Golf News w/c 30.11.09
Fellow Members,
My apologies for the lack of Blogs over the past couple of weeks. The situation has been rectified and it’s back to normal as of this week - promise! Now can somebody tell me how to standardise the font size in Word Press?
THE COURSE
Your course has never been in better playing condition than it is at the present time. Almost without exception members, visitors and the professionals who have played here recently find it hard to believe this standard is achieved and maintained by a ground staff of four, not forgetting Hamish’s Dad’s Army crew. So when you are out enjoying the course and you see Damien, Nathan, Matt or Nathan (jnr.) please acknowledge their efforts. We are quite often quick to criticize and slow to praise; it is so easy to take for granted the wonderful conditions we enjoy.
Our greens have prospered from the major renovations in September and the roller we were able to borrow in preparation for the Pro-am.
The GUR has been removed from the 15th fairway apart from a short section of the gully adjacent to the pathway.
The new tee for the 11th has settled down and is a big improvement.
The area behind the 9th tee has been cleaned out and looks a lot better than the tangled undergrowth that previously inhabited this section of the course, although it has reduced the privacy for those seeking a relief stop at “Prostate “ corner aptly named by our resident psychiatrist.
Jim Dickson has kindly donated some colourful Japanese Koi fish, which will populate the dam on the 13thbefore eventually being transferred to our dam outside Bowral House. Anyone found “searching” for his or her ball with a fishing rod shall be penalised under the non-conforming club rule i.e. Loss of hole in match play, two stroke penalty in stroke play.
Unfortunately a ruptured hydraulic line on one of our greens mower has caused some damage to the 18thgreen. It could have been a lot worse if the operator hadn’t been vigilant and noticed the spill as soon as it occurred. We thought we may have been able to save the grass strip but that wasn’t to be and the area had to be scarified and re-sown. The white “mat” has been put in place to hasten the germination of the seed and promote growth. A local rule is in place to give relief until the area is playable again. Murphy’s Law strikes again.
In spite of numerous reminders pitch and divot repairs are not always carried out, I know visiting social players are the main culprits however I ask members to make repairs on the way around the course where they are noticed.
I don’t expect members to police our dress regulations however I would ask that when you invite visitors to play you make them aware of our requirements to save any embarrassment.
GOLF NEWS
A first for the Southern Highlands and BGC was the holding of the inaugural “Southern Highlands Senior Legends Classic” pro-am event on Tuesday November 17, 2009. A resounding success. This will now become an annual event in our calendar. The day saw 62 professionals including the likes of Rodger Davis, Ossie Moore, Mike Fergusson, Noel Ratcliff, Michael Harwood, Randall Vines and many others who featured regularly on the winner’s lists both here and overseas over the last thirty years. They played for a pool of $10,000 dollars sponsorship money. Our thanks to our sponsors, in particular our own Chris Green. Thanks also to Steve Anderson, Larry Canning who organised the event and to Tony White who did the bulk of the behind the scenes preparation. Our volunteers who worked as spotters were on the course most of the day, thank you.
The winning pro was David Saunders (68) of NSW by one stroke to Michael Ferguson (69) QLD.
The winning 4 ball team (two best scores on each hole recorded) were three of our ladies Wendy Burke, Robyn McGinnes, Noela McMurray and their pro Allan May with 87 points. The team of John Conolly, Gordon Conolly, Len Brandon and Randall Vines with 85 points on a count back from Alex Dowling, Helen Martin, David Mathers and David Saunders, came in second and third respectively. The winning ladies took away a magnificent Callaway golf bag each embroidered with the Southern Highlands Legends Classic logo. A team of ladies winning against all comers, who would have thought it? Mixed / Medley events are alive and well.
Legacy Day was an outstanding success although the numbers were down on previous years. Our distinguished guests, Major General Paul Stevens, and Mrs. Helen Stevens and ex GG and honorary visiting members Major General Michael Jeffries and Mrs. Marlena Jeffries complemented the event with their grace, humility and competitive golf.
The Veterans Cup was won by John Conolly (45) points, The Macrite Trophy, a Bronze statuette of Simpson and his donkey, went to Alex. Nicholson by one point 56 to 55 from Michael Fitzgerald affectionately nicknamed “Biggles” by his peers.
The dinner at night for the 93 attendees was an outstanding occasion. Paul Stevens as Commissioner of War Graves gave a most interesting address which certainly fitted in with the Legacy theme. We look forward to their company next year.
GOLF RESULTS
Wednesday 11.11.09 - 2BBB Aggregate Par - 51 players CCR 68
Winners - Dennis Cooper (19) Reg Gilbert (23) +6 c/b
R/U - Alex Nicholson (13) Harry Caust (15) +6
Eagles Nest - Graham Stranger 2 balls
NTP 11th - Graeme Smith
NTP 14th - Alex Nicholson
Disappointing field of 51 players meant only 12 balls for the comp. cut off square Peter Edwards (19)
Saturday 14.11.09 - Single Stableford - 71 players CCR 69
Winner - Bob Young (19) 39 points
R/U - Tony Fitzpatrick (13) 38 points c/b
Eagles Nest - Not won
NTP 11th - Mick Cooper
NTP 14th - Alan Lindsay
A better field gave us 21 comp balls cutting of at Peter Watson (27) 34 points.
Tuesday 17.11.09 - Southern Highlands Classic Pro-Am.
Results and report above.
Wednesday 18.11.09 - Single Stableford - 40 players CCR 69
Winner - John Gaudry (11) 41 points
R/U - Alan Wigzell (21) 37 points
Eagles Nest - Not won
NTP 11th - Ashley Southon
NTP 14th - John Gaudry
Field of 40 (what can I say) left 9 balls cutting off at Grant Blanchard (21) 34 c/b
Saturday 21.11.09 - Legacy Day - 84 players.
Report and Trophy winners above.
Wednesday 24.11.09 - Single Stableford - 72 players CCR 70
Winner - Alan Wigzell (25) 41 points c/b
R/U - Doug Ruttan (27) 41 points
Eagles Nest - Not Won
NTP - 11th - David Stanley
NTP - 14th - John Cummins
19 balls in the comp went down to Pascal Timores 32 points c/b
Saturday 28.11.09 - St.Andrews Trophy - 4 Ball Aggregate Stableford - 66 players CCR 68
Winners - Michael Brown (21) Harry Caust (15) Don Barker (15) Nigel Menogue (20) 134 points
R/U - Jim Dickson(22) Brian Hanrahan (11) Kevin Burke (19) Sam Hunt (11) 130 points c/b
Eagles Nest - Not Won
NTP 11th - Philip Allen
NTP 14th - Jeff Spender
16 balls in the comp. went down to David Mathers (20) Robert Eriksson (25) Grahame White (23) Warwick Kiernan (16) 129 points
A 4B Aggregate is not a normal event more a novelty and has to be viewed as such. Next year we will run a single event in conjunction to allow for players who do not have a four and no chance to win the Trophy. This event has been running for 15 years under the same format so we must enjoy the day for what it is. Our generous broad (in accent NOT girth) bonnie wee lads, McKenzie-Young-Turpie-Nicholson donated a bottle of Scotch to each of the winners and then did everything they could to feature in the winners list, canny lot that they are.
Congratulations to all our winners.
COMING EVENTS
This Sunday December 6th sees the finals of our Club Championships being played. All scratch match play, “A” grade over 36 holes commencing 8.30am and 1.00pm.”B & C” grade over 18 holes commencing at 1.10pm and 1.20pm respectively.
“A” grade between Ned Simms and Craig Langby. This match will be worth going a long way to see. Craig the experienced ex trainee pro versus Ned the young gifted tyro. What a game it will be. Centrebet has it at even money!
“B” grade between Tony Fitzpatrick and Nathan Bradbury. Another match of youth versus experience. What’s Tony doing in B grade anyway. Anyone putting money on this game would be very brave.
“C” grade between Brian Dawkins and Bruce “be afraid Brian very afraid” Windybank. Two wiley old foxes whose competitiveness is legendary. St. Johns Ambulance will be in attendance. Betting has been suspended on this game.
Sunday December 15th. Christmas Cheer Day. A day of Festive fun and an Irish stableford. Mixed Medley teams of four. Hams and Hampers galore, BE there.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Can I place my clubs or a rake in the hazard while I play my stroke out of the hazard?
Answer to the question put in my last blog;
Yes. Provided in doing so nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to the next stroke. That is by smoothing the sand, the player cannot improve the new lie of the ball, the area of his intended stance or swing, or his line of play of the next stroke.
Until next week,
Good Golfing.
David Stanley
Captain.