Oatlands Enews – Friday 30th October 2020
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- From the Course
- Membership Update
- Niblick Crescent Update
- Club Championship 2020 – Men’s and Ladies
- Digger’s Day 2020
- US Masters Breakfast – Cancelled for 2020 due to Telecast Times
- Volkswagen Scramble – Tuesday 24th November 2020
- Five after Five
- Non-order of Merit Oatlands Pro-Am
- Modified Local Rules – Penalty for Removing the Flag
- Guest / Visitor Fee Increase – Effective 1st November 2020
- Pennant Update
- Ladies Upcoming Events
- Upcoming Clubhouse Events
- Oatlands Golf Club – Fun Fact
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 79.5mm Rainfall for 2020: 1,089.5mm Dam: 100% Green Speed: 9 feet
A wet week for the course team to deal with this week, having to change our usual routines to ensure we still maintain our playing surfaces to expected standards, without causing any damage to them in the process.
The course was closed on Monday due to the wet conditions,dangerous winds, and further rain falling throughout the day. The team took advantage of these conditions and we applied a soil penetrant and a moisture retaining wetting agent to all fairways and surrounds, to ensure the rain was getting into our sub soils and not running off surfaces. All machines and tools were also thoroughly cleaned, and drainage pits around the maintenance shed were cleaned out.
Our work continued on the 5th hole bunkers on Tuesday, with all the cloth lining and drainage installed in the bunker on the left hand side near the path. The rain on Monday held these works up, as we were hoping to have all the lining and drainage installed in both of the remaining bunkers on this hole. The rain on Thursday morning made the remaining bunker base too wet and muddy to work in without creating a further mess, so we will be planning to complete these bunkers early next week.
The long range weather predictions are starting to come true with some much needed rain events occurring back to back, which saturated the sub soils in our playing surfaces. Once some warm days follow this rainfall, we will expect a surge in growth on our playing surfaces. To counteract this, we have applied growth regulator to all of our fairways except for the 7th and 11th and rough areas 3 to 4 metres outside our fairway perimeters. This application won’t reduce the height of the rough but control the growth so that the course team can keep up with the mowing of these areas and present a quality playing surface.
All areas of the course will be mown again this week including roughs, and sprinkler heads around greens and drainage pits throughout the course will be trimmed and tidied up.
Volunteers focused on clubhouse maintenance tasks on Monday due to the wet weather. Thank you gentlemen for your time and assistance as always! We also had one lady volunteer helping in the course gardens this week, so thank you to Paula Skelton for your help as well this week.
Have a good weekend!
The Course Team
Membership Update
The surge in membership following the recent announcement of Membership Limits and Joining Fees has continued and at the time of writing, our playing membership categories are nearing capacity as show in the table below;
| Category | Maximum Number of Members | Status as of 30th October | Joining Fee Status |
| Saturday Playing Categories (Full, Intermediate, Junior) |
500 | 491 |
As of 28th February 2021 or when capacity reached. Updated forecast: Joining Fee in place by mid-November. |
| 6 Day Categories | 180 | 151 |
As of 28th February 2021 or when capacity reached. Updated forecast: Joining Fee in place by January 2021. |
| Lifestyle Membership | 370 | Full with a waiting list | All new applicants required to pay the joining fee. |
| Junior Development (JDP) | 110 | Full with a waiting list | NA |
Joining Fees to commence 28th February 2021, or earlier if the above Membership Cap Limits are reached;
- Full playing $2,500
- 6 Day $2,000
- Intermediates $1,000
- Lifestyle $1,500
- Juniors Nil
Any member of less than 3 years wishing to upgrade their membership, once the Joining Fee has commenced, will be required to pay the difference in the Joining Fee for their existing category and the Joining Fee for the category to which they want to upgrade. Members who have held a Playing Membership for 3 years or more will not be required to pay the difference in the Joining Fees.
Rounds Cap Limit for Lifestyle Members;
Commencing 1st April 2021, Lifestyle Members will be entitled to a maximum of 120 rounds per membership year, of which a maximum of 12 can be competition rounds.
Based on analysis of the round data for the last 2 years, it is expected that this will impact 40-50 Lifestyle Members.
Once the 120 round limit has been reached, further play will require an upgrade in membership category, which will be subject to availability, and the payment of difference in the Joining Fee based on the criteria outlined (as noted, no fee is payable if the Member has held a playing Membership for 3 years or more).
The Board and Management of Oatlands Golf Club believe these initiatives are a positive step forward for the Club. They will provide the Club with the opportunity of significantly reducing the turnover of members and strengthening the membership base, that will allow the Club to grow and prosper into the future. That will benefit the membership as a whole.
If you have any questions or wish to transfer to a different membership category prior to the implementation of Joining Fees, please contact the Club’s General Manager, Sam Howe, or Membership Co-ordinator, Kathy Bright.
Niblick Crescent Update
Members were advised at the AGM and via the subsequent AGM minutes that a decision on how to proceed with the Niblick Crescent project is on hold subject to market conditions.
While this remains true, there are a number of investigations and processes that have been ongoing for some time which continue to progress behind the scenes. These items are underway so as to ensure that once the market conditions are right, the Board has all options available to make a recommendation to members for approval. This will ensure the best possible outcome for the Club and its members into the future.
One of these items has been the application for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) to allow dual occupancy townhouses to be built on each block. This CDC application was lodged on 14th October, with surrounding neighbours informed in writing as part of the application process.
If approved, the CDC is valid for 5 years. The Board would like all members to know that the lodgement and approval of the CDC does not mean a decision on how to proceed has been made. As indicated at the AGM, the Board is committed to achieving the best outcome for the membership from the Niblick Crescent blocks. The CDC application has been made to preserve the value of the blocks and provide the Board with as many options as possible and hence the ability to maximise the benefit for the Club’s future.
The Club’s Planning Committee are working behind the scenes to evolve all possible options for the Niblick blocks and once this have been fully investigated, the Board will make a recommendation for the members to approve.The Club is in no rush to reach a decision on the Niblick Crescent blocks as we are fully aware that the outcome of this project has to provide significant long-term benefit to the Club and that we will only have this opportunity once.
If members have any questions please direct them to the Club General Manager, Sam Howe.
Club Championship 2020 – Mens and Ladies
The Men’s and Ladies Club Championships have progressed to the semi-final and finals stages respectively.
The Men’s quarter-finals were played on Saturday the 24th of October for The Plate, Middle Markers and Long Markers with the quarter-finals of the Championship grade being played on Sunday the 25th. Click on the link below to view the results and upcoming quarter final matches for each grade;
Club Championships Matchplay Semi-Finals Draw 2020
The first round of the Ladies Club Championship were played on Thursday 22nd October for Division I, II, and III.Click on the links below to view the results and upcoming semi-final matches for each grade;
Club Championship Division I Matchplay Final Draw 2020
Club Championship Division II Matchplay Final Draw 2020
Club Championship Division III Matchplay Final Draw 2020
Good luck to all competitors!
Digger’s Day – Saturday 14th November
The Club is pleased to announce that the annual Digger’s Day in support of Legacy Australia will proceed as planned on Saturday 14th November.
The event will follow the same format as 2019 with the event running throughout the AM and PM shotgun starts.
Entry will be $40pp and will include;
- Competition Fee
- On-course BBQ
- Legacy Donation
Golfers will be able to purchase drinks throughout the day from the drinks cart and clubhouse. The usual betting options will be available at registration, and the on-course BBQ and Rum Cup will be run from Farmer Tunks Hut between the 6th green and 7th tee.
Covid Safe initiatives will be in place which will include multiple registration tables and the crossover between the AM and PM fields managed through the use of the Club’s function room for the AM field post golf congregation.
All members are encouraged to take part in this event which raises a significant amount of money for Legacy Australia. Below is a short video on the important role Legacy plays in supporting the families of Australian Defence Force veterans who have given their lives or health.
US Masters Breakfast – Cancelled for 2020 due to Telecast Times
Members are advised that the Club will not be ruinning a US Masters Breakfast event this year.
The world’s biggest golf tournament has been re-scheduled from April to November 12-15, however, due to competing sporting events in the US, the television coverage will be finished by 6:30am AEST, hours earlier than the usual 9am finish.
Volkswagen Scramble – Tuesday 24th November 2020
Oatlands Golf Club will once again be holding a Volkswagen Scramble for members and guests on Tuesday 24th November.
The PGA run event sees teams of 4 compete in a 4 person ambrose with winning teams qualifying for the regional final where they are joined by one of the Club’s PGA professionals for the chance to make the national final.
Last year, the Club winning team, playing with David Ecob in the regional final at Riverside Oaks, narrowly missed qualification for the national final by a single shot.
We are hoping this years winner will go one better.
This mixed event is great fun and is open to members and guests, with each team requiring at least one member to be eligible for qualification.
Entry for the event and the 8am shotgun start is via the PGA’s event link below;
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/6716583794175919315
Entry Fee:
Members: $40.00 per person
Visitors: $70.00 per person
This event is an invitational event, where there must be at least 1 Oatlands Golf Club member per team. If your team fails to meet this requirement, Oatlands Golf Club has the right to refuse entry.
Inclusions:
- 6 x Callaway golf balls per person
- A chance to share in over $1,700 of prizes
- Exclusive partner offers
Registrations Close: Monday, November 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Five after Five
The Club’s popular Five after Five series commenced on Friday 23rd October with over 60 members and guests taking part in this light-hearted event hosted by Club member, Rodney Walsh.
Due to popular demand, the tee times for the remainder of the series have been extended and are now available from 4:30pm to 6pm. This is a relaxed competition format where scoring is optional and the score does not count as a competition round against Lifestyle membership, so if you are looking for a relaxed way to introduce yourself to competition golf then please join in the fun.
Host Rodney Walsh never ceases to impress with his outlandish attire and unpredictable presentation of prizes to the days winners (usually pot luck)!!!
The next Five after Five will be held on Friday 6th November and already has over 70 members and guests booked. Each event cost $35 and includes dinner and prizes.
Oatlands Pro Am (Non-Order of Merit)
With most Australian PGA and PGA Tour events for 2020 and 2021 cancelled or postponed, along with many of the elite amateur Vardon events, a group of members have gathered together to organise a non-order of merit Pro Am to help support a number of young golf professionals and elite amateurs that are members of Oatlands Golf Club.
The event will be held on Friday 20th November for an 8am shotgun start followed by lunch. Entry to the event is via sponsorship of $550 which includes 18 holes for 3 people with a PGA Professional or Elite Amateur followed by lunch and presentation of prizes.
Some of the PGA Professionals confirmed to play are OGCs Brad Doherty, Young Park, Jeremy Ward, David Ecob, and Jason Park.
If you would like to sponsor and take part in the event please contact OGC General Manager, Sam Howe for more information.
Modified Local Rules – Penalty for Removing the Flag
Members are reminded that the Club modified Local Rule requiring flagsticks to be left in is a Local Rule as directed by Golf NSW and incurs a General Penalty under the Rules of Golf if breached.
There has been some discussion during the qualifying and first round of the Club Championships and suggestion that this requirement is suggestive only and not a Local Rule.
The Match Committee understand that having to leave the flag in the hole is frustrating for some golfers, however at every juncture of Covid-19 and the subsequent Health Orders enacted by the NSW Government, the Club have followed the advice of our governing bodies (Golf NSW and Clubs NSW), and therefore at this time the Local Rule remains in place with breaches incurring the General Penalty.
Guest / Visitor Green Fee Increase – Effective 1st November 2020
Members are advised that the Guest / Visitor Green Fee will increase on 1st November 2020 from $55 per person to $65 per person.
With the increase in demand for tee times at our Club, the ongoing quality of the golf course, and membership nearing capacity, the Board feels that this is an appropriate increase and representative of members expectations.
Pennant Update
Major Pennant Semi-final – Date Scheduled for second leg against Penrith
The Club is pleased to announce that the second leg of the Men’s Major Pennant Semi-final against Penrith has now been scheduled for Sunday 29th November at Penrith GC.
The majority of the squad have been keeping their form through the Club Championships and despite a disappointing narrow loss in the first leg at Oatlands in August, they are all feeling very confident of making up the deficit and progressing to the final and promotion to Division one in 2021.
Encourage Shield
Round 3 of the Encourage Shield produced a gutsy win in terrible weather conditions for Oatlands Golf Club vs Stonecutters Ridge at their home ground on Sunday 25th October.
Our players hustled hard and came from behind to win 4.5-1.5 with 4 matches going down to the 18th hole.
First up was Stan Gade who was 2 down with 4 to play and won 4 straight holes to win 2 up.
Second was Nick Chen our comeback king. Nick was 5 down with 6 to play and won 6 straight holes to take the match 1up on the 18th.
Third was Isabelle Myeong who played exceptionally well for her first ever match winning 1 up.
Fourth was Tyler Mitchell who fought hard but was outclassed today 8 and 6.
Fifth was Jia You who kept her unbeaten record in tact with a convincing 3 and 2 win.
Last but not least our captain Rylan Prasad who grinded hard and sunk a 10ft putt on the 18th to halve the match and remain unbeaten.
Great sportsmanship shown from both sides.
Next match is against Northbridge at Pennant Hills Golf Club on Sunday 1st November with the following team selected to play;
- Ryland Prasad
- Jia You
- Thomas Reicher
- Isabelle Myeong
- Christian Fong
- Stan Gade
1st Reserve – Nicholas Chen
2nd Reserve – Tyler Mitchell
Ladies Upcoming Events
- The Ladies General Meeting will be held Monday 2/11/20 after the morning competition, at approximately 1-1.30pm. Please stay around to be part of this and if anyone would like to be a part of next year’s committee, let one of the current committee members know.
- Book early for Melbourne Cup Tuesday 3/11/20 – $70/head with maximum of 90 people.
- Ladies Club Championship finals are on Thursday 5/11/20. Grades B and C will compete over 18 holes and A Grade will compete over 36 holes. It would be great to have a cheer squad cheering the ladies onto the 18th and into the Clubhouse with drinks and nibbles on offer, so stick around!
- Closing Day is Thursday 12/11/20. It will be a shotgun start with a Xmas theme and will include a number of fun events.
- Ladies Presentation Night is Thursday 26/11/20 at 6pm for 6.30pm – $65/head all inclusive. Covid restrictions will see us enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres sitting in the Spike Bar on arrival, followed by a sit-down dinner in the function room.
- Tuesday 27/10/20 is the next ladies gardening morning from 8am – 10am. Bring your gloves and any favourite tools.
Upcoming Member and Guests Events
The Club has a range of Member Events planned for the month ahead that we hope you will join us for and bring along friends and family;
Bistro on Bettington Dates
Five after Five – Next fixture, 6th November
Melbourne Cup Luncheon – Tuesday 3rd November
Annual Presentation Dinner – Saturday 7th November
Digger’s Day – Saturday 14th November
Oatlands GC – Fun Fact
Most members are aware of the Clubs long-history hosting the Ladies NSW Open, but many members may be unaware that the Club also played host to the Men’s Australian PGA in 1963.
The event was won by Monash professional Col Johnston who also won the NSW PGA that year.
Unlike the modern era, most professionals events back then were played under matchplay format with Col Johnston defeating USAs Ron Howell 3&2 in the final at OGC. In winning his way to the title he also beat Paul Davis, Darrel Welch and Bill Dunk.