ANZAC DAY

All members playing this Saturday please note. We would like all play to cease for 1 minute of silence at 11am to pay our respects on this special day. As many of our members would normally be in attendance at an Anzac Day Ceremony, we would like the tradition to be continued. The Pro Shop will sound a horn. Thank you in advance. 

Monday Pro Comp: This has become a very popular event each week. Over 60 players each week (75 last Monday) and Mondays have become just as hard to get a tee time as Thursdays and Saturdays - but you will need to play well to be in the money. 

A highlight last week - Robert Thorpe hole in 1 - 6th hole, Thursday, 16th April. A 5 pointer always looks good on the card - well done Robert. 

Saturday 9 Hole Comp: Commenced last Saturday about 20 players. Congratulations to Susan Goodall - the inaugural winner with 21 points.

Booking In: It has clearly become quiet difficult to get a tee time on Saturdays. Just a reminder: 7pm on a Thursday evening is the opening time online for the fortnight ahead. It is best to be organised and be ready at 7pm as all time slots have been taken within 10 minutes. Also, don't forget the waiting list - if you miss a time, put your name on the waiting list, unless you are happy to go directly onto the 9 hole tee times, in which case you can enter online or through the Pro Shop. Stu Meani suggests that if you are on the waiting list and you don't have a tee time by Friday afternoon, ring the Proshop for a 9 hole booking. 

Cancellations:  With regard to bookings, if you need to cancel, the earlier the better. 

Play during the week: Getting a tee time has become pretty tough on any day - even for a practice round. Stu Meani and the Pro Shop staff want you to be aware that if you have not booked (either online prior to the day, or by phone on the day), you may not get on the course at all. Don't be disappointed - ring beforehand.

Speed of play: At the risk of repeating myself, this needs to be a focus for the next few months. We have spoken repeatedly about the need to play 18 holes in (or under) 3 1/2 hours. Last Saturday, the first tee was on time (actually 5 minutes early), but we had very strange occurrences such as 4 groups on the 5th tee box at the same time, and a number of players facing game time in excess of 4 1/4 hours. We need to do better with reduced sunlight not too far away. 

Crow season: They are beginning to look interested in golf balls again - particularly yellow ones. They are also very keen on your lunch - take care near the 12th green - there is one crow that can unwrap your sandwich and fly off before you line up your first putt. 

Pin and cup regulations: As you are all aware, we do not touch the flag at all. Some members have requested a clear ruling regarding cases, where the ball hits the foam in the cup and manages to jump out. This is the 'hard luck' category of golfing experiences. The ball must remain in the hole on the foam to be considered 'in'. 

Don't forget your bucket: (But if you do, buckets are being cleaned after each round). If you haven't been given a bucket to keep, either ask for one, or use those available.

Memberships are still available: if you have a friend craving for a game, they can get 14 months for the price of 12 months - 6 and 7 day members only.

A big thank you: to all members for their efforts and understanding while we have this current situation. 'Lucky' we don't live in Victoria - (although we'd all be members at Royal Melbourne). 

Masters Pennant Players: A decision on this event taking place will be made May 1st. Like everyone, I assumed that it was off - but ............. Maybe we need to get in some kind of good form. 

From Justin Bradbury:

Two items of note to bring to the attention of golfers:

• With the current circumstances the driving range is getting a lot more use then it normally does. It is important for people to fill their divots once they have completed their practice. Particularly going into the cooler months where recovery will be slower. The other point to note is the divot pattern. It is much more beneficial to take divots in a straight line pattern as opposed to a large group of divots. This will assist with a much quicker recovery time. Professionals use the bottom pattern on the driving range to assist the greens staff - we should as well.
  

• Entering and exiting bunkers: It is extremely important from a safety standpoint that bunkers are entered and exited from the lowest point. It is alarming to see where some people are walking into and out of bunkers. It also creates additional work for the greens staff. It also means that someone's ball could end up there - even with preferred lies, not a good spot to play from. 

• Divots on the fairway (and rough): Please fill your divots. Members often blame the social players for this - but we are also at fault. We all fill up our bucket on the first tee, but do you fill up during the round? Some vigilant members empty their bucket three or four times each round.

• Pitch marks - don't forget to repair them.

Justin Bradbury's Greens Report

• Mowing height is currently at 3mm

• Greens are being rolled 2-3 times a week now that conditions are favourable 

• Preventative applications are up to date and greens are nice and healthy as we head into cooler months

• Greens renovations were successful despite losing one full day to inclement weather. A large 3/4'' solid tine was used on all greens except 8th & 9th. All necessary amendments were applied along with approx. 60 tonne of washed sand. 

Some very sad news: For members unaware, the sudden passing of popular member Victor Morgan last week will come as a huge shock. We send our commiserations to Victor's family and friends and his regular playing partners Allan, Michael, Candice and Bill. His close friend, Bill Bell sent out the following on Facebook this week - we thought it was such a lovely tribute to Victor from this close buddy - thanks for sharing Bill.