Captain’s Report – September 2018
Welcome to spring and hopefully more rain on the course. As you know doubt appreciate we have had not enough rain to keep the fairways watered. The green staff have concentrated on tees and green. The major course renovations have been deferred to the end of October it is planned that the fairways will be serrated shortly. Tees have been cored and fertilised. Greens have been lightly cored and fertilised. Green staff must be congratulated on the greens and bunkers which I feel have been the best they have for quite a number of years.
One of the main reasons for delaying the major course renovations is that October marks the most important month in the club programme. Men’s and Women’s Club Championship plus the Gosford Open Amateur will now be played on greens that are at their best.
2019 will mark a major change in the rules of golf. It is planned to have an information night for members in November. For those who would like to keep abreast with the changes I can make available a presentation from Golf NSW. Please contact me and I will email to you.
One of the major changes in the rules is the making of all red and yellow hazard areas “Penalty Areas”. As such the match committee has decided to introduce this rule earlier and have all hazard markers on the course red. This will eliminate any confusion on the course especially on the 3rd and speed up play. It is proposed to have this change before the club championships.
Ready Golf
This was adopted by the match committee at the beginning of the year. Whilst most members have adopted this approach to speed up play some members are still observing the old “Honours” approach to golf. Please consider all other members of the course regarding your speed of play.
Dress Rules
Members are advised to adhere to the clubs dress rules which are displayed on the clubhouse wall near the Pro Shop. Members should always present in a clean, neat and tidy manner when playing golf of the course. Members not conforming to the rules will not be permitted on the course. Pro staff have been advised to enforce these rules.
GOLFLINK
As of Tuesday 4th September 2018, all members will need to login to view their handicap history.
Golf Australia are currently implementing a new player login process to increase communication and provide better support for golf clubs and members. During this process, all members will need to visit the Golf Australia website and register to create a new user login. Starting Tuesday, when a member clicks to view their handicap history in the MiClub online member portal, they will be directed to a Golf Australia registration page where they can create a new login. Once registered, members will need to remain logged in to view their handicap history directly from the members portal.
Around the Course
Special Grasses 15th and 17th holes.
It has been decided by the Match Committee to have these areas as integral parts of the course. They will not be gardens or GUR. It is hoped to have this effective for the club championship. In order to make these areas more playable instructions have been given to Green staff and F Troop to have these grasses trimmed and thinned out.
Members should also not that the area on the right hand side of the fairway is a Red hazard area and the rules of golf apply. The area has been woodchipped and small plants have been removed.
When on the course, members are reminded 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. Please stay on the designated paths.