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This week’s Enews covers the following topics:

• Joe Wahbe – NSW Club Volunteer of the Year
• Covid-19 Compliance Inspection by OLGR – Thursday 14th October
• From the Course
• Phillip Lamperts – Hole in One, 18th Hole
• Modified Local Rules – Bunker Rakes back in use as of Monday 11th October
• Compulsory GUR for bunker Rejuvenation Works
• Drinks Cart to resume on Saturday’s
• Junior Development Programme to resume from Monday 18^th October
• Lynwood Country Club offer to OGC Members
• Golfing Programme to the end of 2021
• Bettington Restaurant and Melbourne Cup
• OGC Kitchen – Takeaway Menu

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Joe Wahbe – NSW Club Volunteer of the Year

Covid-19 Compliance Inspection by OLGR – Thursday 14th October

Members are advised that the Club received an inspection by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing on Thursday 14th October to verify that the Clubs Covid-19 compliance measures were in line with the current Public Health Orders. 

The inspectors were complimentary of the Clubs compliance, and in-particular the level of detail in our registered Covid Safe Plan, however, this is a timely reminder to members and all of our staff of the need to be diligent with regard to QR Code Check-in, Mask wearing, only eating and drinking while seated, and no entry into the Clubhouse unless fully vaccinated.

We thank you for your assistance in providing a compliant and safe environment at the Club.

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From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 34.5mm,  Rainfall for 2021: 831.5mm   Dam: 100%   Green Speed: 9.5 feet

A wet week has disrupted planned works on the course this week. We had planned to install the lining and drainage materials in the 6^th bunker on Monday and then start the preparation works on the 12^th collar and bunker surrounds, however with the clay bases of the shelled out bunkers being so wet, the team would only create a mess and possibly damage the bunker bases while working in them. Therefore, we changed our schedule this week and spent Monday and Tuesday stripping out sections of the 12^th collar and bunker surrounds, lifting the sprinkler heads around this green so that they would be level with the new turf that is going to be laid. New soil has been brought in to shape the collar and surrounds to desired shapes and levels. Most of the bunker edges have been cut back to original lines, with plenty of over-growth being removed in the process. A final preparation of these surfaces to performed before the turf is laid on Monday morning.

Carts weren’t allowed on the course on Thursday, as many areas of the course are starting to mark up and be damaged from cart traffic. The wet weather we have experienced so far this week and last week, has raised moisture levels in our surfaces. Cart users are asked to try and avoid any areas where muddy wheel marks can be seen on turf surfaces, as this is a clear indication that that area of the course is very wet.

All areas of the course have been cut this week including rough areas from the fairway edge to the tree line. The growth on most fairways has increased over the past fortnight, with only the 3^rd, 4^th and 7^th fairways still not fully recovered from Winter and renovations. These three fairways are affected the most by shade, with the cloudy wet weather keeping soil temperatures on these fairways lower than our full sun fairways. It’s a waiting game with Mother Nature, while we also ensure our maintenance practices on these surfaces don’t do anything to inhibit any growth.

Enjoy the weekend!

The Course Team.

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Phillip Lamperts – Hole in One, 18th Hole

What a great return to golf for OGC member Phillip Lamperts with a hole in one on the 18th hole on Wednesday 13th October in his first competition round since mid-August.

Click on the video below to see Phillips perfect shot go straight into the hole on its second bounce.

Congratulations Phillip.

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Modified Local Rules – Bunker Rakes back in use as of Monday 11th October

Oatlands Golf Club has had a “modified local rule” in place for much of the last 18 months that allow for a preferred lie to be taken in bunkers and therefore removed the need for bunkers to be raked. With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday 11th October and the beginning of the return to the “new normal”, this modified local rule will be removed with all rakes placed back into bunkers and preferred lies in bunkers ceasing to be an option.

While many of our bunkers have been or are being refurbished, the quality of the bunker surface is heavily reliant on golfers raking their footprints and shot damage prior to leaving the bunker.

We ask all members to be aware of this requirement and the negative impact on fellow golfers if this fundamental aspect of course care is not undertaken each time you are in a bunker.

Given that bunker rakes have not been present at OGC for so long, Course Superintendent Dom Yates has prepared a short video on the correct procedure for raking a bunker which can be viewed below.

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Compulsory GUR for Bunker Rejuvenation Works

Following on from last week’s eNews and the video showing the correct way to take relief from an area of GUR, there have been a number of questions raised by members regarding COMPULSORY GUR and drop stakes.

It is expected that the current bunker renovations will take up to six months to finalise and as such we will simplify the process for taking relief from these works.   

The process of taking relief in a GUR is as set out in the video included in last week’s eNews.

Works on the 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10^th, 11th, and 16th, and soon to be the 12^th green/bunker surrounds have been designated Compulsory GUR.  If your ball comes to rest in the compulsory GUR area you must take relief.  Blue stakes will be positioned on each of the stated holes where you must drop your ball.  On a hole where there is more than one blue stake, you must take relief at the nearest stake, even if that stake is nearer the hole.  You must drop your ball within 1 club length of the dropping stake.

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Drinks Cart to Resume on Saturday’s

The Club will resume drinks cart service every Saturday commencing Saturday 16th October (pending wet weather and the allowance of carts on the course).

This service will run from 10am – 3:30pm each Saturday. 

We will monitor the success of the drinks cart on Saturday’s over the coming month with a view to extending the service to other days based on demand.

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Junior Development Programme to resume from Monday 18^th October

Like many aspects of the Club’s operation, the Junior Development Programme (JDP) has been significantly impacted by the Government imposed Covid-19 restrictions over the last 3 months.

With the easing of restrictions and limits on outdoor activities, we are pleased to announce that the JDP will re-commence from the week starting Monday 18th October.

Timesheets have been set up for the weekly classes on the following schedule:

• Monday – Group B, 4pm (Coach: Paige Stubbs)
• Tuesday – Group A & B, 4pm (Coach: Paige Stubbs & Jason Park)
• Wednesday – Group A (Coach: Jason Park)
• Thursday – ELITE GROUP ONLY, 4pm (Coach: Paige Stubbs)
• Friday – ELITE GROUP ONLY, 4pm (Coach: David Ecob)
• Saturday – Group A, 1pm (Coach: David Ecob) & Group B, 4pm (Coach: Max Dakic)
• Sunday – Group B, 1pm (Coach: David Ecob)

Bookings are essential and are available through the Club website now.

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Lynwood Country Club offer to OGC Members

Over the last two months, OGC has had timeswap arrangements in place with 15 other Golf Clubs to assist those members who have been unable to attend our Club.

During this time, a number of Clubs including OGC, made tee times available for other Clubs that weren’t necessarily located in an LGA that benefitted our members. This aspect of the timeswap arrangements gives a wonderful insight into the unity of the golf industry that really came together in a time of need.

One of those Clubs that offered times to OGC was Lynwood Country Club.

Although not necessary, Lynwood CC has offered to acknowledge the times provided by OGC by offering all OGC members access to Lynwood CC until 1st November with no green fee payable.

Members wishing to utilise these tee times can do so by phoning the Lynwood Pro Shop (02 4580 2800) to make a booking.

The conditions on the bookings are as follows:

• Available Monday to Friday and Sunday (excludes Saturday)
• Competition booking only, competition fee payable (no green fee payable)
• Lynwood Covid-19 restrictions with regard to vaccination will apply

OGC thanks Lynwood for this generous offer and we hope some of our members will find an opportunity to take up the offer.

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Golfing Programme to the end of 2021

Since the end of June, the Club has had to postpone a significant number of trophy and Club golf events on the men’s, ladies and mixed golf programme.

With the imminent return to groups of 4, the following draft programme* has been put together up to the end of 2021 in an attempt to complete as many of these events as possible:

• Thursday 21 October: Captain’s Cup Qualifying, Medal Rnd 4, Lexus Rnd 6
• Sunday 24th October: WS Targett Matchplay – Quarter-Finals (Qualifying completed pre-lockdown)
• Monday 25th October: Veterans Closing Day, Team Events, 8am Shotgun Start
• Thursday 28th October: Captains Cup Matchplay Quarter-Final 
• Sunday 31st October: WS Targett Matchplay – Semi-Finals
• Thursday 4th November: Captains Cup Matchplay Semi-Final
• Saturday 6th November: Men’s Club Championship Medal and Matchplay Qualifying – Rnd 1 of 2
• Sunday 7th November: WS Targett Matchplay – Finals
• Thursday 11th November: Captains Cup Matchplay Final
• Saturday 13th November: Digger’s Day
• Monday 15th November: Ladies Annual General Meeting, 8:00am Shotgun Start
• Thursday 18th November: Ladies Club Championships Rnd1, Medal Rnd 5 
• Saturday 20th November: Men’s Club Championship Medal and Matchplay Qualifying – Rnd 2 of 2
• Sunday 21st November: Father & Son Trophy
• Thursday 25th November: Ladies Club Championships Rnd 2, Medal Rnd 6
• Saturday 27th November: Oatlands Cup
• Sunday 28th November: Sunday Xmas Cheer
• Monday 29th November: Ladies Xmas Cheer Ham & Turkey Day
• Wednesday 1st December: Men’s Xmas Cheer Ham & Turkey Day
• Saturday 4th December: Men’s Plate, Middle Marker and Long Marker Championship Matchplay – Rnd 1
• Thursday 2nd December: Ladies Club Championships Final Round, Gold Medal
• Sunday 5th December: Men’s Club Championship Matchplay – Rnd 1
• Thursday 9th December: Ladies Presentation Night
• Saturday 11th December: Presidents vs Captains Day
• Sunday 12th December: Mixed Foursomes Championships, 36 holes
• Saturday 18th December: Men’s Plate, Middle Marker and Long Marker Championship Matchplay – Quarter-Finals
• Sunday 19th December: Men’s Club Championship Matchplay – Quarter-Finals
• Saturday 15th January: Men’s Plate, Middle Marker and Long Marker Championship Matchplay – Semi-Finals
• Sunday 16th January: Men’s Club Championship Matchplay – Semi-Finals
• Saturday 22nd January: Men’s Club Championship, Plate, Middle Marker and Long Marker Championship Matchplay – Final

*Subject to provisions in the Public Health Orders

Cancelled events for 2021:

• Mens HP Evans Knockout
• Mens Presidents Cup
• Mens Winter Medal
• Mens Oatlands Senior Cup – TBC pending Public Health Orders and visitor access
• Legacy Cup
• Ladies Castle Hill Interclub
• Ladies Summer Foursomes
• Ladies Grace Norris Trophy

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Bettington Restaurant and Melbourne Cup

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OGC Kitchen – Takeaway Menu

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