Course renovations has been completed and it hoped that our greens come back in better shape. One very disturbing thing that I noticed during this period was the number of pitch marks not repaired on the renovated greens. This will have an effect on our greens. Members are requested at all times to repair their pitch marks. Another issue that has been raised is that some players are removing their balls form the holes using their putter heads. Please refrain from this practise as it is causing damage to the holes.
Slow play is a constant worry for all clubs. Ready golf has been embraced by all members but we still have players that are constantly losing their position in the field. Last year I proposed a red and yellow card system. I remind members that the yellow cards will be given out without warning for those groups who lose their position in the field ie if the group in front is on the green and the group behind is on or near the tee. The yellow card will turn into red if players do not improve their position in the field within two holes. (Who will be the first, I will report back in the next newsletter)
On the representative scene the Mens District pennants have been completed. Unfortunately we were not able to qualify top the playoffs however the B and C grade teams only just missed. I would like to thank all pennant players who represented the club with distinction. In the Sterland Shield competition we ran a credible fifth as this competition favours teams who have a junior team. Perhaps we will have our own junior team next year and bring back the Sterland Shield back to Gosford. We3 had four of our juniors playing for different clubs in the Junior Pennants.
Around the course has seen the finishing of the 17th hole. David and his troops have done a wonderful job. The water leak on the 2nd and 3rd has been repaired and will be finished shortly with the replacement turf. Now we have had sufficient rain to fill our dams it is hoped that fairway watering will see the standard of our fairways improve.
The match committee has been very active and the following decisions have been made.
- Blue Course. The blue course will be played for all mens Saturday competition. The Blue course will be played in the quarterly medal on wednesdays. This will take effect from saturday 7th April
- New Local Rule. For players playing the fourth hole and their ball goes into the third dam the yellow markers are to be treated as red markers
Masters Pennants. Nomination sheet is in the pro shop. Nominations close 22 April 2018 which will the final handicap cutoff day. Team will be announced by 29th April. Tony Cosentino has agreed to manage the masters team and should be contacted should any member require any additional information.
Super Seniors Pennants. Nomination sheet is in the pro shop. Although competition is not scheduled until august/September members are requested to nominate.
Club Match play.
As in previous years we have used the monthly medal as qualifying rounds for the championship. Last year we only had sufficient nominations to conduct the A Grade Championship. For this year any member wishing to play in the matchplay championships please nominate on the nomination sheet by 30th April 2018. Draws will then be made for all to those who enter. We require a minimum of 8 nominations to conduct the championship for each grade.
When on the course members are rem9inded of the following
- Please repair all divots on the greens,
- Please take a sand bucket
- Please rake the bunkers and leave the rakes in the middle of the bunkers
- Please keep up with the group in front
- Please stick to the ready golf principles
- Please do not drive carts in arears where they are prohibited.