Golf Club Committee Formed March 2010

The new Golf Club Committee has been formed in March 2010. The results are as follows:

Club Captain - Mark Leman

Vice Captain - Michael O'Toole

Secretary - Krys Korju

Treasurer - Alan Jones

Ladies Representative - Gail Howard

Handicapper - James Harrison

Sponsorships - Jane Boland

Junior Representative - John Wild

Veterans Representative - Warren Barclay

Match Play/Knockout/Eclectic Co-ordinator - Paul Henry

---

Golf Club Results - January 2009

With the introduction of the new SS&A Club website, the full calendar of events for 2009 will be posted, however the results will no longer be entered. This was a service that was provided by volunteers within the golf club and under instruction from the Golf Club Captain, will not be continued in 2009.

GOLF CLUB NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2009

Captain’s Report

I wish to advise all members that there are some major changes happening within the Australian golfing world. Effective from 31 Jul 2009, Golf Australia (GA) has advised that preferred lies through the green should not create an automatic adjustment to a course rating, or in any way automatically alter any course rating procedures. There are also changes to Handicapping after Four Ball competitions.

From 1 February 2010, GA Handicapping system will change to the USGA “Rolling” Handicap system which basically means that your handicap will be adjusted from an average of a number of rounds not just one round. The other change scheduled to occur on 1 February 2010 is the removal of the Daily Course Rating component (CCR) of Australian Handicapping System.  GA is of the opinion that CCR ratings were skewed by the age of the competitors, or their handicaps, or by a couple of competitors having lucky scores, etc. Another ongoing concern has been the small-field issue. For too long, women’s fields and country fields have played the role of the sacrificial lamb, and this has not been an acceptable outcome.  Full details of these changes to occur are posted on the main notice board, and Jim Harrison (our handicapper) is preparing a detailed brief on the new handicapping system for the information of members.

Line marking has recently been introduced to the course to mark our hazards in the high usage areas and a line has also been introduced around the greens which is strictly a “no go” zone for motorized carts. The new line around the greens has been introduced for a number of reasons:

• To enforce the 10 metre exclusion zone around greens as this was not being adhered to by a large number of members, guests and green fee players,
• To protect the immediate surrounds of the greens, and
• To allow greater use of motorized carts during the wetter months.

Unfortunately some members are ignoring this new line around the greens and I therefore ask ALL members to help us enforce this new restriction.

Normal push buggies etc are allowed within the 10-metre zone and are allowed across the green that also helps protect the surrounds. This practice is strongly supported by the Course Maintenance Contractor.

Preferred Lies will always be a contentious issue and we will never be able to please everyone. The couch cover on the course has developed significantly over the last few years and therefore does not warrant a prolonged specified period of preferred lies during the wetter months of the year. Due to the recent changes in allowing motorized golf carts greater access during wetter months we will monitor the preferred lies situation as weather permits. The previous trial of preferred lies on or off depending on motorized buggies on the course is now cancelled.

Members are reminded of our dress regulations on the course and I have been disappointed to see members wearing tracksuit pants recently. The dress regulations are stipulated in the Golf Programme Book and also on the large display board as you approach the Proshop.

Our Annual General Meeting will now more than likely be held in late November after we have conducted the Club Championships and held our Presentation Night. This will ensure that all the major activities are completed and next years Programme Book has been finalized prior to the next elected Committee taking office.

Finally I wish to thank our merry band of regular volunteers (you know who you are) who do numerous jobs both for the Committee and the Course Maintenance Contractor.

Colin Thompson

Captain

From the Ladies’

We have had a pretty wet golfing winter this year but have managed to play on most days and have indeed had some good numbers even on the typical winter days.  Well done!

There have been quite a few events held over the winter and the winner of the Mona McLeod Brooch was Dot Larkin on a count back from Di Wolfe.  Bev Schlitz and Krys Korju were the winners of the Doris Chambers Cup so they will play at Amstel on the 16th October to represent our Club. Congratulations also to Gail Howard, winner of the Silver Spoon event, who will now go to Kingston Heath to represent the Club.  Good luck Gail.  We also remind ladies the Clarice Olsen Sponsored Day is to be held on 20th August.  The Thomas Jewellers Aggregate event is currently under way and a result sheet is up on both noticeboards so you can check your progress.  The scratch winners of the recent Foursomes Championships are Gail Howard and Marie De Wit.

Our annual Anti-Cancer Charity Day will be held on 24th September. This is a very worthy cause so we would like as many lady members and visitors as possible to participate.  Registration forms will be available shortly.

A reminder to all ladies that there is a Sunday competition every week and everyone is most welcome to participate.

Congratulations to Catherine Odgers for successfully defending her Title in the Par-3 Event in Kyabram.  As a matter of fact Catherine has re-set last year’s course record!!  We also wish her well with her dream to go to America to further her golfing career.

Judy Langford was runner-up in the Country Championships of Victoria & Glenelg Cup.  Her intention to defend her Title, which she won last year, was thwarted by Bree Elliott of Yarrawonga.  However, Judy and her partner did win the Foursomes Country State Title.  Go Judy!!

The Ladies Championships are to be held in October so keep a lookout for notices leading up to this event.

Good golfing ladies!

(Margaret Duncan)

From the Vets

Wodonga Veterans are conducting the 3rd annual tournament on Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October 2009. We will host approx 60 vets from NSW, 30 from Thurgoona and Albury and 30 from Wodonga.  We want the locals over 55 to play in the event on any of 1,2,3 or 4 days; each day has its own prizes, at least $800 per day.

The Mayor of Wodonga will welcome the visitors at a free BBQ on Sunday afternoon 4th October. The week will conclude with a Presentation Dinner Dance at SS&A Albury.

We will be writing to each Wodonga Veteran to enlist their support for the week and it will be a great week.

We will conduct a 2 Ball Ambrose 9.00 for 9.30 am Shotgun Start at Wodonga and expect 50 visitors from Albury and Thurgoona to play and lunch in the Club House.

(Max Mueller)

Junior Golf

For those who are not aware, Ben Cousins has accepted a position at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney and will be departing in the near future. We offer Ben our congratulations and wish him well in his new position. His work with the Juniors since joining the professional team at the club has been greatly appreciated.

The Junior Golf Committee is seeking assistance from members to support the Junior Golf Program during the forthcoming daylight savings time.

The Junior Golf Program is currently held on a Tuesday afternoon from 4pm. Involves juniors with handicaps participating in a 9 hole competition and non-handicap juniors in either skill development (with a view to getting them on course ASAP) 3 hole or 6 hole competitions.

Possible Roles

• To assist where required with skill development
• To act as mentors for younger golfers
• To accompany groups on the course and assist with rules, etiquette, course management, repairs to divots, pug marks on greens etc..

If you are able to assist or require further information please contact John Wild  (60591745) or complete one of the forms available on your noticeboard in the clubhouse and leave it at the pro-shop. (Program was arranged with Ben – times and dates will need to be confirmed with the professional staff but your help will be appreciated at any time.)

Arrangements are currently being made for a 2 day Junior Masters Tournament is to be conducted in January.  Assistance will be required for this tournament also. More details next newsletter.

(John Wild)

Maintenance Contract Liaison

Members would be well aware that the current watering system is now on it’s last legs and that we were only able to scrape through last summer with a massive hand watering commitment and continual repairs. Replacement of the irrigation system is the number one priority of the Golf Club, however at a cost of approximately one million dollars it is likely that this will have to be a staged replacement. A first stage option has been submitted to the SS&A board for their consideration. Given the current economic situation all improvement works to the course are now on hold. This includes the re-sanding of the bunkers with the same sand as on the 4th and 9th holes, which is costly. It is hoped that this will be able to be achieved within the life of the current contract, however the cost of the sand has to borne by the Club.

We have been fortunate that we have had the use of free recycled water for the past 20 years, however that has now ceased. As from June we have entered into a 5 year contract with NE Water, which gives us a water allocation for which we have to pay and reduces the amount of water we can use by approximately 40% by 2013. We have to also meet the requirements of the National code for the use of recycled water and EPA standards associated with the use of recycled water. Not the least of these requirements is the necessity for efficiencies in the use, and the need to not waste water. We have to regularly check the soil for adverse effects, and run off which all add to our cost structure. Obviously this is not possible with our current system, hence the urgency to replace our current system.

The contractor maintains a constant war against weeds on the course and a selective spray for kikuyu will be applied once the dormancy period is over. This problem is exacerbated by the growing number of kikuyu lawns surrounding the course which helps it’s spread.

The course continues to play well despite the amount of rain we have had. The use of golf carts has had to be restricted and I thank members for their consideration in restricting their movement to the rough to minimize damage.

(Doug Drysdale)

Pro Shop

REPORT FROM BERNIE RE: The VANUATU GOLF OPEN

Some members may be aware that Sally and I recently travelled to Vanuatu, where I competed in the 2009 Vanuatu Open. I thought a report in this newsletter would be a great way to inform members on how I went and what we found in Vanuatu.

We arrived to rainy weather and a massive culture shock with a heavy French and American influence, they drive (if you could call it that) on the other side of the road. So when the taxi driver told us to hop in while he packed our bags, I ended up heading for the drivers seat - me driving might not have been a bad thing as this guy clearly didn’t have a licence.

The roads are ordinary to say the least and the road rules (or lack of them) must have been written by a guy called Rafferty.  Somehow though it all works due to the fact that every driver is aware of what every other driver is doing and the whole place is very patient and courteous.  No rush, no road rage, nothing.  Car horns are used to communicate in the right way.

We awoke on our first morning in Vanuatu to news that five and a half inches of rain had fallen overnight.  As today was practice day and I was keen to play the course out we went.  The course was very different to ours.  The main differences were the coarse heavy grasses, very small greens and very slow paced greens.  The ball doesn’t want to roll much on either the fairway or green so the course played a lot longer than the score card suggests, not to mention how wet it was.  Anyway it rained every day of the event, including the Pro-Am.  After rounds of 76,77,72 and 75 I finished in 30th place, 12 over par and a massive 37 shots behind runaway winner Jason King on 25 under par.  Brad McIntosh finished second on 14 under par.  He was going for his third consecutive win in the event.  He wasn’t too disappointed with second as his wife gave birth to a baby boy while he was playing the final round.

The presentation evening which follows the final round at the Golf Club was a magnificent event. The local Mele Village people who do the caddying etc… present players with island shirts and wives/partners with island dresses.  Sally and I had a great time and met some amazing people.  We also sampled plenty of the main sponsors product.  Thanks Tusker Brewing, not a bad drop.  Some of the local guys, who regularly caddy, also played in the amateur event and some of them can really play.  In particular the four Mansale brothers, Cora, Tony, Josepho and Daniel plus Malcolm Malapa who all play of handicaps of five or less without any tuition.  Cora Mansale won the amateur section on 8 under par.

Sally and I were very moved by the locals who are very poor but have amazing spirits.  On the last night I basically unloaded the contents of my golf bag, including my shoes, and gave them to the local kids.  The look on their faces when you give them something as simple as a second hand golf ball was really something unbelievable to see.

The whole experience has left me thinking about going back next year with a group of Wodonga members to first of all support the event and play some good golf and secondly share with Wodonga members/friends the experiences we have just had in a country that is refreshingly simple and relaxed for one so close to our shores.

Any members interested in the 2010 Vanuatu Open should register their interest with me, Bernie, in the Pro Shop.  The event will be conducted about the same time next year (August) and if the numbers are good I’m sure I’ll be able to get us a good deal. All welcome, male, female, playing, non-playing, you’ll have a ball.  There is plenty to see and do with events organised most nights during the tournament.

As a guide and depending on numbers, inflation etc… you have 12 months to save approx $4000 needed to cover flights, accommodation, breakfasts, Tournament (incl. events) that a package deal would include plus whatever spending money you think you may need for about a weeks stay.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another note the trip gave me the chance to talk to some golf pro’s about our event just before Christmas again this year.  It seems some momentum is developing so don’t forget the Murray Masters week this December 14 – 18, 2009.

Some Vanuatu ex-pats are keen to try and get some of the local Vanuatu boys sponsored to come and play our events.  This would be a magnificent opportunity for them personally and us as a club, not to mention the goodwill and publicity we could generate from a possible visit.

Anyone who could provide any advice and or assistance to help make this happen please contact Bernie in the Pro shop.