Oatlands Enews – Friday 3rd September 2021
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Course Re-opening Preparation Video – Dom Yates and Sam Howe
- Course Re-opening – Saturday 11th September
- From the Course
- OGC Takeaway Cafe
- Members Only Closed Facebook Group
- DIY Mexican Fiesta
Course Re-opening Preparation Video – Dom Yates and Sam Howe
With the golf course re-opening on Saturday 11th September, the following video by Dom Yates (Course Super) and Sam Howe (General Manager) will provide members with a little insight into what has been happening at the course during the closure and the work required to get the golf course safe and playable ahead of re-opening on Saturday 11th September.
Course Re-opening – Saturday 11th September
With yesterday’s announcement that Oatlands Golf Course will re-open on Saturday 11th September, the following will be in place regarding timesheets, bookings, and compliance.
Timesheets and Bookings
- All timesheets will open 5 days in advance at 4:30pm (the timesheets for Saturday 11th September will open Monday 6th September at 4:30pm)
- Competition timesheets will become available for Lifestyle members 4 days in advance at 7pm
- The timesheet configuration for the week will be as follows;
- Monday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Monday Social: 12:36pm onward
- Tuesday Social: 8am onward
- Wednesday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Wednesday Social: 12:36pm onward
- Thursday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Thursday Social: 12:36pm onward
- Friday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Friday Social: 12:36pm onward
- Saturday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Saturday Social: 12:36pm onward
- Sunday Comp: 7am – 12:30pm
- Sunday Social: 12:36pm onward
- There will be no limit on the number of games playable per week for eligible members, however allowances will be reviewed weekly.
Golf Carts
Golf NSW guidance around Golf Cart use is as follows.
Carts can only be shared by members of the same household.
As such, single use carts will continue to offered at the medical cart rate, while shared carts between members of the same household will be at the standard rate.
Verification that cart users are from the same household will be required at the Pro Shop in the form of matching ID address checks.
Compliance
In order to play golf at OGC you must live within 5kms of the furthest part of the golf clubs (the 5kms from your residential address must include the entire golf course).
- It is incumbent on all members to know if they reside within the 5kms or not. DO NOT BOOK IF YOU DO NOT MEET THIS REQUIREMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEATH ORDERS
- It is a requirement of re-opening the Club that we update our Covid Safety Plan and provide details of the re-opening to the local police.
- Arrival no earlier than 20mins before tee time
- Masks will be required up to the 1st tee and must be reapplied immediately upon completion of the 18th hole
- Every player MUST individually register at the pro shop for ALL play (including social), and an ID address check will be undertaken by the Pro Shop. Please have your ID ready for presentation.
- QR code check in must be completed. Codes are provided outside the pro shop.
- You must leave the course as soon as your round is complete. You cannot loiter around the course or the practice facilities once your golf game is complete.
We are aware of at least two other Clubs whereby golfers (members) breached the Health Orders and Club directions. The individuals received large fines via NSW Police Infringement notices, and subsequent disciplinary action from the respective Clubs. Oatlands GC will be encouraging inspections by the NSW Police and have been deemed compliant at every inspection that we have had to date, so please do not make a booking if you do not reside within 5kms of the Club.
Please be advised, that while the Club will not be taking any chances, the obligation for compliance sits with every member. The Club is obligated under the NSW Health Orders to inform the NSW Police of any known breaches and will not hesitate to do so to keep the Club compliant and meet our broader obligations of the Health Orders and community safety.
Timeswaps at Other Clubs
At the time of writing, we have been able to provide over 100 individual members with games of golf across the following Clubs since the 25th August:
- Pennant Hills GC
- Castle Hill CC
- Monash CC
- Avondale CC
We sincerely thank these Clubs for providing our members these times despite the fact we have been closed and unable to provide their members tee times in return, and we look forward to being able to return the favour when we re-open.
Despite this, these 100 bookings have only been able to cater for a small portion of our 950 playing members, many of whom are ineligible to play at the aforementioned Clubs and OGC. We therefore thank all of you for your patience while we work through these bookings and prioritise those who have played the least amount of golf since the LGA and distance restrictions came into effect on 5th July.
Pleasingly, since the 11am announcement yesterday we have been able to secure additional times at:
- Muirfield
- North Ryde
- Lynwood
- Cumberland
- Stonecutter’s Ridge
We are also engaging in discussion with several additional clubs. Detailed communication on all timeswap arrangements will be sent early next week.
We are very much looking forward to seeing golfers back on the course and members back at their Club. We are crossing fingers and toes that this first step is only a short one from getting all members back to the Club and normal operation as soon as possible.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 0.0mm, Rainfall for 2021: 740.5mm Dam: 100% Green Speed: Renovations
As mentioned in last week’s wrap, we have started stage 2 of the bunker rejuvenation program which has continued this week. We have been shelling out all 16 bunkers (bunkers on the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 16th holes) as we have changed the works format for this stage of the program.
The schedule of works will be performed as follows: –
- All 16 bunkers to be shelled out
- Prepare bunker surrounds for turfing with Zoysia. This includes removing excess / built-up soil and sand on bunker faces / edges to reinstate to original heights (and depths), ensure bunker surrounds blend into green surrounds, and trim / shape bunker faces / edges for better turf longevity and easier maintenance.
- Lay new Shadetuff Zoysia turf around each bunker – These two stages should take 3 to 4 weeks to complete
- Bunker bases will be cleaned out (leaf / soil / material debris), drainage lines covered with bidim cloth, drainage pipe and gravel installed, entire bunker base covered in fabric lining, add sand. This work will now take place on the operating golf course with the plan to complete one bunker a week, so 16 weeks without interruptions like storms, Christmas, New Year, Public holidays etc).
This may seem like an extended period of time, however, considering Stage 1 ran from September 2020 until April 2021, we think completing stage 2 by April next year will be a great accomplishment by the course team whilst also maintaining the course during the peak growing season, and a with stage 2 addressing four more bunkers than stage 1.
While the course staff have been assisting with the shelling out of the bunkers, we have also continued with the collar work on greens 3, 6, 8 and 9. The worn out and kikuyu invaded areas have been stripped, soil added and levelled out, with new couch turf being laid early next week. That will leave the 12th collar and bunker surrounds to complete, with the 16th collar to be replaced at the same time as we returf around the 16th bunkers.
Our greens continue to recover well from renovations with the break from play most beneficial for their overall health. We are currently cutting them at 5mm but will reduce this down to 4mm and then 3.5mm ahead of the re-opening of the course.
Our fairways are recovering well from recent aerating and top dressing with their first cut planned for next week. Our tees, collars and aprons have enjoyed the break from play, but soil temperatures aren’t ideal for growth of couch turf yet. The overnight temperatures are still low which is keeping soil temperatures down as well. Couch turf doesn’t usually start to come out of winter dormancy until late October early November. The first of two pre-emergent herbicide applications to fairways will be made next week to control weeds in these surfaces. We have kept our fairways surfaces weed free over the winter period and these two applications will ensure this trend continues.
Have great week everyone and we look forward to seeing many of you next week.
The Course Team.
OGC Takeaway Cafe
The temporary takeaway cafe will re-commence when the Club re-opens on Saturday 11th September with the following hours of operation;
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Thursday:10:00am – 3:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday:10:00am – 3:00pm
Sunday:10:00am – 3:00pm
Members are reminded that cafe sales can only take place for golfers moving between holes 11 and 12. Post golf sales are not available with the restrictions in place requiring members to head home immediately upon completion of their golf.
The takeaway cafe are selling coffee, packaged sandwiches, bottled drinks including beer, pies, sausage rolls and confectionery.
Members are reminded that all items are for takeaway sale only and can only be consumed on the way back to your car or in your car, not on the verandah or carpark.
Please note, Oatlands fully endorses responsible service of alcohol and insists any takeaway alcohol be consumed on course after purchase before golf or at halfway or at home if purchased after golf. Please do not consume alcohol in your vehicle on the way home.
Members Only Closed Facebook Group
The Club has recently setup a closed members Facebook group for OGC members. The group has been active for two week and already has almost 200 members that have joined.
This social media platform will allow members to engage with each and with the Club in addition to the traditional communication channels already in place. We also have some exciting initiatives that will be launched through this platform in the coming weeks, such as, live feed interactive Rules sessions, Chef Masterclass video’s, Member Only Professional Tips, and a host of other member only group activities that can take place in a Covid compliant fashion from the safety of your own home.
At the time of writing the newly setup group has 2 members being the Club GM and Captain, so don’t be concerned if you join and don’t see too many other members, the group will build quite quickly.
To join the Members Only Facebook Group please click on the link below and the click on the “JOIN GROUP” button. You will be asked a few questions to vary you are a member and then approved by the group administrator shortly thereafter.
www.facebook.com/groups/870087546972166/
DIY Mexican Fiesta – Saturday 18th September
Saturday the 18th of September we are offering pick up and delivery of our ready made Mexican Fiesta
$40pp
Pick up from 11-5pm and delivery from 3-5pm
Menu
- Pulled Pork Tacos
- Chilli Con Carne Beef Nachos
- Brown Rice Chipotle Burrito Bowl
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo – Salsa
- Churros with Dipping Sauce
