Content

This week’s Enews covers the following topics;

• From the Course
• Clubhouse Re-Opening – Monday 1st June
• Bistro on Bettington is Back
• Weekend Trophy Event Schedule
• MiScore App – Available to all Members to Trial
• Takeaway Meals – New Menu
• Beware of Crows
• Fix Up Hole
• Social Play – White, Yellow or Green Tees Only
• Ladies Locker Room – Locked After Hours
• Rules Corner – Rules Quiz

 

From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 61.5mm Rainfall for 2020: 723.5mm   Dam: 100%   Green Speed: 10.5 feet

The wet weather late last week and then again on Monday night has certainly softened the playing surfaces on the course. With the cooler weather that we have and will continue to experience, the drying out of surfaces will take longer than usual.

Cart and traffic damage becomes an issue during these cooler months after any wet weather. We try and rope off all the usual known wet spots, and we ask that if the ropes need to be pulled down to play a shot, that we remember to replace the rope to keep members playing behind you out of these wet areas. The team has installed many metres of sub surface drainage lines over the past few years which has significantly improved many areas, and enables carts to either stay on the course, or get them back on the course much sooner. We are currently performing some drainage works near the practice green which has been a constant wet area for years. As we have dug this area up, we have found many old balls that would’ve been lost from the practice range as they simply buried themselves and couldn’t be seen. We have repaired a broken concrete pipe and we will also install several lateral sub surface drains to really improve this area.

We have started iron applications to fairways this week, making the most of the sunny day on Thursday. As mentioned last week, the iron application really darkens the appearance of the turf when applied on a sunny day, as it is absorbed by the plant very quickly through its leaf’s. This darkening of the grass leaf on the fairway surfaces will provide a contrast in colour to the roughs which won’t receive any iron applications.

It was a sad day on Tuesday with the removal of the Pepper Tree near the starters hut. There is a lot of history associated with this tree, but due to safety concerns and with the tree recently moving towards the starters hut, it was necessary to remove it from such a high traffic area of the course. The remaining stump will be ground down in the next week or two to enable rectification work to be performed in this area.

The team has continued to consolidate the new sand in the front bunkers of the 18^th green this week, wheel rolling the bases several times which produces a firm surface to play from.

The 8^th fairway has been verti drained this week, with this exercise being beneficial during the wet weather. All fairways have been cut this week, as well as green surrounds and selected areas of rough.

The volunteers continue to their great work painting the clubhouse all this week, with the new colour scheme making a huge difference. The membership should be very grateful for all the effort these volunteers have shown by taking on this enormous task. 

This weekend we will be only rolling greens on Saturday, and cutting them on Sunday. 

 

Have good weekend  

The Course Team

 

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Clubhouse Re-opening – Monday 1st June

We are all very excited to be re-opening the Clubhouse for members on Monday, especially given the incredible facelift the clubhouse has received courtesy of our volunteers and staff.

The specific details regarding compliance measures required to re-open for up to 50 people are complex and detailed interpretations from Clubs NSW and other peak governing bodies are still filtering through as of Friday afternoon however it is important that members are aware that the early stages of Clubhouse will be quite different to the pre-Covid operation. Some of the requirements for opening that members should be aware of are as follows;

• Single entry and single exit points required: As such entry to the Clubhouse will be via the main doors on the carpark side of the Clubhouse and exit will be via the putting green side of the Clubhouse. The middle door and doorways to the mens and ladies locker rooms will be locked.
• Patrons must be seated when consuming food and beverage: As such all members and their guests utilising the Clubhouse will be asked to wait at the designated area inside the Clubhouse foyer and will be seated by a member of staff.
• A register of patron activity must be kept: This includes, contact details (member number will suffice), table number seating time and duration.
• Patrons must be asked if they have any flu like symptoms and if they do are to be excluded from the venue. 
• A CovidSafe Marshall is required to be appointed at each venue. 
• Management of traffic flow is to be planned and clearly marked with signage and floor marking: As such yellow tape and signage will clearly indicate traffic flow.
• Tables and chairs are to be sanitized after every use and hand sanitiser is to be readily available throughout the venue.

We are hopeful that these requirements will be eased in due course and as further interpretation is provided by Clubs NSW however in the meantime all members can be assured that we are taking an overly cautious approach to ensure the safety of our members, guests and staff.

The implementation of this measures will take some getting use to for members and staff and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we restart this part of the Clubs operation.      

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Bistro on Bettington is Back

With the Clubhouse re-opening we are thrilled to restart our popular Bistro on Bettington evenings with back to back Farm to Fork menus on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June.

Please see the wonderful set menu on offer below and book via the Club website or by contacting Reception, spaces are limited to 50 people per evening;

Amuse Bouche

Jerusalem artichoke & roasted garlic soup

Entrée (served alternately)

Berkshire pork belly, piccalilli puree, crackle, black pudding crumble

Gin & dill cured salmon, glace beetroot, cucumber pickle, coral herbs

Main Course

Beef cheek, caramelised onion puree, heirloom carrot, gratin potato, pickled celery & radish salad

Dessert

Steamed Zokoko chocolate Jaffa pudding, mandarin gel, hazelnut praline, cinnamon ice-cream

 

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Weekend Trophy Event Schedule

Now that play is back in groups of 4 we are able to re-schedule the postponed weekend trophy events, while not as difficult as an AFL or NRL re-schedule it is surprisingly complicated to fit things in once time is lost due to the number of events the Club holds and with our Major Pennant team now playing a home and away semi-final against Penrith in August potentially decimating our Foursomes Championship fields.

Below is the weekend trophy event schedule up to the course renovation / closure on Sunday 23rd August;

• Saturday 30th May: Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy
• Saturday 20th June: Qualifying Round NB Charlton 4Ball Knockout – Top 16 pairs
• Saturday 27th June: Governor’s Cup
• Saturday 4th July: Foundation Day – TBC
• Saturday 4th July: NB Charlton 4Ball Knockout Round of 16 Matchplay
• Saturday 11th July: Foursomes Championship 36 holes
• Sunday 12th July: WE Tunks Father & Son Trophy
• Saturday 18th July: Legacy Cup
• Saturday 18th July: NB Charlton 4Ball Knockout Quarter Final Matchplay
• Sunday 19th July: Qualifying Round WS Targett Mixed Fourball Knockout – Top 8 pairs
• Saturday 25th July: NB Charlton 4Ball Knockout Semi Final Matchplay
• Sunday 26th July: WS Targett Quarter Final Matchplay
• Saturday 1st August: Kingswood Cup
• Saturday 1st August: NB Charlton Final
• Sunday 2nd August: WS Targett Semi Final Matchplay
• Saturday 8th August: Winter Medal Round
• Sunday 9th August: Mixed Foursomes Championship 36 holes
• Saturday 15th August: Presidents Cup
• Sunday 16th August: WS Targett Final Matchplay
• Sunday 16th August: Major Pennant Division 2 Semi-Final at OGC
• Saturday 22nd August: HP Evans Singles Knockout Qualifying Round – Top 16
• Sunday 23rd August: Major Pennant Division 2 Semi-Final at Penrith
• Sunday 23rd August (PM) – Wednesday 26th August: Renovations / Course Closed

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MiScore App – Available to all Members to Trial

MiClub have offered Clubs’ a free trial of their MiScore App which members are encouraged to trial and provide feedback on its functionality and convenience.

The MiScore App allows golfers to complete scorecards on their mobile device and can be loaded onto your device by searching MiScore App from the Apple or Android store and selecting the icon displayed below.

Once loaded simply open the app and follow the prompts. The App acts exactly like a scorecard with all of Oatlands’ hole lengths, pars, indexes and local rules built in and provision to sign the card at the completion of play (note: under current restrictions signing of the scorecard is prohibited).

Note, just like a physical scorecard when using the MiScore App you are filling in the scorecard of another player as the marker.

If you have any questions or would like to go over the app with a member of staff please see the Pro Shop staff or General Manager.  

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Takeaway Meals – New Menu

While the Clubhouse is set to open Monday due to popular demand the Clubs takeway menu offering is here to stay with a new menu produced as required.

Please see the fantastic new menu prepared today by our dedicated catering team;

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Beware of Crows Stealing Golf Balls

There have been a number of crow sightings on the golf course over the last week and members should be aware of the Rule in the event that a crow moves your golf ball;

Under the definitions of the Rules of Golf animals are defined as an “Outside Influence”.

Rule 9.6 Ball Lifted or Moved by an Outside Influence

 

 

Fix Up Hole

Members playing 18 holes will always see the sign pictured to the left located at the beginning of a rotating hole on the golf course requesting golfers to pay extra attention to repairing damage on that hole for the day by searching out and repairing 2-3 extra divots and 1-2 extra pitchmarks.

The golf course is currently experiencing an unprecedented number of rounds being played and it has never been more important for members to do a little extra to help maintain their golf course.

The difference this can make to the course is significant. As an example, it was noted by the General Manager who played golf on Wednesday that there were very few unfilled divots and un-repaired pitchmarks in response to recent communication asking members to assist. This is in direct contrast to a few weeks earlier when the Greens Committee Chairman filled 200+ unfilled divots during a similar Wednesday competition round.

We all need to look after our course and if we do a little bit extra on every hole, but particularly the nominated hole of the day, then the difference will be there for all to enjoy.  

 

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Ladies Locker Room Locked After Hours

Lady members are advised that an after hours lock has been installed on the ladies locker room door. This is due to the key pad access door allowing access to the locker room after the clubhouse is shut and alarmed. As such, please be mindful of the need to remove personal belongings such as car keys from lockers prior to the Clubhouse closing.

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Rules Corner – Rules Quiz Answer

Answers to Rules Questions – Variations on a Theme (Question repeated below the answer);

Stroke Play

1. A receives the general penalty (2 strokes) and must play his ball as it lies [Rule 11.1a Exception Ball played on putting green in stroke play].  C‘s ball must be replaced on the original spot, and if it is not known, must be estimated [Rule 14.2c].  The player’s ball must be replaced by the player C, or by A the player who caused C’s ball to move.  If another player, say D, replaced C’s ball and C played it, C gets one penalty stroke. [Rule 14.2b].
2. There is no penalty to A or C. [Rule 11.3] allows moving a flagstick, ball at rest on the putting green, and other player equipment while a ball is in motion.  C replaces his ball.  [Note: This is a change from the 2018 rules.]
3. There is no penalty to A. C receives a one stroke penalty for moving his ball without marking it, and must replace it. [Rule 14.1a]
4. There is no penalty to any player. In this instance B is an Outside Influence and [Rule 9.6] applies. The player’s ball must be replaced by the player C, or by B the player who caused C’s ball to move.  If another player, say D, replaced C’s ball and C played it, C gets one penalty stroke. [Rule 14.2b].

Match Play

1. There is no penalty to A or C as [Rule 11.1a Exception] only applies to Stroke play. A must play his ball as it lies.   C‘s ball must be replaced on the original spot, and if it is not known, must be estimated [Rule 14.2c].  The player’s ball must be replaced by the player C or his partner D, or by A the player who caused C’s ball to move.  If another player, say B, replaced C’s ball and C played it, C gets one penalty stroke. [Rule 14.2b].
2. The same as for Stroke play.
3. The same as for Stroke play.
4. A is responsible for his partner B’s actions [Rule 23.5b] and A receives one stroke penalty because B deliberately touched his opponent’s ball [Rule 9.5b].

If C asked B to lift his ball, there is no penalty to any player if B marked the ball before lifting it [Rule 9.5b Exception 1].  If B lifted the ball without marking it, C receives a one stroke penalty [Rule 1.3c(1) 1^st dot point].

If you are checking the rules references in the Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf and you are referred to the Full Rules you can find the full rules on the free R&A Rules App for phones or tablets, or here https://www.randa.org/en/rog/2019/pages/the-rules-of-golf

Question;

Consider the following simple scenarios:

Stroke Play

A, B, C, and D are playing stroke/stableford.  All the players’ balls are on the putting green.  A putts and it is clear that A’s ball will hit C’s ball which is at rest near the hole.

1. No one takes any action. A’s ball hits C’s ball moving it 30cm closer to the hole.
2. C seeing that A’s ball will hit his ball, quickly marks and lifts his ball before they collide.
3. C seeing that A’s ball will hit his ball, quickly lifts his ball without marking it before they collide.
4. B was standing close to C’s ball and seeing that A’s ball will hit C’s ball, quickly lifts the ball without marking it before they collide.

In each of the above cases, what penalties if any are incurred, and how should the players proceed.

Match Play

Using the same scenarios above, but now A and B are playing C and D in four-ball match play.  In each of the above cases, what penalties if any are incurred, and how should the players proceed.

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