Oatlands Enews – Friday 5th January 2024
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Happy New Year
- From the Course
- Club Dress Code
- Course Rating Update – In effect as of 1st January 2024
- Sandwich Hut to Remain Closed on Sunday’s
- Junior School Holiday Clinics with Max Dakic
- Nine, Wine & Dine – Friday 23rd February and 15th March 2024
- Pennant Update
- Upcoming Member Events: January and February 2024
- Recent Trophy Event Winners
- Upcoming Trophy Events
- Members Only Facebook Group
Happy New Year
We would like to wish all our members and their families a Happy New Year for 2024.
The year ahead promises to be smoother than the rollercoaster ride of the last 2-3 years, with a focus on enjoying our golf course, which continues to flourish, along with the company of fellow members.
With a number of the complex governance issues of recent years resolved, the Board and Management look forward to focusing on the continued improvement of the members facilities and services, and to delivering a diverse range of events (both on and off the course) for our members and their guests to enjoy.
Oatlands has always been a members club, existing for your benefit, and we are extremely grateful for the contribution you all make by supporting your club day in and day out. Member feedback is always encouraged, and if you have ideas, suggestions, or notice areas for improvement, we would love to hear from you and encourage you to reach out through the Club General Manager (Sam Howe) via email: gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au, or in-person.
Have a great 2024 and we look forward to sharing the year ahead with you all.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 2.0mm, Rainfall for 2024: 2.0mm (2023: 916.0mm), Dam: 95%, Green Speed: 9.5 feet
Another short and busy week on the course this week, both play and work wise. We have been very fortunate to miss a lot of rainfall again this week, with the rainfall that tracks on the radar seeming to split and go either side of the course on most occasions this past week.
Greens were dusted on Tuesday morning before the Sydney Veterans Golf group, with this light covering of sand watered into the surface with the sprinklers. We will now plan to dust greens on a weekly basis which will be beneficial for green health and playing conditions.
The blowers were busy out on the course early in the week tidying up all the leaf debris across the course, with the mowers all out in the latter half of the week mowing all surfaces before the weekend. The rough areas that haven’t been previously sprayed with growth regulator were very penal for golfers before the mowing was performed, with areas mostly inside the tree lines where it is difficult for the spray carts to operate, giving a great example of how much the growth regulator affects the upright growth of the grass.
All our new collars are growing well, with the cutting height of the new Zoysia collars and aprons on the 1st and 12th already down to the height of the couch collars. With the silly season behind us, we will continue with the replacement work on the 6th, 14th, 16th, 17th, and 18th collars, and the 7th apron/approach area.
An insecticide application will be made to all greens on Friday morning to protect them against Argentine Stem Weevil. This pest is very small in size but causes severe damage to putting surfaces in a short amount of time when population numbers are high, with damage to greens across Sydney being experienced this past week. We have a strong preventative spray program to control this pest, with this application all part of this program.
The course team has been down in numbers by at least two for the past few months, and three since Penny left. Fortunately, the team will be back to full numbers in the next fortnight with some timely additions. Our new 3IC Glenn Bingham started this week, coming across from North Ryde GC and being a great addition to the team going forward. Member, Russ Brooks is also joining the team as a groundsman and he too will be a great addition to the team, working with passion to present his course to the other members each week. Another new staff member Ryan Pursey will also be joining the team in the next few weeks and will also be a great addition with experience in the industry having worked at a few different courses across the Sydney area. If you see any of the new faces on the course, please make them feel welcome!
We will be cutting and rolling greens on Saturday morning, and only removing the dew from them on Sunday.
Have a great weekend and happy golfing!
The Course Team.
Club Dress Code
It’s been great to see so many of you inviting guests to play our course during this holiday period, we trust they have enjoyed their experience. This is a friendly reminder for members inviting guests (and for members themselves) to ensure the clubs dress code is adhered to. In the event members and guests are not complying with the dress code, players will be politely asked by a member of staff to resolve the issue.
While the overall standard is excellent, we are seeing an increase in shirts not tucked in and above the ankle black socks both of which don’t comply with the Club Dress Code.
A dress code is one of the traditions of golf that the club is committed to, and feels is important in maintaining the standard of club we are proud of. We hope all members will agree and assist in maintaining this standard.
Course Rating Update – In effect as of 1st January 2024
Members may have noticed some minor changes to the Slope Rating of our various courses (tee colours) that came into effect as of 1st January 2024 following a statistical review of by Golf NSW.
The statistical review process uses eligible round data from Golflink and compares the scores returned against scores expected under the World Handicap System to determine whether any changes are required to the course ratings. The review period covered rounds played from 1st January 2021 to 31st October 2023.
The review produced the following changes that came into effect 1st January 2024;
Men’s Courses
-
- Blue Tees
- Scratch Rating – No changes required
- Slope Rating – A small increase from 127 to 128.
- White Tees
- Scratch Rating – No changes required
- Slope Rating – An increase from 124 to 126.
- Green Tees
- No changes required due to insufficient round data
- Blue Tees
Women’s Courses
-
- Red Tees
- Scratch Rating – No changes required
- Slope Rating – An increase from 133 to 135.
- Yellow Tees
- Scratch Rating – No changes required
- Slope Rating – An increase from 132 to 134.
- Green Tees
- No changes required due to insufficient round data
- Red Tees
These changes bring the Course Ratings into line with the difficulty of the respective courses based on real playing-data, as opposed to the distance based ratings that were generated when the USGA World Handicapping System was first implemented in Australia.
Sandwich Hut to Remain Closed on Sunday’s
In mid-2021 we decided to extend the Sandwich Hut operation to include Sundays. This decision was made with the expectation that it would breakeven and provide an additional member service.
We have analysed trading activity of the sandwich hut. This analysis showed that on average only 25 people a week are utilising the service on a Sunday and the average spend per person is $9. Without going into the granular detail of cost of goods, margins, and labour cost, opening the Sandwich Hut on a Sunday is costing the Club and its members almost $10k per annum, while at the same time allocating staff resources (that are difficult to find in the current market) that are essential at other times to provide member services.
As such, the Board and Management have made the decision to close the Sandwich Hut on a Sunday going forward.
Members will still be able to purchase the full bar menu, pre-packaged sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls from the bar on Sunday’s.
Thank you for your understanding and if you have any questions or feedback, please direct them to Club General Manager, Sam Howe (gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au).
Junior School Holiday Clinics with Max Dakic
- Week 1 – Tuesday January 9th – Space Remaining
Week 2 – Tuesday January 16thWeek 2 Cancelled due to Encourage Shield State Finals- Week 3 – Tuesday January 23rd – FULLY BOOKED
Nine, Wine & Dine – Friday 23rd February and 15th March 2024
The first two instalments of the new Nine, Wine & Dine in November and December 2023 have been a fantastic successm with bookings near capacity with members and their guests.
The two remaining events for the 2023-24 season will be held Friday 23rd February and Friday 15th March, with timesheets now open for members to make bookings and to invite guests at no additional charge.
Competition play is optional, but for those playing the single stableford, we have prizes for the men’s and women’s winners and runner ups and an NTP. The 9-holes played will be holes 1-7, 17 & 18.
Tee times will be available from 4pm – 5:30pm with a two course modified a la carte menu after golf.
Bookings are now open, and we hope to see you there.
Pennant Update
Encourage Shield
Following our Encourage Shield team winning the pennant at the end of 2023, the side has subsequently qualified to compete in the State Finals to be played at Newcastle Golf Club in January.
Club Professionals and Team Managers Jeremy Ward and Max Dakic have organised the team to compete in the event along with the Newcastle Junior Classic. The itinerary for the teams participation in the two events is listed below;
Sunday 14th January – Newcastle Junior Classic
- Professionals times -10-11:30am.
Encourage Shield State Finals
Monday 15th January
- Semi-finals
- Tee Times – 9:45am – 11:45am
Tuesday 16th January
- Final and 3rd vs 4th Playoff
- Tee Times 7am – 9am.
Confirmed Team list:
- Ricky Fang
- Alicia Luo
- Jerry Qin
- Jeremy Liew
- Donovan O’Connor
- Noel Bae
- Michale Sze
- Brenden Fu
Winning the Metropolitan Encourage Sheild means the side have been provided with $200 per player by JNJG to cover costs for the event.
Any members who wish to contribute toward the cost of participation in the State Finals or toward the Clubs Junior Development and High Performance Programmes, can do so through the Australian Sports Foundation (link below) with donations fully tax deductible.
CLICK HERE to donate to the Oatlands Juniors
Men’s Major Pennant
We are pleased to advise members of the Men’s Major Pennant squad to represent Oatlands Golf Club in the 2024 Major Pennant which starts Sunday 4th February.
Oatlands will field one of its strongest teams in recent years for the 2024 competition and will enter the first round with high hopes of moving from Division 2 to Division 1 through the promotion / relegation format of this competition.
The below players have been selected (in handicap order).
- Young Park
- Luke Mason (c)
- Bradley Hooper
- Grant Lomas
- Christian Rees
- Roger Nakaad
- Charlie Kim
- Wil Reece
- Nathan Wareham
Team Manager: Blair McDonald
The other Clubs in the four Division 2 pools can be seen in the image below with OGC drawing Dunheved, Cronulla and Richmond.
We wish the squad the best of luck and will follow their progress with great interest.
Upcoming Member Events: January and February
The Club has lots of fantastic events coming up for members and guests, and we encourage members to take part in the Club’s diverse event offering over the coming months;
- Wednesday 24th January, The Bettington Restaurant
- Saturday 17th February, The Bettington Restaurant
- Friday 23rd February, Nine, Wine & Dine
- Wednesday 28th February, The Bettington Restaurant
Recent Trophy Event Winners
With the previous full version of the Enews being 1st December 2023, there are a few winners to update from the last month;
- Saturday 2nd December 2023: Oatlands Cup Playoff between Peter Schliebs and Rowan Easterbrook. Peter Schliebs won with a scratch score of 73 against Rowan’s 77.
- Monday 4th December 2023: Ladies Summer Foursomes Final: Linda Gyzen and Jan Rankin defeated Sally Wolrige and Kerrie Winter 1up.
- Saturday 16th December 2023: Men’s Presidents vs Captains – The Captains team won after the days play was drawn and Captain Col McRae defeated President George Isaac in a putt-off on the 18th green.
Upcoming Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 6th January – Summer Medal
- Saturday 20th January – AM Stanton Cup
Ladies
- Thursday 25th January – Ladies Opening Day
Mixed
- Friday 12th January – QPC&C Tiger Tee Challenge Champion of Champions
Family Membership Incentive – 50% Joining Fee Reduction for Immediate Family
The Board and Membership Committee of Oatlands Golf Club are pleased to announce a new membership initiative designed to encourage immediate family of our existing membership to join our wonderful Club.
Starting 1st July, all immediate family of an existing member in any of the Club’s playing membership categories, will be eligible for a 50% reduction to the joining fee of the respective category in which they join.
Eligibility criteria are listed below:
- Must be in one of the following relationships with a current Playing Member of the Club.
- Spouse including defacto*
- Children including in-law relationships*
- Parents including in-law relationships*
- Siblings
* Defacto and in-law relationships require verification via a shared address on a photo ID or marriage certificate.
This is an exciting opportunity for existing members of the Club and one that we hope will continue to build the strong family and inter-generational culture that is one of the hallmarks of OGC.
For further information on this incentive or to make an application, please contact Kathy Bright via email: administration@oatlandsgolf.com.au or by phoning the Club Reception.
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 380 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, which 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/