Oatlands Enews – Friday 4th August 2023

Published on 4th August 2023 in E-News, Guests

Content

This week’s Enews covers the following topics:

  • Winter Eats & Beats – Friday 11th August
  • From the Course
  • Ladies Hole Indexing Update – Effective 24th August 2023
  • Club Closure for Course Renovations – Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive
  • Ladies Veterans Teams Event – Monday 31st July
  • Ladies Weekend Major Pennant – Update from Golf NSW Forum
  • New Cart Fleet with GPS and Change to Medical Cart Policy
  • Upcoming Member Events:  August – September
  • Pennant Update
  • Recent Trophy Event Winners
  • Upcoming Trophy Events
  • Family Membership Incentive – 50% Joining Fee Reduction for Immediate Family
  • Members Only Facebook Group

Winter Eats & Beats – Friday 11th August

Members and Guests are invited to the next installment of the Clubs Winter Eats & Beats on Friday 11th August.

This is a free event and will include live music, extended happy hour for another hour (4pm – 7pm) and a modified bistro offering available between 5pm – 8pm.

Winter Eats and Beats August menu

  • Spanish prawns and chorizo salad with roasted potato, tomato, capsicum, onion and rocket $ 22
  • Teriyaki Salmon with teriyaki Asian greens and steamed rice $24
  • Chicken Parmigiana with nap sauce, smoked ham and melted cheese with chips and aioli $ 22
  • Wagyu Beef Burger with lettuce cheese bacon tomato pickle aioli BBQ, served with chips $20
  • Belgium waffles with vanilla ice cream $ 12
  • Small Chips $ 8
  • Large Chips $ 11
  • Sweet Potato Wedges $13

There will be live music and a great atmosphere, so join us Friday 11th August and why not bring some friends along.

This month’s performer is Sarah Davies.

Instagram: @sarahdaviesmusic

From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 1.0mm,  Rainfall for 2023: 569.0mm, Dam: 100%   Green Speed: 10.5 feet

A question was asked on the members Facebook page last week regarding the condition of the fringes/collars around the greens and if there is going to be any attention towards the lack of grass on them.

The grass collar around most of our greens is a couch turf species called Santa anna couch. This turf species is a warm season grass which means it grows ideally in the warmer seasons of the year and then goes into dormancy in the winter months. The winter dormancy doesn’t mean the turf is dead but means that the turf stops growing and losses its green colour. With no growth, the turf has no defence against heavy amounts of traffic and depending on the amount of traffic, areas can wear out back to stubble (just the stork of the plant with no leaf) or bare ground. This grass does however bounce back when the warm weather returns in Spring, so much so that the course staff need to mow the collars, aprons and tees twice a week from November through to March to ensure these surfaces are at the required standard for play.

The design of greens complexes means that foot traffic is funnelled into pinch points between bunkers and the putting surfaces which means over collars. Newly built or re-designed golf courses are able to address this. We are limited with our property size and unable to have expansive green complexes where bunkers could be moved away from greens which would provide more options for player movement around putting surfaces. To protect the collars in these pinch point areas, we have installed ropes and posts to have all foot traffic move around the outside of bunkers. We understand these posts can be an interference at times, but if they must be removed for a shot to be played, they need to be reinstated otherwise players take full advantage and walk straight over a worn collar that we are trying to protect.

Shade on playing surfaces is also a major issue at Oatlands. Sunlight is required for turf to grow to its full potential, and it also assists in the drying out of surfaces after rainfall or irrigation. Soil temperatures between shaded and full sun areas is also very different with the sunlight having a positive affect on soil temperatures. The 3rd green complex and fairway is greatly affected by shade (see photos below), with these surfaces in shade for more than 75% of the day in the winter months. The fairway surface loses its colour with the turf unable to produce chlorophyll. The collar and apron of this green stays cold and wet meaning these surfaces go into and come out of dormancy early and later than full sunshine surfaces such as the 1st green complex.

Oversowing with cool season grasses isn’t a great option. The oversowing and establishment of the new seeds can be labour intensive and uneven, especially with surfaces having to remain in play while they establish. Ryegrass would be the option, and ryegrass has been known to produce a toxin from its roots which is harmful to the turf that it has been oversown in. Ryegrass collars also wear out with traffic, and they require higher amounts of water to maintain especially in the warmer months of the year. Kikuyu has also been suggested as the answer, but it will also wear out in winter in the high traffic areas, and it will encroach into the putting surfaces far more quickly than the Santa anna couch. Pymble and Killara have either completed or are completing course constructions, with Pymble using a couch variety (Tahoma, same as our 15th championship tee) around their greens and Killara using Zoysia, both not choosing Kikuyu.

So how can our collars be better?

Our pre-emergent herbicide program to control winter grass in our collars and aprons is continually being reviewed against industry best practice, and we will continue to focus on this. Our program for fairways and roughs is working with very little winter grass being evident in areas that we spray. Oatlands has around 65-70,000 rounds played a year, which makes the course one of the busiest in Sydney. To apply these pre-emergent herbicides safely, tee times will be managed from time to time to ensure putting surface safety and the correct application requirements are performed for products to work at their full potential. This will mean social tee starts will be moved from the 1st to the 12th to provide more time on the front 11 side of the course, and occasionally later tee time starts as required.

Controlling the winter grass weeds in the couch once they have emerged with a post-emergent herbicide, does alter the appearance of the dormant couch collars which will be avoided with a better pre-emergent program.

Traffic management with ropes and posts will stay in place unless we have better co-operation from all members. Signs don’t work as they are ignored or forgotten about, but hopefully an article such as this highlights the importance of spreading the wear away from certain pinch points around the course, and eventually player movement around the outside of bunkers becomes a natural habit.

Certain collars are going to be fully re-turfed this Spring to quicken the recovery. The 5th is one of these collars, with the 1st, 7th, 13th, and 15th also identified after recent herbicide control of invasive kikuyu was performed. This work will be performed following the upcoming greens and fairways renovations.   

Our volunteers were on course Monday morning performing a bunker run before the ladies shotgun start, edging paths, tidying up some tree pruning, clubhouse and proshop maintenance work. Thank you gentlemen for your assistance this week and every week, it is very much appreciated!

Greens will be cut on Saturday and Sunday.

Have a great weekend and happy golfing!

The Course Team.

Ladies Hole Indexing Update – Effective 24th August 2023

The Match & Greens Committee recently undertook a Hole Index Rating review for both Men’s and Women’s courses to ascertain the accuracy of hole indexes based on the way the course is played.

The data collection period was from 1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023.

The data collection looks at all competition rounds across all grades. Using the data, the results indicated index changes to several holes across all Ladies Divisions. No changes were warranted to the Men’s indexes. It is believed that this is due to the change to the 11th tee location for ladies since the indexes were last reviewed.

The Ladies Committee supported a change to all holes as reflected in the data. This will come into effect from Thursday 24th August 2023.

A copy of the index changes for the Ladies is outlined in the tables below.

Club Closure for Course Renovations – Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive

Members are advised that the Club’s bi-annual Course Renovation is scheduled for Monday 21st August – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive.

This renovation is, to a degree, reliant on suitable weather conditions, and as such there is a possibility the intended schedule may be extended at short notice to ensure a full renovation is possible. Given the stress the golf course has been under due to a high volume of traffic, it is vitally important the upcoming renovation is completed in full.

All Club facilities (including Clubhouse, Admin, Pro Shop, Practice Facilities) will be closed during the renovation.

Ladies Veterans Teams Event – Monday 31st July

On Monday 31st July, OGC held our Veterans team event. The weather was kind to us and the 4BBB shotgun start event was enjoyed by 63 ladies. 

The winning team with a score of 89 were – Melissa Adams, Katrina Davidson, Jenny Doherty, Anne Marie Wahbe.

The lucky winner of our Vets hamper (body massager, golf socks, golf balls, chocolates) was Leone Townsend. 

Ladies Weekend Major Pennant – Update from Golf NSW Forum

In July 2023, Oatlands Golf Club participated in a Golf NSW hosted workshop focused on re-invigorating the Women’s Weekend Major Pennant competition. The workshop was attended by Paula Skelton (Ladies Captain), Jill Vale (Ladies Vice-Captain) and Sam Howe (OGC General Manager).

The Women’s Weekend Major Pennant is an important event in the golfing calendar, and we want to ensure that it remains vibrant, engaging, and a highlight for all our lady golfers. The workshop, organized by Golf NSW, gathered insights and ideas from Clubs across the region to develop strategies that will breathe new life into the competition and enhance the overall experience for everyone involved.

Key Discussion Points of the Workshop:

1. Format Flexibility: Exploring various formats and structures to create an inclusive and exciting competition that appeals to golfers of all skill levels.

2. Social and Community Aspects: Emphasizing the importance of fostering camaraderie, networking, and building lasting friendships within and across Clubs.

3. Player Development: Identifying opportunities for more women performing at a high level to develop and compete against each other on a more regular basis.

4. Communication and Engagement: Enhancing communication channels to keep members informed about the Pennant and other golfing events while encouraging active involvement from all participants.

5. Fun-filled Events: Incorporating fun and creative elements into the Pennant to ensure that the experience is enjoyable and memorable for everyone.

Golf NSW will now collate all the discussion points raised in the workshops and communicate with all Clubs on the next steps and future plans for Women’s Major Pennant.

We are hopeful that a vibrant and rewarding competition that embodies the true spirit of golf and fosters a strong sense of community between all Clubs participating can be developed.

Further communication will be provided as the process evolves.

New Cart Fleet with GPS and Change to Medical Cart Policy

We are excited to announce that our new cart fleet, with state-of-the-art in-built GPS technology, have arrived.

GPS-Equipped Golf Carts:

The arrival of these new golf carts with GPS marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve our Club’s facilities and offer you the best possible golfing experience. The GPS technology integrated into the carts will provide several benefits to enhance the user experience and provide protection for the golf course:

  1. Geo-Fencing Protection: The GPS system comes with advanced geo-fencing technology, which ensures protection for our golf course. The system will create virtual boundaries, or “Action Zones,” around sensitive parts of the course. This means that the golf carts will be guided and restricted from entering these areas, ensuring the preservation of these critical sections and maintaining the course’s integrity.
  2. Improved Course Navigation: The in-built GPS will provide detailed course maps, precise yardages, and valuable tips to help you make well-informed decisions on each hole. This feature will undoubtedly add a new level of convenience and precision to your game, allowing you to focus on your performance and enjoy the course to the fullest.
  3. Wet Weather Course Access: With the geo-fencing technology, we will be able to grant more access to the golf course during wet weather conditions. The GPS-equipped carts will be able to navigate designated paths and areas that are less susceptible to damage in inclement weather. This means you will have more opportunities to play even when the weather is less favourable.

Changes to Medical Cart Provision and Pricing:

As we introduce these new GPS-equipped golf carts, we have carefully considered the existing medical cart provision. After extensive consideration, we have decided to make some adjustments to the medical cart policy in place.

Starting from Thursday 24th August, the GPS Action Zones will be activated, and the current provision of a “Medical Cart Only” restriction will cease to be an option for protecting the course. Instead, golf carts will either be:

  • Allowed on the course unrestricted; or
  • Allowed with access restricted to sensitive parts of the golf course through the geo-fence “action zones”; or
  • Carts off

Hence, carts will effectively be ON, or carts will be OFF. 

This means that when wet conditions allow carts on the golf course, all cart users will still be able to enjoy the benefits of the GPS-equipped carts, however will be guided away from designated sensitive areas. 

Our primary goal in making these changes is to strike a balance between providing course access to all members while ensuring the preservation of our beloved golf course.

Medical Cart Pricing:

The Club currently operates a two-tiered medical cart pricing:

  • Casual Medical Cart Hire Rate – $30 / 18-holes
  • Annual Medical Cart Hire Rate – $1,845 per annum

In-conjunction with the implementation of the GPS and Action Zones (24th August 2023), the Casual Medical Cart option will be removed.

Members who utilise a golf cart regularly on medical grounds will have the option of the Annual Medical Cart Hire, which for members who play an average of 1.5 times a week, works out to be just under $24 / 18-holes.

The standard rate for cart hire will remain at $37.50 / 18-holes.

The Board and Match Committee appreciate your understanding of the changes to the medical cart policy in-conjunction with the arrival of the new cart fleet and believe that these changes strike a suitable balance between the needs of the membership and the demands of cart usage on the golf course and will produce a positive outcome for all members going forward.

If you have any questions relating to the new cart fleet, changes to medical cart policy, or wish to apply for an annual Medical Cart, please contact General Manager, Sam Howe for more information.

 

Upcoming Member Events: August – September

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 August and September:

  • Friday 11th August, Winter Eats & Beats, from 4pm – Bookings not required
  • Saturday 19th August, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
  • Friday 25th August, 500 Social Cards Evening, 6:30pm – 9:30pm – Booking Required
  • Wednesday 30th August, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
  • Sunday 3rd September, Father’s Day Lunch, 1pm – Booking required
  • Friday 8th September, Winter Eats & Beats, from 4pm – Bookings not required
  • Friday 15th September, PGA Scramble, Booking required
  • Saturday 16th September, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
  • Friday 22nd September, Karahoke, – Booking required
  • Wednesday 27th September, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required

Pennant Update

Bronze I Pennant

After last weeks bye, our ladies travelled to Castle Hill CC today (Friday 4th August) to take on Bankstown GC in the second last match of the season.

At the time of writing the ladies were still on course.

 

Eric Apperly Shield

The Oatlands GC Eric Apperly Shield (21 years and under) side played their fourth match of the season on Sunday (30th July) against Manly GC at North Ryde GC.

Our side played extremely well and came away with 3 matches to 3 draw leaving the Club with 2 wins, 1 loss and a draw.

This Sunday we play at Avondale GC at Avondale GC at 7:14am.

Our team list below in order of play.

  1. Wil Reece (C)
  2. Sam Reece 
  3. Brad Hooper
  4. Christian Fong
  5. Christian Rees
  6. Isabelle Myeong

Recent Trophy Event Winners

Legacy Cup

The Legacy Cup was played on Saturday 29th July with Mark Robinson making the most of challenging conditions from the back tees to win the trophy with a score of 42 points.

WS Targett Mixed Knockout

The Final of the WS Targett Mixed Fourball knockout was played on Sunday July 30th, with Anna Kim & Rowan Easterbrook defeating Rob Palin & Justa Kim 6&5.

Upcoming Trophy Events

Men’s

  • Saturday 5th August – Presidents Cup
  • Saturday 12th August – HP Evans Knockout Qualifying
  • Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August inclusive – Renovations: Course and Club Closed

Ladies

  • 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 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/

 

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