Oatlands Enews – Friday 14th July 2023
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Change to Member Birthday Vouchers to include a Complimentary Golf Lesson Option – starting August
- From the Course
- Rakes in Bunkers
- Upcoming Member Events – July and August
- Captain’s Corner – In the Beginning
- Getting Started Programme – August 2023
- Pennant Update
- Recent Trophy Event Winners
- Upcoming Trophy Events
- Family Membership Incentive – 50% Joining Fee Reduction for Immediate Family
- Members Only Facebook Group
Change to Member Birthday Vouchers to include a Complimentary Golf Lesson Option – starting August
The Membership Committee and Board are pleased to announce that commencing 1st August 2023*, the member Birthday Vouchers issued to all members will include the option of a complimentary golf lesson with one of the Club’s PGA Professionals.
The popular birthday vouchers currently provide members with a two for one dining experience at the Club’s Bettington Restaurant evenings, and starting August, members will be able to choose their preference between the dining option or lesson option.
To utilise the Birthday Voucher Golf Lesson option, simply book your lesson via the normal channels (online or by contacting the Pro Shop) and present your voucher issued after 1st August 2023* as your method of payment.
It is hoped that these birthday voucher options will appeal to a broader demographic of our membership and add to this already popular member service.
* only vouchers issued on or after 1st August include the golf lesson option.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 0.0mm, Rainfall for 2023: 557.5mm, Dam: 100% Green Speed: 10.5 feet
It’s been a week of beautiful sunny winter days with very little winds, so the course team has been able to get on top of the leaf debris which has been an issue over the past few weeks. The nights and early mornings are still getting down to the single digits, and as I’ve mentioned plenty of times before, it’s the overnight temperatures that have the biggest influence on soil temperatures and the soil temperatures influence the growth habits of the turf.
Our greens are firm and putting very true at the moment with the mild winter weather conditions conducive for preparing the surfaces this way. Disease pressure is low as there is no humidity issues, and irrigation isn’t a concern as surfaces aren’t going to dry out and put stress on the plant.
Recent herbicide applications to our collars, aprons and bunker surrounds are starting to take effect on the winter grass weeds in these areas, with all of them turning yellow and dying. Some of this herbicide has either drifted onto the edges of some greens during the application process, or the product has moved in the soil profile and has discoloured some of the greens edges. I am confident that these areas will recover and more than likely recover with bent grass growing up through these areas, which will be a benefit as bent grass is the more desirable grass species in a golf green.
Some areas on the collars and aprons weren’t sprayed during these recent applications as we judged them to be areas where the herbicide would move into the greens if we were to receive any heavy rainfall. We are spraying these areas with very light rates of Glyphosate (Roundup) to control the Winter grass and any kikuyu weeds at the same time. This light rate has no effect on the couch, and even more so when it is in dormancy during the winter months. These areas are the blue coloured areas and this week we have sprayed around the 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th greens. This application will take 2 to 3 weeks before we start to see the results.
I mentioned last week Mike Cuming’s efforts in the rose garden and gave a rundown on what Mike has been doing to prepare the roses for Spring which may have been of assistance to some members regarding their home garden. I did make one mistake and instead of Lime Sulphate, Mike sprayed Lime Sulphur on the trimmed roses and the surrounding soil. Apologies!
Our volunteers were on course Monday morning performing a bunker run for the competition players, finished trimming fairway sprinkler heads, and continued mulching the area on the right hand side of the 11th fairway. A major talking point amongst the volunteers as they volunteered their time for the good of the course! Thank you gentlemen for all your efforts, everyone appreciates this valuable contribution each week!
Congratulations to Soreen Ferm and Michelle Kelly on winning the resurrected Businesswoman’s trophy event on the weekend, a thoroughly deserving victory!
Greens will be cut on Saturday with only the dew being removed from them Sunday.
Have a great weekend and happy golfing!
The Course Team.
Rakes in Bunkers
Following recent communication on this topic, there remains a significant increase in the number of rakes left in the bunkers with the handle outside the bunker (or the entire rake outside the bunker), as shown in the photograph below.
It is Oatlands policy that rakes must be left in the base of the bunker with the rake pointing in the direction of the hole, as shown in the photo.
Can we please ask all members to comply with this policy and advise other members who may not be aware of this requirement.
Colin McRae
Club Captain
Upcoming Member Events: July and August
The Club has lots of fantastic events coming up for members and guests and we encourage members to take part in the Club’s diverse offering.
Following the recent member survey regarding event ideas, we will be adding to the list of event types below as the year progresses, however for the time being, please see the upcoming events for July and August:
- Friday 14th July, Winter Eats & Beats, from 4pm – Bookings not required
- Saturday 22nd July, Christmas in July, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm – Booking required
- Wednesday 26th July, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
- Friday 11th August, Winter Eats & Beats, from 4pm – Bookings not required
- Saturday 19th August, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
- Wednesday 30th August, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
Captain’s Corner – In the Beginning
In The Beginning
Not long after the great game of golf was introduced to the world, there was also a need to create a set of rules that all golfers should observe.
Those rules have now moved to a rather voluminous set of Rules that sets out all aspects of the game of Golf.
Under Rule 1.2 right at the beginning of the Rule book it states the following.
“1.2a Conduct Expected of All Players
All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:
- Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of the game.
- Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player
- Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
There is no penalty under the Rules to act in this way, except that the committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds the player has committed serious misconduct.
Penalties other than disqualification may be imposed for player misconduct only if those penalties are adopted as part of the Code of Conduct under Rule 1.2b
I have highlighted the last dot point due to the increased level of complaints that have been coming to me from members where “taking Care of the Course” does not appear to be adhered to by a small percentage of members.
It is the responsibility of each and every player to ensure that taking care of the course is a priority in every game and every shot that is played, thus ensuring that another player will not be disadvantaged by someone lack of care.
If a playing partner fails to fill a divot, repair a pitch mark or effectively rake a bunker, call it out.
Let’s hope that further steps are not needed to be taken.
Colin McRae
Club Captain
Getting Started Programme – August 2023
OGC is holding another series of our popular Getting Started Programme commencing in August.
This programme is an ideal way to introduce friends and family that have not yet experienced golf to the challenging and rewarding game. Participants are taken through the basic elements including, the correct grip, chipping and putting, to the full swing and on-course play, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere with one of our PGA Teaching Professionals.
When does it start? This programme will commence on Sunday 6th August for 8 weeks with session times from 9am – 10am or Tuesday 8th August for 8 weeks with session times from 10am – 11am. The cost of each 8 week programme is $240 which will be credited off the cost of membership if you decide to join the Club Membership at the end of the programme.
FAQ
What does the programme involve? 8 week programme (8 x 60 minute sessions) that takes you through all aspects of the game. From chipping to driving from putting to bunker play you will learn it all from our resident team of Teaching Professionals.
Do I need clubs & can I bring a friend? We will lend you what you need and we encourage you to bring along as many friends as possible.
What does it cost? The cost of the “Get Started” programme is $240 for the 8 week programme.
Pennant Update
Bronze I Pennant
The Ladies Bronze I team travelled to Carnarvon today to take on Murifield and were on the end of a narrow loss 3 matches to 2.
Eric Apperly Shield
The Oatlands GC Eric Apperly Shield (21 years and under) side played their first match on Sunday (9th July) against Concord GC at Manly GC with Concord fielding an incredibly strong team.
Our young side (even by Eric Apperly standards) represented the Club with trademark OGC spirit and tenacity and were unlucky to get defeated by the narrow margin of 3.5 matches to 2.5.
This week we play at Liverpool GC vs North Ryde GC and our tee time is 11:30am.
Our team list below in order of play.
- Wil Reece (C)
- Brad Hooper
- Sam Reece
- Christian Rees
- Rylan Prasad
- Isabelle Myeong
Recent Trophy Event Winners
Father and Son / Parent and Child Trophy
Congratulations to the winner of the Father & Son Trophy played on Sunday 9th July , Christian O’Reilly and his father Eugene (Pennant Hills GC) with a score of 46pts and to the winners of the Parent & Child Trophy, Dick and Rachael Peet with a score of 47pts.
Ladies 2Ball Knockout Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Ladies 2BBB Knockout final Michelle Kelly and Soreen Ferm who defeated Jenny Park and Annie Kang 6&5 on Sunday 9th July.
Well done ladies and thanks to Bill Mitchell for refereeing the match!
Upcoming Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 29th July – Legacy Cup
- Saturday 5th August – Presidentsd Cup
- Saturday 12th August – HP Evans Knockout Qualifying
- Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive – Renovations: Course and Club Closed
Ladies
- Thursday 20th July – Club Medal
- Thursday 27th July – Crystal Bowl
- Thursday 3rd August – Club Medal
- Thursday 17th August – Club Medal
- Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive – Renovations: Course and Club Closed
- Thursday 31st August – Captain’s Cup Rd1
Mixed
- Sunday 16th July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Quarter-Finals
- Sunday 23rd July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Semi-Finals
- Sunday 30th July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Final
- Sunday 6th August – Mixed Foursomes Championship
- Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive – Renovations: Course and Club Closed
Family Membership Incentive – 50% Joining Fee Reduction for Immediate Family
The Board and Membership Committee of Oatlands Golf Club are pleased to announce a new membership initiative designed to encourage immediate family of our existing membership to join our wonderful Club.
Starting 1st July, all immediate family of an existing member in any of the Club’s playing membership categories, will be eligible for a 50% reduction to the joining fee of the respective category in which they join.
Eligibility criteria are listed below:
- Must be in one of the following relationships with a current Playing Member of the Club.
- Spouse including defacto*
- Children including in-law relationships*
- Parents including in-law relationships*
- Siblings
* Defacto and in-law relationships require verification via a shared address on a photo ID or marriage certificate.
This is an exciting opportunity for existing members of the Club and one that we hope will continue to build the strong family and intergenerational culture that is one of the hallmarks of OGC.
For further information on this incentive or to make an application, please contact Kathy Bright via email: administration@oatlandsgolf.com.au or by phoning the Club Reception.
Members Only Facebook Group
The engagement among the membership on our Members Only Facebook group has continued to grow in recent months with posts from members and staff happening daily.
So if you aren’t already part of our Members Only Facebook Group, join up now and join in the fun banter.
We now have over 380 members who have joined the group and hope to see this get closer to 700 in the next 12-months.
Importantly, members are advised that this social media platform will not be used for the Club to communicate critical information, that will remain via the Enews, website and direct email however, it is a place that members and the Club can post interesting Club and golf related items to compliment this Enews.
To join the Members Only Facebook Group please click on the link below and then click on the “JOIN GROUP” button. You will be asked a few questions to verify you are a member and then approved by the group administrator shortly thereafter.
www.facebook.com/groups/870087546972166/