Content

This week’s Enews covers the following topics:

• From the Course
• Sunday’s to Return to Two Tee Starts as of 30^th August
• Volunteers Required for Greens Renovation
• Ladies Volunteers – Tuesday 4^th August
• Dual Hole in Ones on Thursday 13^th August
• Mixed Foursomes Champions 2020
• 60 Seconds with Dave – Launch Monitor
• Upcoming Member & Guest Events
• Sunday Competition prizes

From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 63.5mm Rainfall for 2020: 961.0mm   Dam: 100%   Green Speed: 10.0 feet

Another wet start to the week for the team to deal with this week, but it didn’t stop us only slowing our progress on the 12^th hole drainage. We have dug the three lateral lines across the flyover area, and on Wednesday we trenched in the main pipe line down the left hand side of the fairway. This main line will connect into a large stormwater pipe that runs from Bettington Rd, beneath the course to the maintenance shed. There is still water seeping into the drainage trenches, which is 3 days after we have received any significant rainfall. Therefore, once these drainage works are completed this fairway will be able to handle wet weather conditions much better.

Bunkers were also flooded with the rain that fell on Sunday afternoon/ night, so the team has dug holes in the sand again to naturally drain the water, and once dry they have repaired all bunkers to be back in play as of today.

The course continues to be very wet in certain places, with all of our ropes and posts out on course directing carts to protect areas as much as possible. There is almost 1km of rope and post protecting susceptible areas of the course. We have also placed numerous signs out on course to direct all traffic away from wet areas. The more co-operation we get from cart users following these directives, the less hesitation we will have in future in getting carts back on course after rainfall events.

Our volunteers weren’t able to get out on course on Monday due to the wet conditions. They instead concentrated on clubhouse maintenance tasks by finishing off some painting of walls, internal ceiling tile replacement, roof repairs and re-hanging of pictures. Thank you gentlemen for all your efforts this week!

Have good weekend  

The Course Team

Sunday to Return to Two Tee Starts as of 30th August

Sunday golf which has been operating on a single tee start from the 1st hole since the beginning of the Covid pandemic will return to a two tee start as of 30th August.

The return to a two tee start will increase the capacity of the field which of late has been exceeded by the increased demand for play. The two tee start also provides the Pro Shop staff with a window of opportunity while the morning and afternoon field are crossing over to perform course marshaling and assist to improve the pace of play which has been reported as problematic on a Sunday. 

The timesheet for Sunday 30th August will open 8 days in advance at 4:30pm on Saturday 22nd August.

Volunteers Required for Greens Renovation

The Winter Greens Renovation is fast approaching and will proceed as planned at this stage with a Club CovidSafe Plan in place and social distancing adhered to throughout.  As such, the Club is calling for volunteers to assist with the renovations on Sunday 23rd August – Tuesday 25th August inclusive.

Oatlands has had tremendous support from volunteers over the history of the Club and in recent years. This ongoing support is as important as it has ever been with our favourite golf course currently being enjoyed by more member golf rounds than anytime in its almost 90 year history. 

Recent renovations has seen 20-30 volunteers assist our Course team with renovation of greens. This assistance by members is one of the key reasons that our course and greens are in such good condition despite a year of drought, short-bursts of intense rain, and now unprecedented usage. 

The video below gives an idea of the work involved and the invaluable assistance that the volunteers provide;

If you are able to assist, please email the General Manager, Sam Howe at gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au.

Days and times are listed below. Volunteers can assist on any or all of the days. 

Sunday 23rd August from 1pm
Monday 24th August from 8am
Tuesday 25th August from 8am

Volunteers on Monday and Tuesday will be provided with lunch and drinks.

Ladies Volunteers – Tuesday 4th August

The Oatlands Ladies commenced what is hoped will become a regular volunteer gardening day on Tuesday 4th August with 9 ladies volunteering to assist the Clubs gardener, Elinor, to tidy up the area between the 6th green and 7th tees.

The ladies did a fantastic job which will be appreciated and enjoyed by course staff and members.

The next Ladies Volunteer day will be scheduled in early September and will be communicated in next weeks Enews.

Dual Hole in Ones on Thursday 13th August

Thursday 13th August saw two perfect shots played on the 18th hole when Graeme Hennessy hit a hole in one on the 18th which was shortly followed by Leonie Guthrie on the same hole just a few short hours later.

A hole in one is a rare feat by any golfer on any given day, so to see two aces on the same hole on the same day is unique in the extreme.

Mixed Foursomes Champions 2020

The 2020 Mixed Foursomes Championship was played on Sunday 9th August with the threat of rain and the restrictions of carts reducing the size of the field.

Despite this 21 pairs took to the course for the 36 holes of foursomes with Linda Gyzen and Rowan Easterbrook getting out to a comfortable lead after 18 holes and holding that lead after 36 holes to be crowned Mixed Foursomes Champions for 2020.

60 Seconds with Dave – Launch Monitor

This week Dave gives a quick demonstration of how Launch Monitor technology can help get the correct golf club in your hands to maximise your performance.

To book a lesson with Dave please contact the Pro Shop, visit the online lesson booking section of the Club website or email Dave directly golflessons@oatlandsgolf.com.au.

Upcoming Member and Guests Events

The Club has a range of Member Events planned for the month ahead that we hope you will join us for and bring along friends and family;

Friday 21st and Wednesday 26th August – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington

Friday 4th September – Bavarian Haus Dining (sold out)

Sunday 6th September – Father’s Day Lunch

• Saturday 12th September – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)
• Friday 25th September – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)
• Wednesday 26th September – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)
• Friday 9th October – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)
• Friday 16th October – Korean BBQ Night
• Saturday 24th October – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)
• Wednesday 28th October – 2 or 3 Course Bistro on Bettington (Menu TBC)

Sunday Competition Prizes

At the end of 2019, the Match Committee undertook a review of the prize allocation on Sunday and decided to implement some changes to increase the spread of prizes to more participants. Unfortunately due to to Covid situation, the implementation of this was postponed.

With participation on Sunday at an all time high, the Match Committee feel it is the right time to implement these changes, as such effective Sunday 9th August the following prize allocation will come into effect;

• Member / Member 4BBB Winner only (no runner up, no ball comp)
• Mixed 4BBB Winner only (no runner up, no ball comp)
• Mens Winner only (no runner up)
• Ladies Winner only (no runner up)
• Medley ball run (Men and Ladies together) with no extra balls for ties with winning scores and a countback to decide cutoff.

It is expected that this revised prize structure will provide more participants the chance to win a prize and encourage participation by all members.