Oatlands Enews – Friday 7th June 2024
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- From the Course
- June Bettington Restaurant – Menu Available, Saturday 15th & Wednesday 26th June
- Oatlands Alumni Lend a Helping Hand at LIV Adelaide
- PGA Associate – Sam Reece
- Interclub Challenge History
- Junior Development Programme Fundraiser – Monday 10th June
- Captain’s Corner – Rule 17.1d Relief for Ball in a Penalty Area
- Ball Prize Credit – Expires 30th June 2024
- Pennant Update
- Recent Trophy Event Winners
- Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events
- Upcoming Member Events: June and July
- Members Only Facebook Group
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 130.5mm, Rainfall for 2024: 796.0mm, Dam: 100%, Green Speed: 9.5 feet
As mentioned in last week’s course update, the team has tackled the job of installing new wiring to all the sprinklers around the putting and chipping greens. The sprinklers around these greens were controlled by a radio wave type system that was wireless, which was a new system designed to eliminate the need to hard wire the sprinklers back to a controlling satellite box out on the course. This new technology has failed for the past 3-4 months, which has meant staff had to turn the sprinklers around these greens on manually at each sprinkler head to water the greens which was unreliable and often had to be done with the risk of wetting players in the area.
The installation of the new wiring involved turf cutting a strip of turf around the entire perimeter of the 2 greens so that a trench could be dug by either our excavator around the chipping green, or by shovel around the putting green. These two greens looked like a construction site on Monday afternoon with all the dirt dug from the trenches piled up along side the trench waiting to be used to backfill the trench once the wiring had been installed.
By late Tuesday afternoon, the wires had been installed and connected to the sprinklers, and all the trenches had been backfilled. Turf from the perimeter of the putting green has been transferred across to the nursery green so a full coverage of this green can be reinstated. We will be replacing the perimeter of the putting green with Santa Ana couch, as this grass species will cope better with the accidental traffic the green receives from golf carts driving over the edges of this green, and it will also cope better with the heat of summer as the edges of the green dried out very quickly up against the hot concrete surrounds.
The new turf for the perimeter of the putting green, front of the 11th ladies tee and the end of the 8th/9th path, will be laid next Thursday, delayed somewhat due to the turf farms being too wet this week after the heavy rainfall last weekend.
Next week, we will be applying pigment and iron to fairways, tees, collars and aprons to maintain colour in these surfaces now that growth has reduced across these surfaces.
Volunteers were on course this week assisting with the trenching work around the putting green, and cleaning up practice mats to be reinstalled in the practice nets in the future. These gentlemen worked very hard on Monday morning and were of great assistance to the course team. Thank you very much to everyone that volunteered their time this week!
Greens will be mown on Saturday and Sunday morning, and the dew removed from them on Monday morning. Happy Golfing!
The Course Team.
June Bettington Restaurant – Menu Available, Saturday 15th & Wednesday 26th June
Members and guests are invited to our a la carte Bettington Restaurant on Saturday 15th June 2024.
Bookings are available for 2 to 10 diners, with a two course menu for $55 or three courses for $69.
Seating times are available at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm, so grab some friends and join us for another great night of food and friendship.
May Menu
On Arrival
- Chicken broth
- Bread and butter
Entrée
- Bresaola, wild rocket, shaved parmigiano, baby capers and local EVO (gf)
- Tasmania salmon tiradito, dill oil, Yukari, jalapeno, and yuzu dressing (gf)
- Tempura king prawns, sweet potato, tensuyu, and black garlic aioli
Main
- Lamb neck, charred eggplant, morello cherry, and sumac sweetcorn (gf)
- Braised beef shank, Jerusalem artichoke, parsnip and pumpkin (gf)
- Pan seared Jewfish, orange baked fennel, currant and Shio koji (gf)
- Slow cooked Wagyu ragu Casarecce, miso, nashi, pecorino and shiso
Side – $9.00 each
- Roasted potatoes, rosemary salt (v, gf)
- Green beans, mustard dressing, sesame (v, gf)
- Loaded shoestring fries, okonomiyaki, Bonito flake
Dessert
- Basque burnt cheesecake, Sambuca caramel, caramel gelato
- Chocolate mousse, fig sorbet, amaretti and sherry vinegar (gf)
- Affogato with Frangelico, espresso, vanilla gelato, and ricciarelli (gf)
Bar account credit and Birthday vouchers redeemable.
Oatlands Alumni Lend a Helping Hand at LIV Adelaide
Two former OGC Greenskeepers, Martyna Synak (former OGC Course 2IC) and Penny Deehan (former OGC Course 3IC) were recognised in the recent edition of the golf industry’s Turfgrass magazine for joining the volunteer brigade for the second LIV Golf Adelaide event at The Grange Golf Club in April.
Martyna and Penny have led the way for women in this under-represented section of the golf industry including being involved in the successful launch of John Deere’s Women In Turf program at TPS Murray River in 2023.
Click here for the full article from the recent edition of Turfgrass magazine.
PGA Associate – Sam Reece
Members may remember the Enews article in January of this year advising that OGC member Sam Reece was commencing his PGA of Australia training as an Associate through the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program (MPP).
6-months into the 3 year program (formerly known as a traineeship) we are pleased to report that Sam is progressing well with all aspects of the program, these being; Vocational training, Academic study, and meeting a minimum Playing standard through weekly MPP golf events.
Sam recently ran 3rd in the event at Links Shell Cove with a score of 3-under on Monday 20th May and tied 10th on Monday 3rd June at Muirfield GC with a score of 2-over.
Members who are interested in following Sam’s progress in the weekly MPP tournaments, can see the weekly results through the tournament tab of the PGA of Australia’s website (www.pga.org.au) and click on ‘Schedule’ then ‘MPP Tournaments’.
PGA Membership Pathway Program Information
The PGA Membership Pathway Program (MPP) is ideal for both male and female golfers who have a passion for golf and a desire to translate that passion into a career in the golf industry.
Designed for completion over a three (3) year period, the MPP will provide real skills in the workplace, in addition to undertaking a nationally accredited diploma level qualification in a preferred area of interest.
Studies in the Program are delivered through on-the-job training, face to face and virtual training schools, and online learning delivered over the calendar year. In addition to workplace and academic requirements, the MPP also requires regular participation in Professional Golf Tournaments to meet PGA Playing Requirements.
For detailed information regarding the PGA Membership Pathway Program please click here.
The four Oatlands Golf Club employees who are qualified PGA Professionals, along with Associate Sam Reece, are:
General Manager: Sam Howe
Head Professional: Jeremy Ward
Assistant Professional: David Ecob
Assistant Professional: Max Dakic
Interclub Challenge History
Members will have noticed another successful season for our Men’s Interclub Challenge pennant side, making the semi-finals to be played in 2 weeks after a narrow loss in last years final.
Few members however would be aware of the history of this pennant which is a little different to the majority of pennant competitions Club’s enter, which are hosted in Sydney by Golf NSW.
The Interclub Challenge was founded in 1998 when NSW Golf Association threatened to down-grade Royal Sydney’s status in the Major Pennant event. (Major Pennant has since become a promotion and relagation format across five Divisions). Royal Sydney’s Captain at the time, Paul Mazoudier, organised a meeting of the other Group One Clubs as they were then referred to, and formed a competition with the objective minuted from the Inaugural Match Meeting on 21st of September 1998 being:
“To ensure that good golf is enjoyed on good golf courses at convenient times with good fellowship.”
Oatlands was an inaugural member of the 16 team competition, which remains one of the most in-demand pennant competitions in Sydney due to the calibre of the Club’s competing. The 16 teams in the Interclub Challenge are listed below:
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While Oatlands has come close to winning the event in recent years, we are yet to claim this coveted pennant. Perhaps 2024 is our year!
Click here for a list of winners since the competition began.
Junior Development Fundraising Golf Day – Monday 10th June 2024
It’s not to late to join the Club’s annual Junior Development Programme (JDP) Fundraising Golf Day which provides pivotal support to the continued success of our Junior Development and High Performance programmes.
The event will take place on this coming Monday of the King’s Birthday long weekend, with a 4-person ambrose format which allows both regular and casual golfers to take part. For our Lifestyle members, this event will not be counted as one of your competition rounds, so please join in.
The success of our Junior Programme was on full display in 2023 when our Encourage Shield won both the Metropolitan and State Pennants, and with approximately 10 clinics sessions a week in each of the four school terms and the significant waitlist for spots in the programme, that success is set to continue in 2024.
While these programmes make a valuable contribution to the Club and provide a pipeline of future members, they are costly to run, and the Annual Golf Day plays an important role in funding these programmes.
With your continued support, we can build on this recent success and empower the next generation of Oatlands Golf Club Champions to reach even greater heights.
Here are the essential details you need to know:
Date: Monday, 10th June, King’s Birthday long weekend
Time: 12:00 pm shotgun start
Location: Oatlands Golf Club
Format: 4-person Ambrose (unhandicapped golfers can be allocated a temporary handicap)
Cost: Members: $35 per person / Guests: $75 per person
Inclusions: Bacon & egg roll before golf, lots of great prizes
All proceeds will directly contribute to the ongoing development of our Juniors from the beginner to high performance levels.
If you are unable to make the Golf Day, tax deductible donations can be made to the Junior Development Programme through the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF). This is an ideal time to support the juniors leading up to the end of the tax year.
Click here to be taken to the Oatlands Golf Club ASF page for the Junior Development Programme.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something truly special. Join us for a day of golf, camaraderie, and community spirit, as we come together to support the next generation of Oatlands Golf Club champions.
Bookings available online or by contacting the Pro Shop.
We can’t wait to see you on the course!
Warm regards,
Jeremy Ward
Head Professional
Oatlands Golf Club
Captain’s Corner – Rule17.1d Relief for Ball in Penalty Area
- Limits on Location of Relief Area:
- Must not be nearer the hole than the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area, and
- May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, but
- Must be in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped.
- Reference Point: The estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:
- Limits on Location of Relief Area:
- Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
- May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, but
- If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped in the relief area.
Club Captain
Ball Prize Credit – Expires 30th June 2024
Members are reminded that ball prize credit accumulated up to the 31st March 2024 will need to used by 30th June 2024.
Credit not used by this time will automatically expire.
Credit accumulated after 31st March 2024 will remain available for use until 30th June 2025.
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.
Pennant Update
Men’s Interclub
With the heavens opening, the Golfing Gods have shined on our Interlcub Team with the sectional final against Avondale on Sunday 2nd June washed out, meaning that Oatlands progress to the semi-finals due to their higher seeding.
This means that the Interclub side will now face Bonnie Doon GC at Terrey Hills GC on Sunday 16th June at 7:32am. Details of both semi-finals are provided below;
Semi Final 1 at NSW: The Lakes (1) vs. The Australian (4) from 7.39am
Semi Final 2 at Terrey Hills: Oatlands (2) vs. Bonnie Doon (3) at 7.32am
Men’s Master Pennant
Last week the team played a close match in tough conditions (with most Sydney courses closed) against leaders Twin Creeks at Twin Creeks, unfortunately losing 5 to 3.
Charlie Kim played up front but a tough day on tricky greens broke his undefeated streak with a 2&1 loss to a very strong player playing off a +1 handicap.
Janaka Wimalaratne, playing at No 4 to strengthen our middle order, was just too strong winning 5&4 in the standout performance of the day.
Linda Gyzen, playing up a couple of spots at No 3, was against a player that was in form shooting a near perfect round to defeat Linda 6 &4.
Undefeated players Mike McKechnie and Simon Perry continued their good form with Mike winning 1 up on the last hole, but unfortunately Simon’s run came to an end finding the trees one too many times narrowly loosing on the 16th Hole.
Steve Doherty played a great match with everyone out watching, winning on the final hole in front of the clubhouse crowd.
We currently now sit in 3rd place, 1 point off second and 3 from 1st so will need to win all our matches from here on.
This week we take on Lakeside at Lakeside and the team has been out there practicing hard in Thursdays rain ready for a victory.
Regards Rod Butcher
Team Captain/Manager
Ladies Silver Shield
The Silver Shield have their last game at Manly vs Concord today (weather pending). They are currently in 3rd position.
The 2024 team is Amy Kim , Jenny Doherty, Stephanie Monaghan, Lisa Bechara, Linda Bestford and Jin Kim.
Recent Trophy Event Winners
Doug Spurway Trophy
The Doug Spurway Trophy was played on Saturday 1st June with the morning field completing their round before the heavens opened and the entire PM field was washed out.
Lucas Sarac won the trophy with a score of 38 points.
Well done Lucas!
Ladies Club Medal
The Ladies June Medal was played on Thursday 6th June with Linda Gyzen recording a nett 72 to win the medal.
Well done Linda!
Ladies Oatlands and Long Markers Cup
The qualifying rounds of the Oatlands & Long Markers Cups were played on Thursday 6th June.
The Draws for the events can be found via the links below:
Good luck to all competitors.
Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 8th June – Club Medal / Southpaw Cup
- Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser
- Saturday 22nd June – Governor’s Cup
- Tuesday 25th June – Oatlands Senior Cup (Golf NSW Senior Order of Merit)
- Saturday 29th June – Foundation Day
Ladies
- Sunday 9th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Qualifying
- Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser
- Thursday 13th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Qualifying Rd1
- Sunday 16th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Quarter-finals
- Monday 17th June – Grandmother’s Trophy
- Thursday 20th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Rd2
- Sunday 23rd June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Semi-finals
- Thursday 27th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Finals
- Sunday 30th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Final
Mixed
- Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser
Upcoming Member Events: June and July
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:
- Monday 10th June, Junior Development Fundraising Day
- Saturday 15th June, The Bettington Restaurant
- Friday 21st June, 500 Social Cards
- Wednesday 26th June, The Bettington Restaurant
- Thursday 4th July, Ladies Foundation Day
- Saturday 27th July, The Bettington Restaurant
- Wednesday 31st July, The Bettington Restaurant
Note: Bar Account Credit and Birthday vouchers can be used for all of these events (excludes JDP Fundraiser)
Members Only Facebook Group
If you aren’t already part of our Members Only Facebook Group, join up now and join in the conversation.
This group is where members can share their experience of Oatlands Golf Club and chat to one another about interesting things happening in the world of golf and society as a whole.
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.