Oatlands Enews – Friday 23rd June 2023
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- From the Course
- New Golf Cart Fleet Arriving Soon with in-cart GPS
- Member Event Survey – What Events Do You Want?
- Course Care: Induction Information for New Members
- Complimentary Visitor Vouchers for all Full and 6-Day Playing Members
- Ball Prize Credit 2022-23 – Expires 30th June 2023
- School Holiday Clinics with Max Dakic
- Pennant Update
- Recent Trophy Event Winners
- Upcoming Trophy Events
- Members Only Facebook Group
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 0.0mm, Rainfall for 2023: 533.0mm, Dam: 100% Green Speed: 10.5 feet
Winter has certainly arrived this week with the chilly mornings hitting us with a vengeance!
Our early morning golfers may have noticed the first frost of the winter season this week, particularly on the couch areas (tee’s and collars). Fun fact, frost typically occurs after a clear cold night when the grass surfaces are colder than the surrounding air. The morning temperatures need to be below zero, and when temperatures reach this or go even lower, the dew that sets on the grass freezes and creates what we call a frost. Frost isn’t harmful to the turf surfaces, but if machinery or player traffic drive or walk over these areas, the leaf blade of the turf is snapped because it is frozen, causing these leaf blades to die, but not the whole plant. We generally only see 2 or 3 light frosts during the winter months, whereas further west at Lynwood Golf Club, they have already had around 15 frost mornings so far this winter!
Although Autumn is behind us, some of the deciduous trees are still shedding leaves meaning the blowers and vacuum have been busy Monday and Tuesday. This will continue throughout the week as required.
The three greenside bunkers at the 12th have received some fresh sand this week. The process for this work includes distributing the sand evenly to required areas, before lightly watering the sand and compacting it with our plate compactor. As time permits, we will also continue with this consolidation process at the remaining GUR bunkers at the 13th.
Our Greens are healthy and preforming well. We continued with our sand dusting program on Tuesday, which was applied in the morning and rubbed in later that day once the sand had dried. We ideally wait for the sand to dry out before commencing the rub in process, as this ensures that the sand can be properly worked into the leaf canopy.
Work on the 8th flyover has continued this week, with the soil from the stockpile being moved around into the required areas. This project has been a bit slower than anticipated due to the recycled soil still having debris throughout (Rocks, sticks, old bunker mating and ag line). Now that the soil is in place, it will be rotary hoed again with final shaping and consolidation to be performed. We will then install the new Geohex path and finally lay new turf across this whole area.
Sadly, the frustration at un-repaired pitchmarks continues as evidenced in the image (one of the practice green) shown. With the weather cooling down and therefore plant growth at a minimum, the impact of unrepaired pitchmarks and divots is at its greatest. Failure to repair these immediately and effectively, (see video of correct procedure below) can see the damage remain until the weather warms and growth re-ignites. We again implore all members to repair the damage that occurs when playing.
Our volunteers were back on course this week with a vengeance, preparing bunkers for play, repaired and fit a safety cap for the bollard in the driveway, practice net ongoing maintenance, leaf debris removal and whipper snipping along the left hand side tree line at the 6th, top soil shaped and compacted at pathway exits on the 11th and 13th, cleaned and tidied the cart storage shed up and maintenance work to the ladies locker room. Gentlemen, a stellar effort this week and on behalf of your fellow members and the course staff, THANK YOU!
Greens will be cut on Saturday, with only the dew being removed from them on Sunday.
Have a great weekend and happy golfing!
The Course Team.
New Golf Cart Fleet Arriving Soon with in-cart GPS
The Club is in the process of upgrading our golf cart fleet from Yamaha Carts to Club Cars.
The new ClubCar Carts will include in-cart GPS which will not only improve the experience for the user, but will also provide protection for the golf course through the ability to geo-fence sensitive areas of the golf course.
The new carts will arrive in 6-8 weeks.
In the meantime, a temporary fleet of ClubCars has been provided to replace 22 of the Yamaha Carts which have been operating beyond their designated lease period due to supply issues.
The new cart fleet will be a big step forward for member experience, course care and cart management.
Member Event Survey – What Events Do You Want?
The Oatlands Hospitality and Events team would love to get feedback on what type of events you would like to see held at the Club.
Please complete the form below to provide feedback on the ideas listed or if you have any ideas we haven’t considered.
Member Survey - Club Event Ideas
Course Care: Induction Information for New Members
In recent months, a number of members have asked what information or direction is given to new members with regards to Course Care and Etiquette.
Each new member is required to attend a new member induction hosted by a 2-3 person combination of the Club President, Membership Committee Chairperson, General Manager, and Golf Operations Manager. In this induction, we cover all aspects of Club operation that a new member would need to know, including going through the attached document on Golf Etiquette, Rules of Golf, and Course Care (available at the link below);
This document is worth reading for all members, either as a refresher or to assist in providing support to new members that might be new to golf.
Complimentary Visitor Vouchers for all Full and 6-Day Playing Members
All Full Playing (Full, Intermediate and Junior) and 6-Day members are reminded that your membership includes an annual allotment of complimentary Visitor Vouchers.
These vouchers last until the end of the membership year (31st March), analysis of redemption in the last membership year shows that under 50% are utilised.
These vouchers are a great way to introduce friends and family to your Club through a complimentary round of golf.
To check the available Visitor Vouchers each member has available, please visit the MEMBER ACCOUNTS section of the website or speak to a member of the Pro Shop staff.
Ball Prize Credit Expiry 2022-23
Members are reminded that ball prize credit accumulated up to the 31st March 2023 will need to be used by 30th June 2023.
Credit not used by this time will automatically expire.
Credit accumulated after 31st March 2023 will remain available for use until 30th June 2024.
Balances are available on the Account section of the member page of the Club website or by contacting the Pro Shop.
Credit can only be used at the Pro Shop.
School Holiday Clinics with Max Dakic
Max Dakic is hosting two separate Junior School Holiday Clinics in the July School Holidays. Details below:
1st Clinic: 4th July at 10:00am to 12:30pm
2nd Clinic: 11th July at 10:00am to 12:30pm
Cost per clinic: $90
Clinics will cover all aspects of golf including Full Swing, Chipping, Putting and More! Food and beverage will be provided following the clinics.
These clinics are a great way to help improve a junior’s skills or help them get started.
Non-Members are more than welcome, and Golf Clubs are available for hire.
Please either contact Max or the Proshop to make bookings.
Pennant Update
Master Pennant
Master Pennants Results – Week 6
Congratulations Team of 2023 with a 5 – 3 victory over the Coast played at Oatlands.
This week Janaka Wimalaratne dominated his opponent with a strong 7 & 5 victory. Throughout the season Janaka showed his golfing ability going through the entire season undefeated.
Charlie Kim tied his match on the last hole, a match that had birdies and an eagle. Going through his season undefeated as well.
Dave Osborne had a good win and Mike McKechnie once again played consistent golf to halve his match.
Steve Doherty started off on fire going par, par, eagle, birdie to be 3 under after 4 holes to go on for a comfortable win.
With 4 matches in the bag, Russell Brooks knowing we needed his match for victory, made sand saves on his final 2 holes to secure his match and gave Oatlands a 5 to 3 victory, “those bunker lessons during the week from Dave really paid off”.
This was our final week after 6 matches, needing a strong win to avoid the relegation playoffs.
Throughout the season, everyone played well and represented Oatlands with pride but despite the win, we unfortunately came up 1 game short over the whole season.
During the season, we had two home game wins and narrowly lost to the Division winners by one match on the final hole.
This season, Oatlands fielded 2 ladies in our team which was a fantastic effort.
Playing scratch golf against male opponents ranging from 2 -5 handicaps, Amy Kim and Linda Gyzen showed that they could equally match this high standard. On many occasions outdriving their male opponents.
Congratulations Amy and Linda on a fantastic season!
Next week, we go to the playoffs to stay in our division at Cumberland in a must win match against Beverley Park.
Results
- Charlie Kim – All Square
- Janaka Wimalaratne – 7&5 Win
- Stephen Doherty – 4&3 Win
- Mike McKechnie – All Square
- Dave Osborne – 1up
- Jack Chang – 4&2 Loss
- Russell Brooks – 1up
- Amy Kim – 3&2 Loss
Rod Butcher
Team Manager and Captain
Interclub Pennant
The Oatlands Interclub team headed to Concord GC on Sunday for their semi-final showdown against a very strong Australian GC team full of confidence. The Concord layout was set up to challenge the players with some very tough pins and lightning greens.
The team had a very late change (6am Sunday) with their ageing captain having to pull out due to a bad back with Ed McCann filling the spot brilliantly, his eagle on the 9th from 150m just one of his highlights. Our bottom four were very strong again with all four winning in tight matches which meant we needed a win from the top four to secure victory. Luke and Ian provided the wins needed with some fantastic golf in the closing holes. Final score 6/2 win.
We now head to the final on Sunday at Royal Sydney GC to try and secure our maiden victory.
Results were as follows:
- Grant Lomas – Lost 4/2
- Luke Mason – Won 2/1 (undefeated)
- Ian Priest – Won 1 up
- Peter Schliebs – Lost 7/5
- Earl Rees – Won 2/1 (undefeated)
- James Roberts – Won 1 up (undefeated)
- Ed McCann – Won 4/3
- Mark Robinson – Won 2 up (undefeated)
Blair McDonald
Interclub Captain / Manager
Recent Trophy Event Winners
Grandmothers Trophy
The Grandmothers Trophy was played on Monday 19th June with Lexi Grice taking the title with a score of 37pts.
Oatlands Cup and Long Markers KO
There were no Ladies trophy events decided in the last week, however the semi-final matches for the Ladies Oatlands Cup and Long Markers matchplay were played on Thursday 22nd June.
Click on the links below for the respective draws and results;
Click here for the Oatlands Cup Draw 2023
Click here for the Long Markers Daw 2023
Upcoming Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 1st July – Foundation Day
- Saturday 8th July – Winter Medal
- Sunday 9th July – Father & Son and Parent and Child Trophy
- Saturday 29th July – Legacy Cup
Ladies
- Sunday 25th June – 2Ball Handicap Matchplay SF
- Thursday 29th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Final
- Sunday 2nd July – 2Ball Handicap Matchplay Final
- Thursday 6th July – Foundation Day
- Sunday 9th July – Parent & Child
- Thursday 20th July – Club Medal
- Thursday 27th July – Captain’s vs President’s
Mixed
- Sunday 2nd July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Qualifying
- Sunday 9th July – Parent & Child
- Sunday 16th July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Quarter-Finals
- Sunday 23rd July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Semi-Finals
- Sunday 30th July – WS Targett Fourball Knockout Final
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 370 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/
