Oatlands Enews – Friday 29th September 2023

Published on 29th September 2023 in E-News, Guests

Content

This week’s Enews covers the following topics:

  • From the Course
  • Men’s Club Championships 2023 – Update
  • Join Our Course Volunteer Group
  • Melbourne Cup Luncheon – Tuesday 7th November 2023
  • Ladies Major Pennant and Grade Pennant – Expressions of Interest
  • Mixed Pennant 2024 – Expressions of Interest
  • Nine, Wine & Dine – Starts October 2023
  • Upcoming Member Events:  October 
  • Recent Trophy Event Winners
  • Upcoming Trophy Events
  • Members Only Facebook Group

From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 58.5mm,  Rainfall for 2023: 681.5mm, Dam: 100%   Green Speed: 9.5 feet

On Wednesday night we saw more rainfall in 12 hours than we received for the entire month of August, and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief for the time being with the dam rising from 80% back to 100%. Whilst any rainfall is good as we head into the forecasted dry and hot summer, with a large volume of rain in short periods, we do see a fair amount lost to runoff. With that amount of rain in a short timeframe comes the inevitable damage and necessary repair of the course. Therefore, over the next couple of days and for the week ahead, our focus will be on returning effected areas back to playing standards,  alongside our regular maintenance schedule.

The usual August winds have shifted into September this year, resulting in large amounts of debris that take considerable dedicated man hours to clean-up; the joys of nature!!!

Over the last week we have also continued with our regular practice of tining and dusting greens which continues to produce true playing surfaces. The team has also been busy trimming the Kikuyu bunkers, edging pathways and whipper snipping trees, valve boxes and drainage pits.

With Wednesday’s rain and the high temperature predictions for the week we will see a jump in growth over the entire course, please be patient whilst we conduct our mowing maintenance practices in and around golf, with a short week ahead due to the public holiday, and the commencement of Club Championship season.

The high temperatures also necessitate regular soil probing and temperature checks to identify dry areas on greens that require additional water to balance the climatic conditions and keep the greens in good health.

Our Volunteers were at it again, out with a vengeance to rid the course of Parramatta grass – working magic with the weed wands. Regular practice net maintenance has also been undertaken, along with the Monday bunker run. Thank you to everyone that volunteered their time to the Club and course this week, it is very much appreciated and we hope to see some new faces joining the group over the coming weeks and months.

Greens will be cut Saturday and dew only removed Sunday this weekend.

Have a great weekend and happy golfing!

The Course Team.

Men’s Club Championships 2023 – Update

The first round of the 2023 Men’s Club Championship was played Saturday 23rd September 2023, with almost 200 members entered for the first 18-holes of the 36-hole medal qualifying for the top 16 matchplay in each grade.

The following are the top 20 members in each grade after the first round.

Some important aspects of the Conditions of Play for the Championships are outlined below:

Grades (based on Daily Handicap)

  • Club Championship: Hcp up to 7
  • The Plate: Hcp 8 to 12
  • Middle Markers: Hcp 13 to 18
  • Long Markers: Hcp 19 and over

Note: Competitors are graded based on their Daily Handicap on the first round of qualifying and remain in that grade throughout.

 Format of the Championships

  • Two consecutive qualifying Stroke rounds of 18 holes (Saturday 23rd September and Saturday 6th October 2023)
  • Best 16 scores in the “Championship”, “Plate”, ‘Middle Markers” and “Long Markers” qualify for the matchplay
  • All match play matches must be played on the date stipulated and at the time set down (see scheduled dates further down)
  • Championship matches contested over 36 holes, all other Grades are 18 hole matches
  • In the event of ties for 16th qualifying spot, this will be decided by count back on the 2nd round cards (18 holes, last 9, last 6, last 3, then hole by hole from 18th)
  • Qualifying and matchplay is from the Black Tees
  • Championship 36 holes matchplay on Sunday except final which is 36 holes match play on Saturday
  • Other Grades 18 Hole matchplay on Saturday
  • Ties decided by sudden death play-off on the same day, played on Holes 1, 17 and 18 in that continuing order until the winner is decided
  • Rounds must be played on the stipulated dates and times – Competitors need to be available for all matchplay dates before nominating to qualify.

Motorised Carts

  • Are not permitted if members compete in the 36 holes qualifying Championship Grade Gross event, unless prior approval is obtained.
  • Any such request shall be in writing and accompanied by a medical certificate. 

Schedule:

  • Saturday 23rd September – Club Championship Qualifying Round 1 of 2
  • Saturday 7th October – Club Championship Qualifying Round 2 of 2
  • Saturday 14th October – Club Championship Matchplay Round of 16 (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 15th October – Club Championship Matchplay Round of 16 (Open)
  • Saturday 21st October – Club Championship Matchplay Quarter-Finals (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 22nd October – Club Championship Matchplay Quarter-Finals (Open)
  • Saturday 28th October – Club Championship Matchplay Semi-Final (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 29th October – Club Championship Matchplay Semi-Final (Open)
  • Saturday 4th November – Club Championship Matchplay Finals (All Grades)

Join Our Course Volunteer Group

Our band of merry volunteers are looking for new recruits. The volunteers meet every Monday morning and assist the Course Staff with various duties that are vital to the ongoing maintenance of the course. This working group contributes an enormous amount to the Club and its members but is also a tremendous “men’s shed” activity with lots of fun and friendships formed both on the course and in the Clubhouse. Lunch is provided after each session. For more information, please contact Club General Manager, Sam Howe, gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au, or simply turn up on Monday mornings at 7am.

Melbourne Cup Luncheon – Tuesday 7th November 2023

Members and guests are invited to enjoy the ‘Race that Stops a Nation’, the iconic Melbourne Cup at OGC with a Chef’s Buffet Luncheon on Tuesday 7th November. This is a great day to get into your finest spring carnival attire and join friends for an afternoon of excitement, camaraderie and hopefully to pick a winner in the great race.

Bookings essential and can be made via the Club website or by phoning Reception.

Ladies Major Pennant and Grade Pennant – Expressions of Interest

In recent months, Golf NSW has been engaging with various Clubs (including Oatlands) to get feedback on changes to the Ladies Major Pennant and Ladies Grade Pennant competitions.

This engagement has produced some positive changes for the 2024 season, and therefore OGC is calling for early Expressions of Interest to ensure we are able to field sides in both competitions for the first time.

An outline of the key Terms and Conditions changes for each event is shown below, along with the handicap range for Expressions of Interest (noting these are both scratch matchplay pennant competitions);

Ladies Major Pennant (Hcp: GA + to 13) – Played Sunday’s

Terms and Conditions

A player can now play in the Women’s Major Pennant and Women’s Grade for the same Club in the same season.

Restriction:

A player may not play in Women’s Major Pennant for more than one Club in any one season, unless they are an eligible member of two Clubs in which case they may play in each of the different Pennant competitions, but only for one Club per competition.

Ladies Grade Pennant (Hcp: GA + to 13) – Played Friday’s

Terms and Conditions

A player can now play in the Women’s Major Pennant and Women’s Grade for the same Club in the same season.

Restrictions:

  • Friday Grade to only allow players who have completed their HSC or are 18 years and over.
  • A player may not play in Women’s Grade or Women’s Major Pennant for more than one Club in any one season, unless they are an eligible member of two Club’s in which case, they may play in each of the different Pennant competitions, but only for one Club per competition.

OGC Ladies who would like to express their interest in one or both of these competitions, should email the Club’s General Manager, Sam Howe, gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au, who will pass on all EOI’s to the Ladies Captain and Committee.

Sincerely,

Paula Skelton
Ladies Captain

Mixed Pennant 2024 – Expressions of Interest

OGC is calling for Expressions of Interest for members who would like to represent the Club in the Metropolitan Mixed Pennant Competition.

The Metropolitan Mixed Pennant is a mixed 4BBB Handicap matchplay competition played by five two-person teams from Metropolitan Golf Clubs. Supported by Golf NSW, with an independent committee managing, the competition began in 1984.

Today, around 40 teams compete for the Elaine Roy / Kim Frank Memorial Trophy. 

Players must be aged over 21, with a maximum handicap limit of 27 for a male, and 36 for a female competitor.  Matches are played against par, with handicaps adjusted accordingly.

Matches are usually held on Sunday throughout the season, with the tournament generally beginning on the first week of January.

Oatlands has a strong history in this event, including a runner-up finish in 2020, and winning the competition in 2021.

Any members wishing to take part in the 2024 squad, should email the General Manager, Sam Howe, at gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au by no later than 5pm on Friday 6th October, for consideration by the Match Committee and Team Manager.

Nine, Wine & Dine – Starts 27th October 2023

Members and guests are invited to join the Club for the first in our Spring / Summer series of Nine, Wine & Dine on Friday 27th October.

This new series will replace the long-running Five after Five and will see aspects of this series carry over, such as optional competition format to encourage participation by competition and social golfers alike, and guests able to be invited with no green fee payable.

The 9-holes played will be holes 1-7, 17 & 18, with those playing competition playing a 9-hole stableford and with a traditional prize of a trophy voucher and ball competition included.

Tee times will be available from 4pm – 5:30pm with a two course modified a la carte menu after golf.

Bookings are now open for the first in the month series and we hope to see you there.

 

Upcoming Member Events: October

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 October:

  • Wednesday 11th October, Oatlands Golf Club Ltd Annual General Meeting – Registration required
  • Friday 13th October, Social Cards Night, 6:30pm – 9:30pm – Booking required
  • Saturday 14th October, The Bettington Italian Night, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
  • Wednesday 25th October, The Bettington, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm – Booking required
  • Saturday 28th October, New Members Cocktail Night (by Invitation: New Members, Proposer, Seconder)

Recent Trophy Event Winners

There were a few Trophy events decided in the week just gone;

Keith Cole Medal

The Keith Cole Medal was decided on Saturday 23rd September. The event is played over the four rounds of Saturday Seasonal Medals and is the aggregate of the four round nett scores for handicaps 18 or under. The 2023 winner was Ralph Cadman with a score of 279 (67, 66, 75, 71).

Harry Lane Medal

The Harry Lane Medal was decided on Saturday 23rd September. The event is played over the four rounds of Saturday Seasonal Medals and is the aggregate of the four round nett scores for handicaps 19 to 36. The 2023 winner was Young Shin with a score of 294 (70, 68, 81, 75).

Spring Medal

The Spring Medal was played on Saturday 23rd September and saw a tie for first place on a score of nett 65 between Leo Nelson and Sean Park. This results means a playoff will be held during the next stroke round on Saturday 6th October 2023.  

Upcoming Trophy Events

Men’s

  • Saturday 7th October – Club Championship Medal Rnd 2 of 2
  • Saturday 14th October – Club Championship Matchplay Rd 1 (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 15th October – Club Championship Matchplay Rd 1 (Open)
  • Saturday 21st October – Club Championship Matchplay Rd QF (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 22nd October – Club Championship Matchplay Rd QF (Open)
  • Saturday 28th October – Medal
  • Saturday 28th October – Club Championship Matchplay SF (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
  • Sunday 29th October – Club Championship Matchplay SF (Open)
  • Saturday 4th November – Club Championship Matchplay Finals (All Grades)

Ladies

  • Thursday 5th October – Captain’s vs President’s
  • Thursday 12th October – Club Championship Rd1
  • Thursday 19th October – Club Championship Rd2
  • Thursday 26th October – Club Championship Rd3

Mixed

  • Sunday 1st October – Labour Day Cup Rnd 1
  • Monday 2nd October – Labour Day Cup Rnd 2

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 inter-generational 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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