- Farewell Message
- Course Update
- Coming Events - Course
- Coming Events - Clubhouse
- Recent Results
- The Rules Quiz
- A Little Humour
I wish to extend my thanks to the President, the Board and the members of Bowral Golf Club for their support, acceptance and understanding over the past two years. Whilst I have appreciated the considerable assistance from all areas of the club, I’d like to express my great appreciation to Kevin Kenny for pretty much everything. There is no end to the work he covers, and he has made my job infinitely easier. I’d also like to thank my wife Denise for her support over the past two years. It only took her 103 blogs to get my use of the apostrophe correct, no small feat, believe me. Who said I was a slow learner!
To say my term has been ‘interesting’ would be an understatement, however, as any Captain will attest, the incumbent has a vast array of ‘interesting’ experiences to manage over the term of their office. It has been both a privilege and an honour to serve the Board and the members. I believe our club is growing in a direction which will serve us well into the years to come. We have seen the membership base grow to include more juniors and sub-juniors than ever. The Lifestyle category has seen a very popular extension and is bringing with it a new demographic. Golf competitions have moved forward to include regular weekly events with Women and Men competing in the same competition. The introduction of the 9-hole competitions have proved popular.
The course is an ever-changing and challenging entity. Ongoing adjustments have and will continue to be required. The Greens’ Staff are functioning extremely well under the supervision of Matt Morris, who has grown into the job fabulously. The presentation of the course this past weekend is a tribute to the dedication and hard work these guys deliver. If only there was a solution to the birds!!!
Women’s golf at BGC is in good hands under (Captain) Annie Geddes, who has settled into her role with competent ease. She has the respect of her peers and I foresee the women entering a strong period of growth with new members and increased enthusiasm.
In summary, I am happy, that as I stand down from my role as Captain, golf at BGC is in good health. I am confident that the incoming Captain will be welcomed by the membership and hope that he will be afforded the same high level of support and encouragement which I received.
I wish all the members of BGC the very best for the future.
Dick Hiser
Captain
- A huge shout-out to Matt, Adam, Colin, John and Wayne for their fantastic dedication and effort in bringing the course up to the standard we experienced this past weekend. It was only days ago that the course was submerged under floodwaters. Long hours during the week and on-course each day of the weekend is a great indication of the commitment they have to their work. Thank you from me on behalf of all the playing members of BGC. Job well done.
- Now players, you have to keep up your end of the bargain. Please keep repairing pitch marks and divots as you come across them, and rake the bunkers after use!!!!
- Players will have noticed the new trench along the right hand side of the 15th fairway. This has been successful in diverting any further water away from the main fairway. The centre of the fairway is still very wet and significant grass die-off has occurred. This area is still 'Compulsory GUR' carts are still required to use the maintenance access road from abeam the 14th Blue tee up to the 15th green. The ditches each side of the fairway are marked as GUR.
- The Boxmor Trophy will be contested this Wednesday 14th. This is the annual President's team V Captain's team. Whilst the result is usually a forgone conclusion (the Captain's team usually wins because they are more committed!!) the contest should still be staged. The event is a 4BBB aggregate Stableford. In addition to the usual prizes, each member of the winning team (otherwise know as the Captain's team) wins a ball. Players on the booking sheet in slots 1 or 2 will represent the President, while those winners in slots 3 or 4 represent the Captain. If you feel like your game is at a high, please check into 3 or 4, and if you're in trouble, the President would love your company.
- The Patron's Trophy will be staged next Saturday 17th. This event is decided by the best Nett outcome on the day. The event also serves as the qualification round to enter the Club Foursomes Championship knockout. The top rated scratch teams will progress. The Terms of Competition are available on the club website, and on both the main and pro shop notice boards. Please be sure to advise the pro shop if your team does not wish to be considered for qualification.
- The John Owens knockout signup sheet is available in the pro shop. The Terms of Competition are available on the club website, and on both the main and pro shop notice boards.
- The introduction of the new computer system for full club operation will commence on Wednesday April 21 with the Mens Stableford competition being the first use of the system. An email covering aspects of the introduction will shortly be sent to all members. Please note that bookings made for competitions after the introduction day will have to be made into the Mi Club system. Part of the operation of the system includes the use of card-readers for entering your scores after a game. A reminder that the raw scorecard is still the primary reference for any scrutiny. We know there will be teething issues as usual and beg your patience as the new system beds-in. As with all changes, you will find things a little 'strange' until you've used the system a few times. Take your time, read the information provided and you will rapidly become comfortable again.
- A reminder that the next round of the Arthur Brassey knockout is due for completion by Sunday 25th April.
- There will be an ANZAC Day medley on the 25th. The clubhouse and course will be closed until midday. The event will feature a shotgun start with a 4BBB stableford format played on the White course. The usual novelty events will be added and a BBQ will follow the competition.
- The May Monthly Medal is scheduled for the 1st. This competition will also include the President's Trophy. The Anniversary Dinner is also held that evening.
- I have been advised that Moss Vale has a scheduling conflict which requires the Bruce Smith Cup to be re-scheduled (was to be held on Sunday 2nd May at MVGC). An announcement will be made when they are able to provide the alternate date.
Please see the attached flyer.
Wednesday 7th April. Piero Dal Bianco suggested that this competition should be played on the White course to avoid the wet area of the 15th fairway. I listened and 77 players joined the field. With a score of 43 points, Piero Dal Bianco (20) then swamped the field! Best in 'A' grade was Phil Jeffery (9) with 40 points, best in 'B' grade was Peter Campbell (16) with 41 points via count back and best in 'C' grade was Warwick Kiernan (34) with 39 points. The Eagle defended her nest of 4 balls and there will be 5 balls on offer next Wednesday. The NTP 11th went to Ash Southon, and Hamish Mulholland won the pro pin. We welcomed visitors from Strathfield, Dunheved, Bonnie Doon and Woodlands (Vic) golf courses. Balls were won down to 35 points via a count back.
- 'A' Grade Jim Phillips (14) nett 67, runner-up Chris Kunz (15) nett 68
- 'B' Grade Bruce Frankland (23) nett 69 on count back, r/up Nicholas Winstone (23) nett 69
- 'C' Grade Stephen Morris (30) nett 61, runner-up Hugh Cashmore (25) nett 69 on count back
- The scratch winner was Anthony Rath (+2) with 69 off the stick.
The overall nett winner was Jamie Krzyszczak (5) from St Michaels GC.
In the Senior division, Graham Leake (4) from Links Shell Cove posted 74 to beat Peter Beard (0) from Pacific Dunes GC with 76. In 3rd was Shane Floyd (1) from Cromer GC with 77 on a count back. Some scores from BGC players who entered the competition included Clark Gibbons 83, Jimmy Pinkstone 80, John Buchanan 87, Ash Southon 91, Phil Jeffery 87 and Nick Reinhard 92. Well done lads, tough day at the office!!
I presided over my last Rules Quiz last Saturday with a good crowd on hand. I decided to make it a no-notice quiz and not ask the question in my previous blog. The net result was a massive 'putt-off' which included most of those players present. The context of the quiz related to Rule 16 of the Rules of Golf and covered the requirements around utilising 'Free relief'. This is one of the most commonly used rules in golf. Key points to note include : Taking full relief from the course condition at the closest point, dropping within 1 club length, and the drop must be in the General area. Clark Gibbons provided the best putt of the contest to win the ball marker.
Hooroo, and Don't Forget to go out and Enjoy a Game of Golf !!!