Oatlands Enews – Friday 11th February 2022
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Minutes of General Meeting – Wednesday 2nd February 2022
- From the Course
- PA Upgrade – Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th February 2022
- Pennant Update
- Club Employee of the Year Awards
- Rules of Golf – Distance Measuring Devices
- National Golf Participation Report – Golf Is Booming
- New Daily Bar Menu
- Sandwich Hut to Close on Tuesday’s
- Clubhouse Operating Hours
- Indoor Mask Rule and QR Code Check-in Extended
- Upcoming Trophy Events
- Upcoming Clubhouse Events
Minutes of the General Meeting – Wednesday 2nd February 2022
Members are advised that the minutes of the member requisitioned General Meeting of Oatlands Golf Club, held Wednesday 2nd February 2022, have been published on the Club’s website under Club Documents and Members News.
We thank all members that participated in the General Meeting.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 27.5mm, Rainfall for 2022: 197.5mm Dam: 100% Green Speed: 9.5 feet
There were many compliments on the condition and speed of the greens for last Friday through to Sunday which is nice to receive. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, two-thirds of our greens are over 70 years old with no sub surface drainage systems beneath them, so many factors were required for the greens to be in such great condition. Very favourable weather conditions were presented on these days, and the days leading up to them. We were able to have moisture levels at a desirable level without placing any stress on the turf and without having to apply any overnight irrigation, creating a firm surface to begin with. After rolling was performed, these surfaces became even firmer and truer to putt on.
We also have our growth regulator herbicide applications happening frequently which means minimal growth on our putting surfaces, which leads to more consistent speed throughout the day. We did receive rainfall over the past week, but the needle tyning that was completed last week helps this rainfall to move into the soil profile, and away from the surface.
Work on the bunker rejuvenation program continued this week with the back left bunker on the 16th completed. This work will be paused next week as we are planning to apply growth regulator and fungicide to all fairways and roughs, which will take course staff 2 days to complete. As well as this application, tree bases, drainage pits and bunker edges will be trimmed as part of our maintenance program.
Course staff took advantage of very favourable weather conditions on Thursday and sprayed couch areas with a selective herbicide to control kikuyu weeds in these areas. This herbicide requires warm conditions above 26 degrees, and with no wind present, conditions were perfect for this to be performed. When it is windy, this can cause spray applications to drift and affect non target areas, so Thursday was ideal. We should start to see the results of this application in the next week, with a follow up application required in 14 day’s time.
Our volunteers were on course Monday morning, performing a bunker run before the competition, edging pathways, repairing and cleaning the practice nets, trimming the 6th hedges, trimming fairway sprinkler heads and clubhouse maintenance. Many thanks as always gentlemen for your valuable contribution!
This weekend greens will be cut and rolled on Saturday and cut on Sunday.
Enjoy the Weekend!
The Course Team.
PA Upgrade – Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th February 2022
Many members would be aware that the Clubhouse PA system has been out of action since December 9th following a storm that resulted in water getting into the roof space and causing catastrophic damage to the system. This has resulted in the need to fully replace the PA system which will take place over 3 days from Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th December inclusive.
During this time, the Pro Shop will also be without the PA system for starting the tees. We ask for member assistance during this time and for those playing golf to be extra mindful of their tee time and to be on the tee ready to play at your allotted time.
Pennant Update
Men’s Major Pennant
Well, where do I start with the most unbelievable Major Pennant match you could ever witness last Sunday.
We had Cromer at home, with the Oatlands course looking awesome on a beautiful Sunday morning.
First mention has to be Sam Reece who came in at reserve & smashed his opponent 7/6. A young up & coming future star for sure!
Will Reece, Charlie Kim & Luke Mason played some cracking golf to beat their opponents. Grant Lomas who is like a terrier that just never gives in, came from behind & sunk an amazing putt on the 18th to give us a much needed half.
Nathan Wareham & Rowan Easterbrook were up against some strong players & only narrowly beaten, but both played great golf.
However, the story of the day was our number one player, Brad Hooper. Brad was playing against a player who is trying to get into the Australian Tour Q-school this year and a great player on a +5 handicap. Brad was the last match on the course and 4 down with 4 holes to play, and needing to halve his match for the team to win the day. The golf that was played by Brad over the last 4 holes was nothing less than spectacular, with Brad making multiple birdies to win all 4 holes and carry the side to a momentous 4 matches to 3 victory.
A special thanks again to the caddies, supporters, green staff. We so appreciate all you do!
This Sunday we take on a local team in North Ryde at North Ryde, starting at 7am with the season very much alive and for the taking!
The team for Sunday is as follows;
- Brad Hooper
- Charlie Kim
- Nathan Wareham
- Luke Mason
- Rowan Easterbrook
- Grant Lomas
- Will Reece
- Reserve – Joseph Karam
Thanking you!
Ken Doolan
Team Manager and a very happy Irishman.
Mixed Pennant
Our Mixed Pennant team travelled to Balgowlah last Sunday. Unfortunately, the greens at Balgowlah caused our team much trouble and Balgowlah won 3&1/2 to 1&1/2. Great effort from everyone with several matches going to the 18th!
Results:
- Tony Monaghan & Debbie Jepson – All Square
- Lindsay Macinnes & Justa Kim – Lost 1 Down
- Ben Mees & Leonie Guthrie – Lost 2 Down
- Pete Crawford & Stephanie Monaghan – Won 4/3
- Chris Garland & Linda Bestford – Lost 4/3
- Christian O’Reilly & Amy Kim – Won 3/1
Next match:
This Sunday 13th February at 10:44am at Oatlands. The team is:
- Tony Monaghan & Debbie Jepson
- Kane Milne & Annie Kang
- Lindsay Macinnes & Justa Kim
- Ben Mees & Leonie Guthrie
- Pete Crawford & Stephanie Monaghan
- Christian O’Reilly & Amy Kim
Peter Crawford
Team Manager
Rules of Golf – Distancing Measuring Devices
The following Rule has been published after a member found a distance measuring device on course during the week which did not comply with the Rules of Golf in that it measured slope as well as distance.
Since the days when selecting a club was done purely by “eye”, there has been development of aids available to players to help gauge distance. Initially, there was the introduction of course yardage charts, distance markers at the sides of fairways and distances on sprinkler heads. More recently, technological advancements have resulted in devices, often referred to as Distance Measuring Devices (DMDs), which can accurately measure distance using a variety of technologies.
Since 2006, the use of such devices has been allowed under the Rules of Golf. Although the Rules of Golf allow the use of DMDs, players must ensure that the device they use complies with the restrictions in Rule 4.3a(1) . For additional guidance on distance measuring devices, please see the information below.
Click here for additional information on the use of Measuring Devices.
National Golf Participation Report – Golf is Booming
This week, Golf Australia announced record growth in club participation and total participation, with a 6.4 percent increase in club members and a 21% year-on-year rise in round players, according to AusPlay data.
The 2020-21 Golf Club Participation Report, which was prepared by Golf Business Advisory Services, showcases a combination of Golf Australia’s club member participation data and Sport Australia’s AusPlay data, with both data sets providing the golf industry a year-on-year view of the game’s participation trends. More than 24,000 new players joined golf clubs in 2020-21, with the 6.4 percent increase the largest jump in percentage terms recorded since data collection began in 1970, taking the total number to 409,970.
So how does Oatlands Golf Club compare to the National data. Keeping in mind that the Club has capped the maximum number of members in all categories and currently has a strong waitlist for full-playing membership. For the easiest comparison, we have compared 2019 (the last full pre-Covid year) with 2021 below;
Rounds Played
- 2019: 47,330
- 2021: 64,897
- Increase: 37.1% (16.1% higher than the national average)
Playing Membership
- 2019: 998 Playing Members (as of 31st December 2019)
- 2021: 1,024 Playing Members (as of 31st December 2021)
- Increase: 2.6% (3.8% below the national average)
Where membership at Oatlands has seen the greatest change is in the category mix;
2019
- Full Playing Members: 453
- 6 Day Members: 126
- Lifestyle Members: 419
2021
- Full Playing Members: 500 (10.3% increase on 2019)
- 6 Day Members: 195 (54.7% increase on 2019)
- Lifestyle Members: 329 (20.9% decrease on 2019)
These are fantastic results and show a tangible benefit to the Club as result of the Covid resurgence in golf, along with decisions made by the Board and management regarding membership caps and joining fees, but most of all, because of the underlying strength of the Club, its members. It is the members that make this Club great, and it is the members telling / showing potential new members how great Oatlands is, that has allowed Oatlands to make the most of the recent resurgence.
Click here to view the full 2020-21 Golf Australia Golf Participation Report
New Daily Bar Menu
Chef Andrew Yang has recently updated the Club’s daily blackboard menu.
This new menu is available for lunch at the Clubhouse 7 days a week.
We hope members and their guests will enjoy the new menu in the safety and comfort of their Club.
Sandwich Hut to Close on Tuesday’s
With the increase in golf participation as a result of Covid-19, the Club expanded the Sandwich Hut offering to include Tuesday’s and Sunday’s in mid-2021.
Unfortunately, since coming out of the 2021 Covid-19 lockdown, while we are still seeing high levels of golf participation, the hospitality industry in general is seeing a reduction in trade due to Covid-19 hesitancy, along with staff shortages as a result of positive Covid-19 cases and isolation requirements.
As a result of this, the Club will not be opening the Sandwich Hut on Tuesday’s until further notice. The Daily Bar Menu, as listed in the previous Enews article, will continue to be available 7 days a week including Tuesday’s.
Clubhouse Operating Hours
Members are advised of the following Clubhouse operating hours. These are unchanged, however, given the disruption of the last 2 years it seemed appropriate to publish them in the hope we get a run of normal operation:
- Monday: 11-6pm
- Tuesday: 11-6pm (Happy hour 3-5pm)
- Wednesday: 10-6:30pm
- Thursday: 11-6pm
- Friday 10-6:30pm (Happy hour 4-6)
- Saturday: 10-6:30pm
- Sunday: 10-6pm
Note: These are also the operating times for Clubhouse Locker Rooms which are locked by Clubhouse staff when closing.
Indoor Mask Rule and QR Code Check-in Extended
The NSW Government recently extended the current Public Health Orders in place in relation to mandatory wearing of masks in indoor settings and compulsory QR code check-in for hospitality venues.
Members are reminded that they must wear a mask when indoors at the Club at all times except when eating or drinking. This includes placing orders at the bar or sandwich hut.
Your co-operation with this is greatly appreciated.
Upcoming Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 12th February: AC Berk Cup Rnd 2 – Individual Stroke, 36 holes, Black Tees
- Saturday 19th February: Captain’s Cup – Individual Stableford, 18 Holes, Black Tees
- Saturday 5th March: Autumn Medal – Individual Stroke, 18 Holes, Black Tees
- Saturday 19th March: OGC Memorial Bowl
Ladies
- Thursday 17th February: President’s Cup Quarter-final Matchplay
- Thursday 24th February: President’s Cup Semi-final Matchplay
- Thursday 3rd March: President’s Cup Final Matchplay
- Thursday 10th March: Club Medal Round 2, GNSW Medal Round 2, Veterans Medal Round 2
