armed Service Cup. (ex-service and National Service personnel without war service). Dick Hiser, runner-up Martin Flaxman on count-back.
3. Wyndham Trophy. (4BBB for all ex-service personnel). John Jones and Bruce Frankland, runners-up Rob Humphreys and Dick Hiser.
4. The Legacy Trophy. (4BBB club members without military service). Jim Rowe and Sharon Rowe, runners-up Jim Larkin and Dennis Cooper.
5. Macrite Trophy. (ex-service personnel 65 years and over, additional stroke added to handicap for each year over 65). David Stanley, runner-up Tony Dick.
6. Michael Fitzgerald Tankard. (individual club member, non-service personnel). Bill Motteram, runner-up Jim Rowe.
7. Ladies Singles. (club member). Noela McMurray on count-back, runner-up Helen Chadwick.
8. Ladies 4BBB. (Club member). Noela McMurray and Jenny Ogg, runners-up Robin McGinnes and Helen Chadwick.
9. Peter Douglas Trophy. (ex National Service member). Kevin Burke, runner-up Martin Flaxman.
10. Visitor's Trophy. S Birchall, runner-up T Mooney.

​Congratulation to everyone for an excellent day in support of a very worthy cause.

Mentor Program.
The club has quite a few new members (and some longer term members) who are interested in joining the competition fields on the various days of the week. For whatever reason, they are a little hesitant to take those first steps. I would like to arrange a list of playing members who would be interested in mentoring these players. The role would consist of making contact with the player and arranging a game (games) with them. To introduce them to the club, course and competition environment. If anyone is interested in performing this role, please email me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com . Many thanks in advance.

Water Wise course Care.
Everyone is well aware of the drought conditions affecting NSW. We have the benefit of a bore supply system for watering our course. However, the rate of inflow from the bore is such that it takes several days to replenish the water used for one watering cycle. With no other inflow to the dam, we may find ourselves having to concentrate the watering to the greens and approach areas and tees in the near future. Additionally the ground staff may have to restrict the regularity of mowing of the fairways to limit damage to these areas. Just giving you a little advance notice, don't panic!!

Dad's Army
Many of you will be aware of the fantastic job performed throughout each year by the members of Anton Sanger's willing troops. Apart from the work you may have noticed around the clubhouse of late , (namely, the rockery and the rose garden at the club entrance, the re-painting of the furniture on the patio, the painting of the garden boxes and railings etc on the patio etc) the boys carry out numerous jobs on the course which would otherwise either cost us to have done or would not get done at all. They do this in their own time, and are extremely happy to do so. The club recently put on a BBQ in recognition of their hard work. Anton also asked me to thank the following for providing services to his platoon. Richard Pegum (donated rocks for the wall), Simon Badway (Highlands Stone Walls who set the rocks), Michael Parker (Mician Trees and Gardens) and Shane Martin (who provided the backhoe/digger). Many thanks.

Recent Results
Wednesday 13th November. (Otherwise known as Damian Gair's last day). A lovely afternoon of 4BBB golf with 10 visitors joining the field for the November Open Day. Peter Cottee (19) and Peter Shortle (26) combined well to put up a score of 45 points to narrowly beat John Buchanan (18) and Greg Ridell (27) on a count back. Paul Carroll (17) used his new clubs to great effect to win the single event with 37 points on a count back. The Eagle again defended her nest (anyone else think the 6th green now looks very small with the new mounding?? optical illusion I'm told). John Mellen won the NTP 11th and a visitor, Adrian White, from Queanbeyan GC won the pro-pin. The visitors were from Queanbeyan, Highlands, Braidwood, Chatswood, Kogarah, Avondale Fox Hills and Pennant Hills. The DSR was 69.

Sunday 17th November. Again the men are outnumbering the women in the new event. Come on ladies, it's a great way to join a competition without the pressure of the mid-week. Winning the men's competition this week was Brian Hanrahan (15) with 38 points from Fraser McDonald (21) on 34. Sonya Bleakley (36) again secured a win with 28 points.

The Rules Quiz.
As there was no usual Saturday afternoon presentation the rules quiz question from last week will roll into this week. However, there is also a question for this week to be added. So go back and work out your answer to last week's question come prepared with both answers. 

​This week's question.  True or False.  A player may use two caddies at the same time during a round?

"Who Am I?". Competition
The clue for this week.
"My wife and I were both in attendance at the Legacy Dinner last Saturday evening".

Answers to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour


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

Recent Results

Tuesday 5th November, Melbourne Cup Medley. An Irish 4 ball to celebrate the running of this iconic Australian event. 15 players in the field (several late scratchings apparently!!). Receiving the winners ribbon and silks was the team of Nick Reinhard, Paul Pettiford, Rosemary Pettiford and Ash Southon with 81 points. Second past the post was the team of Chris Hill, Ann Spiden, Berneice Markwell and Penelope Cuffe with 68 points. Chris Hill won the NTP 14th and Nick Reinhard the men's version.

Wednesday 6th November. A single stableford in ideal conditions. Paul Carroll came to the fore with a score of 39 points to win the day from Shane Harvey on 38 points on count back. The Eagle successfully defended her nest, Peter Hannaford won the NTP 11th and Nick Reinhard won the pro pin. 58 players in the field and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 9th November, The Remembrance Day Shield trophy. Our Club President, Rob Humphreys (28), showed the field a clean pair of cleats with a fine net 64, to win by a margin of 5 strokes from Russell Bourne on a net 69 on a count back. This event coincided with the November monthly medal, and I must apologise for announcing the incorrect 'A' and 'B' grade winners at the presentation. My fault entirely, I mistook the 'Visiting member' category with a normal 'visitor'. A visitor is not eligible to win a monthly medal. The winner of the 'A' grade medal was David Bickford (15) with a net score of 69 from Alec Dietsch (13) on a count back. 'B' grade was won by Norris Dudgeon (22) with a net 70 on a count back from Martin Flaxman (23). 'C' grade was won by Rob Humphreys (28) with a net 64 from Russell Bourne (25) with a net 69. The Eagle's nest was not won, Danny McCarthy won the NTP 11th and Glen Welsh won the pro pin. There was an excellent field of 78 which included visitors from Mildura, Camden, Kogarah, Cromer, and Port Kembla. The DSR was 69.

Sunday 10th November. The men's single stableford competition seems to be growing steadily and this week the winner was Warwick Heeson (16) with a score of 34 from Brian Hanrahan (15) with 33 points. The women's event was won again by Sonya Bleakley (42) with 39 points.

A New BBQ.
Thanks all round to those who arranged for the donation of the BBQ from Barbeques Galore in Mittagong. Thanks in particular to David McGinnes, Tim Davis and Kevin Kenny. I'm sure the sausage sizzles will taste a little different without the rust flavouring!!

The Rules Quiz.
Last week saw the largest number of competitors in the putt-off since the competition began. 6 Players determined that there was no penalty from the grounding of the club whilst playing a practice stroke in a penalty area. After several rounds of putting, Jim Larkin emerged as the victor, well done all, I'm glad the numbers are rising, that might mean the blog is being read by a larger audience ??

This week.
In stroke play, a marker signs the player's score card in the space provided for the player's signature and the player then signs in the space provided for the marker’s signature. What is the ruling?
A - Both the player and the marker are disqualified.
B - There is no penalty.
C - The player is disqualified.

Good luck!

"Who AM I?", competition.

The clue for this week,
"My wife is also a well recognised player at the club".

Guesses to bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour
A Golfer has been slicing his tee shots on every hole.

He asks his Irish caddy if he has noticed any obvious reasons for his poor tee shots, to which the caddy replies:

"Aye, there's a piece of sh*t on the end of your driver."

The Golfer picks up his driver and cleans the club face at which point the caddy says: "No, the other end."

Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf!!

The 6th Green construction phase has now been completed by Damian and the team. The mounding has been seeded and we should see some shoots in about 8 days. To avoid creating footprint depressions and damaging the newly seeded area, signs have been erected directing players to avoid access. Please use a ball retriever instead. Also note that players are requested NOT to play over the new areas, but to use the drop zones until further notice. The Captain and the Greens staff wish to thank you for your consideration.

The Rotary Hoe.
Following my requests for donations in order to purchase this item for the course, sufficient funding has now been pledged. I'd like to extend a great note of appreciation to Haille Smith, Tony Fitzpatrick, Alec Dietsch and two donors who wish not to be named. I hope to be able to have the machine in operation very soon.

Recent Results

Wednesday 30th October. 58 players including two visitors from Antill Pk and one from Woodlands GC contested the rare midweek stroke competition. With a net score of 69 on a count back, Niel Halvorsen (25) won from David Simmers (24). David McGinnes poached a ball from the Eagle's nest, while Rob Humphreys won the NTP 11th and Paul Pettiford the pro pin. The DSR was 69.

Saturday 2nd November. The first men's competition for the month, and a small break from trophies. 71 players in the field and a warm fine day. Craig Houden (20) put up a score of 40 points, which could not be beaten, while Pat Donoghue (21) tried hard but had to be content with 39 points to come runner-up on a count back. The Eagle was not troubled, Robert Walters (from Belconnen GC) won the NTP 11th and John Ferguson won the pro pin. We welcomed visitors from Belconnen and Murrumbidgee GC's. DSR was 69.

Sunday 3rd November. The fields on this new competition are slowly growing, and we were again able to award first and second in the mens group, but unfortunately not in the womens group. David Bleakley (27) won the day with 37 points from Tom Whitmarsh (22) on 36. The men's NTP 14th went to Michael Halfhide. In the women's competition, Ellen Goodwin (27) won with 32 points, and there was no winner of the NTP. Visitors from The National, Indooroopilly and Ashgrove GC's joined the fields.

The Rules Quiz.

Last week I raised a question testing knowledge of 'advice' (go back and read it now). The answer is that player 'A' has given 'advice' to player 'B' by saying "in my opinion". Hence player 'A' is penalised 2 strokes.

This week.
What penalty applies if a player, playing from a penalty area, grounds their club in the process of making a practice swing?

1. Loss of hole, OR
2. 1 Stroke, OR
3. 2 Strokes, OR
4. No Penalty

Try your luck at the Saturday presentation. Last week 5 players had the correct response, and after the dust settled from the ensuing putt-off, Daniel Weekes again held off the challengers. Well done all.

A Little Humour
A golfer hits his ball into a deep ravine, then descends to find the ball.
His buddies hear "whack, thwack, crack on and on, until finally the ball sails out of the ravine.
His buddy asks "How many strokes did that take you to get out of the ravine?". He replies, "Three", but his buddy says "three??, but I heard seven."
His reply was "yes, but four of them were echoes!."


​Now Go Out and Enjoy a Game of Golf.

Dad's Army
The troops under the command of Brigadier Anton have done a great job tidying up the area around the entrance to the clubhouse. They do a great deal around the course, of  which many members are probably unaware. Those who have sat on the patio recently may have noticed the new paint work on the tables, chairs, planter boxes and the BBQ area. Many thanks to the troops, and keep up the good work.

47,18,76,58.
So what do that series of numbers mean you might ask. Well last Wednesday Peter Leon put them up as the result of his game. 47 Stableford points, playing handicap of 18, a scratch score of 76 and a net score of 58. Quite a remarkable round, congratulations!!

Recent Results
Wednesday 23rd October. Oh what a round of golf!! Ordinarily a score of 43 points would win most Single Stableford events. Peter Leon (18) had other thoughts though when he posted a score of 47 to defeat Roberto Ratalino's (22) 43. David Simmers whisked 4 balls away from the Eagle when she wasn't looking, Peter Campbell won the NTP 11th and Ash Southon won the pro pin. 54 players in the field with a visitor from Warringah joining and the DSR was 69.

Saturday 26th October. The Vicars Shield, in honour of a past club vice president and patron. The trophy for 2019 was won by Roberto Ratalino (22) with scores of 40 and 35 for a total of 75 points from David Simmers (25) with scores of 37 and 36 for a total of 72. The daily prize was won by Les Brooker (19) who took good advantage of milder conditions in the morning to post a score of 40 points. Runner-up went to Peter Cottee (19) with 39. The Eagle was not troubled (just a note, the ball must be within one pin distance of the hole to qualify). Alan Turpie won the NTP 11th and John Ferguson, the pro pin. Visitors from Shoalhaven Heads, The Ridge and Woodlands GC's joined the field of 64. DSR was 69.

Sunday 27th October. A far nicer day to play golf than the previous day!! Peter Davis (36) won the Men's competition with 41 points and Sonya Bleakley the ladies with 26 points. Three visitors from The Highlands joined the field.

The Winter Eclectic finished at the end of last month with Alec Dietsch winning both events, net and scratch from Tony Hobson. Alec was presented with his awards during the Saturday presentation.

Reminder
For all players who qualified for the Men's Club Championships, the quarter finals need to be completed by the 3rd of November. The semi finals by the 17th of November with the final to be played on Sunday the 24th November. Anyone wishing to act as a referee on the 24th please let John Buchanan know.

Rotary Hoe Progress.
Last week I made reference to my desire to procure a rotary hoe for the club. There are so many areas of the course which are in dire need of turning and softening. In addition is the preparation of the 4th fairway for seeding. Thus far there have been a number of gracious donations totalling $1600. Still a little way to go to reach the target of $2300. If anyone wishes to donate towards this effort please email me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com
​I thank you in advance.

The Rules Quiz.
Last week's question was well contested at the Saturday presentation with 4 entries entering the putt-off. Ian McKenzie, John Buchanan, Jim Phillips and Alec Dietsch all provided the correct ruling (go back and read the question from my last blog). Alec finally putted his way to victory. There is no penalty applicable, as a player may overlook a rules infringement providing it was not advised to the other player.

This Week. We get away from the match play run of questions. 
Player B's ball lays in an unfavourable position, and he/she is contemplating options. Player A (the marker) says "You have no shot at all, if I were you I would declare the ball unplayable and take a drop". What is the ruling?

1. Player A's suggestion could have influenced player B's decision and thus constitutes advice. Player A is penalised 2 strokes, B is not penalised. OR
2. Player A is penalised 2 strokes for giving advice, and player B is penalised 2 strokes for taking advice. OR
3. Neither player is penalised since the advice was in regard to the rules.

"Who Am I?" Competition
Congratulations to Helen Chadwick for correctly guessing the identity of the "Who Am I?" character. It was of course John Mulholland!! 
The competition begins again with a new character of the Bowral Golf Club membership. The first clue:
'I was not born in Australia'.
Email your guess to me at bgcclubcaptain@gmail.com

A Little Humour
A recent study found the average golfer walks about 1,500 kilometres per year.

Another study found golfers drink, on average, 97 litres of alcohol per year.

That means, on average, golfers get about 15 kilometres per litre.

Kind of makes you proud - almost feels like a hybrid!


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